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Acer netbook problem



 
 
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  #1  
Old March 28th 17, 02:55 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
KenK
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Posts: 444
Default Acer netbook problem

I'm having a problem with an Acer Aspire One running XP Home.

Keyboard takes VERY hard hits to work. Mouse (screen and two buttons below
keyboard) intermittent.

Any guesses? Not used for years. Perhaps dirty keyboard but that doesn't
explain 'mouse' problem. How to clean keyboard if dirty?

Any guesses?

TIA


--
I love a good meal! That's why I don't cook.






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  #2  
Old March 28th 17, 03:03 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Micky
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Posts: 112
Default Acer netbook problem

On 28 Mar 2017 13:55:24 GMT, KenK wrote:

I'm having a problem with an Acer Aspire One running XP Home.


I've been using my Acer Aspire One netbook running XP home for 2 weeks
now. I have problems, but not that one.... Oh, that's because I
brought a full size USB keyboard that I use. Let's try the other
one.

It seems to be working just fine. except I have to keep my elbows
raised or they rest on the other kb. And I used it the first 3 days
when I was staying somewhere temporary.

Keyboard takes VERY hard hits to work. Mouse (screen and two buttons below
keyboard) intermittent.

Any guesses? Not used for years. Perhaps dirty keyboard but that doesn't


They sell replacement kb on ebay iirc, but just do what I do, get one
of the Dell kb with very little margin around the keys, but otherwise
starndard shape. It fit nicely in my suitcase, along with a full size
mouse, and my landlady here even had an led monitor I could use. Plus
I have a USB 4-in-1 with a the USB speakers, the phone, and a
flahshdrive on one side. And headphones on the other. It's like Igor
got me a brain from the medical school and I have it in a big vat of
sal****er and everything is connected to it.

explain 'mouse' problem. How to clean keyboard if dirty?

Any guesses?

TIA


  #3  
Old March 28th 17, 04:13 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Stef
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 364
Default Acer netbook problem

On 28/3/2017 06:55, KenK wrote:

I'm having a problem with an Acer Aspire One running XP Home.

Keyboard takes VERY hard hits to work. Mouse (screen and two buttons below
keyboard) intermittent.

Any guesses? Not used for years. Perhaps dirty keyboard but that doesn't
explain 'mouse' problem. How to clean keyboard if dirty?

Any guesses?


Use Task Manager to see if you have any processes hogging the CPU.
Check how much free RAM you have, too. If there is little free RAM and
the system is using virtual RAM, that would affect response time. If
all looks fine, run malware andf spyware scans.

Stef
  #4  
Old April 1st 17, 03:00 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
KenK
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 444
Default Acer netbook problem

Stef wrote in news
On 28/3/2017 06:55, KenK wrote:

I'm having a problem with an Acer Aspire One running XP Home.

Keyboard takes VERY hard hits to work. Mouse (screen and two buttons
below keyboard) intermittent.

Any guesses? Not used for years. Perhaps dirty keyboard but that
doesn't explain 'mouse' problem. How to clean keyboard if dirty?

Any guesses?


Use Task Manager to see if you have any processes hogging the CPU.
Check how much free RAM you have, too. If there is little free RAM and
the system is using virtual RAM, that would affect response time. If
all looks fine, run malware andf spyware scans.

Stef


Thanks.

Finally had a few free minutes to work on it yesterday. Task Manager says
System Idle at high 90s. Doubt if it's a virus; it was working fine last
time I used it a few years ago. Then 99% work processing, the other 1%
checking Gmail. Little opportunity for a virus to attack. Tried plugging
in external keyboard; same thing. Sems to work ok with word processor, or
at least much better.

BTW, long ago added a startup password. Would like to remove it,
especially with typing so difficult. How?

Forgot to check RAM. Problem are occuring even when entering password to
startup.

Any other ideas? I'd love to get this thing working again. Getting it
repaired likely would cost more than it's worth or replacement cost.


--
I love a good meal! That's why I don't cook.






  #5  
Old April 3rd 17, 04:49 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Stef
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 364
Default Acer netbook problem

On 1/4/2017 07:00, KenK wrote:

Stef wrote in news
On 28/3/2017 06:55, KenK wrote:

I'm having a problem with an Acer Aspire One running XP Home.

