Running XP Home SP3

[Lamb Chop]

I dont have a clue how to find out what is causing this. It happens all the time lately - and when shutting down - also find FF is taking 2 mins to load which is a long time.

I have this program for repairing advised by John - works well but cant find a category that covers this. Went to Rizone and found Speed up your computer and as usual it found thousands of problems - didn't go past registry which I use Ccleaner to clean up so shouldn't be that many problems and being a cynic these days expect that like so many wait through the process and then have to pay to repair etc - maybe not - cut it off on registry.

Any suggestions of what this problem is called and can Crep repair it or is there anything I can do?

[Boris]

Which program is the one that is not responding?

Also - what exactly is this Crep thing ?

[pawz7]

you could try downloading and running Process Explorer or bring up Task Manager and keeping it active in the taskbar when you start a session. It would tell you what processes are running and what might be hogging CPU resources time. Also take a look in event viewer to see if that has any problems in that session. The Microsoft Fixit tool may also prove useful, also visiting their Fixit site which has a wider range of problem-solving.

[MANEMAN]

Hi Lambchop.

I dont have a clue how to find out what is causing this.It happens all the time lately - and when shutting down.

"A" - What is causing - what exactly ? - You haven't clearly stated your problem, or given us any clue whatsoever as to what is happening at "your end."

Just again to Reimburse Boris's statement which is highly relevant:

"B" - "Which program is the one that is not responding?"

"C" - "maybe not - cut it off on registry." - What do you mean by this statement Lamb Chop ? It would seem to have no relevance to anything previously aforesaid.

"D" - What is FF that you refer too ?

"E" - What is "Crep" that you refer too ?

Could you perhaps answer the questions A-Through-E, and then give us a full rundown on the problems that you are experiencing ? -

-No rush. - Just think the whole thing through before you give a reply so that we have the whole picture.

The advice that pawz7 has given is totally relevant, and may even solve your problem............ - But. - Just for the time being can we go step-by-step, starting from question "A" ?

Just look at each question individually, - and answer it fully.

When we get it back here it at headquarters it should look something like:

"A" - blab,Blah,blah

"B" - Blah,blab,blab

"C" - Blab,blab blah.blah

"D" - Blahdee Blah baa baa

"E" - Blah dee nova nootta de nah.

Obviously all the blahs will be replaced with intelligible words and sentences by your goodself that will help us to diagnose your present problem/s.

John.

[Lamb Chop]

Hi Lambchop.

I dont have a clue how to find out what is causing this.It happens all the time lately - and when shutting down.

"A" - What is causing - what exactly ? - You haven't clearly stated your problem, or given us any clue whatsoever as to what is happening at "your end."

Just again to Reimburse Boris's statement which is highly relevant:

"B" - "Which program is the one that is not responding?"

"C" - "maybe not - cut it off on registry." - What do you mean by this statement Lamb Chop ? It would seem to have no relevance to anything previously aforesaid.

"D" - What is FF that you refer too ?

"E" - What is "Crep" that you refer too ?

Could you perhaps answer the questions A-Through-E, and then give us a full rundown on the problems that you are experiencing ? -

-No rush. - Just think the whole thing through before you give a reply so that we have the whole picture.

The advice that pawz7 has given is totally relevant, and may even solve your problem............ - But. - Just for the time being can we go step-by-step, starting from question "A" ?

Just look at each question individually, - and answer it fully.

When we get it back here it at headquarters it should look something like:

"A" - blab,Blah,blah

"B" - Blah,blab,blab

"C" - Blab,blab blah.blah

"D" - Blahdee Blah baa baa

"E" - Blah dee nova nootta de nah.

Obviously all the blahs will be replaced with intelligible words and sentences by your goodself that will help us to diagnose your present problem/s.

John.

A. Various programs no pattern during the course of working when closing them down - go into not responding. That is the problem but also slow to come up when called - in particular Firefox Browser - can take 2 minutes plus to appear - also IE browser which is IE6. Most do shut down when the 'windows program not responding' exit now to return to windows etc. Some dont and I try the escape to see if this works - does sometimes - others nothing happens for up to 15 minutes and I use the emergency shut down. Then not always booting up properly and I use F8 and system restore to boot up and usually fine. If I think it is a program I eithr disable it in Win Patrol like I have Incredimail disabled because I suspect it at times but still happens and have got rid of other programs that were causing problem and things have speeded up - like typing - no longer freezing or I type and it appears later. Both on email and on forums like this one. Not doing it now.

