Help! XP went mad! (Fixed, read this!)

[InCreator]

Well, I've used XP Home edition for half a year for now.

And I see it slowly dying. Like, wtf?

First, months ago, at some point, my registry died. All software that existed, got uninstallable.

From add/remove programs (and also with ToniArts Easycleaner), numerous entries are missing. I can't remove programs installed, windows doesn't show them! Next, some software stayed on this list, but there's no more "remove" button next to them. I can't remove them in "normal" way! All newer software installed after this registry crap still get their "remove/modify" icons. But what's installed before breakpoint, is unaccessible from the menu. Well, atleast the programs themselves work fine.

Second, I can't search anything on hard disk. Windows XP home doesn't have normal way to search for files and folders, there's that crappy "Desktop search" program, which doesn't really work. Everytime I start it, it requires to index files on my 250GB harddrive. And it sits there. Indexing. Which will never be complete. I left computer working at this indexing task for 2 days and it still wasn't complete, so I guess that this is broken too.

Third, the artificial matter of pure evil named "Windows Defender" does not work. At all. It either hangs or doesn't open. And since it was installed before registry breakpoint, I don't know a way to remove it. It sometimes decides to start by itsself and freezes computer.

Fourth, most of items in Control Panel won't open. Completely at random. I click, machine hangs a bit, and nothing happens. Or "not responding" event happens.

Fifth, Windows Live Messenger stopped working few days ago. How? Hell knows. The messages, in conversation won't go through. Though, it doesn't say anything. Or they lag for 20 minutes and suddenly all that's been written by other human during these minutes appear on my screen in one big delayed bunch. It's really awful to see a long list of messages which end with "are you there?", "why don't you reply anything?", "what kind of sick game is this?", "I'm blocking you!"...
But more ofter, WLM does not connect at all. It shows error and loses internet connection Gateway. Which destroys internet connection for good, until I restart both modem and machine. Again, Windows Live was installed before registry died - how do I remove it now?

I have no viruses, and common existing adware is your very typical "browsed 30 mins on windows machine", which I wipe out every day.
Like some tracker cookies and advertising.com.

But Windows keeps on dying. Few days ago, another problem started - opening a folder sometimes hangs machine for some time.

Is that normal?
I have this strong urge to wipe dust off my pirated copy of XP professional and replace legal XP home.

[CodeJunkie]

It sounds to me like you have a hardware fault.  I used to have a problem where everytime I boot up windows flags up more and more corrupt files in the scandisk thingy.  It was a memory problem, I think I was using more RAM than my motherboard wanted.  Have you installed any new hardware recently?

First thing is back up everything important to you onto cd, dvd, USB stick etc and check it's backed up after.  Next, look up your ram and harddisk manufacturer's websites and see if they have a consistency checker.  There are probably easier ways, but Knoppix has a copy of memtest on its bootable cd.  Whether you find problems or not, you seem to be looking very much at a reformat.  During persistent and very elusive hardware problems I ended up reformatting many many times, and just be aware that if you do have a hardware problem you'll want to find out what it is as soon as possible or you'll go insane looking at the windows install screen.

As a side note, I've always used the ^^ windows xp pro with no problems, except for security holes since I can't install either SP.  You may have a better version, but when trying to boot from the install CD my drive wouldn't recognise it and had to download the pre-install floppies from microsoft.com (which comes on 6 floppies damnit, it's like being back on the Amiga again).

Anyway, good luck with fixing your pc.  I'm no tech guru, I've just had my fair share of problems.

[SSH]

XP Pro is really not that different from XP Home, it shouldn't be realted to the problems you describe. Also which desktop search are you using? Google? The google one indexed my work computer and some huge networked disks in a day, so perhaps use a different search program...

Have you tried a reinstall of XP Home?

