Computer locking up and don't know what to do!

Question

I am new to the forum and just purchased a new dell dimension computer E521 w/ Vista.  This is my first computer that I have owned exclusively and am somewhat technologically illiterate so please be patient. Anyways the problem I having is that my computer is randomly locking up and a blue/white stripped screen appears.When it does this i can't use the mouse, keyboard, etc. its just frozen with only this weird screen showing. The only way I can fix it is to manually turn of the computer and turn it back on again. Once I do this screen appears saying Windows was unable to start and new hardware/software may be the problem. Then it says I have to perform a system restore in order to reset my computer back to an earlier state when it was working correctly. Once it finishes doing the system restore everything works fine. I checked the diagnosis and repair details which showed a check for updates was done and the root cause of the problem is a patch may be preventing the system from starting. Like I said I'm new to computers so I don't know what a patch is and I have searched the forum for hours as well as contacted dell with no solution. Further this all started when i hooked up my cable internet connection which is through comcast entertainment and downloaded limewire and i-tunes. I no longer have limewire on my computer b/c I thought it might be the problem but it didn't fix the problem. This all seems to happen when I haven't been on the computer for a while and when I come home this screen is on the monitor and the computer is frozen. Could this be a problem with the automatic updates on my computer or some software I have downloaded? The only software I have is what came on the computer as well as Norton virus scan, Mcafee firewall, virus scan, & spam killer as well as google updater, i-tunes & Quicktime which I downloaded. Sorry the message is so long but any help would be greatly appreciated; I just want my computer to work correctly.

mombodog · Answer

I think you have a bad video card, run the Dell Diagnostics extended tests as described here, then call Dell with any error codes given by the tests and have written down.   http://www.cs.utexas.edu/users/deke/laptopsupport/manuals/d600/diag.htm

eugene89us · Answer

I have a question for you. You said that you had " Norton virus scan, Mcafee firewall, virus scan, & spam killer." It may be that you listed Virus Scan twice by mistake, but notice that in case you really have Norton Antivirus and some other Virus Scan, then the two antiviruses create the lock up. Please clarify this point and in case there is no typo and you really have those programs, go to the Safe Mode by pressing F8 when you see Dell logo, selectSafe Mode, and in that mode go to Programs and features and remove one or both of the antivirus programs and see if this will solve the problem. Also, as you have McAffee firewall, make sure that Windows firewall is turned off - it's either one or the other. Only one antivirus and only one firewall may be running at one time, you can't use more than one AV or more than one Firewall program or the Windows Lockup will occur...I know this, because I tested this on myself when I had my first "own own" computer about 4 years ago...

If there's a typo, then the thing you are advised to do first would be to run the diagnostics. Run a complete test and if the diagnostics shows any problems, contact Dell immediately for replacement and/or service.

If the problem is not solved then, try reinstalling Windows by inserting your DVD with Vista and selecting Clean Install. Don;t install any other programs and just test "naked" Windows for a day. If the Windows is clean installed without any programs added and you continue having this problem, contact Dell and ask for a complete computer replacement...

I installed all Windows Updates, so WinUpdate patches ARE NOT the reason. Please take all these steps and let me know how it goes. I am always here to help!

Eugene.

________________________________

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Dell Inspiron E1705
Intel Core Duo T2250 @ 1.75 GHz
2 GB RAM
ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256 MB Graphics Card with Hypermemory
120 GB 5400 RPM Hard Disk Drive
Kensington USB 2.0 Bluetooth
Dell Wireless 1390 Card
Sigmatel High Definition Audio
Sony DVD+-RW with DL Support

justlutz · Answer

Thank you both for the two posts above and for answering so quickly. I will try this out and see if it works. Thanks again for the help and I'll keep you posted.

justlutz · Answer

Well I uninstalled Norton on my computer as well as turned off my windows firewall. This seemed to do the trick no more white screen. Hopefully it won't return but if it does I'll perform the diagnostics test to see what the problem is. Thanks again for helping out.   I do have one more question though. Should my computer be set to automatically update software since it says this is recommended or is this something I should be monitoring manually. I haven't seemed to have any problems but I just wanted to check to make sure. Thanks again!

eugene89us · Answer

Hi!

I have had my computer set on Automatic all my life. It actually never presented any problems. If you notice having problems, then put it on manual, but for now I would still let computer update automatically.

I am glad your computer works better. I recommend you downloading the AVG Antivirus Free Edition. It's a great free program that has real-time protection, but doesn't eat as many resources as the antiviruses of big companies do that charge money for them...

http://www.free.grisoft.com/doc/1

I hope this helps!

Eugene

________________________________

Microsoft Windows Vista Home Premium
Dell Inspiron E1705
Intel Core Duo T2250 @ 1.75 GHz
2 GB RAM
ATI Mobility Radeon X1400 256 MB Graphics Card with Hypermemory
120 GB 5400 RPM Hard Disk Drive
Kensington USB 2.0 Bluetooth
Dell Wireless 1390 Card
Sigmatel High Definition Audio
Sony DVD+-RW with DL Support

justlutz · Answer

Thanks guys for the earlier replies sorry its taken so long for me to post back but I've been out of town and away from my computer. I will definitely give the AV program that you recommended a try.   Unfortunately the problem that I originally was having with the white screen is back. I'm not sure why but I'm starting to think it may have something to do with Limewire (basic version 4.12.11) since it all started again when I re-downloaded it back onto my computer. Everything was working fine until doing so. I'm going to go ahead and uninstall it to see if my computer starts working right again just to see if it is the problem. Have any of you guys had any similar probelms with Limewire or similar software and Vista b/c I have been reading that Vista may not be compatible? Anyways I'm going to give it a shot and see what happens. If you guys have any suggestions or input please post back. I'll let you know what happens.

Windows General

Computer locking up and don't know what to do!

Was this post helpful?