posted
My comp is a HP 8655C. Recently, it has begun to crash -- like, several dozen times a day. This is the 4th time I've tried to post this message (it crashed the previous three times).
I've deleted lots of files and programs I don't use anymore -- nothing, it still crashes. Usually when I'm typing -- WP, AIM, here, whatever. If I'm typing, it'll crash.
The comp is two years old. I can't think of anything I've done recently to start it on this crashing cycle -- I haven't installed any new programs for several months. Is it time to start looking for a new PC? Is this some sort of hardware failure? Or can WinXP save me?
posted
Your hard drive could be failing, I suppose. It happened to me once. What sort of error messages are you getting?
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Jeff, if everytime your computer fails you look upon it as a sign to buy new hardware or a new OS, you are going to run out of money VERY quickly. You buy new hardware when software you want to use doesn't work on your current set-up, or when you want Quake to look prettier. You buy a new OS when software you want to run doesn't work on your new OS.
And as much as I loathe and detest falling back on the "virgins answer to all computer problems", have you tried reinstalling Windows?
-------------------- Yes, you're despicable, and... and picable... and... and you're definitely, definitely despicable. How a person can get so despicable in one lifetime is beyond me. It isn't as though I haven't met a lot of people. Goodness knows it isn't that. It isn't just that... it isn't... it's... it's despicable.
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Reinstalling Windows won't remove your programs, it'll just refresh most of it's own files and settings. What version of Windows do you have? You could try doing a system restore in some versions if it's enabled. Or check the hard drive for bad areas. Or maybe it's too hot inside the computer. It could be a number of things. I had mysterious freezes when I put together my new computer and had Windows 98 on it. I came to the conclusion that either 98 didn't like my hardware or the drivers didn't like 98. So I installed XP and that problem was solved. :\
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Depends on what Windows version you have, usually the programs will still be technically on your hard drive, but all the registry info, short-cuts, etc. will be missing.
Before you do something drastic like that.... Can you notice any sort of pattern?
Components overheating, maybe a trojan horse (if it only crashes while online), a virus...
Try keeping Task Manager open and see if any unfamiliar programs or services are running right before a crash.
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Task Manager is a small little utility in your Windows subdirectory that lists all the programs running. Basically it does the same function as your taskbar.
-------------------- Is it Friday yet?
Registered: Feb 2000
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Charles Capps
We appreciate your concern. It is noted and stupid.
Member # 9
posted
Getting new memory would be rather high on the list, I imagine. I suppose it could be under some sort of warranty.
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
On a side note... If a piece of hardware is shite, it'll fail very early after installing it. Otherwise, it should last a while, assuming nothing drastic happens (dropping a hard drive, scuffling your stockinged feet on the carpet then touching the hardware inside your computer). Hardware doesn't usually just fail after working fine for two years.
Registered: Mar 1999
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posted
Best way to reinstall Windows is to delete the entire C:\Windows directory, then reinstall from scratch (note: save Wallpapers, .wav files and fonts somewhere else first, and archive email).
Charles Capps
We appreciate your concern. It is noted and stupid.
Member # 9
posted
quote:Hardware doesn't usually just fail after working fine for two years.
Tell that to two of my hard drives, two CPUs, a motherboard, and a bunch of other stuff that quit on me.
Memory can and does go bad - my work machine had a bad stick that just got progressively worse, until the symptoms matched the ones described above...
Registered: Mar 1999
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