xp problem - on again off again

[Eben XP-user]

Hello,

I am not a software expert, so please be explicit in any answers you post.

Problem:
I own a laptop with an Intel Celeron M 360 (60 GB HDD; 512 MB DDR). For the
last month, I have experienced the following problems on an
on-again-off-again basis:
- When I start-up the computer, the log-on icon does not appear. (Sometimes
only a wallpaper appears)
- Sometimes the sound/volume icon disappears from the task bar (bottom of
the screen)
- Sometimes when loggen on successfully, the keyboard does not work at all.
- Sometimes I am unable to safely remove My flash drive from the usb port.
- Sometimes when I try to log off, the system just hangs (in other words,
the cursor changes into the hour glass icon and just sits there) and nothing
happens for minutes.

Other times, everything works perfectly.

Question: What can I do to fix these problems?

Please advise.

Regards

 

[Malke]

Hello,

I am not a software expert, so please be explicit in any answers you post.

Problem:
I own a laptop with an Intel Celeron M 360 (60 GB HDD; 512 MB DDR). For
the last month, I have experienced the following problems on an
on-again-off-again basis:
- When I start-up the computer, the log-on icon does not appear.
(Sometimes only a wallpaper appears)
- Sometimes the sound/volume icon disappears from the task bar (bottom of
the screen)
- Sometimes when loggen on successfully, the keyboard does not work at
all. - Sometimes I am unable to safely remove My flash drive from the usb
port. - Sometimes when I try to log off, the system just hangs (in other
words, the cursor changes into the hour glass icon and just sits there)
and nothing happens for minutes.

Other times, everything works perfectly.

Question: What can I do to fix these problems?

While it is always good to be sure your computer is virus/malware-free so
you have a known baseline of computer cleanliness, the random quality of
your problems indicates hardware issues.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Hardware_Tshoot

I would start by testing the hard drive and then the RAM. Since this is a
laptop, there isn't much else you can do yourself. If the laptop mftr.
provided hardware diagnostics, you can run them. Otherwise contact their
tech support, particularly if the laptop is still under warranty.

Standard disclaimer: I can't see and test your computer myself, so these are
just suggestions based on many years of being a professional computer tech;
suggestions based on what you've written. You should not take my
suggestions as a definitive diagnosis. 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 BigComputerStore/GeekSquad). If possible, have all your data
backed up before you take the machine into a shop.

Malke