Numerous problems

I've put this in software cause I am so hoping it's a software issue. I'm not exactly sure when this all began but I recently had to take my laptop back to factory default and it wasn't happening before then.

I am running Windows XP home edition
Intel Pentium m 1.70 GHz processor
1.99 GB Ram
AGV (free antivirus)
Zonealarm (Free firewall)

One of the places the problem is so obvious is in the internet browser and it doesn't matter if it's Firefox or Internet Explorer.

• click links and its as if i haven't
• click links and get message - waiting for at bottom of browser
• Have to click links several times to be recognised
• Sometimes just won't recognise

Sometimes while I'm using the laptop I lose my connection to the internet. My wireless adapter can see the router but I can't connect to the internet and I don't get the limited connectivity message. I try to repair and disable and enable but I usually have to reboot the laptop

Sometimes programs take ages or in some cases don't open - even through I can see the process running in task manager

Most times my laptop freezes on saving settings when closing down although tonight I left it for ages and it did eventually close down. Usually I don't wait that long I just press of the off button.

I think that's about it but if I remember anything else I'll add it later. This is driving me mad, I've run diagnostics I've googled till I'm green in the gills but there are that many issues its hard to know where to start. So any help would be very much appreciated.

 

G'day ftw.

A few issues there. There could be one problem causing all this, or it could be more than one.

Is your mouse (or whatever you have) ok? Does the link change at all when you click on it, or is there no response at all? I suspect the mouse is not the problem though.

Do you have any Service Packs installed for your XP Home? SP3 is available and it would be good to have that, or SP2 with all updates.

I suppose you have enough storage space on your hard drive...

You mention re-setting to factory defaults. Did you do that in the BIOS? (Can't see why that would cause the problems you're having, but others might have some ideas.)

This could well be a case of malware messing things up. I would suggest as a first stop to make sure the laptop is clean - go to READ AND RUN ME FIRST at http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=35407 and follow the instructions there.

Did your diagnostic tests include memory tests? If you have two or more RAM sticks, you could try running with fewer to see if that makes any difference.

Are your drivers up to date? Have you had a look at your device manager to see if there are any problems flagged there?

 

Hey G

I've been downloading updates constantly since I had to revert back to factory default but it seems to be slowing down now lol

There are no flags in device manager and I've been through to check all the drivers and they are all the best available.

The mouse appears to be fine no other problems with anything else, so I think you're right that it's not that.

I took it back to factory default by using the discs that came supplied with the laptop which is a toshiba. So no I didn't do anything in the Bios.

I've got about 15 gig left on the hard drive so I don't think it's that.

I'm running AVG, Zone Alarm and I've got Superanti Spyware and I've run them several times and nothing is coming up.

The Toshiba diagnostic tests I did, I think include memory tests, but that all came back fine. Although, when I installed the new RAM I did have problems with the computer being unable to go into hibernate (something about the API) So I may have to remove one the memory sticks to see if that affects anything

Are there any internal logs I could check to see if there are any clues? This is really driving me mad, it reminds me of the early 90's when I refused to use the internet cause it was so slow, admittedly it isn't that slow but we are used to instantaneous aren't we not... aghhhhhhhhhhhhh

 

If you go to Administrative tools in your control panel, then Event Viewer, are there any flagged events reported?

Also, how does it run in safe mode with networking?

 

It's starting to look like a hardware issue. You seem to have covered all the usual suspects in the software department.

I suppose you have had a look at the hardware temperatures and the fan speeds? Just thought I'd mention it, in case you have overheating issues.

Hmmm... just occurred to me that you might do well to have a look at the power management settings in BIOS. You might have Smart Fan or similar which is shutting off the CPU fan when it ought to be running. Given that this is a laptop, there should be some fan control in there to save battery power. If you need directions for looking in BIOS, post back. I have to head off to work now, so I can't do much more at the moment.

Also look at Power Options under Control Panel. I read that you can get conflicts between Windows power management, and the laptop's own power management. Maybe something there. Try turning power management off and see what happens. All this could be consistent with the problems starting after resetting factory defaults.

Note: if the temperatures are OK, the above probably won't help.

It looks like the computer might have been around for a while - could it just be old age?

 

Hi Folks

Thanks for all the suggestions....

brandypeppy ~ there's nothing flagged in the event viewer but interestingly when i booted into safe mode with networking the internet browser worked fine, no stuttering or anything, jumping to sites as quick as I expect

plodr ~ no there is no norton in add/remove programs

gcw ~ I get the old age thing and if it hadn't started straight after the reinstall I might be a bit more up for that as an explanation but it's something to be aware of - there is no option to turn off Toshiba Power Saver scheme in the Power Options in control panel - I haven't checked the hardware temperature or the fan speeds, would I need to get a utility to do that and if so what do you suggest? I'll have to check the BIOS tomorrow it's 1.30am and work in the morning so I had better get to bed.

Night folks and thanks for the help

 

Do programs all open successfully as well?

You can get readings in your BIOS - it's under PC Health Status in mine. You'll need to run it for a while first to get the temps up.
Everest gives temp readings too. Available from MajorGeeks.

For some reason I'm thinking about the video card. Don't know why. Maybe someone can say yay or nay to that.

Hope you slept well. My turn now. A demain. :zzz