Need some help out there boys! Go to Yahoo to listen to games, game comes on but after like minute or so sounds freezes sort of like a skipping album! Locks up computer so have to re-boot! Any ideas or help greatly appreciated?
Computer Freezing Question ..
- Thread starter njsammy
- Start date
Have you done the basics?
Compress old files?
Delete old files?
Disk Clean-up?
Scan Disk?
DeFrag?
Clear memory?
Clean out old files?
Clear Cashe?
You prob. have an old Media Player that is messing you up. Clear your computer of junk and then (cntl, alt, del) to restart.
This is always the first step.
If you still have problems then delete the media player and reload it. Maybe you didn't get a good download.
Compress old files?
Delete old files?
Disk Clean-up?
Scan Disk?
DeFrag?
Clear memory?
Clean out old files?
Clear Cashe?
You prob. have an old Media Player that is messing you up. Clear your computer of junk and then (cntl, alt, del) to restart.
This is always the first step.
If you still have problems then delete the media player and reload it. Maybe you didn't get a good download.
I'm willing to help out all people on this fine board with computer problems.
First thing you can do to make solve the computer problem together is to provide me with some minimum information about your computer such as:
Brand : Dell, Gateway, Compaq, HP, etc...
Processor Speed: 486, Pentium 2 - 500 Mhz, Athlon - 1 Ghz, Pentium 4 - 2.1 Ghz, etc...
Operation System: Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP, Red Hat Linux, Mac OS
Connection to Internet: Roadrunner cable, AT&T DSL, AOL 56k, Earthlink 56k, company T1, school ethernet, etc...
Computer Memory: 256 MB - dunno, 512MB - RAMbus, 64 MB SDRAM (megabytes)
Hard Drive Capacity: 5 GBs, 20 GB, 40 GB, 100 GBs (gigabytes)
Background Programs: McAfee Virus Scanner, Norton Firewall, Gator, Comet Cursor, etc...
Don't be afraid to contact me if ya need to ask anything from hard (how do i setup a database driven website with ecommerce) to easy (how do i change my start page) to common (how do i hide porn from my wife)
Peace :weed:
First thing you can do to make solve the computer problem together is to provide me with some minimum information
about your computer such as: Brand : Dell, Gateway, Compaq, HP, etc...
Processor Speed: 486, Pentium 2 - 500 Mhz, Athlon - 1 Ghz, Pentium 4 - 2.1 Ghz, etc...
Operation System: Windows 98, Windows ME, Windows XP, Red Hat Linux, Mac OS
Connection to Internet: Roadrunner cable, AT&T DSL, AOL 56k, Earthlink 56k, company T1, school ethernet, etc...
Computer Memory: 256 MB - dunno, 512MB - RAMbus, 64 MB SDRAM (megabytes)
Hard Drive Capacity: 5 GBs, 20 GB, 40 GB, 100 GBs (gigabytes)
Background Programs: McAfee Virus Scanner, Norton Firewall, Gator, Comet Cursor, etc...
Don't be afraid to contact me if ya need to ask anything from hard (how do i setup a database driven website with ecommerce) to easy (how do i change my start page) to common (how do i hide porn from my wife)
Peace :weed:
Last edited:
Here's one for you Redking, my desktop freezes while starting up when the windows xp logo appears and will not go any farther at all. I have tried starting it up in safe mode and get the same result, the piece of junk will not start up. It is an HP machine about 3 years old and is mostly used by my 3 and 4 year old to play games on. I recently replaced the power pack with the identical match to the original. I know my way around a computer pretty well ONCE IT IS RUNNING, but without getting it to start I am at a loss. 450mhz, 128 mg, 30 gig.
Any help would be appreciated before I trash the thing, which may be it's fate either way.
Penguinfan
Any help would be appreciated before I trash the thing, which may be it's fate either way.
Penguinfan
Il'l also take you up on the offer Redking.