B.Programs - not responding when trying to close them down.

SAS, Webshots, Incredimail, WD Smartwear - backup. Also some of these but also others do the same - just stop responding.

C. Maybe or maybe not referred to Speed Up your Computer which I downloaded as it said could find and repair stuff but then started to scan and found 48 mistakes in my registry but showed 50 down on the bar and went for long time but then reminded me of PC Doctor I tried one time found hundreds of mistakes all through the computer on all areas then said would fix a few but the rest I would have t buy the program for and I take that as a con job and so stopped this speed up thinking it too never mentioned free and would most likely do the same so uninstalled it.

Using Revo Uninstaller which also finds lots of registry items and files the vendor uninstaller leaves behind. I also run Ccleaner and now and then run its registry function to clear out unwanted items it always finds old extns etc.

D Firefox 3.6.16 browser taking up to 2+ minutes to appear once summoned

F. @ Boris The Cintrep program I referred to as not having a category I could find for this problem one that incorporates Winsock and has categories for finding repairing problems - found it excellent for repairing Internet connections which are now working well plus hosts file and also Internet Explorer 6.

G.his is something in the windows system which is why I thought the Speedup may do it as said repairs the system which changes as you use it etc.

H. I have a program called (paid for version of) Internet Download Manager and have noticed every time it updates as recent as 2 days ago it upsets my OnLine Armour firewall and last time said it was a failure but then checking the version updated anyway. I did have a constant bad key on Auto Windows Update but this Cinrep program fixed that and I have it set to download but ask me and no problems for 3 months now.

Hope that helps point out the problem - in the windows system somewhere.

I also look at Task Manager processes and see various ones using up units but have no idea if any of 'hogging' as not idea how much each should use etc and so cant see if one is a gremlin.

But will google fix it from M$ as may be the answer.:lol:

--------------------------------------------------------------------------

I run XP home SP3 Intel Pentium dual CPU E2160 @1.8hz 1GB RAM

Avast, SAS pro. Spyware Blaster WinPatrolPlus and Online Armour.

[andsome]

I don't make any claims as to being an expert, but over the years I have watched with interest the multitude of problems that you have experienced. I have been there in the past with some of the rubbish that you have from time to time installed. I can only tell you what I would do personally in your circumstances.

I would invest in a large a plug in hard drive at least 1TB. I would format this to NTFS. I would also get a decent sized memory stick, and download to it a decent firewall and AV program, together with Malware Bytes, SUPERAntSPYWARE, and C Cleaner. I would then complete a full format of the hard drive, stripping all the rubbish off it and reinstall XP SP3. I would upgrade to IE8, and save the full installation as a mirror image in ACRONIS.

I would then avoid like the plague, programs like Incredimail, and any registry cleaners, other than the aforementioned C Cleaner, also I would avoid any program which suggests that it can speed up your computer.

Also, having tried it and found that it caused me problems I would avoid Fire fox and Thunderbird, I would use Outlook Express for my e mails.

As I say, I don't claim to be an expert, but my computer with IE8 until yesterday, and now IE9 runs perfectly. My browser opens almost instantaneously. Wih XP I don't think you can run IE 9.

A a non expert, the above is not suggested as advice, but merely what I have done having had similar experiences in the past. I too like to play around with different programs, this is why I use ACRONIS, I make a new mirror image before every single attempt at playing with an unknown program, this way I can always rescue myself if I hit trouble.

It's up to you of course. All the very best.B)

[Lamb Chop]

I don't make any claims as to being an expert, but over the years I have watched with interest the multitude of problems that you have experienced. I have been there in the past with some of the rubbish that you have from time to time installed. I can only tell you what I would do personally in your circumstances.

I would invest in a large a plug in hard drive at least 1TB. I would format this to NTFS. I would also get a decent sized memory stick, and download to it a decent firewall and AV program, together with Malware Bytes, SUPERAntSPYWARE, and C Cleaner. I would then complete a full format of the hard drive, stripping all the rubbish off it and reinstall XP SP3. I would upgrade to IE8, and save the full installation as a mirror image in ACRONIS.

