You could have a corrupted file, or even malicious code. Do you get any
error messages when these problems occur? Do you remember ahything you might
have done just prior to the emergence of the problem?
Here are some things you can check:
1. If you can estimate a date before this problem began, try a System
Restore. It is reversible, and will only affect software, not data files or
applications. It will inactivate any updates or other software added after
the Restore Point you have chosen.
2. Malicious code: do a current virus scan, run Spybot and AdAware.
Ad-Aware -
www.lavasoftusa.com
Spybot -
http://security.kolla.de
3. Run SCANNOW, which compares your CD version of Windows against what is on
your hard drive. If it detects a corrupted file, it will immediately replace
that file with a sound version. (per Michael Solomon, MVP)
"The following assumes you have an actual XP CD as opposed to a restore CD
or
restore partition supplied by your PC manufacturer.
Go to Start, type sfc /scannow in the run box and press enter. Note, there
is a space between sfc and the forward slash. You will be asked for your XP
CD. Be aware, upon inserting the CD the XP setup screen may appear, this is
not a part of sfc /scannow, rather it is being invoked by autorun. Simply
minimize the screen and allow sfc to continue."
4. Repair Install XP, if the first two do not fix the problem.
5. Start over from scratch by reformatting and reinstalling XP. This is the
most extreme solution.