Computer Info
Gateway
Pentium III 450 Mhz
Windows 98
Roadrunner
64 MB RAM
6.8 GB EIDE
Norton Firewall
I am unable to open up or see different links to other pages on some websites. Sometimes when I go to sites, I am unable to see the different options to select. Ex. My daughters softball league website has "options" like signup, calendar, league officials, rainout #, map to fields and things like that. Most of the time they don't show, but sometimes they do.
The biggest problem though is that I am unable to get the "Reveiw Wagers" and "Account Services" sections to open up on my internet book site and that has been a major problem. I just click on them and nothing happens.
Also at certain times, I am unable to "Delete" emails in my Outlook Express. Just click on "Delete" and nothing happens. Sometimes it acts like it got the message, but does nothing.
I am pretty green with these things, but am getting better. I have a "System Restoration" disk but am not sure how to use it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Computer Info
Gateway
Pentium III 450 Mhz
Windows 98
Roadrunner
64 MB RAM
6.8 GB EIDE
Norton Firewall
I am unable to open up or see different links to other pages on some websites. Sometimes when I go to sites, I am unable to see the different options to select. Ex. My daughters softball league website has "options" like signup, calendar, league officials, rainout #, map to fields and things like that. Most of the time they don't show, but sometimes they do.
The biggest problem though is that I am unable to get the "Reveiw Wagers" and "Account Services" sections to open up on my internet book site and that has been a major problem. I just click on them and nothing happens.
Also at certain times, I am unable to "Delete" emails in my Outlook Express. Just click on "Delete" and nothing happens. Sometimes it acts like it got the message, but does nothing.
I am pretty green with these things, but am getting better. I have a "System Restoration" disk but am not sure how to use it. Any help would be appreciated. Thanks
Ouch! Safe mode won't even boot the computer? Ok, what you need to do now is to try and install Windows XP again. I hope you have your original Windows XP cd on you.
1) Turn on computer and go into the BIOS and change the boot order so that the CD drive boots AHEAD of the hard drive.
2) Save changes and exit the BIOS. The computer should reboot automatically. If not, reboot the computer. Have your XP cd ready!
3) Quickly put your Windows XP cd into the your CD drive! (If you don't do this in time don't worry. Leave the XP CD in the drive and just reboot your computer again.)
4) If done correctly, the BIOS should boot the CD drive which will read the boot sector on the Windows XP CD. Once this happens, Windows should load and give you an option to (re)install Windows XP.
5) Re-install Windows XP and see if this helps.
I'm thinking the problem is that you have too much software junk on the computer and Windows XP is working too hard to load all the hardware drivers and softwarm start-up programs. A good way to keep the computer would be to backup all your needed files, reformat and then reinstall Windows.
But the problem is you can't get into Windows and backup your important files. So hopefully by re-installing, you should be able to get back into Windows XP and at least to a backup, if not use it like you did before!
If I was too technical, do not hesitate to ask me again. I'm here to help!
1) Turn on computer and go into the BIOS and change the boot order so that the CD drive boots AHEAD of the hard drive.
2) Save changes and exit the BIOS. The computer should reboot automatically. If not, reboot the computer. Have your XP cd ready!
3) Quickly put your Windows XP cd into the your CD drive! (If you don't do this in time don't worry. Leave the XP CD in the drive and just reboot your computer again.)
4) If done correctly, the BIOS should boot the CD drive which will read the boot sector on the Windows XP CD. Once this happens, Windows should load and give you an option to (re)install Windows XP.
5) Re-install Windows XP and see if this helps.
I'm thinking the problem is that you have too much software junk on the computer and Windows XP is working too hard to load all the hardware drivers and softwarm start-up programs. A good way to keep the computer would be to backup all your needed files, reformat and then reinstall Windows.
But the problem is you can't get into Windows and backup your important files. So hopefully by re-installing, you should be able to get back into Windows XP and at least to a backup, if not use it like you did before!
If I was too technical, do not hesitate to ask me again. I'm here to help!
penguinfan said:
Ok Captain,
Sounds like there is a problem with the Windows 98 rendering engine. Windows uses the same engine to display webpages as well as to run Outlook Express. Thats why Microsoft can crank out so much sh*tty software in such a short amount of time.
