System hangs in many situations

[Guest]

Hi.
I have a Toshiba Satellite A100 laptop running XP Pro.
I'm now finding that the system hangs in various situations, such as:
-- when logging off (with 'saving your settings' displayed)
-- with the logon screen displayed
-- with the desktop displayed (no applications open)
-- with an application such as the browser open
In the latter three situations, the hang occurs when the computer is left
standing idle.
In all situations, the cursor still operates, but striking the mouse
touchpad a few times results in an error bleep, then the cursor freezes.
Ctrl Alt Del does not work. Neither does anything else, and the only
solution now is to hold down the power key for a forced shutdown.
I'd appreciate any help anyone can offer.
Cheers.

 

[Ron Badour]

Do you do regular full system scans with up to date AV and spyware programs?
If not, I'd start with that as it appears to me that something running in
the background (like a nasty) is causing the problems.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply.

I update and run AVG and Spyware Doctor daily.

I also recently ran an online virus scan -- nothing of note.

And I have cleaned out a couple of programs and drivers I suspected, to no
avail.

I also did a registry clean after the uninstallations.

What else could be causing this?

 

[Ron Badour]

I would try to rule out anything running in the background.

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316434

 

[Guest]

OK, I'll give that a shot. Thanks.

I would try to rule out anything running in the background.

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316434

--
Regards

Ron Badour
MS MVP 1997 - 2007