Windows doesn't load all programs

[Guest]

Within the last couple of months, when I first turn on the computer, I've
been having trouble with Windows locking up before it fully opens or opening
but not loading all the programs in the systems tray, or not loading the MS
Toolbar, etc. If I reboot 3, 4, 5, times, Windows will eventually load all
the items in the systems tray, and MS Toolbar.

I've run the various Norton System Works tools (including defrag. and Win
Doctor) but the problem has not been corrected. Is this a sign that my
hard drive (about 3 years old) may be going out or could it be some other
problem? Any ideas will be welcome. Thank you.

Windows XP SP2, P4-2.4 gig, 1 gig RAM. ASUS P4S533 (SiS645DX) MB, 2 IDE
Western Digital UltraATA100 7200rmp-8mb cache (80 gig and 120 gig). ATI
All-In-Wonder 8500 (128mb) video card and Creativy Audigy sound card.

 

[Guest]

Download antispyware; install it. Run it (In Safe mode).

 

[Guest]

Sorry, forgot to note that I'm running Norton Antivirus, Spyware Blaster,
Spybot, and Adaware (all current and checked regularly). Also have Win
Firewall and router firewall active.

 

[Malke]

Within the last couple of months, when I first turn on the computer,
I've been having trouble with Windows locking up before it fully opens
or opening but not loading all the programs in the systems tray, or
not loading the MS
Toolbar, etc. If I reboot 3, 4, 5, times, Windows will eventually
load all the items in the systems tray, and MS Toolbar.

I've run the various Norton System Works tools (including defrag. and
Win
Doctor) but the problem has not been corrected. Is this a sign that
my hard drive (about 3 years old) may be going out or could it be some
other
problem? Any ideas will be welcome. Thank you.

Windows XP SP2, P4-2.4 gig, 1 gig RAM. ASUS P4S533 (SiS645DX) MB, 2
IDE
Western Digital UltraATA100 7200rmp-8mb cache (80 gig and 120 gig).
ATI All-In-Wonder 8500 (128mb) video card and Creativy Audigy sound
card.

The fact that you can get things to work after rebooting multiple times
points to a hardware issue. I'd check your power supply first (swap out
for known-working one), then your RAM, then your hard drive. Here are
some general hardware t-shooting steps, although not all may apply to
you:

1) Open the computer and run it open after cleaning out all dust
bunnies. Observe 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 hour or two - 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. Download
the file and make a bootable floppy or cd 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. Swap out for
a known-working one to test.

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

 

[Guest]

Thank you Malke,

I'll start running the tests you suggested. The machine is about three
years old so it sounds logical that one or more of those items you mentioned
could be getting tired.