I would then avoid like the plague, programs like Incredimail, and any registry cleaners, other than the aforementioned C Cleaner, also I would avoid any program which suggests that it can speed up your computer.

Also, having tried it and found that it caused me problems I would avoid Fire fox and Thunderbird, I would use Outlook Express for my e mails.

As I say, I don't claim to be an expert, but my computer with IE8 until yesterday, and now IE9 runs perfectly. My browser opens almost instantaneously. Wih XP I don't think you can run IE 9.

A a non expert, the above is not suggested as advice, but merely what I have done having had similar experiences in the past. I too like to play around with different programs, this is why I use ACRONIS, I make a new mirror image before every single attempt at playing with an unknown program, this way I can always rescue myself if I hit trouble.

It's up to you of course. All the very best.B)

I have thought of doing just that - formatting and I have Western software as a back up which I hope does the job but before when I did it with an HP computer it didnt work out and I had to buy this Dell - it has a disc whereas the previous one was on partition and that was corrupted as well as rest of hard drive.

I have tried dumping Incredimail and used Outlook for 1 month didn't make any difference to problems at all still got this slowdown and programs not responding so it is not the gremlin in the woodpile many say and I suspected. It is disabled in start and I exit it once used and then call it back etc and in between still some programs not responding.

Just tried to get the download of Mr Fixit to work. 3 times so far it has failed to install.

Will try again in the morning and think about your suggestion. It is sense but I am scared stiff and cant at this time afford to buy a new one again if I muck this one up trying. I dont even know if the back up is working also. Just hoping. Last time it too was corrupted.

[pawz7]

Lamb Chop (luv that moniker), long-distance help is always going to be hit and miss, but it seems to me that 'something' is delaying the called procedures, and that 'something' could be Windows itself because certain files are missing or corrupted, or it could be an unknown and possibly unwelcome problem slowing down the works. There are a number of things you could try, and if you have the correct OS disk for the system, booting from it and allowing Windows to be repaired (not reformatted) could sort the whole thing out. Before that, if you have the correct disk, you could try putting it in the cd-drive while you are in Windows, and typing in the run box (Winkey+R to bring that up) sfc /scannow making sure there is a space between sfc and the forward slash. Windows will then check to see if it needs to replace certain files from the .dll folder or cd. It takes a while but could be worth doing.

If the 'something' is to do with a rogue application, that is where Process Explorer could help as it is colour coded and clearly shows you what processes and services are active and how much processor time they are using.

It is possible that you have a rootkit and other malware gumming up the works (btw Incredimail used to have a keylogger in it, though it was not deemed to be spyware. The program used to work just as well if you removed it) There are a number of free online scans you can try to see if your machine has been compromised, and one which is effective with detecting and dealing with the TSS group of rootkits is Hitman Pro, which will scan and delete for free for a month. Kapersky also have a TSS fixer. However, if malware were the problem, I would expect you to have trouble browsing to certain sites, and with redirection, and you do not say anything on that subject.

These are all just possible ways to go and other folk will have other useful input I am sure, so do not be discouraged, it will surely come right in the end :)

[rong]

I don't know MANEMAN how can you not know the second thing on andsomes most hated list

Sorry to take it of topic Lamb Chop

[Lamb Chop]

Lamb Chop (luv that moniker), long-distance help is always going to be hit and miss, but it seems to me that 'something' is delaying the called procedures, and that 'something' could be Windows itself because certain files are missing or corrupted, or it could be an unknown and possibly unwelcome problem slowing down the works. There are a number of things you could try, and if you have the correct OS disk for the system, booting from it and allowing Windows to be repaired (not reformatted) could sort the whole thing out. Before that, if you have the correct disk, you could try putting it in the cd-drive while you are in Windows, and typing in the run box (Winkey+R to bring that up) sfc /scannow making sure there is a space between sfc and the forward slash. Windows will then check to see if it needs to replace certain files from the .dll folder or cd. It takes a while but could be worth doing.

If the 'something' is to do with a rogue application, that is where Process Explorer could help as it is colour coded and clearly shows you what processes and services are active and how much processor time they are using.