My first guess is that your Internet Explorer isn't updated and there is 3rd party software (Java, Flash, ActiveX) on the websites that you're visiting causing problems. Try upgrading Internet Explorer to the most recent version and downloading Microsoft's Java Runtime. (http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/javavm.html)
Also try upgrading your version of Flash (www.macromedia.com)
Should be no problem downloading on cable.
A bigger concern, is WHEN do these problems occur. Is it smooth sailing for an hour and then you start having problems? If this is the case, you might have too many background programs running and thus using up too many resources. Windows has poor memory management and this is a very common problem, especially with only 64 MB of RAM.
Reply back if you need more help/info or have any questions! I'm here to help! :weed:
Sounds like there is a problem with the Windows 98 rendering engine. Windows uses the same engine to display webpages as well as to run Outlook Express. Thats why Microsoft can crank out so much sh*tty software in such a short amount of time.
My first guess is that your Internet Explorer isn't updated and there is 3rd party software (Java, Flash, ActiveX) on the websites that you're visiting causing problems. Try upgrading Internet Explorer to the most recent version and downloading Microsoft's Java Runtime. (http://www.softwarepatch.com/windows/javavm.html)
Also try upgrading your version of Flash (www.macromedia.com)
Should be no problem downloading on cable.
A bigger concern, is WHEN do these problems occur. Is it smooth sailing for an hour and then you start having problems? If this is the case, you might have too many background programs running and thus using up too many resources. Windows has poor memory management and this is a very common problem, especially with only 64 MB of RAM.
Reply back if you need more help/info or have any questions! I'm here to help! :weed:
Captain Crunch said:
Redking,
Hope you do not mind if I take you up on your offer. I have two issues, one is just an annoyance, other I have just learned to live with.
#1 While surfing, anytime I click on a link that is a .pdf file, I get the blank screen with the windows shapes in the upper left corner. I can, however, save it to my desktop and open it fine.
Brand : Powerspec (from Micro Center)
Processor Speed: Pentium 4 - 2.0 Ghz
Operation System: Windows XP
Connection to Internet: Roadrunner cable
Computer Memory: 512MB DDR PC2100
Hard Drive Capacity: 40 GB
Background Programs: Symantec corporate antivirus
Explorer version: 6.0
#2 actually a 2 part issue, want to upgrade a PC I have passed on to the kids. Want to add memory, but I do not know exactly what I have, I know it is SDRAMM and I have 3 slots, currently a 32MB chips in two, nothing in the other one. No other markings other than a '100' several times on the sticks. Tried to add a 64MB a couple years ago and it did recognize it. T
Also, I was unable to yank out CD ROM drive to replace with a CDRW. It did not recognize the drive after the conversion. Plays CD's fine though. I think the problem stems from the following. The hard drive is only 8GB, and was partitioned into 4 2MB parts, drives c,d,e,f. (CD is drive H). The guy who installed my Roadrunner years ago, 'merged' the drives into 2 drives C&D both with 4MB each. So now I have no E&F drive. I would be willing to yank out the HD and replace that too if necessary. All of the important info is on my PC.
Brand : Dell Dimension XPS333 (Circa 1998)
Processor Speed: Pentium 2 - 333mhz
Operation System: Windows 98
Connection to Internet: Roadrunner cable
Computer Memory: 64MB SDRAM of something
Hard Drive Capacity: 8 GB
Background Programs: Symantec corporate antivirus
Any help is appreciated, if additional info is needed please get e-mail from Jack or AOL IM me 'RTitchell'
Hope you do not mind if I take you up on your offer. I have two issues, one is just an annoyance, other I have just learned to live with.
#1 While surfing, anytime I click on a link that is a .pdf file, I get the blank screen with the windows shapes in the upper left corner. I can, however, save it to my desktop and open it fine.
