Computer Crashed

My computer crashed in fact twice in the past week. I reloaded the OS, twice, while I could not download the Norton that comes with our IP. It's a desktop, XP, gateway.
I contacted the online tech support, they couldn't tell me anything to do I hadn't already done. The last tech sent me a phone number for tech support rolleyes humm, went through three technicians, the last my pc was freezing so made it hard. He did say it might be a registry problem. I'm scared to be online without any virus protection. Any suggestions would be greatly appreciated, thanks

 

Hello, HELP :banghead

 

so u reinstalled twice & still crashing?

 

Not so far but I haven't re-installed all my programs, the one that concerns me most is the anti-virus

 

if u reinstalled the O/S twice & it still crashes, Hardware issue


as long as you dont use any P2P or visit porn sites you should be fine

 

Hi Darlene

Just a few suggestions to check - have you tried doing:

1. System Restore (to a point before problems/system crashes occurred)?
   
   
2. PC-Doctor diagnostics – checks your system and helps to spot any problem areas.
   
   
3. “Housekeeping” - For example:
   
   • Disk Cleanup (eg Click on: Start / All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / Disk Clean up
   • Disk Fragmentation
   • ChkDsk (eg Click on: Start / My Computer / C: / File / Properties / Tools / Error Checking /check disk )
   
   
4. Done regular System Updates?
   • What Service Pack do you have eg SP1 or SP2? (If you've gone to SP3, there are problems with that Service Pack.)
     
   • Microsoft updates
   
   
5. Check if heat may be the cause of the crashing. Keep a good air flow around your rig. Put your hand where the air is being force out, and feel to make sure you feel at least some air leaving the system. If there’s overheating, your system would shut down to keep it from causing any more damage.
   
   
6. Tried gateway’s support (may be a hardware problem):
   
   
   ​
   http://www.gateway.com/work/services...olf.asp?seg=sb

 

Lol Have not gone to porn sites intentionally but they pop up during searches at times, then you have a time trying to close them.

There is no Gateway support any more and they closed their stores a few years back. Right now I don't have most of those options being it's like new, (no programs) from start anyway but going into computer, C, programs, they're all there just not operational.

 

if you reinstalled your os (not doing a repair), i seriosly doubt it's a registry problem (unless it's crashed alot, since your new install). it is probably h/w related (as mentioned). i'd shut it done, unplug the power cable, and check all connections (internal and external), see how much dust is in there, and blow it out (if it's been a while). put it back together (i'd leave the side panel off), boot it up, and make sure all fans are working. do you hear any clicking or anything (which would mean h/d problems). - sos

http://www.majorgeeks.com/HWMonitor_d5842.html <-- HWMonitor 1.0.9

if you can't find anything out, i'd maybe try hwmonitor (link above - it'll show internal temps).

if you can't d/l your antivirus programs from you isp, then get something from here, i myself like avast (free for 14 mos, when you register it), but take your pick from the link below.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html <-- Anti-Spyware Tools

 

Yes looking inside like you suggested sounds good, think I'll give it and me a rest today, been sitting here for three days
Thanks to you all, will check on Dan's computer later :wave

 

Good that you're checking if it's hardware related.

Re Gateway support - did you check out that link I included in my previous post? From checking their website, they have different support links - eg like:
http://support.gateway.com/s/software/misc/SUPPAGE01su135.shtml which has Windows XP FAQs and Support Information

and http://support.gateway.com/support/default.asp has a link to

Hopefully some solution can be found soon...system crashes can be frustratingly worrying. Do try those links on Gateway...they may provide guides for solutions and they also have e-mail support service on:

https://support.gateway.com/support/contact/contact_tech2.shtml

You should also look to getting those options operational in your Start/Programs (good for using in housekeeping/maintenance towards having a clean system)

Good luck...LS