Crashing

[Guest]

I have an HP laptop that started crashing on me a couple weeks ago. I took it
to the store where I bought it and they told me the mother board was going
bad. I then gave I to a friend, who is pretty knowledgable with computers,
and he said he loaded a different build of Windows XP Home. He said the
computer seems to be working better. Would a bad version of Windows make it
look like a bad mother board?

 

[Yves Leclerc]

There is no "bad" version of Windows, unless you use a "pirated" version.

Most crashes nowadays are cause by "hidden" programs that get installed onto
your system without your knowledge. These are commonly known as spywares.
Running a reputable anti-spyware removal tools will always help you in
fixing crash problems.

The best freeware tools are:

Ad Aware SE 1.05
Spybot: Search and Destroy 1.3
CWShredder

HiJackThis (need to be more computer savvy for this one. There are forums
to help you with this.)

 

[Guest]

There is no "bad" version of Windows, unless you use a "pirated" version.

Most crashes nowadays are cause by "hidden" programs that get installed onto
your system without your knowledge. These are commonly known as spywares.
Running a reputable anti-spyware removal tools will always help you in
fixing crash problems.

The best freeware tools are:

Ad Aware SE 1.05
Spybot: Search and Destroy 1.3
CWShredder

HiJackThis (need to be more computer savvy for this one. There are forums
to help you with this.)

I agree and think it much more likely the store thought it could sell you a
new laptop. Your new version of XP might include SP2 which will keep you
safer but I'd add one more necessary programme to Yves Lecrec's list -
SpywareBlaster 3.2 from http://www.javacoolsoftware.com which, like Spybot
and AdAware needs regularly updating but uinlike them resides permanently in
the background offering protection. With that set to Enable all Protection
and Spybot's Immunize feature in use, you have a better chance of remaining
clean.

Try to set aside some time in a routine to update these three and run them
every other day, etting them fix anything they find. Now that your laptop is
runng better, keep it that way by regularly clearing out Temporary and
Temporary Internet files, Cookies and old History files you no longer need.
Defrag the hard disk every couple of months and you should keep the same
running speed you have now.

 

[Yves Leclerc]

Of course, I am assuming that the original poster (OP) is running an up to
date anti-virus utility. If not, then you are playing "Russian roulette"
and will get infested by the newer type of viruses.