Keyboard takes VERY hard hits to work. Mouse (screen and two buttons
below keyboard) intermittent.

Any guesses? Not used for years. Perhaps dirty keyboard but that
doesn't explain 'mouse' problem. How to clean keyboard if dirty?

Any guesses?


Use Task Manager to see if you have any processes hogging the CPU.
Check how much free RAM you have, too. If there is little free RAM and
the system is using virtual RAM, that would affect response time. If
all looks fine, run malware andf spyware scans.

Stef


Thanks.

Finally had a few free minutes to work on it yesterday. Task Manager says
System Idle at high 90s. Doubt if it's a virus; it was working fine last
time I used it a few years ago. Then 99% work processing, the other 1%
checking Gmail. Little opportunity for a virus to attack. Tried plugging
in external keyboard; same thing. Sems to work ok with word processor, or
at least much better.

BTW, long ago added a startup password. Would like to remove it,
especially with typing so difficult. How?

Forgot to check RAM. Problem are occuring even when entering password to
startup.

Any other ideas? I'd love to get this thing working again. Getting it
repaired likely would cost more than it's worth or replacement cost.


What happens when you boot into Safe Mode? Same problem? If not, check
task manager to see what's running and compare to what's running when
booted normally.

Malware and spyware aren't technically viruses, and antivirus software
won't detect them. I suggest you run the free versions of Malwarebytes'
AntiMalware and SuperAntiSpyware. Full scans with both.

Have you tried a System Repair. Don't know how the notebook is set up,
but it usually involves repeatedly pressing a particular function key at
boot to get to the menu screen. f8 comes to mind. Check the user
manual for the notebook.

If Repair doesn't work, there's always starting from ground zero with a
Factory Reset.

Stef

  #6  
Old April 3rd 17, 07:05 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
mike[_10_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,073
Default Acer netbook problem

On 4/2/2017 8:49 PM, Stef wrote:
On 1/4/2017 07:00, KenK wrote:

Stef wrote in news
On 28/3/2017 06:55, KenK wrote:

I'm having a problem with an Acer Aspire One running XP Home.

Keyboard takes VERY hard hits to work. Mouse (screen and two buttons
below keyboard) intermittent.

Any guesses? Not used for years. Perhaps dirty keyboard but that
doesn't explain 'mouse' problem. How to clean keyboard if dirty?

Any guesses?

Use Task Manager to see if you have any processes hogging the CPU.
Check how much free RAM you have, too. If there is little free RAM and
the system is using virtual RAM, that would affect response time. If
all looks fine, run malware andf spyware scans.

Stef


Thanks.

Finally had a few free minutes to work on it yesterday. Task Manager says
System Idle at high 90s. Doubt if it's a virus; it was working fine last
time I used it a few years ago. Then 99% work processing, the other 1%
checking Gmail. Little opportunity for a virus to attack. Tried plugging
in external keyboard; same thing. Sems to work ok with word processor, or
at least much better.

BTW, long ago added a startup password. Would like to remove it,
especially with typing so difficult. How?

Forgot to check RAM. Problem are occuring even when entering password to
startup.

Any other ideas? I'd love to get this thing working again. Getting it
repaired likely would cost more than it's worth or replacement cost.


What happens when you boot into Safe Mode? Same problem? If not, check
task manager to see what's running and compare to what's running when
booted normally.

Malware and spyware aren't technically viruses, and antivirus software
won't detect them. I suggest you run the free versions of Malwarebytes'
AntiMalware and SuperAntiSpyware. Full scans with both.

Have you tried a System Repair. Don't know how the notebook is set up,
but it usually involves repeatedly pressing a particular function key at
boot to get to the menu screen. f8 comes to mind. Check the user
manual for the notebook.

If Repair doesn't work, there's always starting from ground zero with a
Factory Reset.

Stef

First thing I'd do is boot
Puppy Linux
Hiren's
XP install disk
or anything that can boot from USB or CD/DVD and see if
the keyboard works there.

Was the computer stored in a dry location at normal temperatures?
That it doesn't work better with external keyboard SUGGESTS that
the keyboard is ok, but if it's spitting out random garbage
it still might be bad. If you take it apart, you can unplug the
internal keyboard/mouse.

