XP Operating system keeps freezing

M

Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)

First, be sure your antivirus software has the latest definitions and run a
virus scan.

Second, download, install and run Ad Aware:
www.lavasoftusa.com
Note: you should always be well backed up before running an application of
this type.

If your system is clear of viruses, open Control Panel, open System, go to
the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery, remove the
check from "Automatically Restart" under System Failure. This will cause
the system to blue screen instead of restarting on errors and the
information on the blue screen may give a clue as to the source of the
issue.

Open Control Panel, open Administrative Tools, open Event Viewer, look for
errors corresponding to the crash, double click the error, the information
contained within may give a clue as to the
source of the problem.

Assuming you have an XP CD and not a recovery CD, place the XP CD in the
drive, when the setup screen appears, select "Check System Compatibility,"
the report it generates may point to problem hardware or software on your
system. If you do not have an XP CD, you can download this application
known as the Upgrade Advisor from the following site:
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/pro/howtobuy/upgrading/advisor.asp
Note: If you have access to a broadband connection it might be best to
download using that as this is a rather large download.

Check for the latest drivers for your hardware, especially your graphics
card and soundcard and all peripherals connected to your system. No not use
Windows Update for this, go to the device manufacturer's web sites and if
you install updated drivers, ignore the message about drivers being unsigned
by Microsoft.
 
N

Nick

Thanks I'll try that. I know my virus software s up to
date so just 1 question what is the adaware thing you
mention I've never hear of it? also the blue screen might
not work (and sounds a bit ominous as the mouse pointer
lierally freezez on screen and I have to reboot to clear
it)
 
M

Michael Solomon \(MS-MVP Windows Shell/User\)

Ad Aware is an application that scans your system for spyware. You may have
installed such spyware unwittingly when installing some free software or
testing some software as spyware is often a part of free software.
Sometimes various websites you visit install such software or Internet
Explorer add/ons. It happens rather fast, a message may appear and the user
unthinkingly clicks yes in haste to get to the page without even reading the
message.

Ad Aware uses an internal database which it updates frequently much the same
as antirivirus software looking for common files that indicate the presence
of spyware. Spyware, often called "scumware" for good reason as it deposits
garbage on your system, ad ons that reveal information about your websurfing
but that also can cause your system peformance to deteriorate or crash your
setup as it's ofen incompatible with various parts of the user setup.

The blue screen will only come up if the system has that type of crash.
Your system is locking up. I only included the instructions as precaution
in the event your system starts rebooting spontaneously, we want that blue
screen message as it might give an indication of the source of the issue.
NOTE: blue screens are almost invariably a hardware issue. While a lockup
can be hardware it might also be related to spyware as specified or some
other software on your system causing conflicts.
 

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