Windows XP is acting funny (More so than usual...)

ShiverMeSideways · Thu 14/01/2010 05:04:10

Hi! I seem to be having some troubles with my Win XP (SP3)... Most of the times I start it up, it loads up to my desktop image, but stops there, not leading any more programs, the interface etc. I reset it, and then it's fine, though. However, I just had to reset twice... I'm worried that there might be a deeper issue here, could someone help me out, please, with this? Thanks a million in advance!

rharpe · Thu 14/01/2010 05:42:42

When did this occur? Try to do a restore to a date before it started doing this. If this is not possible run a full antivirus scan on your system. If all else fails, backup all your data and then format the piece of junk!

OneDollar · Thu 14/01/2010 14:14:30

Could be something running on startup/logon that's hanging? When it freezes hit control+alt+delete and look through the processes tab for anything with a particularly high CPU or memory usage, then Google the process to try and find out what it is.

Alternatively go to Start then Run, then type msconfig and click OK. Go to the startup tab and have a look through the processes. http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php should be able to help you figure out what they are and whether you need them.

Another trick to try that might save you having to restart when it stops is to open the task manager with control+alt+delete, go to the processes tab, find explorer.exe, right click it and choose end process. Then go to File then New Task (Run...), type explorer.exe and click OK.

Disclaimer: if you don't know what you're doing with the above instructions (especially editing msconfig) you could damage your computer. If you do, I'm not responsible

Khris · Thu 14/01/2010 14:21:34

Also try hijackthis.

Get it here: http://free.antivirus.com/hijackthis/
It's a single exe, just run it and do a system scan with log.

Copy the log, then paste it here and click Analayze:
http://www.hijackthis.de/en

Google anything suspicious.

Danman · Thu 14/01/2010 14:30:33

This sounds like a new program in the startup. Go to start- run then type msconfig go to startup and see if something unusual is starting. Most programs don't require starting with windows.

But this is only if you know what you are doing

. or what programs are meant to run.

Edit: Dam Onedollar said to do that already. sorry never mind

Oliwerko · Thu 14/01/2010 18:48:16

You could also try if it happens in Safe Mode; if it doesn't it's most probably a hanging program.
But going to Safe Mode serves pretty much the same purpose as looking in msconfig or task manager.

Danman · Thu 14/01/2010 18:52:33

Except only necessary programs run.

Wonkyth · Fri 15/01/2010 11:00:23

It could be that Explorer.exe is failing to start.
If this is the case, just use Ctrl+Alt+Del to bring up taskmanager, press start program and type in 'Explorer.exe'.

Layabout · Fri 15/01/2010 11:45:24

Won't you people just let go of you NINE year old operating systems?

discordance · Fri 15/01/2010 20:30:29

When the alternative is Vista?

monkey0506 · Fri 15/01/2010 20:32:45

Vista isn't completely terrible but I would never recommend to anybody (that I like...or even don't totally loathe) to "upgrade". I've used Windows 7 a bit and it seems slightly better.

Lufia · Fri 15/01/2010 21:19:53

How do you decide whether an OS is "bad" ? I've had Windows 7 for some time now, and all the problems I've had were my own fault. Ergonomy-wise, I find it better than XP.

To the topic creator, cleaning up your disk could be a good idea. Run scandisk, defrag, eventually check the disk's integrity...

Ryan Timothy B · Sat 16/01/2010 00:01:21

I also feel that Windows 7 is the best Windows OS I've ever had, and I've had them all and totally skipped Vista!

monkey0506 · Sat 16/01/2010 01:14:45

Since I started using 7 something between like 20 and 80 percent of the time when I'm trying to load a webpage it just fails. Regardless of browser. Network is the same. Windows Firewall is turned off. Software settings are the same. Troubleshooter does not detect any issues.

Seeing as it's random it's also more difficult to determine the exact scenario under which it's happening (as there aren't any unique identifying circumstances).

I did not have this problem when I was using XP or when I was using Vista, all on this same machine. All on the same network. All on the same software settings. The only thing that changed is the OS.

See why I'm not totally on the bandwagon? :

That said though, libraries are cool. I just wish they could be created anywhere instead of all libraries having to be stored in one location. And the ability to include/exclude specific subfolders and/or files would be incredible.

I'm not saying 7 is terrible by any means...it's just caused me more problems than it's been worth ultimately.

Nice to hear others are enjoying it though.

ThreeOhFour · Sat 16/01/2010 01:16:05

Windows ME ftw

Don't pretend you don't agree with me, monkey.

Lufia · Sat 16/01/2010 01:42:51

QuoteSince I started using 7 something between like 20 and 80 percent of the time when I'm trying to load a webpage it just fails. Regardless of browser. Network is the same. Windows Firewall is turned off. Software settings are the same. Troubleshooter does not detect any issues.

As that didn't happen to me, I think I can safely say that "fuck up your internet" is not a standard option of Windows 7. :p

Are you tested-it-with-another-computer certain that this isn't a network problem? Or maybe your network card's driver is in need of an update. That's the best I can offer, troubleshooting-wise.

monkey0506 · Sat 16/01/2010 02:15:31

I actually haven't specifically updated the network card since I installed 7, but that's probably not a bad idea.

My dad's laptop is on the same network and trust me, if there was anything wrong with it, he would let...the whole neighborhood know. And maybe the wall. With his fist.

Just kidding. But yeah there's another computer on the same network that has not experienced any issues. I'll try to see if I can find updated drivers for this card and see if that helps.

(Not trying to hijack this thread though...hehehe)

(And shush Ben...I told you to never mention that!

)

(Oh and I should probably lower that to more like 5-80% instead of 20-80%...it's just when it starts to act up it doesn't want to give up...)

Danman · Sat 16/01/2010 15:13:19

I had a problem with windows 7 same as ShiverMeSideways on XP. with windows starting with no interface or desktop icons. Safe mode didn't work even windows 7 system tools couldn't help. My software is genuine But I gave up and just reinstalled windows. All my programs and games are on discs so I don't care about reinstalling.

I can agree with monkey cause I had 5kbps-8kbps a second on vista. now I have 2kbps - 5kbps on windows 7.

But besides that. all my games work so it so not that bad.