Boot something other than your hard drive first.
  #7  
Old April 3rd 17, 01:21 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Shadow
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 1,638
Default Acer netbook problem

On 1 Apr 2017 14:00:53 GMT, KenK wrote:

BTW, long ago added a startup password. Would like to remove it,
especially with typing so difficult. How?


https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Tweak_UI

http://filehippo.com/download_tweakui/tech/

There's an option to automate the login (and some other useful
stuff too). It just adds some values to the registry, does not
"install" anything other than itself.
HTH
[]'s
--
Don't be evil - Google 2004
We have a new policy - Google 2012
  #8  
Old April 3rd 17, 02:23 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Paul[_32_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11,873
Default Acer netbook problem

KenK wrote:


BTW, long ago added a startup password. Would like to remove it,
especially with typing so difficult. How?


There are two commands, as a function of OS. The first is for newer
OSes, the second is for older OSes.

netplwiz

control userpasswords2

There is a tick box, to not have to enter a password
at startup. It requires identifying an account, plus
enter the password twice, and entering that info automates
login.

On the next login, it should work.

What typically doesn't work, is if the machine "sleeps" (S3),
the accursed login box is going to show up again.

Perhaps actually removing the password, would solve the sleep
problem, but I've not tested that. I'm not even sure a
blank password entered in the User Account control, would
be accepted.

You can connect other HID devices via USB, if the built-in
devices are faulty. You can run two mice in parallel, or
two keyboards in parallel. The only OS that has a problem
with that, is occasionally Windows 10 decides it doesn't want
to use all the drivers at hand, and one of the devices goes dead.
Sometimes a "reboot and try again", will fix it. That shouldn't
happen with WinXP.

With regard to using the above two commands, don't
try to cram too many system changes into the same reboot.
Just do your userpasswords2, reboot and verify the autologin
worked, then do some more changes and do your second reboot.
For some reason, it doesn't "take" if there is a bunch of other
stuff going on during the reboot too.

Paul
  #9  
Old April 3rd 17, 09:36 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,679
Default Acer netbook problem

In message , Paul
writes:
KenK wrote:

BTW, long ago added a startup password. Would like to remove it,
especially with typing so difficult. How?

[usual excellent Paul info snipped]

If this is soon after power on, rather than when Windows starts, it
could be a BIOS password. Methods to get into the BIOS vary, but it's
usually a matter of pressing/holding a key (often Del, but F keys are
popular too): it _usually_ tells you on screen, though I think some
BIOSes have the option to suppress that. Once in the BIOS, it shouldn't
be too hard to find where whether a BIOS password is set or not is set.

I've never set a BIOS password, so don't know, but I would assume that
to clear it (possibly even to get into the BIOS at all), you have to
enter it one last time - should not be a problem as it sounds like you
know what it is. (The only other way is a BIOS reset, which usually
means a link on the motherboard - failing that, removing the battery
_and_ the CMOS battery, and possibly shorting the latter's terminals [in
the computer, don't short the cell!]; this will clear _all_ BIOS
settings, though this isn't _usually_ a problem. But since you know the
password anyway, this shouldn't be necessary.)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

Find out what works. Then do it. That's my system. I'm always surprised it
isn't more popular. - Scott Adams, 2015
  #10  
Old April 3rd 17, 10:41 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Paul[_32_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11,873
Default Acer netbook problem

J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , Paul
writes:
KenK wrote:

BTW, long ago added a startup password. Would like to remove it,
especially with typing so difficult. How?

[usual excellent Paul info snipped]

If this is soon after power on, rather than when Windows starts, it
could be a BIOS password. Methods to get into the BIOS vary, but it's
usually a matter of pressing/holding a key (often Del, but F keys are
popular too): it _usually_ tells you on screen, though I think some
BIOSes have the option to suppress that. Once in the BIOS, it shouldn't
be too hard to find where whether a BIOS password is set or not is set.

