Windows XP Pro Hangs

[Guest]

All Windows XP Pro updates and Internet Explorer's latest
SP1 version have been installed; latest update of Norton
Anti-Virus system scan shows this 8-year old Dell's 72,000
files are clear of infections and all runs well at HOME.

But out on our remote FARM (set up to provide Internet
access) whether at Sign-on Screen {before there's a
desktop} or later in Internet Explorer, it hangs up
(freezes--screen unchanged and unresponsive to keyboard or
mouse) without warning and no Event Log entry, Admin.
Alert message, or full System Dump that it's set up for.
There's no evidence it happened, yet power-down then up
later is the only recourse. The last time it happened
four times in 3 hours. Any suggestions?

 

[Shenan Stanley]

All Windows XP Pro updates and Internet Explorer's latest
SP1 version have been installed; latest update of Norton
Anti-Virus system scan shows this 8-year old Dell's 72,000
files are clear of infections and all runs well at HOME.

But out on our remote FARM (set up to provide Internet
access) whether at Sign-on Screen {before there's a
desktop} or later in Internet Explorer, it hangs up
(freezes--screen unchanged and unresponsive to keyboard or
mouse) without warning and no Event Log entry, Admin.
Alert message, or full System Dump that it's set up for.
There's no evidence it happened, yet power-down then up
later is the only recourse. The last time it happened
four times in 3 hours. Any suggestions?

"8-year old.."

Spend the $400-$500 and upgrade the 8 year old Dell to a new Dell with a 1
year warranty and likely 3-5 times the power. =) Hardware will go bad
without warning - especially hardware approaching that age. (Or splurge
with $500-$800 and get a 3 year warranty or more.)

 

[BK]

What?
Shenan, DELLs don't go bad!
This one works fine in K.C.
Why does it ONLY freeze when in Barnard, MO?
Take it back to K.C. as I've done 8 times,
and it works super as always before in K.C.
And why waste the money when it's only for
Internet access.

 

[Shenan Stanley]

What?
Shenan, DELLs don't go bad!
This one works fine in K.C.
Why does it ONLY freeze when in Barnard, MO?
Take it back to K.C. as I've done 8 times,
and it works super as always before in K.C.
And why waste the money when it's only for
Internet access.

If you honestly think that because it has Dell stamped on it, the
fujitsu/quantum hard drive in it will not go bad - particular if it has been
transported and juggled around.. *to each their own..*

 

[Shenan Stanley]

What?
Shenan, DELLs don't go bad!
This one works fine in K.C.
Why does it ONLY freeze when in Barnard, MO?
Take it back to K.C. as I've done 8 times,
and it works super as always before in K.C.
And why waste the money when it's only for
Internet access.

If you honestly think that because it has Dell stamped on it, the
fujitsu/quantum hard drive in it will not go bad - particular if it
has been transported and juggled around.. *to each their own..*

However, you have not pointed out how you connect to the Internet (assuming
dial-up). It is possible you have network configurations for one dial-up
service and not correct for the other and/or they conflict.

It is also possible you have spyware/adware/malware(NOT the same as
viruses):

I suggest looking into (installing, updating/scanning with) ALL of the
following applications:

Hijack This!
http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html

LavaSoft AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de/

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/

I also like "The Cleaner" and "SpywareBlaster" and "SpywareGuard".
- http://www.moosoft.com/
- http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/

The first is a PAY product, but useable for 30 days - it has found and
eliminated problems in the past the others did not. The latter two are
prevention mechanisms. I like SpywareGuard for those with enough processor
to have something running like antivirus software - and it prevents browser
hijacking quite well.

If nothing is found there, you may be better off recreating the account for
connecting to your ISP in the second location. Something could be setup
incorrectly or corrupted. ALSO, contact the ISP in that area and see if
they are having any issues/suggestions. If it only happens when connecting
to this ISP, perhaps there is something wrong with the phone line you are
using (if you are using a phone line) or something special you have to do
with your configuration for this ISP - and they can tell you this.