Computer quickly ends up stalling

  • Thread starter Thread starter Martin
  • Start date Start date
M

Martin

A friend's computer is playing up in that it seems to very quickly run out
of resources, and programs (such as the Hal speech synthesizer) stop
working. Ctrl-alt-del shows that the CPU usage (under Performance) is
either stuck at 100% or at 0% - sticking i.e. not moving - no longer being
continuously updated.

I've virus checked it and run Adaware, Spybot, Spywareblaster and
CWshredder. I've also had the HijackThis log analysed and had advice
for the removal of several items. I've removed startup items that
Castlecops says are unnecessary, but that didn't help.

My plan for when I next get the chance to look at it is to fix the items
highlighted in HijackThis, and if that does nothing, try terminating
processes via ctrl-alt-del to see if there's an obvious cause of the
problem. Failing that, I'll perhaps then try some clean-boot
troubleshooting.

Any advice or other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.
 
Hi Martin,
Failing that, I'll perhaps then try some clean-boot troubleshooting.
Click to expand...

That is the best thing you can do for your friend as it sounds like you've
already run the gammut of standard bug removers.

HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=316434

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org
 
Identifying the process that's consuming the CPU cycles is the way to
troubleshoot this problem. Try opening Task Manager to the Processes tab and
see what takes up the CPU cycles when this happens.

Also, check your Event Viewer - Start...Control Panel...Administrative
Tools...Event Viewer - for any error messages.
 
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