Another computer problem....

Karn Maeshalanadae

Karn Maeshalanadae

I'm a pineapple
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Dec 2, 2007
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Alright, here's the scoop.

My OS is Windows XP Home Edition, don't know the service pack, I think it's SP3.

Problem is: Whenever I start my computer in normal mode, it takes up the longest time to load-if it does at all-and by the time it does, after a few minutes, there's a loud beep and the entire thing freezes up. Before you ask, I tried going through system restore and it won't go through the last step to start it up. I can run the computer in Safe Mode alright, and am now using Safe Mode with Networking, but I have no idea how to get this thing fixed.

If it helps, when this computer first started acting up, a blue screen came up with some kind of error and it mentioned to "restart the computer" and "physical memory dump." I have no idea what that means or how to fix it.
 
I think your memory sticks are bad. Or you need to reinstall your OS. But I'm pretty sure its your RAM. Try getting new RAM and seeing if that fixes the issue.
 
Sadly this happened to me about a year ago on my (then) main machine. First thing I tried was to change the video card. Might have worked but it didn't. Sounds like a similar problem in which case this may be a good first step. Try running it on the on-board video if you have a card plugged in.

As I said, this was a good possibility in my case but in the end it turned out to be a bus fault and a few other things (like the ethernet and USB) started acting up a little later. I ended up having to replace the motherboard. I hope it doesn't go this far for you (though in fairness, it only cost €300, and I got a practically new PC for that - if you ignore the original cost, of course.)
 
Yeah I had that same problem but it was my RAM and when I swapped the RAM the problem went away.

So strange!
 
Might be RAM problems. Just great. I have no idea how much RAM sticks cost and I have no idea on how to install them.....*sigh* Damn it, I need my OS disk up here!


I also forgot to mention that my computer sometimes also redirects websites I try to go to through Google, if that has anything to do with this, I'm not sure...
 
Took a look at the RAM cards, and for my make and model-Dell Vostro 1500-a 2GB RAM card, which is currently on sale at the site I'm looking at, is coming to a total of $50.93....and I wouldn't know how to install a memory card in the thing anyway. :( But I'm giving antivirus one last ditch effort-after running my basics, I've run AVAST! and am now going to go through with Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. :p
 
I take it you have virus/spy-ware checked it.

If it works OK in Safe Mode then see if you can get to the help/trouble screen and see if you have a memory test program. If not you can sometimes get them on freebie disks on magazines. They don't usually need much machine resource to run and this should eliminate the memory theories.

It could be your Hard drive is too full and there isn't enough space for virtual memory switching or the disk is so fragmented the startup apps argue about head positioning and the OS can't keep up. - defrag the disk or at least have a look to see if it's needed.

Have a look at the start-up applications - I use a program call Strun which gives you a list of all the apps that will run (and you don't know about) In amongst them you can get some really nasty apps that have managed to infect your system. I think there's an app on XP that also allows you to disable these in "system tools" but I've never found it - Always use the disable option never the delete as some of the names are weird but they are actually needed.

In general, I usually check the manufacturer's name and if it's something odd or not even mentioned I get suspicious. However, even some XP components don't mention Microsoft so it's not an absolute guide.

It sounds like a spy-ware problem if you're experiencing web page redirection. You could try downloading one of the free spy-ware spotters/removers 'Ad aware' is fairly good if you can navigate your way trough all the crap and get to just the 'Ad aware' site to download the real free one then it's worth a try. Beware all the install crap toolbars and pop up options that appear on the mirror sites and go direct to the free for private use version - or find another one.

Try deleting all your browsing history/cookie entries in the IExplorer options - Make sure you know all your passwords web site addresses etc. cause if you don't the cookies that remember them can get screwed and you'll be clicking on forgot my password for quite a while depending on how many sites you auto sign into. If this is a problem visit them all first and change them to something you do know.

