XP or Hardware Issue?

[WA Scott]

My son's laptop recently began freezing after boot-up. It hung at the desktop, couldn't open anything and had to be shutdown with the power button. It was also freezing in Safe mode. At one boot-up Windows informed me of a missing or corrupted file. I goggled the file and the results pointed to malware. Rather than attempt to clean it up, I chose to reformat XP.

Now when the computer boots up, frequently the Right click window will open either by itself or when you Left click the touchpad. Left clicking again causes it to close and immediately open again. This is the window you get when you Right click on empty desktop. These actions also happens when using a usb mouse and was part of the problem prior to reformatting.

On one occasion, the computer froze up, reviewing the task manager showed the cpu usage at zero for about a minute until it finally unlocked. At times, navigating around the desktop is impossible from freezes to malfunction actions.

I ran the Window's diagnostic tool for the hard drive in addition to a free utility from Seagate, neither program detected anything.

Thanks for any suggestions.

[annie_m]

Just a quick question: When you say 're-formatted' windows, do you mean a re-format of the HD or a total re-install? If it was the former, I'd try a reload possibly with a different hard drive (that way you don't lose anything if it proves fruitless).

Our cat once caused a similar (tho not as severe) problem, whereby the mouse buttons and all the right-click menus were re-ordered. We solved that one with a restore, but then we didn't have the freeze up problwem you're experiencing.

The other thing is that a reload will certainly flush out any viral changes made, unless it's got into the BIOS flash RAM, which is possible, if unlikely.

The cat? Oh. yes. She slept on the keyboard while we weren't looking and did something wonderful to (we suspect) the registry.

[Dencandy]

The references to strange things happening with the touchpad also suggests some hardware issues here. The mechanical components of keyboards & touchpads get worn with time and can get misalligned. Fortunately, depending on the make of your laptop, the under-the-keys components of the keyboard can usually be replaced. If you know how to lift the keys to inspect what's underneath, do that and see if there are any misplaced springs, levers and what-nots. If you don't know how to do it try to find someone who does or take the laptop to a technician.

[Makcalable]

My son's laptop recently began freezing after boot-up. It hung at the desktop, couldn't open anything and had to be shutdown with the power button. It was also freezing in Safe mode. At one boot-up Windows informed me of a missing or corrupted file. I goggled the file and the results pointed to malware. Rather than attempt to clean it up, I chose to reformat XP.

Now when the computer boots up, frequently the Right click window will open either by itself or when you Left click the touchpad. Left clicking again causes it to close and immediately open again. This is the window you get when you Right click on empty desktop. These actions also happens when using a usb mouse and was part of the problem prior to reformatting.

On one occasion, the computer froze up, reviewing the task manager showed the cpu usage at zero for about a minute until it finally unlocked. At times, navigating around the desktop is impossible from freezes to malfunction actions.

I ran the Window's diagnostic tool for the hard drive in addition to a free utility from Seagate, neither program detected anything.

Thanks for any suggestions.

I suggest you try to run a system file check from elevated command prompt.

but first see if it downloads and installs MalwareBytes and run a deep scan.

having tried all above and no joy try repair from XP CD.

If that fails, there is only one more thing to do and that is a complete re install - Boot From CD.

[bludgard]

.... I goggled the file and the results pointed to malware....

Although there are legitamate malwares out there,most any file you Google will undoubtedly have some reference to malware or errors.It's a money thing.

Check Event Logs for repeat Critical,Error and Warning entries.Try to decipher the entries by using something like EVENTID.NET.

Open System Configuration to diagnose and to check to see if there are any contrite programs/apps loading with Windows.(Browse the links within the link I provided).

You may also run CHKDSK on your machine to make sure there are no issues with the Windows (C:) drive.

If all checks come back clean and the problem still persists,reinstall OS to a HDD that has been wiped completely clean and reformatted (not the quick formatting).

[bludgard]

The cat? Oh. yes. She slept on the keyboard while we weren't looking and did something wonderful to (we suspect) the registry.

:lol:

andsome could have rectified that situation for you!

:lol:

[comprar piso]

i have windows xp service pack 2 and when i connect itnetr net then its shows me 1 error genric host error why this come and how i can stop it

[Dencandy]

i have windows xp service pack 2 and when i connect itnetr net then its shows me 1 error genric host error why this come and how i can stop it

Do you actually get an internet connection?

If no when did this start?

And did you install another program just before that? If yes, what is that program?