Re: freeze

From: Malke (malke_at_nospoonnotreally.com)
Date: 07/30/04 

Date: Fri, 30 Jul 2004 06:19:06 -0700

Dave wrote:

> I had similar problems with USB devices - a logitech mouse was
> probably the culprit - and the only solution I found was to reinstall
> XP.
>
> "Carol" <anonymous@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:6e1001c475d2$b4100ff0$a401280a@phx.gbl...
>> I have a wireless keyboard and mouse I am having problems
>> with the computer freezing up when It is not being using. I
>> have windows XP. I don't know if it is the computer or the
>> mouse that is freezing up is their anyway to tell and how
>> to fix it? I had added a web cam to the computer and that
>> is when it started so I uninstilled the web cam restore my
>> computer back to a month before I did this. The keyboard
>> and mouse was installed before all this.
>> e-mail boiselou@comcast.net
>> thank you
>>
>>
>>
Actually, unlike previous MS operating systems, a reinstall isn't your
first troubleshooting step. Locking up, or "freezing", can be caused by
many things. You could have spyware, viruses, incompatible drivers, or
hardware issues. The only way to deal with this is to troubleshoot by
changing one thing at a time. If you think the problems started when
you installed the webcam, uninstall it and see if that fixes it. Try a
different keyboard. Make one change at a time and document the results.
I'm just using those items as examples.

You have to use deductive reasoning. Look in Event Viewer for clues.
Scan for spyware and viruses. Unfortunately, there just isn't enough
information in your post to get a good diagnosis from this newsgroup.
Here are some generic troubleshooting steps:

A. For software issues - 1) scan with current antivirus ("current" means
a version not earlier than 2002 but using updated virus definitions);
2) remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy
(www.safer-networking.org) and Ad-aware (www.lavasoftusa.com). These
programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
You may also want to run CWShredder and HijackThis from
http://aumha.org/freeware.htm. Although CWShredder is no longer being
updated, it will still clean older variants of the CoolWebSearch
malware. Always read the instructions before running a spyware removal
tool. Be sure to update these programs before running, and it is a good
idea to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode; 3) delete temporary and
Temporary Internet Files; 4) stop unnecessary services/programs from
starting with Windows - see www.blackviper.com for services info and
www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm for programs info; 5) look in
Event Viewer for clues; 6) make sure you've visited Windows Update and
applied all security patches. Do not install driver updates from
Windows Update; 7) run a firewall.

B. For hardware issues - 1) open the computer and run it open, cleaning
out all dust bunnies and observing all fans (overheating will cause
system freezing); 2) test the RAM - I like Memtest86 from
www.memtest86.com - let the test run for an extended (like overnight)
period of time - unless errors are seen immediately; 3) test the hard
drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr.; 4) the power supply may
be going bad or be inadequate for the devices you have in the system;
5) test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com. Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out
suspected parts with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing
yourself and/or are uncomfortable opening your computer, take the
machine to a good local computer repair shop (not a CompUSA or Best Buy
type of store).

Malke 

-- 
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"

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