Problems with new computer --XP Home?

Question

Just picked up a refurbished 9100 from Dell 2 months ago and have encountered a series of problems that could be related?  First noticed that it takes longer and longer to shut down, now 10 minutes to 1/2 hour-really- (startup is perfectly fine.) Went to the Dell site to run their check-up program on line..computer froze halfway through. Then went to the Dell site to compare current and original configuration...during current config program, computer froze and wouldn't run.  Then tried to update Norton Security Center subscription and computer refused to connect with Norton update server.  Only change I made to software on those loaded by Dell was to add Microsoft Word (came with Corel Wordperfect Office12)   Like everyone else, went to Dell warranty site and was refused help.  But they did suggest posting on the forum.  I have already reset & cleared startup programs, reset IE, reset power management, reset video settings, done disk cleanup, run checkdisk.  I upgraded to the latest version of Dell Support and it tells me there are no problems, and the Norton Security Center tells me I have no problems with viruses or spyware.  I'm lost and frustrated, anyone have an idea as to how to fix?  Biggest concern is that it appears  I can't access programs or download servers via the internet and I have to start school courses on line soon which requires I do just that.   thanks

JRosenfeld · Answer

There are many possible causes for your generic symptoms, so I can't offer specific solution. However, a few things you could try:

One thing you could try to help with slow shut down is to download to disk and install UPHclean. This is an extra service from MS that can force stubborn apps to release their hook into the user profile.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=1b286e6d-8912-4e18-b570-42470e2f3582&displaylang=en

When you shut down, do you first close all open apps? That is good practice. Before shutting down, check in task manager to see if any applications are still shown as running or not responding and end task from there if there are any.

You could also check for spyware/malware (NAV does not look for all of these): Spybot Search and Destroy, AdAware SE, MS antispywarebeta are all free and useful

Spybot: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html after install, before scanning, check for updates or download the updates from the same site and install them manually after installing Spybot itself.

Adaware: http://www.lavasoft.de/support/download/ again check for updates after install.

MS Antispyware: http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx (it is still in beta)

How do you connect to the internet? Does your Norton app have a firewall? (I only have Norton AV and use Zone Alarm firewall, so am not familiar with the Norton security centre) If so, there may be some settings in there that you need to change. Or you could turn that off and use the Windows firewall, see if that allows connection to the servers.

gudgeon · Answer

This could well be a virus or spyware problem, even though Norton tells you otherwise - I find it suspicious that you can't connect to the Norton Update server. I would suggest you try running an online scan from Trend Micro at www.trendmicro.com to eliminate this possibility before you try other steps.

1Bowtie · Answer

Also make sure your not running 2 firewalls, Norton and Microsoft which is on by default.

don in va · Answer

Thanks to all...based on your advice I found that I had 2 wirewalls on and that caused the situation, which now is fixed.  Now if only the pros at Dell had told me the same thing a week ago?

1Bowtie · Answer

There are alot of knowledgeable people that visit the forum and sometimes somebody will figure out the prob and most of the time it will be in plain English. Glad it fixed ya thou, have a Very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year.:smileyhappy:

sleeplesman · Answer

gudgeon, going by the rules of stress with computers. Are you sure you are not a Novell admin? happy holidays all. Message Edited by sleeplesman on 12-24-2005 05:43 PM

gudgeon · Answer

Not Novell - just paranoid!!! Happy holidays

XtremeGemini33 · Answer

hello, my computer is having a problem that the Dell help center could not help me with. Whenever i try to turn on my computer, a blue and while screen comes on telling me my comuter has been shut down to prevent damage to it. At the bottom it says that my physical memory has been dumped and i cannot got on the computer at all. Right now im on my laptop.  The dell center told me to go on safe mode but my computer wont let me go onto safe mode.  I can't figure out how to fix this problem.  If anyone can help that would be so great!  Thank You!

sleeplesman · Answer

I recomend you put the xp cd in and boot to it. when asked to install pick the R for recovery console and follow the prompts. this will repair or make sure your OS is ok.

Windows General

Problems with new computer --XP Home?

Was this post helpful?