Video Card/Windows XP crashing

Hi, I am posting this again as I am still looking for help. I originally thought this might be a software conflict, which I still think it might be, but from other forums I have read it could be linked to the graphics card. See here for previous post. I trying to write my PhD thesis on this computer, and am desperate for any help.

Firstly, my system:

HP Media Center desktop m7470n
Windows XP SP3 version 5.1 (build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.120821-1629)
AMD Athlon x64 X2 Dual Core 4200+

I am going to do my best to describe this problem, but I have been unable to diagnose a specific cause and I am really hoping someone can help me. This is an older PC, but has been reformatted and contains very little software. In the past few months I have had this issue where the computer 'freezes' unexplainably. I say this, as it ceases to respond, to keyboard or reset buttons, and the monitor goes blue with vertical lines (not the so-called BSOD). I could use it hours with no problem, but then sometimes I have to do a hard reset 3-4 times within a couple minutes to get it running. I thought that it initially might have just been a video card or physical problem with the monitor/connection.

Anyways, all that changed recently, and now I am having this occur regularly. I cannot say for certain, but I thought initially it might have been linked to TrendMicro. I was constantly running TrendMicro Platinum Security 2012. Then, it inexplicably stopped working, in that Windows no longer detected antivirus protection, it would not load properly, and continuously would 'hang' when applying an update. As a result, I removed the software and installed a new version of TrendMicro Platinum Security 2013. That is where the problems really escalated. I am unable to complete any further installations of TM. When at the end, the blue screen freezing will always occur. Then I cannot ever uninstall successfully either, same unresponsiveness and blue screen. I have done two System Restores to prior points, one with the earlier TM 2012, and one with nothing, and still the problem occurs. When TM is installed, I can only boot in safe mode, as any other thing leads to the freezing when TM protection is loading.

In terms of what I can tell, I have also noticed problems with JAVA (jscript errors popping up frequently) and .Net Framework. Both of these are visible on the event log, but neither conflict occurs when the 'blue screen' happens. I have removed Java and verified the .Net Frameworks (1.1, 2.0, 3.0, 3.5) using .NET FRAMEWORK SETUP VERIFICATION TOOL, and neither has helped. The computer will now boot, as I have restored to a pre-TM 2013 (post 2012) point but I still think it is not fixed, and of course can't reinstall the antivirus. And I have also run MalwareBytes for what that is worth and turned up nothing.

This computer is essential to me, and I would like to get it running properly right away (typing up a PhD thesis!). If anyone can help, please let me know.

Additional info:

I removed Java and have only .NET Framework 4.0 installed now, though this is causing me issues with the ATI software, as it wants an earlier package.

I managed to get TM installed, and updated, but now it is crashing consistently. It does not seem to be linked to any specific process I can identify - sometimes it will do it after entering Windows, other times 5 or 10 mins into working.

The Windows is a genuine copy, obtained through academic license. It is 32-bit, though my processor is 64.

Obviously I would like to continue to use my TM 2013 subscription for protection, if possible.

Help? :booger

 

UPDATE: I tried to remove the ATI Catalyst Control Center, as this seemed to be causing me some issues. Unfortunately that caused my video drivers to also be removed, and the re-install of just the drivers did not seem to be working properly. I used system restore to 3 separate points to try and undo the changes, but now at startup I am consistently receiving a "Fatal Error" in addition to the ATI CLI.exe error related to the .NET issues. None of the automatic updates for the .NET Frameworks can be installed properly either. I have been using the dotNetFx cleanup tool and Nextfx setup verifier tool, but that does not seem to solve the problem.

 

Can anyone help me with this or just point me in another direction at least? I am still having the issue and it is becoming very frustrating. I cannot perform any updates, or install new programs. And even doing nothing, it will still occur regularly. It must be something related to a corrupted driver or library, because whenever I try to install software, it will just crash. The regular occurrence might also be due to the computer checking for updates for something, or trying to apply a change that is needed, but cannot be completed (due to the issue). I would really appreciate some assistance.

 

After a while where this symptom seemed to have subsided, it has returned in a flurry in recent days. And yet I have made no changes to my system. I can't make heads or tails of this problem. This is really becoming extremely frustrating, as I am constantly losing work each time - can someone please help me out?

 

Since it's ruining your phd thesis and you can get trend micro for the price of a steak dinner why not dump it:confused It's not worth the hassle if you suspect it's causing problems.

So uninstall the software then install a firewall such as comodo, pc tools, an anti virus avast,avg or microsoft security essentials.

I would do this straight away before using the computer again.



As to your original problem it does look like a hardware failure, hard lock, lines on the screen point to video card failure so I'll approach it as one. Data loss can be caused failing hard drive,memory corruption or CPU overheating.

Check all your fans are spinning and nothing is clogged with dust or hair, blow out all heatsinks with air duster or compressed air, including power supply.

Download both these programs, run intel burn for 20 mins while montoring your temperatures with core temp, your temps shouldn't go above 80c,you should hear or see the fan start spinning faster, if your computer locks up you've found your problem,if it passes the test and you get score the cpu is fine,

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/intelburntest.html

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/core_temp_1_rc4.html

Run Memtest to test memory

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/memtest.html

Find the model of your hard drive and download the diagnostic tools from their website, run the tools and check had drive for stability.

Download the latest 3d mark your computer will run and run it, multiple times if possible, monitor your temps with MSI afterburner, if it passes the other tests and crashes on this you may have found your problem, make sure your vid card fan spins up during the test 'if it has one'.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/msi_afterburner.html

It can take quite a bit of detective work to find hardware faults like this,if it were me I would replace the entire computer without wasting any more time or causing undue stress, not worth ruining your future.