Windows Xp start behaving erratic

  • Thread starter Thread starter Bjorn Karlstrom
  • Start date Start date
B

Bjorn Karlstrom

All of a sudden my Dell 8100 with Win XP Pro (all
critical updates done) start doing funny things. I lose
Internet connection sporadically (Cable modem). I can not
shut down as it hangs on "shutting down computer". Any of
my Office applications also stop working from time to
time. I can no longer repair and compact a database
without getting an error. What could be wrong here. Can
anyone give me a hint on where to start. Is there a way
to "repair" a Windows XP installation or do I have to re-
install XP and get download all the upgrades, etc. and
start over?
 
Bjorn said:
All of a sudden my Dell 8100 with Win XP Pro (all
critical updates done) start doing funny things. I lose
Internet connection sporadically (Cable modem). I can not
shut down as it hangs on "shutting down computer". Any of
my Office applications also stop working from time to
time. I can no longer repair and compact a database
without getting an error. What could be wrong here. Can
anyone give me a hint on where to start. Is there a way
to "repair" a Windows XP installation or do I have to re-
install XP and get download all the upgrades, etc. and
start over?
Click to expand...

First - why don't you just try cleaning/patching/securing a bit - see if
that helps...

Turn on that firewall...
http://www.microsoft.com/WindowsXP/home/using/howto/homenet/icf.asp
If you are getting "Messenger Service" popups - this will remedy those.


Make sure you have all the updates (critical) installed from:
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
(Scan for updates, Review and Install)


Get rid of the spy/ad/mal-ware..

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org/

Lavasoft AdAware
http://www.lavasoft.de

Hijack This!
(For browser Hijacks - also look into CWS Shredder)
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/

And Assortment of Others:
http://www.merijn.org/downloads.html


After you cleanup your PC somewhat of spy/ad/mal-ware, verify your antivirus
software is updated and run a full scan of your computer. If you have no
antivirus software - get one NOW!
http://www.grisoft.com/us/us_dwnl_free.php


Uninstall any software you do not use often/ever.

Update all of your hardware drivers (you can go to the Dell site in your
case and enter your service tag number and go to their downloads to get all
the latest.)

If you are still having trouble, it could be a lot of issues unrelated to
Windows XP.. Like bad memory, overheating, bad video card/RAM.. etc.
 
Thanks for suggestions!
But all the patches was installed and all the latest
drivers. I do use a Firewall and I regularly use spyware
cleanup.
I do use Norton antivirus. My problems started all of a
sudden. It may have had something to do with me reducing
the amount of memory used for system restore? Anyway, it
was not a gradual degradation of system performance. I
have also removed old programs that are seldom used.
Something has happen in my Windows XP installation - I
don't know what, that causes Windows to be unstable as
well as some of the Office XP applications. Is there a
way whereby I can check the integrity of the Windows
installation?
Bjorn

-----Original Message-----


First - why don't you just try
Click to expand...
cleaning/patching/securing a bit - see if
 
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