Brand : Powerspec (from Micro Center)
Processor Speed: Pentium 4 - 2.0 Ghz
Operation System: Windows XP
Connection to Internet: Roadrunner cable
Computer Memory: 512MB DDR PC2100
Hard Drive Capacity: 40 GB
Background Programs: Symantec corporate antivirus
Explorer version: 6.0
#2 actually a 2 part issue, want to upgrade a PC I have passed on to the kids. Want to add memory, but I do not know exactly what I have, I know it is SDRAMM and I have 3 slots, currently a 32MB chips in two, nothing in the other one. No other markings other than a '100' several times on the sticks. Tried to add a 64MB a couple years ago and it did recognize it. T
Also, I was unable to yank out CD ROM drive to replace with a CDRW. It did not recognize the drive after the conversion. Plays CD's fine though. I think the problem stems from the following. The hard drive is only 8GB, and was partitioned into 4 2MB parts, drives c,d,e,f. (CD is drive H). The guy who installed my Roadrunner years ago, 'merged' the drives into 2 drives C&D both with 4MB each. So now I have no E&F drive. I would be willing to yank out the HD and replace that too if necessary. All of the important info is on my PC.
Brand : Dell Dimension XPS333 (Circa 1998)
Processor Speed: Pentium 2 - 333mhz
Operation System: Windows 98
Connection to Internet: Roadrunner cable
Computer Memory: 64MB SDRAM of something
Hard Drive Capacity: 8 GB
Background Programs: Symantec corporate antivirus
Any help is appreciated, if additional info is needed please get e-mail from Jack or AOL IM me 'RTitchell'
Hey Taz, glad to help and here goes:
1) To view PDF files you need Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and you can learn more and download it by going here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
After downloading and installed Adobe Acrobat Reader, you should be able to view internet PDF files directly in Internet Explorer and view downloaded PDF files in Reader.
2) The memory problem is hard to diagnoise over the internet. :shrug: Only thing I can suggest is open up the computer, pull out the two sticks and ebay them. Based on what you said, "Two Sticks of 64 MB of SDRAM" should be your Ebay auction title.
After that, I recommend buying two sticks of 128 MB SDRAM (for 256 total) at cruical.com or something. I get all my memory there and they're solid with good tech support. Email their customer service if you need help. Just tell me your Dell model number
3) What software did you use to test the CD-RW was working? Did the CD-RW come with "burning" software like Easy CD creator? It's possible to have two paritions of your hard drive named C: and D: while having your CD/CD-RW/DVD drive named anything from E: to Z: and have the computer work. (at least im pretty sure).
You may have installed the CD-RW fine, but just didn't have the right software to test it's capabilities. Or, I could be way off.
Reply back if ya need anything else!
1) To view PDF files you need Adobe Acrobat or Adobe Acrobat Reader. Adobe Acrobat Reader is free and you can learn more and download it by going here: http://www.adobe.com/products/acrobat/readstep.html
After downloading and installed Adobe Acrobat Reader, you should be able to view internet PDF files directly in Internet Explorer and view downloaded PDF files in Reader.
2) The memory problem is hard to diagnoise over the internet. :shrug: Only thing I can suggest is open up the computer, pull out the two sticks and ebay them. Based on what you said, "Two Sticks of 64 MB of SDRAM" should be your Ebay auction title.
After that, I recommend buying two sticks of 128 MB SDRAM (for 256 total) at cruical.com or something. I get all my memory there and they're solid with good tech support. Email their customer service if you need help. Just tell me your Dell model number
3) What software did you use to test the CD-RW was working? Did the CD-RW come with "burning" software like Easy CD creator? It's possible to have two paritions of your hard drive named C: and D: while having your CD/CD-RW/DVD drive named anything from E: to Z: and have the computer work. (at least im pretty sure).
You may have installed the CD-RW fine, but just didn't have the right software to test it's capabilities. Or, I could be way off.
Reply back if ya need anything else!
Redking, not sure if what was me or you that solved my problem, but none-the-less, I'm cookin with gas now. I downloaded everything you suggested, rebooted and it still didn't work. Then I started deleting a bunch of programs I never use, got rid of Kazaa and the shared folder, disabled my Norton Firewall and for the first time in months, I can check my account status out. Thank you very much. If you ever need to know anything regarding homebuilding or cast-in-place concrete structures, feel free to shoot em my way.
