More Computer Problems?

Question

I have an HP laptop with Windows Vista. 2 years old. I get computer problems just about every month but I can ussualy handle it. This month I am overwelmed. Is it my fault I get so many issues with my computer or is just bad hardware? Even in the first few months I bought it the sound stopped working and the disc drive stopped working.

Problem #1: Computer likes to shut down randomly. Three causes: 1. Bluescreen 2. Critical System Error 3.Battery low ( system no longer measures power accuratly, even at 60% I can have it shut down on me, upon restart it shows I have 0% battery )

Problem #2: Microsoft Office will not open a file without first opening compatability mode. Any file saved as an 07 must be converted and saved as a new file called something like Wd000002.doc

Problem #3: My used RAM has increased from a steady 1.2 GB to a 1.4 GB overnight, and I am unable to find the source of the extra power. Have run scans on "Spybot Search and Destroy", "Malware antibytes" and "Windows Defender" to no avail.

Problem #4: My computer overheats way too fast. I live in Michigan, so my computer is never in an environment over 80 degrees. Cooling fan doesn't seem to help. Is their anything I even can do?

Problem #5: I bought my $800 dollar computer specifically because it was high rated at movie making and even came with lots of demo movie making programs. Of course, I have always used Studio 14. Understanding that HD (1080p) is a lot to process I don't expect it to be lightning fast. But movie making is a pain. I have to import any video I may use and wait 2-5 hours for them to render. Then I put it together and add effects waiting an additional 3-5 hours for that to render. Then I put in finishing touches and wait approxamitly 1 hour per minute for the system to make the movie.

The longest video I have made so far was about 6 minutes long. I am planning a full length nature documentary and I already have a few hundred Giggs of raw footage ready. This half hour long video will take days, just to load. I understand I will have to make it in parts anyway, but sooner or later it will have to process the whole thing as one video. At this rate, it will take over 30 hours to put the final video together.

Windows Vista only needs about 500 megabites of RAM to run, but even by manually closing all unnecesary services and processes I can only decrease the RAM to about 1 GB. This is taking up a lot of processing power, and it takes a while to manualy close all this crap running in the backround. Is it possible to stop this stuff from opening automatically. For example: Vista has Windows search running constantly in the backround, this is nice because I don't have to wait for it to load, I can search instantly. But I almost never use Windows search. I want it to be turned off, but in the event I want it again I can turn it back on.

I am NEVER BUYING WINDOWS AGAIN!!!!!!!!! Macs are expensive and I will not be able to afford a new computer for a few years. If this computer doesn't get fixed I can't get a new one.

I appologize for asking help in so many ways at one time. I don't know where to start myself.

Answer 1

Problem #1:



Look at what is causing the bluescreen. If you remember, post it here and I can try to identify the problem. Better yet, take a picture of it if you can and email it to me ([e-mail]) Just knowing that there is a bluescreen without knowing what kind of bluescreen helps with nothing, sorry. The critical system error is probably caused by the same thing as the bluescreen. For the battery... that battery could be faulty. They aren't meant to last forever. Try looking on ebay for another one.



Problem #2: This isn't really a problem. Microsoft Office is automatically converting the document into a type it can read and display for you. If you save the document in a supported format it won't have to do that.



Problem #3: This one is kind of hard, open up task manager and view what processes are using cpu, and see if any processes suddenly start using a ton of cpu, and try deleting and reinstalling them as they may be corrupt.



Problem #4: End all unnecessary processes you can, and it should cool down a lot. Make sure not to end any system processes though. Also check to make sure the fan of your computer is not very dusty. I'd recommend downloading a program like Everest or Motherboard Monitor to monitor the system's core temperatures.



Problem #5: There's not anything that can really be done, but I believe you can disable the Windows search by going to start and searching for msconfig and unchecking the box with Windows Search on it. I don't know exactly because I'm not on a windows computer right now.





If you need more help email me.

Answer 2

well vista was not the greatest windows made .so that is something to consider. for your start ups and other things try checking out this site.http://tweaks.com/windows-vista/. many things you can do to help the computer and stop things that dont need to be run.good luck on the video.

Answer 3

Ehh for that rendering you might want to build yourself a new desktop or buy something like this 12 core beast of a machine..http://www.cerise.com/workstation-eight.htm