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Computer suddenly hanging/crashing



 
 
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  #1  
Old October 8th 09, 02:50 PM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
skylark42
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 2
Default Computer suddenly hanging/crashing


My computer (running XP Home / SP2) has begun hanging, bunking out of
programs and even crashing. Anti-virus is Avast, which I've been using
for years and am totally happy with - never had any infections.

I installed 2Gb of memory a week or so ago, giving a total of 2.5Gb -
computer is configured for up to 3.5Gb. Things went fine till last
night, while watching 4oD.

The only other thing I've changed is to uninstall the old 4oD player,
which is no longer needed, and prevent the (I was told) Kontiki helper
program Khost.exe from loading at startup.

Examples:

*Hanging*: capricious and application-unrelated - even just surfing
with Mozilla or I.E.
*Bunking out*: Second Life
*Crashing*: Channel 4's iPlayer (4oD)

It's getting really boring and means I can't do anything much. It even
hung when I was setting up this HTFC account. Any help/suggestions
appreciated; thanks.


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  #2  
Old October 9th 09, 12:25 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Ken Blake, MVP
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,402
Default Computer suddenly hanging/crashing

On Thu, 8 Oct 2009 08:50:14 -0500, skylark42
wrote:


My computer (running XP Home / SP2) has begun hanging, bunking out of
programs and even crashing. Anti-virus is Avast, which I've been using
for years and am totally happy with - never had any infections.



Not to say anything bad about Avast--I think it's the best of the
freeware programs, and is only slightly inferior to a paid-for program
like NOD32.

*But* being totally happy with it because you've never had any
infections for the years you've using it is not really a good reason.
That's like saying "I'm totally happy with using ketchup as a heart
attack preventative; I've eaten ketchup daily for years and have never
had a heart attack."

With respect to your problem, you talk about your anti-virus program,
but you say nothing about what anti-spyware programs you run. Which
ones do you run, and are they kept up to date?

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
  #3  
Old October 9th 09, 12:25 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Ken Blake, MVP
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 10,402
Default Computer suddenly hanging/crashing

On Thu, 8 Oct 2009 08:50:14 -0500, skylark42
wrote:


My computer (running XP Home / SP2) has begun hanging, bunking out of
programs and even crashing. Anti-virus is Avast, which I've been using
for years and am totally happy with - never had any infections.



Not to say anything bad about Avast--I think it's the best of the
freeware programs, and is only slightly inferior to a paid-for program
like NOD32.

*But* being totally happy with it because you've never had any
infections for the years you've using it is not really a good reason.
That's like saying "I'm totally happy with using ketchup as a heart
attack preventative; I've eaten ketchup daily for years and have never
had a heart attack."

With respect to your problem, you talk about your anti-virus program,
but you say nothing about what anti-spyware programs you run. Which
ones do you run, and are they kept up to date?

--
Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP (Windows Desktop Experience) since 2003
Please Reply to the Newsgroup
  #4  
Old October 9th 09, 08:20 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Martin C
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 146
Default Computer suddenly hanging/crashing

Considering that this seemed to have begun after you installed more RAM, I
suggest that you check out the memory thoroughly. Use the tool at the
following web site to run a test on the RAM

http://www.memtest.org/

Leave it running for a number of cycles to see if it detects anything.

Hope this helps.

Martin


"skylark42" wrote in message
...

My computer (running XP Home / SP2) has begun hanging, bunking out of
programs and even crashing. Anti-virus is Avast, which I've been using
for years and am totally happy with - never had any infections.

I installed 2Gb of memory a week or so ago, giving a total of 2.5Gb -
computer is configured for up to 3.5Gb. Things went fine till last
night, while watching 4oD.

The only other thing I've changed is to uninstall the old 4oD player,
which is no longer needed, and prevent the (I was told) Kontiki helper
program Khost.exe from loading at startup.

Examples:

*Hanging*: capricious and application-unrelated - even just surfing
with Mozilla or I.E.
*Bunking out*: Second Life
*Crashing*: Channel 4's iPlayer (4oD)

It's getting really boring and means I can't do anything much. It even
hung when I was setting up this HTFC account. Any help/suggestions
appreciated; thanks.




  #5  
Old October 9th 09, 08:20 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Martin C
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 146
Default Computer suddenly hanging/crashing

Considering that this seemed to have begun after you installed more RAM, I
suggest that you check out the memory thoroughly. Use the tool at the
following web site to run a test on the RAM

http://www.memtest.org/

Leave it running for a number of cycles to see if it detects anything.

Hope this helps.

Martin


"skylark42" wrote in message
...

My computer (running XP Home / SP2) has begun hanging, bunking out of
programs and even crashing. Anti-virus is Avast, which I've been using
for years and am totally happy with - never had any infections.

I installed 2Gb of memory a week or so ago, giving a total of 2.5Gb -
computer is configured for up to 3.5Gb. Things went fine till last
night, while watching 4oD.

The only other thing I've changed is to uninstall the old 4oD player,
which is no longer needed, and prevent the (I was told) Kontiki helper
program Khost.exe from loading at startup.

Examples:

*Hanging*: capricious and application-unrelated - even just surfing
with Mozilla or I.E.
*Bunking out*: Second Life
*Crashing*: Channel 4's iPlayer (4oD)

It's getting really boring and means I can't do anything much. It even
hung when I was setting up this HTFC account. Any help/suggestions
appreciated; thanks.




