XP hangs on startup - unplugging power helps

[Seb]

I have a Gateway Profile 4 (2.4 ghz pentium, 256 RAM, 40 GB HD, CDRW).
In the last few days, the computer seemed to run slower and the
intial loading was very slow. Finally, the computer started to hang
at a blank screen upon starting or restarting. The power button had
to be held down to turn the computer off. Pressing the power button
usually resulted in the computer hanging at a blank screen. My wife
was able to start the computer by unplugging the surge protector (to
the computer, DSL modem, printer) for ~5 minutes. PCPitstop.com tests
showed a very low uncached disksped. I attempted to delete
unnecessary startup programs without any effect. I have run an
antivirus scan and checked for spyware. (My hypothesis had been a
virus.)

Any advice will be appreciated.

Thanks,
Seb

 

[Kelly]

Hi Seb,

You need to run more than one cleaner. Some catch things that the others
don't.

Download them on line 308 - The zip contains all of them except the last
one.
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_tweaks.htm

Free Online Virus Scan
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

 

[Guest]

Battery too hot?

 

[larry]

for laptops, always unplug either battery or AC aftwer battery has
charged. otherwise chg circuit is pumping juice to battery. this
will cause a lot of heat and shorten BAT life.

some of the newest laptops manage this way better than others, and I
have seen some tolerate the full time charging, but for the heat
generated in the PC, it is still a good idea to run on one or the other.