Another computer help thread!

[P156KWJ]

Hello,
I am starting to get quite wound-up with the endless problems that I am having with my computer. It keeps doing the most random of things, mostly deciding that after 5 minutes of using programs (including browsers) it gives up and brings up the 'opera has developed a problem and needs to close' dialog box, and doing other odd things - for example, earlier today, the sound system built in to the motherboard decided it'd randomly stop working! And when I'm using Microsoft Word, if you put in an autoshape or picture, as soon as you try and save it, it won't let you, and when you re-recover the document it won't reopen! And finally, the very very annoying one is randomly deciding to re-boot itself!

I've tried system restore and the last known good boot-up in the setup menu on power up, and if possible, I don't want to go to the hassle of re-installing the operating system

Another annoying error message I get are critical stop boxes containing code I can't understand for the life of me: http://i280.photobucket.com/albums/kk199/provincial156/problem_CS.jpg

Specs:

Dell OptiPlex GX270 series (manufactured 2003)
Windows XP Professional
intel inside pentium 4 processor
1Gb memory (RAM)
Intel(R) 82865G Graphics controller

Can someone help me find a solution, Dell's driver reset thing didn't work either

Thanks!

 

[mbonwick]

I'd suspect a Virus or similar causing your PC to run out of RAM.

Have a clear out - delete temp files, defragment, run windows disk checker. Delete anything you don't need and try to organize the rest a bit more!

I'd then suggest you download AVG and scan with that.
Then, if it finds anything, let it remove it
Spybot SD is a good realtime protector.

 

[devon_metro]

I find built in graphics can cause random crashes (espec on my old XP machine)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also, get rid of Messenger Plus. Causes me nothing but problems on the two occasions i've had it and XP has decided a system restore was in order!

 

[BJMorley]

Also, from experience, Opera isn't the best browser. Firefox, or Safari are the best on t'market. Also give a Disk Defrag. I reccomend AusLogics Disk Defrag. I know it's a trial version, but cleans my computer up quicker than the MS version.
Brandon

 

[P156KWJ]

Also, from experience, Opera isn't the best browser. Firefox, or Safari are the best on t'market. Also give a Disk Defrag. I reccomend AusLogics Disk Defrag. I know it's a trial version, but cleans my computer up quicker than the MS version.
Brandon

I love opera! It's absolutely rapid, and I feel everything is right in the place I want it to be... the two you mentioned... less said the better in my opinion

 

[rmt]

I think this is what happens when you download goat porn ;o)

 

[P156KWJ]

you'll have a goat in your face in a minute

 

[Gizmogle]

Didn't know you were into that kinda thing Miles!

 

[class 313]

I find built in graphics can cause random crashes (espec on my old XP machine)
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---
Also, get rid of Messenger Plus. Causes me nothing but problems on the two occasions i've had it and XP has decided a system restore was in order!

Nothing wrong with MSN plus, I have used it for 3 years with no problems.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

Also, from experience, Opera isn't the best browser. Firefox, or Safari are the best on t'market.

But both are free browsers. :-x
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---

I love opera! It's absolutely rapid, and I feel everything is right in the place I want it to be... the two you mentioned... less said the better in my opinion

Firefox is the best IMO, fast and loads of addons!

 

[mbonwick]

Nothing wrong with MSN plus, I have used it for 3 years with no problems.

Yeah, it's fine so long as you don't install the adware with it. But, it makes it clear at the start...not hard to select "no"

 

[Donny Dave]

From the look of the screen shot provided, the PC is too cluttered ....

You have several programs on your desktop that essentially do the same thing as each other, and that can lead to conficts and errors like the one shown. One big example there is you have Microsoft Works and Office installed, get rid of either of them.

Basically, de-clutter your PC, if you have more than one HDD, movethe non essential stuff to the second HDD, and consider getting Auslogics Boostspeed.

 

[laseandre]

Nothing wrong with MSN plus, I have used it for 3 years with no problems.
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


But both are free browsers. :-x
--- old post above --- --- new post below ---


Firefox is the best IMO, fast and loads of addons!

I find Google Chrome quite good, using it to post this in fact. The only problem I found when I downloaded it was that Facebook didn't work as well as it should've. But that's been fixed now and Chrome is the best for me.

 

[me123]

I use Chrome as well, with IE to back up. Chrome isn't supported by everything yet, so there's a few sites that I can't access. However, these are few and far between and IE works fine when I need it. If I used these sites more often, I'd download Firefox, but IE works reasonably for how much I use it (nearly never).

The thing I like about chrome is that it's clean, uncluttered, easy to use and the spellchecker comes in handy. It also has a handy tool for escaping RickRolls

 

[laseandre]

Yes, the "stop this site producing prompts" tickbox thingy?

 

[me123]

It's saved me a few times