Hey Redking! I'll take you up as well seeing you are the "MOJO" guru of computers.
We have a Hewlett Packard 6460. Probably 6+ (if not more) years old. It freezes all the time. We restart and cntrl/alt/del, but it's so slow. we have cable (comcast) internet. My girl has tried to defrag it, but not sure if that has worked. probably needs to be cleaned of years and years of clutter.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!
TOM
We have a Hewlett Packard 6460. Probably 6+ (if not more) years old. It freezes all the time. We restart and cntrl/alt/del, but it's so slow. we have cable (comcast) internet. My girl has tried to defrag it, but not sure if that has worked. probably needs to be cleaned of years and years of clutter.
Any assistance would be greatly appreciated. THANKS!!!
TOM
:lol:redking said:to common (how do i hide porn from my wife)
Peace :weed:
Most likely the main reason it locks up! LOL!! :lol: :lol: :lol:
Hey Tom,
Glad to help! First there are probably too many start up programs that are hogging your resources. Goto
1) My Computer
2) C:
3) Windows folder
4) Windows>Start Menu folder
5) Windows>Start Menu>Programs folder
6) Windows>Start Menu>Programs>Start Up folder
In that "Start Up" folder you will probably see a bunch of programs. Delete stuff you don't use when you boot up like Kazaa, Gator, Comet Cursor, AOL, Real Player... A lot of these programs start themselves up and it just slows down your computer. It's hard to clean stuff up. :shrug:
Second, you need to Scandisk your hard drive BEFORE defragging. Turn off the screen saver and then do a physical scandisk. Check the "automatically fix errors" box. Then go watch some games. How long is takes to scandisk depends on the number of errors and how big your drive is. Once scandisk is done, you can defrag.
However, defrag won't speed up your computer that much. Six years is a long time in computer terms.
Glad to help! First there are probably too many start up programs that are hogging your resources. Goto
1) My Computer
2) C:
3) Windows folder
4) Windows>Start Menu folder
5) Windows>Start Menu>Programs folder
6) Windows>Start Menu>Programs>Start Up folder
In that "Start Up" folder you will probably see a bunch of programs. Delete stuff you don't use when you boot up like Kazaa, Gator, Comet Cursor, AOL, Real Player... A lot of these programs start themselves up and it just slows down your computer. It's hard to clean stuff up. :shrug:
Second, you need to Scandisk your hard drive BEFORE defragging. Turn off the screen saver and then do a physical scandisk. Check the "automatically fix errors" box. Then go watch some games. How long is takes to scandisk depends on the number of errors and how big your drive is. Once scandisk is done, you can defrag.
However, defrag won't speed up your computer that much. Six years is a long time in computer terms.
Sounds like you fixed the problem yourself, Captain! :hail
General rule:
Do NOT install any software you really don't need! I think Kazaa is the best for finding movies, music and porn.
Then you just need Windows Media Player (free) and Apple Quicktime (free) to play your movies! I really don't like RealPlayer. Then you need one virus scan program and one firewall program. Then you're safe and secure!
If you got rid of AOL for cable/dsl instead, try uninstalling it. Don't upgrade to Microsoft Office X if you don't have to! I use Office 97 and it works great! :weed: Stick with Internet Explorer and Outlook Express for web surfing and emails.
A good investment for a faster, more stable computer is memory! I like buying my memory at crucial.com. Tell the service reps your computer brand and model number. Then, just try to find some high school computer nerd to help ya install your new memory! :lol:
Hope that helps!
:hailGeneral rule:
Do NOT install any software you really don't need! I think Kazaa is the best for finding movies, music and porn.
Then you just need Windows Media Player (free) and Apple Quicktime (free) to play your movies! I really don't like RealPlayer.
Then you need one virus scan program and one firewall program. Then you're safe and secure! If you got rid of AOL for cable/dsl instead, try uninstalling it. Don't upgrade to Microsoft Office X if you don't have to! I use Office 97 and it works great! :weed: Stick with Internet Explorer and Outlook Express for web surfing and emails.
