Echoe said:
Thanks Malke, but really my problem is a software issue. I hope you
are not that kind of people, the ones that when they have any sofwtare
or config bug (driver incompatibility, slow database, buggy programs,
...) , just contact tech support, "gee, this PC is not working, give
me another one please.... maybe a faster one".
Nope, what I mean with the noisy fan is that the iexplore hangs up
eating lots of CPU and it reflects on the fan operation. Any clues?
<sigh> A noisy fan indicates that heat is building up in your computer.
This is not normal for just Internet surfing. Therefore my suggestion
that you have a hardware problem and since you have a new Dell, don't
wait to have them fix it. But suit yourself. Here are general
troubleshooting steps, covering both hardware and software issues:
For software issues - First check for malware after deleting all
Temporary and Temporary Internet Files. For IE's Temporary Files, go to
Control Panel>Internet Options>General tab. You'll see where you can
delete cookies and files. For Firefox, clear its cache by going to
Tools>Options>Privacy>Cache> Clear. For Windows Temporary files,
Start>Run cleanmgr [enter]. Then follow these detailed malware removal
steps, doing everything with updated tools in Safe Mode. You can find
all the links to referenced programs and sites on my website here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2004)
antivirus using updated definitions.
Before you remove malware, get LSPFix or WinSockFix for XP - see links
below.
2) Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware. These
programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
There is a new version of CWShredder from Intermute. I would not
install the other Intermute programs, however. Alternately, there are
CoolWebSearch malware removal steps at SilentRunners.
Be sure to update these programs before running, and it is a good idea
to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options).
If the malware remains even after you used Ad-aware and Spybot, you can
scan with HijackThis. HijackThis is an excellent tool to discover and
disable hijackers, but it requires expert skill. See the links on my
website for a HijackThis tutorial and places where you can post your
HJT log. Again, this is an expert tool and novices should get help with
it.
3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
Restore after the system is clean because malware will be in the
Restore Points. With ME, you must disable System Restore completely.
With XP, you can delete all but the most recent (presumably clean)
System Restore point from the More Options section of Disk Cleanup
(Run>cleanmgr).
Make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update. Make sure
you are running a firewall.
For hardware issues -
1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing). Obviously
you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan is running
and feel if the laptop is getting too hot.
2) Test the RAM - I like Memtest86+ from
www.memtest.org. Obviously, you
have to get the program from a working machine. You will either
download the precompiled Windows binary to make a bootable floppy or
the .iso to make a bootable cd. If you want to use the latter, you'll
need to have third-party burning software on the machine where you
download the file - XP's built-in burning capability won't do the job.
In either case, boot with the media you made. The test will run
immediately. Let the test run for an extended period of time - unless
errors are seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.
3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr. Usually
you will download the file and make a bootable floppy with it. Boot
with the media and do a thorough test. If the drive has physical
errors, replace it.
4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system. The adequacy issue doesn't really apply to a
laptop, although of course the power
supply can be faulty.
5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com. Sometimes this is useful, and sometimes it isn't.
Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts
with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are
uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a professional
computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of BigStoreUSA).
Malke