Happy hunting

Cheers

Tein
 
Well, my hard drive shouldn't be too full-I still have about a hundred gigs left on it, and I have run antivirus programs-AVG, AdAware, Spybot, Avast, CCleaner, they haven't picked anything up, and I have no idea how to disable drivers or devices, so I'm pretty well screwed, I think, until I can reinstall windows, which I don't know when I'll be able to...
 
You have a hundred gigs on your hdd? I have like....50 or so...on my 320 ext and about 20 on my 360 internal.

I want a terabyte external one. If anyone has any extra.....lol.....
 
Thing is, I have a total of 250, with about a hundred left. There's plenty of hard drive space left. I don't know entirely what's wrong, but I just last night found out there's no sound in safe mode. :mad::mad::mad::mad::mad:
 
Have a look at the scheduled tasks in system tools and check for any oddities.

I think I once solved this problem by doing a system restore. Basically going back to the last known good registry again this is a system tool or may even be a bootup option at startup after pressing F8.

However unless you're sure what to do I'd go with plan A.
 
Problem is, it won't let me go through system restore-I've tried half a dozen times, but at the last step I hit "Next" and nothing happens. I've also tried the "Last Known Good Configuration" option and that, too, also failed, so I guess I'll have to go with plan A, if I can manage it. :(


Okay, looking at the Scheduled Tasks, it says a bunch of "At" stuff-At1 that sections At10-At19, At2 that sections At20-At29 and so forth....and two McAfee tasks, McDefragTask and McQcTask, and everything there has a status of "Could Not Run", but this is in safe mode....is that anything strange? Most say they've never been run anyway....ones that are listed that have been run are At13, At20-At24, At37, and At44-At48.....
 
Not familiar with at20 etc.

I would think could not run is to do with safe mode.

Could be a bad sector on the disk where one of the drivers is saved. Trouble is it'll take an age to chkdsk that much disk space - overnight job possibly.

I'm out of my depth now.

Next step is the PC World or Plan A
 
It needs a wipe. Back up what you can onto pen sticks, get hold of your restore discs and rub it out and start again.

I know it's drastic but it's about the only thing that'll work. Most antivirus systems won't run in safe mode.

You need a minimum 512mB of RAM for XP with service Pack 3 I'd doublecheck that (My computer.......properties....general) first but this probably isn't your problem.
 
The Ace is pretty much right on this, now that I've seen my event log, there's all kinds of errors due to some kind of virus. The problem is, I don't have my disk and I don't have my product key. Is there a way to discover that if it's not on the computer itself?
 
If you don't have the COA sticker on your computer; you can download a freeware key finder like Magical Jelly Bean Keyfinder and follow the instructions for xp and newer OS.
I have heard that replacement keys can be requested from Microsoft but am unaware of the procedure.
To get a replacement copy of the Operating System CD you should try the computer manufacturer. However, if it costs more than $100 US it may be better to purchase a system builder operating system with license from Microsoft or an on line dealer (note; system builder operating systems do not come with the extras bundled into retail computers but are nearly identical to retail OS software at a cheaper price). If you ask around among your friends you may be able to find one that has the same brand of computer and is willing to loan you their system installation CD (to use with your key).
If you are a student and your computer meets the minimum specification you may still be able to get in on the reduced cost windows 7 programs (need a email address from a university or educational institution). Like the system builder option this is just the OS no bundled extras.

In any case use the files and settings transfer wizard to backup files that you want to keep to DVDs (if you have a burner) prior to installing the new OS and install an anti virus then scan the backups before putting them into the fresh machine.

Enjoy!
 
I had a similar problem a couple of years ago. Turned out to be a motherboard failure. Got slower and slower at boot up. Started to freeze, couldn't restore.

Many moons ago, there used to be a page at the back of the manual telling you what the number of beeps meant (eg.....x number of beeps meant RAM failure etc. I'm pretty certain one long beep means something pretty catastrophic is happening).

Might be worth checking any paperwork you have to see if there's anything on beeps:)
 
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