I've never set a BIOS password, so don't know, but I would assume that
to clear it (possibly even to get into the BIOS at all), you have to
enter it one last time - should not be a problem as it sounds like you
know what it is. (The only other way is a BIOS reset, which usually
means a link on the motherboard - failing that, removing the battery
_and_ the CMOS battery, and possibly shorting the latter's terminals [in
the computer, don't short the cell!]; this will clear _all_ BIOS
settings, though this isn't _usually_ a problem. But since you know the
password anyway, this shouldn't be necessary.)


The password is stored two places, for the Basic BIOS protection.

If you have an FDE hard drive, you may be seeing a prompt from that
thing at startup. I've never seen any pictures or video of what
that looks like.

*******

The least-secure motherboard method, stores the BIOS password
in CMOS RAM. Simply unplugging the computer, popping the CMOS
battery (remove all power to the CMOS storage), removes the password.
The "NRVAM" is re-initialized at startup, when it is discovered
the checksum is wrong (typically a one-byte check over one set
of bytes in the CMOS, a second one-byte check over the password
storage area).

On business laptops, the password is stored in a 2KB serial EEPROM
(small 8 pin device). These cannot be defeated with power tricks.
If you call up support, they will tell you to send it back to the
factory, to have the password cleared. That's a much harder to
deal with situation. There was a dude in Eastern Europe offering
a programmer cable and instructions for $50, on how to remove the
password, but that offer has disappeared the last time I checked.
Don't buy business laptops, unless you're a "HIPAA person" and
like aggravation. Just the existence of such password protection,
means you'd better set it, or someone in your office will set
it for you when you aren't looking. So if such protections exist,
you *must* use them. Or end up losing the use of the machine at
some point, due to office jackasses. There is always someone
in the office, who will watch you not using the password,
and then play a little trick when you're away later.

Paul
  #11  
Old April 3rd 17, 10:54 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
J. P. Gilliver (John)[_4_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2,679
Default Acer netbook problem

In message , Paul
writes:
J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:
In message , Paul
writes:
KenK wrote:

BTW, long ago added a startup password. Would like to remove it,
especially with typing so difficult. How?

[usual excellent Paul info snipped]
If this is soon after power on, rather than when Windows starts, it
could be a BIOS password. Methods to get into the BIOS vary, but it's

[]
The password is stored two places, for the Basic BIOS protection.

If you have an FDE hard drive, you may be seeing a prompt from that
thing at startup. I've never seen any pictures or video of what
that looks like.


Is that likely for an XP-era computer?

*******

The least-secure motherboard method, stores the BIOS password
in CMOS RAM. Simply unplugging the computer, popping the CMOS
battery (remove all power to the CMOS storage), removes the password.


Not necessary in KenK's case, as he knows it.

The "NRVAM" is re-initialized at startup, when it is discovered
the checksum is wrong (typically a one-byte check over one set
of bytes in the CMOS, a second one-byte check over the password
storage area).

On business laptops, the password is stored in a 2KB serial EEPROM

[]
When did CMOS-RAM-only storage stop being the norm - roughly? (Windows
98? 98SE? 2000? XP? Vista?)
--
J. P. Gilliver. UMRA: 1960/1985 MB++G()AL-IS-Ch++(p)Ar@T+H+Sh0!:`)DNAf

.... the pleasure of the mind is an amazing thing. My life has been driven by
the satisfaction of curiosity. - Jeremy Paxman (being interviewed by Anne
Widdecombe), Radio Times, 2-8 July 2011.
  #12  
Old April 3rd 17, 11:26 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.general
Paul[_32_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 11,873
Default Acer netbook problem

J. P. Gilliver (John) wrote:


On business laptops, the password is stored in a 2KB serial EEPROM

[]
When did CMOS-RAM-only storage stop being the norm - roughly? (Windows
98? 98SE? 2000? XP? Vista?)


Obviously, 2KB EEPROMS have been around for a long time.

I couldn't give you a year when Toshiba started doing
this on laptops.

It should really only happen on business laptops.
They might have other features such as a TPM module,
FDE hard drive, Intel Management Engine for remote IT access,
belt and suspenders, all to meet some "tick box security model".

And the owner of the machine had better be Einstein, or
alternately, have the Head of IT on speed dial :-) I know
some of our "cursing and swearing" executives at work,
would make sure that no "little people" would suffer, for
having to use kit like that. They'd phone the Head of IT,
and give that person a lecture.

Paul
 




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