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Thread ID: 32708	2003-04-26 01:41:00	Does this sound terminal - is my computer on the way out?	write-click (2248)	Press F1

Post ID	Timestamp	Content	User
138950	2003-04-26 01:41:00	I'm having trouble starting my computer lately, it goes through all the motions including click on your username etc. but when I try to connect to the Internet or open a Word document, nothing happens. If I try to shut it down onscreen nothing happens, likewise if I try turning it off at the computer. I have to switch it off at the wall, reboot it and try the old Alt-F2 to restart using the last known good configuration. Now even that isn't working all the time, sometimes even with Alt-F2 held down, it goes straight to the Windows XP start screen. This morning I had to turn the computer on and off several times then start Windows normally before it would work. When it plays up, if I try using the Mail button on my keyboard, it opens Outlook Express but says I am working online but it hasn't even connected! If I click on an email to open it, nothing happens and I can't even close Outlook. That's bad enough, but I burned some photos onto a CD just now and at first it kept saying there was no CD in the drive even though there was. Then it started the burning process but said it had encountered an error and something about the CD not being usable any more. (It was brand new.) I tried another CD and it worked, but if I try opening it, nothing! It seems stuck on the CD writing screen - instead of the normal "what do you want to do with these files" screen, it only has "CD writing tasks" at the top. I tried inserting another CD that I know has photos on it, but the same thing is happening. The computer is 18 months old, bought new from the PC Company - an Athlon 1600 with Windows XP Home version operating system. I'm using AVG antivirus software - changed recently from Norton Internet Security 2002 - not sure if it is related, but the problems seemed to start after changing! If there is anything else I need to provide in order for this problem to be investigated, please let me know. Fingers crossed it can be fixed relatively cheaply, if it did it every now and then I could live with it, but it's doing it almost every time I use the computer now and it's getting a tad annoying! Thanks in advance to all who check this topic out.	write-click (2248)
138951	2003-04-26 02:09:00	It sounds like the software is dying:( But there is still hope, many people can help you. My advice would be to start by downloading a copy of a free program called JV16 powertools. Install it and when you open it go and click the registry tool button, then Tools, then registry cleaner. On the screen that opens up, untick the box "show ignored entries and OK. Once it has run, go tot top menu and go Select-all and then on the bottom buttons choose delete. It is quite safe and you will see how much cr*p is left behind in the registry. If it has a problem with trying to delete too many, just click on each box on one page and delete, then repeat till none left. After all this, shutdown and restart. Oh by the way, I take it you have already run Scandisk??? Aslo, if having trouble getting into windows, it can be run in safe mode.	Pheonix (280)
138952	2003-04-27 07:23:00	Thanks Pheonix, since posting the request I have downloaded and installed all the updates I could find for Windows XP and that seems to have done the trick. If that doesn't last, I'll certainly try the JV16 program. By the way, I'm a bit of a novice when it comes to computer software and updating, etc., so (pardon my ignorance!), what is Scandisk? I've heard it mentioned before but have to confess I don't know what it is. And can you tell me more about Safe Mode? I've always been too scared to try anything other than Start Windows Normally or Last Known Good Configuration. Sorry to be so dumb!	write-click (2248)
138953	2003-04-27 07:56:00	Hey no problems. The computer is made up of files which are stored on the hard drive. Now also on the hard drive is what you would understand as an index like a book. Now sometimes the file or index is not correct and don't match up. As you can understand, looking at a book index and it directs you to the wrong page...oh dear. Now if you go Start-program files- Accessories-System tools , you will find the Scandisk icon. Just click it and then OK. What this program does is compare the files to the index and correct problems. Quite safe. Please though, if you are running an antivirus such as Nortons, stop it before doing the scandisk. For those running ME, it is advised to scandisk in safe mode. Now safe mode is a startup where it is started up with the minimum amount of drivers and programs needed. You will find that it will not even see the CD nor any of those program that start up normally. It is accessed by pressing down the F8 keyon startup. Usually start pressing the F8 button about every 1/2 to 1 seconds after you see the memory test start. The memory test is those little numbers that count up in the top left of the screen when the computer first starts. Hope you can follow this, if not, ask away and I will try to tackle it from a different angle.	Pheonix (280)
138954	2003-04-27 08:00:00	Scandisk is a utility that checks the integrity of your hard drive (C). You should run it once a week to check (and repair) errors. If lots of the same errors occur each time you run the utility it may indicate your hard drive is dying (backup important files urgently). In XP access this utility by right-clicking on My Computer, choose Properties \ Tools and Error -checking. (Choose the repair errors chechk-boxes.) If your hard drive is filling up and / or runs slowly do a disk defrag (access as per above). This can take HOURS but will tidy up your drive. Safe mode is accessed by pushing Esc or one of the function "F" buttons when booting up BEFORE Windows or other OS loads. Your system will flash up which button to push to access safe mode. Safe mode initiates the OS with the minimum number of devices to see if a particular device is causing OS problems or if it is the OS itself. Cheers :)	bba12 (1139)
138955	2003-04-27 08:13:00	>>> likewise if I try turning it off at the computer. I have to switch it off at the wall Just a tip to save your computer hardware a little - don't turn it off at the wall, turn it off at the box by pressing and holding the power button for about 4 or 5 seconds and the computer should shut itself down. I think this is probably a little softer on your hardware than switching it off at the wall :) Mike.	Mike (15)
138956	2003-05-01 00:13:00	Thanks Pheonix, but I'm still having trouble finding Scandisk! I did as you said but under system tools there is no Scandisk icon, only activate windows; character map; desktop.ini; disk cleanup; disk defragmenter; files and settings; scheduled tasks; system information and system restore. I also tried bba12's way, but under properties all I get is general; system restore; automatic updates; remote; computer name; hardware and advanced. I tried searching for Scandisk but it came up with no results. Will I need to try safe mode instead? Sorry I hadn't responded to your help earlier, but I couldn't get into PressF1 for some reason. Thanks for all your help so far.	write-click (2248)
138957	2003-05-01 00:44:00	Hi write-click To access scandisk (called error-checking) you need to go into My Computer and then right-click on the C drive icon listed under hard disk drives. Under Properties you will see the Tools tab. Cheers Jen	Jen C (20)
138958	2003-05-01 03:49:00	Thanks Jen, you're a marvel! Found the error checking no trouble at all and have just run it. Disk came up clean, so that's good news I assume! I also did the defrag so I should be right now. Thanks also to Mike, I wasn't aware that holding down the power button for several seconds would eventually shut the machine down. Hopefully I won't have to resort to such drastic measures in future! Ashamed to admit this, but the advice on updating Windows (something I forget to do...) came from a relative in her 70s - shows who's switched on and who isn't!	write-click (2248)
138959	2003-05-01 09:40:00	> don't turn it off at the wall, turn it off at the box by pressing and holding the power button for about 4 or 5 seconds and the computer should shut itself down. Thanks muchly for that tip, Mike. I was in that situation at work today where I could not turn the computer off (no reset button either). Was on the verge of pulling the plug out when I remembered this thread. It worked perfectly. :-) > Ashamed to admit this, but the advice on updating Windows (something I forget to do...) came from a relative in her 70s - shows who's switched on and who isn't! Any chance of getting her to join the PF1 team? :D	Susan B (19)
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