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robinhood42
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November 11th, 2007 12:00
Computer is acting weird
I have a Dell Dimension 9100
1 GB RAM
250GB HD
1 DVD Rom
1 DVD RW
1 Floppy drive
wireless mouse and keyboard
Running Windows XP Pro SP2
This is my third attempt at trying to post this message. Here is the problem?
I was trying to use my computer yesterday so I used the wireless mouse and keyboard. I just put fresh batteries in both the keyboard and mouse, and I knew they were charged so both were working. I think the problem is with the OS. Every time I clicked on a program or on control panel, the programs just wouldn't open up. I finally rebooted the machine but not before the computer told me I needed more memory. I think I GB is good. I don't do any gaming. Just regular programs. Is this the operating system or hard drive? The HD was just replaced six months ago and this computer is only 2 years old. Can someone give me a clue as to what might be the problem? Should the OS be reinstalled? I don't want to have to buy another computer so soon. This one should last longer than 2 years. Any ideas? I also get messages that the memory can't be read. Could the memory be bad or should I add more? All answers are appreciated.
robinhood42
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Posted November 11th, 2007 19:00
yes I have. I ran my Norton Anti Virus and I ran Trend Micro's online virus check. I have Norton's firewall on as well. I keep my computer updated with all necessary updates, and I keep NAV updated as well. I defragged the hard drive. I cleaned the cookies. I don't know what else I can try. Right now the computer is ok, but I know it will act up again and it wasn't the batteries. Also, sometimes when I try to close out a program by clicking on the red X in the right hand corner, it doesn't always work. I'll have to press CTRL ALT DEL. Also, not long ago I had to reinstall the OS because the hard drive died on me and took all my information. So I started from scratch and lost all the Dell software when I reinstalled the operating system. I'd like to get that stuff back, but I don't know how. I heard it only comes with computers that are just shipped. I had this computer for 2 years, it was a replacement for an 8400 that I bought brand new that never worked right. This one is a 9100.robinhood42
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Posted November 11th, 2007 20:00
It's because I don't know if they are two separate issues or one in the same problem. Sorry, I can't seem to do anything right lately.- Posting more than one thread can be difficult to follow.I'm not sure if both threads share the same issue.
robinhood42
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Posted November 11th, 2007 21:00
Thanks Steve, I appreciate it. I just hope somebody has some answers. This computer is starting to drive me nuts. It used to be so stable. Now I never know when it is going to act up. I guess I better start backing up my other information just in case the HD goes. I did a diagnostics on the HD and it passed, but as we both know, that doesn't necessarily mean anything. There has got to be someone out there that has had this problem I can't be the only one. Hopefully a computer geek will read this and know what to do.:smileyhappy:- Just out of curiosity........ have you tried right clicking the taskbar and bringing up the Task Manager and see if anything is eating up all or most of your resources? If so, then you at least have some idea of which way to go to track this down.You may also want to download a copy of Hijack This and post the result of your scan on the Hijack This section of this board.
Message Edited by rbriskar on 11-11-2007 09:42 PM robinhood42
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Posted November 12th, 2007 10:00
Actually, I was thinking of doing that. I checked under Processes and there is a ton of stuff running in the background. But I don't want to delete anything until I know exactly what it goes to. I'll google HiJack This and download it and post the results. Thanks for reminding me about that program.- This site is quite useful in identifying processes : http://www.processlibrary.com/ many programs want to start and run every time you boot up. there are several ways of stopping this behavior, one way is by deleting the program's entry in the "run" key in the registry, but safer is using the msconfig utility, click on Start>Run then type in msconfig , click Ok then click on the Startup tab, also if you run Spybot Search and Destroy they have a startup utility under "Tools". Many of the programs that want to run automatically aren't necessary because you can simply start them as needed from the Programs menu or from their shortcuts, if you run a standalone machine head on over to Black Viper's site : http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm for great info on killing some of Windows "services" that eat up valuable resources. Good luck!
tomron
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Posted November 11th, 2007 18:00