Help

not sure if this is where I should post this do not know if this is a software problem or what . I have a compact Presario 6000 in November it started rebooting itself and locking up a lot , several times a day sometimes continously . sometimes I could be online for hours and sometimes not at all. when it happened I got several different messages about it, sometimes about the antivirus (which i uninstalled ) sometimes it said there was a page fault , so I had it reformatted and it was ok for a few weeks then it started again. So I had it redone again and the same thing over and over , what can I do now? this is the 4th time I been here trying to post it locks up and shuts down.. can someone give me some help or suggestions . I am not to PC savvy so I need it in beginners terms. Thank you so much

 

Hi lorilu,

The best place to start would be some detailed information on the error messages you are getting, try and be as specific as possible. Also,

1. Are you using Windows XP?

2. What anti-virus did you uninstall and what are you using now?

3. Have you been doing anything specific that you noticed when the shutdowns or error messages occur?

This will help everyone try and help you.

Steve

 

I have encountered this problem several times. Tracking it down is not something that can be explained in beginners terms. Despite what Microsoft says XP can and does freeze if too many processes are running. To find out what processes are running you can run the task manager. Trouble is that if your computer is already locking up running TM is guaranteed to do it.

If you have the capability or a friend who can help here are some suggestions, in order.

1. Run Spybot to rid your PC of any Spyware
2. Run a current antivirus program
3. Increase your virtual memory size by 128M
4. Install an extra 128M+ of system memory

Good luck

 

ok it was maccaffee that we uninstalled and then we did a reformat and with nothing extra added on it still does it so it should not be any spyware or things like that it does not matter if on the net or not . the shutdowns is worse than the freeze ups. it completely shuts down. ok that happens when ever it wants not when we are doing anything specific. It happens when the PC just gets turned on or it might let you stay on for awhile as in several minutes ot several hours. you might be going into the control panel or you might be checking your e-mail. the main error is about a page fault in a non paging area when it shuts down a blue screen shows up and says a serious error has occured a paging thing is what it says. it started in november then had it *fixed* and it worked a couple weeks and started over again. I do not have the printer or scanner plugged in because at one point it says there is a driver problem. yes it is a windows XP it has a 1.8 GH with 256 ram.. (I know it needs more ram) A compact pressario 6000 ... any help would be appreciated

 

it is my sisters pc and when I say we reformatted it we did a complete with all the manufacturers cd's and it started shutting down again before we even got on the net really that is why I know there should not have been spyware .

 

I'm no expert with XP, but aren't page faults associated with bad or dodgy RAM.
(Experts please step in)

First thing to do is to run a RAM test overnight to test your RAM.
MG has RAMtest programs and I'll look after I send this.

Is your 256mb RAM comprised of one stick of 256 or 2 sticks of 128mb. Maybe 4 x 64?
I would suspect it is 2 x 128 as manufacturers always take the cheapest way out unless you insist on 1 stick.

Next, maybe swop your RAM around into opposite slots. Make sure power is off and you earth yourself to a metal part of the PC EVERY TIME before delving inside.

Lastly, maybe try and bootup and run (for awhile) with each stick only.
I know it will be slow and may not wiork at all with XP with 1 stick only.

Bazza

 

Try MemTest 3.1 http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=350 It is free.

Or go to MG search screen and type in RAM TEST or MEMORY TEST for dozens of alternatives in no obvious order.

Search screen link is http://www.majorgeeks.com/search.php

Let us know how you go. Make sure to run the memory test program for many hours. Overnight is best. Post back the results. Bazza

 

Okay Lorilu

If you have reformatted and reloaded XP and it still freezes you obviously have a hardware issue. And as BigBazza suggests, probably RAM. If you reformat and reinstall XP (nothing else) it will run fine on a 1.8G machine. Then try one 128M stick at a time. It will probably run fine for hours, so try installing and running one app at a time. This will be time consuming but the problem must surface eventually.