It is possible that you have a rootkit and other malware gumming up the works (btw Incredimail used to have a keylogger in it, though it was not deemed to be spyware. The program used to work just as well if you removed it) There are a number of free online scans you can try to see if your machine has been compromised, and one which is effective with detecting and dealing with the TSS group of rootkits is Hitman Pro, which will scan and delete for free for a month. Kapersky also have a TSS fixer. However, if malware were the problem, I would expect you to have trouble browsing to certain sites, and with redirection, and you do not say anything on that subject.

These are all just possible ways to go and other folk will have other useful input I am sure, so do not be discouraged, it will surely come right in the end :)

Sounds good to me lots of things to try and it is I am sure something in windows OS itself.

BTW got the Mr Fixit to actually load and then it said "not suitable for this computer" Oops.

Didn't know you could put the disc in and repair etc - lots not in the manual fm Dell.

[pawz7]

Fixit is suitable for XP. You can still go to their website and look for solutions - but I agree that the problem probably does lie in the system and I doubt Fixit will have a solution to that. Was it you who said that you have two partitions and all your personal docs, music etc are on that partition, not C:? If that is not so then it would be wise for you to copy docs, music,pics, favorites and e-mail (if desktop client) to an external drive. This is a precaution. Normally a repair (as opposed to putting a new copy of Windows on)will leave all your 'stuff', applications, drivers etc intact, BUT, if something should go wrong and the repair fails, you could be left without a working system, and would then have to go for the fresh install. Also, have you tried pressing F11 or F12 on bootup? If the hard drive is the one the computer shipped with, it may be that you have an hidden partition from which to restore the OS to its original state. If so, F11 or F12 may give you the option of a repair that way, again protecting your personal stuff and will give you the option of a restore to original state, which means you would lose personal stuff and any downloads and installs you had put on since the machine was new.

Should it be that you do have to do a full re-install, go to the Dell site first and put the tag number in for your model. That will give you access to all the drivers, most importantly the network drivers for wireless and ethernet. Get at least that driver down before you reformat and save it to a thumb drive, then you can put that on and connect to the net to get the others after the reformat. The Chipset one should go on first. Also (!) most Dell computers have a diagnostic option that you can access at boot pressing something like F2 - should tell you on the POST screen. That will look at hardware integrity rather than software, but useful to check through. Also(!). While you are in Windows, go to My Computer right click on C: and scroll down to Properties. Go to the Tools tab and click on Check Now in the top section. Next tick BOTH boxes in the check disk option section. it should say it cannot do it now and would you like it to perform a disk check on the next boot. You say Yes, OK and come out. Restart and you should eventually see a light blue screen and the disk check should commence. If it just says the disk is clean, allow it to boot back into Windows and go through the ticking boxes procedure again and it should do it the next time. It can take a while to complete so do it when you can leave the computer on and uninterrupted for an hour or so. When it has finished it will boot back into Windows and it will leave a log in Event Viewer -Applications called Winlogon, which will tell you what it found if you were not there to see it at the check. You can copy the data to notepad if you need to share the info. Look to see if there were any bad sectors on the drive (which it should map out if so). Most importantly though, it will have attempted to repair any file problems it found.

Think this is all :)

[pawz7]

ps, sorry if some of this advice is redundant, reading the previous post I see you may have explored some paths already - but I hope there is some usefulness for you in what I have written :)

[bludgard]

...I hope there is some usefulness for you in what I have written :)

There is something useful in yor post, pawz7.

I do appreciate your input. Thank you for giving.

+1

[MANEMAN]

I second that.

Thanks.

John.

[andsome]

I second that.

Thanks.

John.

I third it and fourth it too.:lol:

[pawz7]

gosh! thank you, all :)

[Lamb Chop]

gosh! thank you, all :)

I am working through your first list. No malware via both on line scanners,

Checked the hard drive - it is healthy was the report.

Cant access Dell although have alerts on the Centre just get call back later!

This computer has a disc but also Dell restore - and it says to back up everything prior to using it etc. I run WD Smartware for back up and hopefully since it takes up quite a bit on processes it is doing its job.

Trying to do all this I have had the internet connection go down - for best part o ftwo days just got it back up and running - madness.

One time It had lost all of the Subnet mask figures DHCP server and DNS Server

Luckily I had written them all down and now back in and using Complete Internet Repair I repaired Internet connections and also reset Inernet protocols and it connected for a while but the adsl line goes off and the internet light goes red and it is down like now - and now all lights green.

