Urgent Help needed :( All programs crashing software/hardware/virus?

Sorry to bother you all. I need to stop my pc from crashing , Please help me with your suggestions and recommendations. Thanks in advance. Below is my grievance

Here is a start,

4 days ago, I did a fresh install of winxp pro on my system. Since then whatever program i open >crashes !!! Few programs which crash are

firefox
real player
winrar
all kinds of software ?
zip
Windows explorer would also crash
Sometimes I cannot view my taskbar .....


What not sad.gif It's bugging me high time ..

my system specifications

AMD Athlon Xp2200
Winxp pro -OS (no updates at all )
75 GB -HD
around 800 MB RAM
Runnin -Avast Home Anti-virus
tried running spybotA&D+CWShredder > they did not find any ....

Is this is a hardware/software problem ?

Few weeks back i had 3 OS's installed on this current hard drive -
Winxp home
Suse 9.2
Linspire - Something happd there, so thats the reason why I did a fresh install of Winxppro.

Note: I had AntiVIR as my virus client, it detected some worm activities on ma system. Then, I installed Avast, after uninstalling AntiVir. During the boot scan- avast detected some stuff - so i ordered it to delete all that. And, even after that I still see all my programs crashing ? Is it a worm which is causing all this ?

Can anyone help me out with possible cures for this situation, any kind of help is very much appreciated. I can copy paste my event viewer if neccesary .... please help me. I need to prepare my dissertation within in 2 days

 

helloimtim

I can see that you posted a reply to this thread, but Im unable to view your 'text or reply'

Why is that ?

 

I wouldn't worry about helloimtim, you seem to have enough problems of your own. lol

helloimtim is MajorGeeks crimefightin' spamsmashin' superhero who checks in every now and then.

Anyway, as it's only a new installation a format now won't be a big deal so I would suggest you download a copy of Everest Home Edition from the downloads section here.

That will tell you what hardware and software you have and provide links to the manufacturers websites.

With that you can obtain the latest, XP compatible drivers which you can save to media ready for the new install.

Use the XP CD to check hardware compatibility. Just run it in the CD drive and it's the last selection on the menu.

Remove any surplus hardware not vital to get windows running. Only have the minimum at this stage.

Use Fail-Safe Default setting in the Bios and format and install Windows.

Install the latest XP compatible drivers previously saved and leave the system for a while.

Do not install software or hardware until the system is stable, and when you do, only do so one at a time and wait in between each.


EDIT: If you are relying on this computer for school or whatever, then I would make other arrangements unless you stumble on the cause.

 

Dear Insomniac ( a fellow true insomniac here P)

Firstly, I thank you for taking time in helping me out. I will be surely trying out your 'procedure' once i get home today.

So you think it's a hardware problem ? And, also which anti-virus client do you recommend.

One more thing i observed was, while i was installing the mother board drivers(thru the motherboard cd) - Ma virus client (Anti-Vir) reported worms? It happened before too. Why is that for ?

:me wonders , Have a good evening Mate

.... Till next time *Salutes

 

I can't say if it's a hardware or a software problem or even viruses, but as it's only a new installation and that you have major problems, you don't have anything to lose by formatting and doing it again.

However, there is a right and wrong way. The way I outlined above leaves nothing to chance and minimises any likelihood of problems.

Not every alert an AntiVirus program reports is a worm or virus.

Some files can exhibit virus-like behaviour even though they are innocent in nature, and as AntiVirus programs err on the side of caution, they are reported as viruses.

When installing software from a trusted source, you can temporarily disable your AntiVirus program if it's causing a conflict.

Leaving it running in the background can cause installations of some software to become corrupt. Generally any program that requires Antivirus to be turned off will inform you of this.

As far as which AntiVirus program to get, AVG Free Edition and Avast Home Edition (both freeware), available from HERE do a very good job.

There are many others, and most aren't free like Norton, McAfee, and Kaspersky etc however no matter which one you use it is only as good as the last definition update.

 

Its not even letting me install empire software. When the program is getting installed ... its eventually hanging ,...

aaaarggh what to do :frustated

 

(What is empire software?) As I said, you have major problems.

I don't often recommend a format, but sometimes and especially in your case, it's the best solution.

If you don't want to format, it wouldn't hurt to try any suggestions, but I don't have any for you.