A good investment for a faster, more stable computer is memory! I like buying my memory at crucial.com. Tell the service reps your computer brand and model number. Then, just try to find some high school computer nerd to help ya install your new memory! :lol:
Hope that helps!
Captain Crunch said:Redking, not sure if what was me or you that solved my problem, but none-the-less, I'm cookin with gas now. I downloaded everything you suggested, rebooted and it still didn't work. Then I started deleting a bunch of programs I never use, got rid of Kazaa and the shared folder, disabled my Norton Firewall and for the first time in months, I can check my account status out. Thank you very much. If you ever need to know anything regarding homebuilding or cast-in-place concrete structures, feel free to shoot em my way.
Thanks for the quick reply Redking!!! We tried to go to
Tools
Internet Options
Delete temp files
then
Settings, view settings, clear history, etc
and somehow it messed it up worse.
When we click on the e (internet explorer), and click on the down arrow (to give you a list of webpages you have visited today) "my computer" "desktop" and 1 other show up instead of the
www.blahblah.com
www.madjacksports.com
etc.
Any idea?? Thanks!!!!
Tools
Internet Options
Delete temp files
then
Settings, view settings, clear history, etc
and somehow it messed it up worse.
When we click on the e (internet explorer), and click on the down arrow (to give you a list of webpages you have visited today) "my computer" "desktop" and 1 other show up instead of the
www.blahblah.com
www.madjacksports.com
etc.
Any idea?? Thanks!!!!
Hey Tom,
What exactly did you need help with again?
Deleting the temp files and clearing the history won't make the computer that much faster or more stable...
What exactly did you need help with again?
Deleting the temp files and clearing the history won't make the computer that much faster or more stable...
TJBELL said:
Redking,
Thanks for the quick reply, I have been away all evening. I guess I should have included the obvious with my .pdf problem, I already have adobe acrobat 5.0 reader.:shrug:
About the memory thing for the old PC, don't I have to have a certain type such as PC100, PC200, etc? I would have guessed PC100, and I may just pick up some next time BestBuy/Comp USA has a sale. I think my model number is Dell Dimension XP333.
Thanks again.
Thanks for the quick reply, I have been away all evening. I guess I should have included the obvious with my .pdf problem, I already have adobe acrobat 5.0 reader.:shrug:
About the memory thing for the old PC, don't I have to have a certain type such as PC100, PC200, etc? I would have guessed PC100, and I may just pick up some next time BestBuy/Comp USA has a sale. I think my model number is Dell Dimension XP333.
Thanks again.
Welcome to the official Redking help thread, please take a number and wait patiently.
THANKS Redking, gonna work with that pile of parts I call a desktop this morning, I will let you know how it turns out. I have a feeling it's gonna end up on the curb in the morning either way.
Penguinfan
THANKS Redking, gonna work with that pile of parts I call a desktop this morning, I will let you know how it turns out. I have a feeling it's gonna end up on the curb in the morning either way.
Penguinfan
Redking, I hope you can help me out with this.
I have a history button on my task bar. I cant figure out how to delete this history all at once. I have to do it individually. I dont want to remove the button, I just want to clear it all at once. I have hit "clear history" and it works for everything except for what is in this button. I have the computer set up to save history 0 days so at midnite it gets cleared.
vpr Matrix
Pent 4
Win XP
Roadrunner Cable
MEM-256mb
HD-60 gb
Nortin anti-virus, Zone Alarm, Roadrunner medic
Thanks for the help.
I have a history button on my task bar. I cant figure out how to delete this history all at once. I have to do it individually. I dont want to remove the button, I just want to clear it all at once. I have hit "clear history" and it works for everything except for what is in this button. I have the computer set up to save history 0 days so at midnite it gets cleared.
vpr Matrix
Pent 4
Win XP
Roadrunner Cable
MEM-256mb
HD-60 gb
Nortin anti-virus, Zone Alarm, Roadrunner medic
Thanks for the help.
