Help! PC has too many problems! :(

[Guest]

Hi, I am running windows XP pro and my pc has too many problems.

HDD - 120GB + 40GB
CPU - P4 HT 3Ghz
RAM - 1GB


The main, and most important one is that when I try to use disk clean up,
anti virus, and other programs to help the smooth running of my pc, they all
come up with '*** has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry
for the inconvenience' It then tells me to send/not send error report or
debug, but none of these resolves the issue and later tells me the same
thing. As up until now everything was up to date, i.e. windows, anti virus
definitions etc, but I cannot seem to check my computer for problems because
this problem is preventing it.

Disk checker also tells me that 'it cannot continue', so I cannot see
whether there is a problem with the disk.

Before all this happened, explorer.exe used to hang a lot as well, so not
sure if this is relevant.

I have tried running anti virus in safe mode, but the same thing happens. I
have also tried running the system file checker tool, but this hasn’t solved
anything.

I later re installed (an in place upgrade) XP but this hasn’t fixed the
problem, and subsequently lost my restore points!

Is there a solution to fix all this? Or can someone tell me how to format
the disk and install from scratch (will this work?). I have backed up all my
files that I need, and still have all software to put back on, but its just
finding the time do all this!

Many Thanks in advance.

 

[Guest]

Sounds like a clean install makes the most sesnse for you. Need some more
info to help you.

What kind of machine do you have? Is it a DELL, COMPAQ, HP etc??

Often these machines come with disks that completely refomat the HD and
bring the computer back to factory settings. That is where I would start.

 

[Guest]

Hi,

Unfortuantly its a home built PC. It worked fine for over a year, until now,
so I only have the origanal XP disc.

 

[Guest]

Okay that is no problem either.

As long as you have the original windows xp (not an upgrade cd)

if that is the case, the after the computer is totally backed up and you
alos know that you have all of your driver disks, then put the windows cd in
the drive, restart the computer and boot from CD.

Usually when it is booting there is a boot menu option- or go to the system
bios and do it. Good luck

Then windows will stat loading and let you wipe your drive and reinstall.,

 

[DL]

Before you leap in with the sledgehammer;
Youve run a memory test, memtest86
You've visited your hd manu site, downloaded and ran the checking utility
You've run the PC in safe mode for some hours?
You've run msconfig, disabled all startups and tested extensively, you've
repeated this by disabling all non MS services and tested?
You've ensured you are using hw manu drivers and NOT winupdate drivers?

 

[paulmd]

Hi, I am running windows XP pro and my pc has too many problems.

HDD - 120GB + 40GB
CPU - P4 HT 3Ghz
RAM - 1GB


The main, and most important one is that when I try to use disk clean up,
anti virus, and other programs to help the smooth running of my pc, they all
come up with '*** has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry
for the inconvenience' It then tells me to send/not send error report or
debug, but none of these resolves the issue and later tells me the same
thing. As up until now everything was up to date, i.e. windows, anti virus
definitions etc, but I cannot seem to check my computer for problems because
this problem is preventing it.

Disk checker also tells me that 'it cannot continue', so I cannot see
whether there is a problem with the disk.

Before all this happened, explorer.exe used to hang a lot as well, so not
sure if this is relevant.

I have tried running anti virus in safe mode, but the same thing happens. I
have also tried running the system file checker tool, but this hasn't solved
anything.

I later re installed (an in place upgrade) XP but this hasn't fixed the
problem, and subsequently lost my restore points!

Is there a solution to fix all this? Or can someone tell me how to format
the disk and install from scratch (will this work?). I have backed up all my
files that I need, and still have all software to put back on, but its just
finding the time do all this!

Many Thanks in advance.

try memtest86+ from www.memtest.org to test RAM. If da ram ain't happy,
ain't nothing happy.

 

[Guest]

Hi Thanks,

Just want to know, how do I use the mem test software? I dont have a floppy
drive, only USB flash drives or DVD rom.

Could someone let me know on how to do this?

Many Thanks

 

[Shenan Stanley]

Just want to know, how do I use the mem test software? I dont have
a floppy drive, only USB flash drives or DVD rom.

Could someone let me know on how to do this?

http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
Bootable USB? Get the "Pre-Compiled EXE file for USB Key (Pure DOS)"
version.

Otherwise you need to get someone to burn you a CD from the "Pre-Compiled
Bootable ISO (.zip)" download.

I cannot think of any decent memory testers you can run in Windows off the
top of my head. Even Microsoft's makes a bootable CD/diskette!

 

[Guest]

I would just prefer a complete wipe out and clean up. It then gets rid of
all of the othe junk that is on windows. and you PC will probably run better
in the long run.

IMHO

 

[Roberto]

I would just prefer a complete wipe out and clean up. It then gets rid of
all of the othe junk that is on windows. and you PC will probably run
better
in the long run.

But the point is, is your machine's hardware reliable ?, if not then
no matter how many times you do a clean install /repair you will
still have those underling problems.
Do yourself A HUGH FAVOUR and test the basic components before
doing anything else
1. RAM http://www.memtest86.org
2. HDD with diagnosticds from the manufacturer
3. visually inspect the system board for bad caps

rgds
Roberto

 

[DL]

You dont listen do you?
If you have a hw problem it doesnt matter whether you clean install the
problem wont go away

 

[Guest]

Hi, I have downloaded the memtest software and tryed putting in onto a CD as
my forst boot is my CD rom, but nothing happens, it just starts up normally,
and the same when I put in onto a USB and select bios to boot from USB,
nothing happens.

Could someone explain in simple terms for me on how to get this to work?
Sorry to be a pain but its not working for me!

Thanks

 

[paulmd]

Hi, I have downloaded the memtest software and tryed putting in onto a CD as
my forst boot is my CD rom, but nothing happens, it just starts up normally,
and the same when I put in onto a USB and select bios to boot from USB,
nothing happens.

Could someone explain in simple terms for me on how to get this to work?
Sorry to be a pain but its not working for me!

Thanks

It's supposed to just work. Save the Iso image on the desktop. Open it
with a burning program. Burn it. Boot with it.

If you DO have bad RAM, it could be screwing up the ISO image or
burning program, If you have a friend with a cd burner, you might want
to ask him/her to do it for you.

 

[Roberto]

Hi, I have downloaded the memtest software and tryed putting in onto a CD
as
my forst boot is my CD rom, but nothing happens, it just starts up
normally,
and the same when I put in onto a USB and select bios to boot from USB,
nothing happens.

Could someone explain in simple terms for me on how to get this to work?
Sorry to be a pain but its not working for me!

Thanks

You have to burn it as an ISO, if you use Nero then open the file
menu > burn image or ISO [ not in front of my Desktop currently for
exact msg, but you get the idea]

rgds
Roberto