  #6  
Old October 19th 09, 05:59 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Richard[_12_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 429
Default Computer suddenly hanging/crashing

"skylark42" wrote in message
...

My computer (running XP Home / SP2) has begun hanging, bunking out of
programs and even crashing. Anti-virus is Avast, which I've been using
for years and am totally happy with - never had any infections.

I installed 2Gb of memory a week or so ago, giving a total of 2.5Gb -
computer is configured for up to 3.5Gb. Things went fine till last
night, while watching 4oD.

The only other thing I've changed is to uninstall the old 4oD player,
which is no longer needed, and prevent the (I was told) Kontiki helper
program Khost.exe from loading at startup.

Examples:

*Hanging*: capricious and application-unrelated - even just surfing
with Mozilla or I.E.
*Bunking out*: Second Life
*Crashing*: Channel 4's iPlayer (4oD)

It's getting really boring and means I can't do anything much. It even
hung when I was setting up this HTFC account. Any help/suggestions
appreciated; thanks.


Hi "skylark42",

Did you install the RAM in matched pairs? Make/model of computer?

The instructions for Dell computers says: "NOTICE: Before you install new
memory modules, download the most recent BIOS for your computer from the
Dell™ Support website at support.dell.com." - "Memory modules should be
installed in pairs of matched memory size, speed, and technology. If the
memory modules are not installed in matched pairs, the computer will
continue to operate, but with a slight reduction in performance."

I have heard of "Hanging" and "Crashing", but your message is the first
where I have seen the term "Bunking out". Please define/describe that.

Why is your computer not fully patched at Windows Update?

Standard Caution: "Without SP3, all post-SP3 updates, and updated anti-virus
and anti-spyware protection, your computer remains vulnerable to an untold
number of security exploits! For your own safety and the safety of the
online community at large, you should NOT be connected to the internet with
an unpatched computer. If SP3 isn't install by April of 2010, you won't even
be able to install updates via Windows Update or Automatic Updates."

Avast is an excellent anti-virus program that includes some anti-spyware
protection, but it is still a good idea to periodically check your computer
with another anti-malware program like MalwareBytes AntiMalware.

Microsoft Online Crash Analysis - Memory Test INSTaller
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
(That page is the user manual. Download MTINST.exe there.)

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool
http://www.memtest.org/
(Versions for CD, floppy and USB flash drives)

System Information resources:
Start (all)Programs Accessories System Tools Event Viewer
(Check both Application and System logs in Event Viewer)
Start (all)Programs Accessories System Tools System Information
Start Run dxdiag

If you need assistance with error messages, please post complete messages,
including text that LOOKS_LIKE_THIS, and complete error codes.

HTH. (Hope This Helps.
--Richard



  #7  
Old October 19th 09, 05:59 AM posted to microsoft.public.windowsxp.basics
Richard[_12_]
external usenet poster
 
Posts: 429
Default Computer suddenly hanging/crashing

"skylark42" wrote in message
...

My computer (running XP Home / SP2) has begun hanging, bunking out of
programs and even crashing. Anti-virus is Avast, which I've been using
for years and am totally happy with - never had any infections.

I installed 2Gb of memory a week or so ago, giving a total of 2.5Gb -
computer is configured for up to 3.5Gb. Things went fine till last
night, while watching 4oD.

The only other thing I've changed is to uninstall the old 4oD player,
which is no longer needed, and prevent the (I was told) Kontiki helper
program Khost.exe from loading at startup.

Examples:

*Hanging*: capricious and application-unrelated - even just surfing
with Mozilla or I.E.
*Bunking out*: Second Life
*Crashing*: Channel 4's iPlayer (4oD)

It's getting really boring and means I can't do anything much. It even
hung when I was setting up this HTFC account. Any help/suggestions
appreciated; thanks.


Hi "skylark42",

Did you install the RAM in matched pairs? Make/model of computer?

The instructions for Dell computers says: "NOTICE: Before you install new
memory modules, download the most recent BIOS for your computer from the
Dell™ Support website at support.dell.com." - "Memory modules should be
installed in pairs of matched memory size, speed, and technology. If the
memory modules are not installed in matched pairs, the computer will
continue to operate, but with a slight reduction in performance."

I have heard of "Hanging" and "Crashing", but your message is the first
where I have seen the term "Bunking out". Please define/describe that.

Why is your computer not fully patched at Windows Update?

Standard Caution: "Without SP3, all post-SP3 updates, and updated anti-virus
and anti-spyware protection, your computer remains vulnerable to an untold
number of security exploits! For your own safety and the safety of the
online community at large, you should NOT be connected to the internet with
an unpatched computer. If SP3 isn't install by April of 2010, you won't even
be able to install updates via Windows Update or Automatic Updates."

Avast is an excellent anti-virus program that includes some anti-spyware
protection, but it is still a good idea to periodically check your computer
with another anti-malware program like MalwareBytes AntiMalware.

Microsoft Online Crash Analysis - Memory Test INSTaller
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
(That page is the user manual. Download MTINST.exe there.)

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool
http://www.memtest.org/
(Versions for CD, floppy and USB flash drives)

System Information resources:
Start (all)Programs Accessories System Tools Event Viewer
(Check both Application and System logs in Event Viewer)
Start (all)Programs Accessories System Tools System Information
Start Run dxdiag

If you need assistance with error messages, please post complete messages,
including text that LOOKS_LIKE_THIS, and complete error codes.

HTH. (Hope This Helps.
--Richard



 




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