[Tartalo]

If you have tried everything and still don't find the reason why your computer acts odd the best is to make a backup of your data before it's too late and reinstall the OS as soon as you can. It's hard work but it's also the magic problem solver.  (Before you reinstall anything check your HD for hardware problems and replace it if it has problems)

If you go that way and your HD is big enough I would consider making 3 partitions:
- About 8 GB for Windows in NTFS
- About 8 GB for Linux in Ext3
- The rest in Fat32 for your data

Even if you don't do the Linux part having your data in a different partition will save you work next time your OS dies (It will)

But why would I install Linux? I did it just to learn and the day my Windows died (again) and I was really happy to have another working OS already installed in the PC. (In fact, I stayed in Linux since then)

If you want help with this you can send me a PM

Tartalo

[Traveler]

InC,

Check if the processor in your machine overheats and verify that the hard drive is fine. It does sound like some kind of hardware problem. You might also have some kind of stealth virus - download Rootkit Revealer from www.sysinternals.com and run it. Let it run, don't use your computer during the search. Send me a PM if you need help in evaluating the report that it spits out.

If there is no hardware problem, I'd immediately start saving all data from the HDD and then reinstall the system and see if that helps. SSH is right, XP Home and XP Pro are the same, no need to go back to Pro, unless you actually need the extra features.

And if I were you, I'd install 2 copies of XP on two separate partitions and keep all your data on a separate third partition or on a separate hard drive. I wouldn't install Linux as a backup operating system, unless you're already very familiar with it - if your main OS goes down, you'll have more important problems than learning Linux to access your original data (not to mention file formats for which there is no Linux program to edit with.) And having XP as both the normal/backup OS lets you use NTFS on all partitions, which is a lot more secure and stable than FAT32. (I have nothing against Linux, but if you want to learn it, install it on yet another partition or under VmWare - that's what I have.)

When installing XP, do the following:
1. Install XP
2. Install SP2 (if not already included)
3. Install your apps
4. Install SP2 again
5. Download all updates from M$

You might want to use some of the other tools from SysInternals (AutoRuns and Process Explorer are very useful and they're free.)

Also, do regular (monthly or so) backups of your data to avoid the chance of loosing data.

HTH,
Traveler

[InCreator]

Whoa, thanks.

I'm gonna try the rootkit revealer and run some diagnostics tonight.
If there's no luck, reinstalling windows sounds like a reasonable thing.

Of course, backing up 200 GB of porn important data will be a pain.

I'll let you know how it worked out.

[Tartalo]

I wouldn't install Linux as a backup operating system, unless you're already very familiar with it - if your main OS goes down, you'll have more important problems than learning Linux to access your original data (not to mention file formats for which there is no Linux program to edit with.) And having XP as both the normal/backup OS lets you use NTFS on all partitions, which is a lot more secure and stable than FAT32. (I have nothing against Linux, but if you want to learn it, install it on yet another partition or under VmWare - that's what I have.)

Uh?

- Opening Firefox in Ubuntu (it's exactly the same as Firefox in Windows), going to your favorite forum and asking what's the name of the application to burn CDs is not rocket science. That if you didn't guess it on your own, which is the most probable thing.

- The FAT32 recommendation had nothing to do with Linux limitations, Linux reads NTFS, but while all rescue applications (even windows based) work perfectly with FAT32 for many NTFS is an obstacle. This is because FAT32 is perfectly documented an NTFS is not.

- Using the same OS for main an emergency installations is putting all the eggs in the same basket. Specially risky if this OS is the target of malware that is renewed everyday. Don't you think so?

Ah, installing it in another partition is what i recommended him, is there any other possibility for a real installation?

You might say that for saving data having a Live CD in a drawer is enough, which is true, but if it's already installed you won't have problems to find it when you need it and if you have to install any new application on it it is much easier on a real installation than on a Live CD.

[radiowaves]

My XP is slowly dying too. IE, the main browser, both the Internet and Computer, to be percise. Taskbar freezes, start menu does not open, everything must be opened manually from folders I have on desktop (Luckily i hadn't emptied my desktop, there is no my computer icon etc) nad programs can only be switched via alt+tab. IE as Internet browser does work, but it takes an awful time to load, it freezes for 10 minutes or so. And EVERYTHING is getting slower each day.
Now I only use Mozilla and alt+tab. Gosh, that Microsoft crap has very short life, I don't want to format every month, I keep important installments on my harddrive!

