Why is my XP Home computer playing up?

Question

There are so many things wrong with my XP Home computer but the biggest headache is that it is running so slow I have to use my Windows 98 PC for any long tasks. I've scanned it for viruses and spyware but they came back negative. Hijack this! revealed nothing untoward too. I've unstalled Zone Alarm because that has been known to cause problems in the past but it did nothing.
If I use the keyboard it freezes so I have to use the on-screen version. Whenever I connect my external Maxtor Hard drive it restarts. It sometimes ask for activation with a message saying 've added new hardware but I didn't! And there's no sound.
There's is nothing in Device Manager that looks out of place but I decided to uninstall and reinstall stuff just in case but that did not work. I even tried reinstalling Windows again but that did not work either.
It works fine in Safe Mode but then I can't run all my programmes and anyway I read we cannot use this method all of the time.

I deperately need help!

Answer 1

the best way is take out your hard disk and scan using other computer!! use norton or Mcafee for scanning!!! or just format the hard disk and install back for the better performance!! i think there is a virus in your system!!! good luck!!

Answer 2

Hmm...There's a lot of stuff to go over. What's your computer hardware set up? For XP, you should have at least 256 MB of RAM (512 is considered the 'realistic' minimum). A minimum 1.6 Ghz or better Pentium 4 Celeron (or equivalent) and a 7200 RPM ATA 100/133 hard drive would be good too.



Windows might pop up the driver installation window if you plugged the external hard drive into a different USB port than the one you used when you installed the drivers.



A faulty piece of hardware can cause random crashes and strange behaviour in Windows. Normally, nobody has problems with their keyboard unless there is something wrong with it. Try using it on another computer. Perhaps the keyboard's cable is faulty.



I'm surprised that you're having problems with Zone Alarm. Zone Alarm Pro makes boot ups take a lot longer, but I've never had problems with Zone Alarm Basic.



If your computer system is up to date, then it sounds like your problems are caused by 1 or more parts of your computer, or faulty drivers.

Answer 3

This is an easy question to resolve.



Open Windows Task Manager (press Ctrl + ALt + Delete) and see what processes are running that might be consuming your resources.



If you reinstalled Windows then there will be a lot of downloading and updating going as Windows tries to catch up with all those security updates that you discarded by reinstalling. Reinstalling Windows is a bad idea as you always have to download everything all over again to bring your system back up-to-date.

Answer 4

Try this. 1.increase your virtual memory or page file size open control panel double click system folder on opening page click advanced than Tick before Adjust for best performance & click apply(it will take a while). Than click advanced in coming window you will find virtual memory click setting. Select drive on which you want your virtual memory to be.Choose other than primary partion, then click custom and change the Page file size or virtual memory size by typing.

Initial size should be 1024 MB at least & max size should be not less than 2048 MB.

2. Search for temp files( In search box type *.tmp) click search. Delete all files that appears after search.

3. Than as above type *.log & do the same.

4. Search Temp folder Delete all it's content.

5. Search Temprory Internet Files & delete it's content.

6. Run updated Antivirus & Anti spyware.

7. Run disk cleanup from system tools in accessories.

8. Than defragment your drives twice from system tools Defrag.

9. From run type msconfig > enter > click on startup un check all checked field except of antivirus & anti spyware. Choose & click services, Check beside hide all MS Services. In remaining list uncheck all except Anti virus & Anti spyware services click apply click ok you will asked to restart click restart. You are almost done. Dowload WIN XP Manager or tuneup utilities install & clean. Try with win xp manager,s 1 click cleaner. You can download it from

www.softarchive.net. It requires dotnet fx so you will have to download it also. First you will have to install dotnet fx. It is free & you can get it from site of microsoft.

Answer 5

First of all your system requirements might not meet the minimum for Win XP (I mean u don't have enough RAM, enough CPU etc etc).

Second, you might want to do a BIOS update.

Three, you might actually want to install some drivers.... (like sound card drivers since you say there is no sound).



If all of these stuff are not true/already done you might want to try with an HDD format or, if that fails either, a Low HDD format.



Enjoy wasting your time repairing your PC cause I sure am repairing mine! -.-

Answer 6

Try this:-As you put programs on your PC so it will slow down, so first of all remove any programs that are no longer required. Next I recomend you increase your RAM to at least 1 Gig. I assume you are running XP it so go into your windows and look for a folder called cursors. open this folder and you will see a whole lot of different cursors. Delete the first two top rows. Leave the next row. this row will have a black arrow cursor on the end and a simmiler one about half way alond the same line. now delete all the othere one's below that line so you only have one line of cursors left. the otheres are not needed but XP put's them in any way, Now go back to your windows and look for a floder called SYSTEM 32. be very careful in here and only do as I say. once you have opened this folder you will see a lot of othere folders. look for a folder caller oobe, open it and look for another folder called images open this folder and you will see lots of pics delete all of those (again not needed) once U have done that, close that folder and look for a folder called MOUSE open that folder and again look for a folder labled IMAGES and delete all the pics in there. then close back up to your desktop. empty bin. go again to windows and find a folder called PREFETCH and empty that. back to your desktop and empty you bin once again restart your PC and it should be a little faster

Hope this helps.

PC MAN

Answer 7

Your EMachines might run dwelling house abode windows 7 basically large guy!! you basically can now no longer strengthen from Xp to 7 given which you're able to easily strengthen a dwelling house abode windows working kit to the OS that have been given right here suited after it. you're able to would desire to do a sparkling set up. and make certain your workstation has a minimum of two gigs of memory. to do a sparkling set up the simplest way is to commence dwelling house abode windows xp, insert the setting up disc, bypass to my workstation and open up the Disc rigidity the setting up disc is in. Then press "set up now" or "set up dwelling house abode windows". then you fairly basically persist with the easy training that come directly to the teach. Your workstation will reboot a number of circumstances interior the approach the prosses. on an identical time because it dose, bypass away the workstation on my own. it quite is going to do each and every little element via making use of itself. All you're able to do is answer any questions or training that upward push up interior the approach the setting up.

Answer 8

Did you try deleting cookies and temp internet files and temp files and defraging?



Did you try system recovery?



You can also call the place where you bought it and ask them for the computer manufacturers number to call to order a system recovery disc and reload windows from scratch (after saving the stuff you want to keep). It takes all day, then load in the latest virus software too. I got one for $16 and it came in a week.

Answer 9

It sounds as though that there is a file or programme thats the cause of your problems have you tried system restore to see if this helps at all.