Windows Unstable

[Guest]

My Windows XP Home Edition, which is fully up to date and is the only
operating system the machine has had, has recently become unstable;
indications are slow running, display flashing, some freezes, keyboard entry
either doesn't work or a key repeats indefinately and neither Escape nor Cmd
Alt Delete are effective, even after a reboot system informed me that I was
holding down Ctrl, when I wasn't. (Have tried another keyboard, just in case,
to no avail.) It also can't or wont load my antivirus add in to any Office
programme (Office 2003 Standard)

I have tried system restore, back to early September, when the system was
stable, and have removed all software loaded since then. No long term effect,
although last night it did run OK for a while the same symptoms then
reappeared. I have Kaspersky's Labs Anti Virus, which is also fully up to
date and a complete scan shows the machine to be clean.

The original Windows disc is an OEM, but MS sold to an amateur builder and
not modified in any way. I am sending this from my wife's computer as I can't
type on mine and would be very pleased to receive any clues or suggestions.

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi Philip,

How much time do you want to invest in repairing this? This is what I would
do:

1) Remove the hard drive and slave it in a working machine.

2) From the working machine, take ownership of and copy off data files you
wish to preserve.

3) Put the drive back in the original machine, then boot with the WinXP CD.

4) Run setup, delete the existing system partition, create a new one, format
and get a new installation.

Now, if the system acts fine, just reinstall your software and recover your
files. If it is not, bring it to the shop, as this is indicative of a
hardware problem.

Or you can try doing this the long way:

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP [Q310560]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310560

HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316434

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

Thanks Rick,

I have been investigating some more since posting my message and I appear to
have found the problem! You were correct it was a hardware fault, at least as
far as I can tell so far. When I said I had tried another key board to no
avail it had not occurred to this 'bear of little brain' that it was a
wireless keyboard and although I synched another keyboard to the reciever, I
had not considered the receiver. Now having switched the receiver from
another machine the problem appears to be cured. So, fingers crossed..., but
very grateful for your help.

Hi Philip,

How much time do you want to invest in repairing this? This is what I would
do:

1) Remove the hard drive and slave it in a working machine.

2) From the working machine, take ownership of and copy off data files you
wish to preserve.

3) Put the drive back in the original machine, then boot with the WinXP CD.

4) Run setup, delete the existing system partition, create a new one, format
and get a new installation.

Now, if the system acts fine, just reinstall your software and recover your
files. If it is not, bring it to the shop, as this is indicative of a
hardware problem.

Or you can try doing this the long way:

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP [Q310560]
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=310560

HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316434

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org