[Da_Elf]

i usually reformat all my systems every 6 months. All 10 of them

[zabnat]

After the Win95-98 era I've never had any need to reformat and reinstall Windows. I've had Windows 2000 install working nicely for three years. I did have some hardware problems that caused crashes, but after replacing problematic hardware I've had no problems. That install even have survived the entire computer upgrade (motherboard, processor, harddrive etc.). Now I've had XP pro install for year and a half with no problems and XP home for half a year. Sometimes I wonder if it affects anything that when I first install Windows I tweak it a lot. Disable all the unnecessary services and dig up some hidden features. Just wanted to say that in my experience these NT-based Microsoft crap does not always seem to have very short lives

[Tuomas]

My computer is dying too, some of the same symptoms, like, slow, not able to delete files/programs etc. But I'm almost very sure it's not xp but my hardware. It really doesn't sound like a problem XP could create. Though sometimes I just go to ctrl+alt+del and just kill MsMpEng.exe, which is the Windows Defender pretty much doing nothing but using my CPU. It really helps usually.

[Radiant]

Most windows versions are intended to "slowly die" so as to compel you to buy the next version. This can usually be temporarily fixed by reinstalling.

[Da_Elf]

only real reason i usually upgrade is either new features or because programs i use stop supporting older versions of windows. Currently im very happy with windows XP64 and dont want to goto vista yet

[Fleshstalker]

Of course, backing up 200 GB of porn important data will be a pain.

I said wow. I only have 1 GB worth of it. Your hardcore.

[Fee]

Backup everything you deem important to DVD or whatever method of backup you have.

First id use System restore to go back to a date when you KNOW it was working.

If the PC seems to work normally, try is to boot of the windows CD and attempt to repair your installation.

Doesnt work? Boot off the windows CD and install a new version Over the top of the old one (Same Folder) tho the one time ive tried this with XP Home, it refused to use the same folder, but it works with XP Pro.

Still running like crap? Screwit, Format the HDD do a fresh install.
Tho if i were you, id download the latest XP ISO that includes all the updates to may07 and install off that. I was having major trouble when id attempt to update from windowsupdate, i would get infected before it could finish downloading.



P.S. Buy a Mac



just kidding.. anyone with 1/2 a brain knows Macs are now just PCs with a different OS

[Mozesh]

I usually reinstall windows every 6 months to a year, it all depends on how smooth it's running. If it's running too slow for my taste and tweaking doesn't do too much. Bam, format.

Also next time you install windows, you might want to create 2 partitions. One for installing windows and everything, and another for just file storage, no files that windows uses for operating. That way you can format your 'windows-drive' and keep the files.

Though that partitions may become slow too, I'm not sure. But then you could place those files to the 'windows-drive' and format the 'files-drive' and put 'em back.

[InCreator]

I got rid of most problems by freeing up 60GB of hard disk and defragmenting everything, then removing most of installed software manually via registry editor and raw deletion.

It seems that less than 55 GB of free space on 250GB disk is problematic and "open season" for heavy fragmentation, though swapfile rarely gets larger than 10GB. Weird...

I lost volume controls icon from the taskbar, though with no means to get it back.
It just disappeared and I can put it back manually, but after reboot, it's gone again.

To cut long story short, windows sucks.

[deadsuperhero]

I recommend you try Ubuntu Linux. The interface is very easy to use, and with Cedega, ScuMMVM, FreeSCI, Vogon, DosBox, Crossover Office, AGS Linux, and Tartalo's Goddess toolkit project, you can run most of your favorite Windows app.
Best part is, you can run it off a cd to try it, before you make up your mind (runs a bit slower than if you just install it)
You can customize everything.
And their help forums are terrific. If you don't know how to use something, everyone is very helpful.
Oh, and it's free.

[InCreator]

Weird what happened today.
I was encountering weird stretched vertex problems in some newer games, like few vertices had insane positions making strange lines appear all around in game world. Especially painful in S.T.A.L.K.E.R.
It seems that this is common problem with NVidia 7900GT/GTO cards. Anyway...

Some support forums suggested updating BIOS to get rid of the problem...

So I did it. What happened was that all my taskbar icons came back, even volume controls one, Windows boots alot quicker and everything feels much more stable.

It didn't repair that stupid registry problem with un-uninstallable programs nor texture stretching, but it's still notifiable progress, so I suggest trying this for people with windows anomalities.