I will print off your second suggestion post and try those - last resort will reinstall but not til everything else tried and I need to get a man in to check the phone line as original line is defunct - probably could have stuck with D Link dial up - but didnt find it until last week and rang for electrician - on waiting list. Unplugged and has been working so may not be a cause.

Thanks for your help much appreciated. Staying on so will post whilst it is alive here as always says connected but internet port red - seems that the repair program has fixed it for now.

Great little tool. Rizone Complete Internet Repair 0.9.5.955 suggested to me by Maneman some tine back.

All green so posting

[john1]

I had the same problem as Lamb Chop.

I was running AVG free edition, I have just removed it and the problem is gone.

john1

[andsome]

I had the same problem as Lamb Chop.

I was running AVG free edition, I have just removed it and the problem is gone.

john1

You get owt fer nowt. Install ESET Nod 32 security suite, no problems whatsoever.

[pawz7]

in respect of Dell. I live in UK, the support page I would use is

/>http://support.euro.dell.com/support/index.aspx?c=uk&cs=ukdhs1&l=en&s=dhs.

for Australia it is

/>http://supportapj.dell.com/support/index.aspx?c=au&l=en&s=gen

when you see that page, choose Home user - Start here, and then choose Downloads and Drivers when the next page comes up, and then you SHOULD see a place to put your tag in - but it was not displayed when I tried the Australian site. Hopefully they will sort that soon :)

[Lamb Chop]

Seems I am out of warranty because after finding out I need quite a few driver items urgently - cant download - simply cant get the server on Firefox or IE tried. Checked my account and they have my credit card so why it wont download and charge - will have to try to contact via phone tomorrow as shutting down now for the day or in 6 minutes.

This could be the problem as I notice the LAN need a new driver.

Thanks for getting me the direct Dell for Australia Paws7 - helps when I suffer the senior moments. Even My Dell support was out of date.

I am on and off internet all the time trying which didnt help and the only thing that gets me back is the program Complete Internet repair from Rizone. Magic.

[pawz7]

drivers are free and no warranty required. Do not use their downloader, do it via the browser, possibly IE would be the better one in this instance. :)

[bludgard]

Lamb Chop, I just downloaded a couple of drivers from the Australian site.

If you can provide the following, I'll zip all the drivers for ya in a neat little package and give you a link to them. As well as the driver install order for your product.

Laptop or desktop?

Product line; Dimension, Optiplex, Inspiron, etc.

Product model.

And operating system.

If you could post a screenshot of your machine so that the correct model can be confirmed, it would be a great boon.

One

[Lamb Chop]

drivers are free and no warranty required. Do not use their downloader, do it via the browser, possibly IE would be the better one in this instance. :lol:

How right you were on that - last time had all sorts of bother - this time used Firefox and no problems at all as 10 drivers needed but 1 was older version than mine also 2 for Matrix - didnt install as said my computer didnt meet minimum requirements and once installed can never be rolled back so good on that - but also one for LAN so seeing as I have just switched to that connection - must be good! Also BIOs were not needed as already had that version. I did think that once you logged in your Tag they scanned to see what is needed but not so seemingly! Must say early days but since I have installed the drivers all seems to be well - not once lost the internet nor to date had a program not responding so maybe drivers did it she said crossing everything - and yes free - my price.

BTW I downloaded the Process Explorer and like the windows one - not sure what I look for - two columns one with CPU - most showing 00 and the other with Memory which has biggest figures changing in it - so which is the one I look for to see if a 'hogger'?

For example Firefox show 104,184K and using it now - and WD Smartware which is the back up hard drive which is not working as unplugged but still showing it is using a pretty high figure too - so exited it - so did I do the right thing there for example?

thanks again for being patient.

[Lamb Chop]

Lamb Chop, I just downloaded a couple of drivers from the Australian site.

If you can provide the following, I'll zip all the drivers for ya in a neat little package and give you a link to them. As well as the driver install order for your product.

Laptop or desktop?

Product line; Dimension, Optiplex, Inspiron, etc.

Product model.

And operating system.

If you could post a screenshot of your machine so that the correct model can be confirmed, it would be a great boon.

One

Wow you are so kind - but already did the deed not alone as I had the Dell support tech on the phone helping me - very good too she was with me for around 2 hours because at her suggestion did one driver at a time and installed it etc.

So can honestly tell anyone that Dell do support you well.