Re: XP freeses up Outlook and Network connection
From: Malke (malke_at_nospoonnotreally.com)
Date: 10/28/04
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Date: Thu, 28 Oct 2004 14:47:47 -0700
KK wrote:
> My system will freeze and the only way to get out of it that I have
> found it
> to power down the system. It is a Dell inspirion laptop. It seems to
> freeze when it is hooked up to my netowrk at work and more often when
> outlook is
> open. Normally it happens when I leave the system idle for about five
> minutes. The hard drive lite is ilumininated and the screen is froze
> as when
> I left it. The mouse will not function and the only thing that I know
> to do
> is to power down and reset it. It has stayed in this state for more
> than
> eight hours and will only work after being powered down. At times it
> will run fine all day and then other times it will freeze several
> times in one day.
Your problems could be caused by hardware or software. There isn't any
way for me to tell from your post. Here are general troubleshooting
steps for both:
A. For software issues -
1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2003)
antivirus using updated 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 Although CWShredder is no longer being
updated, it will still clean older variants of the CoolWebSearch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. If you do not have success with this, there are new removal
steps at http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html. A combination
of HijackThis and About:Buster (http://www.majorgeeks.com) works well
in removing homepage hijackers. 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.
Make sure you are able to see all hidden files and extensions (View tab
in Folder Options);
3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
Restore because malware will be in the Restore Points. With ME, you
must disable System Restore completely. With XP, you can delete all but
the most recent (presumably clean) System Restore point from the More
Options section of Disk Cleanup (Run>cleanmgr).
4) delete temporary and Temporary Internet Files;
5) 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;
6) look in Event Viewer for clues;
7) make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update;
8) 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); NOTE:
Obviously, you won't be able to open up the case since you have a
laptop, but you can feel how hot it is getting and listen to determine
if the fan is running properly. Laptops are particularly prone to
overheating.
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!"
- Next message: mike noland: "system backup option"
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