Driver novice . . . :(

I've never updated my drivers before. I thought I had a malware problem, but it was suggested that I might need to update my drivers instead (see this thread: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=267672 ).

Just to recap: The computer still hangs at the wallpaper when I try to shut down and then I have to power it off. The computer boots up, but only the volume loads in the system tray and then the desktop freezes. If I am able to click on an icon or try to start a program from the start menu, then it freezes. I can power off and start in Safe Mode (networking) and attempt to use System Restore, but it will then say that it could not restore and I end up at the desktop with everything loaded normally. I can use the computer and internet without any problems as long as I do not reboot. So that's what I've been doing. Occasionally the computer will crash then I have to do the routine all over again. The above post has an example of the error message.

I found the driver page for my HP computer here:

http://h20000.www2.hp.com/bizsuppor...58081&swLang=13&taskId=135&swEnvOID=1093#7887

but where do I start? Could someone walk me through this or link me to a place to start? I did not receive an XP Pro disk with the computer when I bought it in November 2009 and I haven't been able to find it on the computer, but I "think" it's on here somewhere. :confused

Thank you in advance, I appreciate any help and insight because this is driving me NUTS!!!

 

Greetings, Meekiecheese...

Couple of suggestions before we start digging deeply:

1. Do you have the capacity to burn CDs/DVDs? If so, you might try booting to a Linux distro (Mint, Puppy and Ubuntu are all nice and easy). Download the .iso file and burn that file as an image to a CD/DVD (ImgBurn and InfraRecorder are good free .iso burning programs if you don't already have one). Tutorials for the image burning process using ImgBurn are located here or here.

Then boot to that disk and run the OS as a live environment (in other words, don't install it - just run it from the optical drive). What I'm looking for here is if the machine will run properly with some operating system other than Windows - or not. That should split our troubleshooting in half...

**********

2. While in Windows, navigate to Control Panel > System > Advanced system settings > Advanced > Startup and Recovery settings. Make sure 'Automatically restart' is not checked, and 'Write debugging information' is set for 'Small memory dump'. Ok out and reboot. The next time your machine crashes, then navigate to the C: > Windows > Minidumps folder, copy those files to the Desktop, zip and upload them as an attachment. We might then be able to determine what is causing your machine to crash.

Again - a quick tutorial for the minidump procedure is located here.

 

Thank you Caliban!!!

1. No, I do not have burning abilities on this computer (got "cheated" by the store we bought the computer from --- long story).

2. I did exactly as instructed and I was able to reboot the computer normally, but when I rebooted a second time --- back to the same problem. There aren't any files in the Minidump folder. This is soooooooo weird.

Just let me know the next steps. THANK YOU! I really appreciate the help.

 

Thank you Caliban!!!

1. No, I do not have burning abilities on this computer (got "cheated" by the store we bought the computer from --- long story).

2. I did exactly as instructed and I was able to reboot the computer normally, but when I rebooted a second time --- back to the same problem. There aren't any files in the Minidump folder. This is soooooooo weird.

Just let me know the next steps. THANK YOU! I really appreciate the help.

 

Good morning...

To verify: your machine does not crash while in Safe Mode or Safe Mode w/Networking? If you are able to boot into Safe Mode w/Networking, you can then access the internet?

Also, please clarify the following:

I apologize for the confusion - I'm just trying to get a handle on your symptoms. If I'm reading this correctly, there may be the possibility of some driver(s) not loading properly when attempting to boot normally.

* Be advised that many of the questions I ask (and that others might ask) serve as groundwork and/or background information so that other MGs can jump onboard and lend a hand. Be patient.

 

Good morning!

Correct. It has not crashed in Safe Mode/Networking, but I have not been able to get on the internet (AOL dial-up) in Safe Mode/Networking (I never used plain Safe Mode). I have to attempt to Sys Restore and then I am rebooted to normal boot and loading of the desktop. Once I have a "normal" reboot from Safe Mode after attempting to restore, everything is "fine" (riiiigghht). When I am finished using the computer, I use CCleaner and another program (Smart Protector Pro) to clear out junk files and then someone else might use the computer or I will do something else on it. If I try to reboot, usually the icons will disappear and it will "hang" at the wallpaper and I have to power off.

No problems, no worries about the questions or whatever you or anyone else needs me to do --- I really appreciate the help and have no problems with being patient. Thanks again and have a blessed and wonderful day.

 

Thank you for the info. You stated that you have CCleaner loaded: please start CCleaner and open the Tools > Startup tab - save that list as a text file and attach that file to your next post.

 

The CCleaner file is attached. Thanks!

 

Thank you for the list. Here's what I suggest doing:

1. Save any work.

2. Run msconfig and in the Startup tab click 'Disable all' (the items listed there are not necessary for the normal operation of Windows). Ok out and reboot your machine in Normal mode.

3. If your machine boots normally with no problems, put it through some paces to stress it: open and close Windows Explorer a few times, run a screensaver, open and use any office software you might have onboard, etc. Do not, however, attempt to open AOL or to get online in any way yet - remember, we've disabled your antivirus (avast!).

* What we're trying to do here is to make the machine crash, if possible. If the machine runs well in Normal mode, then:

4. Run msconfig again and in the Startup tab re-enable your antivirus software. Reboot your machine in Normal mode - if there are no problems with avast!, then attempt to get online by starting AOL.

5. If everything works well (no crashes), then repeat the procedure and enable some other Startup program.

* You can see where I'm going with this: we're selectively re-enabling your Startup list to try to isolate whatever is causing your crashes.

 

Thanks Caliban! I will follow through and get back to you ASAP. THANK YOU!!!