Why is WINDOWS XP freezing up on me and won't let me turn off the computer except from the back?

Question

The computer freezes up on me mostly when it's booting up. It does this anytime it feels like it.

Answer 1

This might sound stupid, but how old is it? If it's a few years old, have you opened up the case & blown out the fan? Our old computer did just what you describe a few years back, and the fan inside was so clogged with dust (we have pets & live on a dirt road) that the fan was almost stopped. The computer kept overheating, which is what caused those problems. Once we blew out the fan, it was fine, and continued to work for a year or so more until we updated it.

I would try that before a wipe & reboot, although a virus/spyware scan wouldn't hurt.

Answer 2

What do you mean turning it off from the back. When my computer freezes on me. I hit the power button on the CPU to turn it off and then try again. I have been having the same problem recently. Have you installed any new programs lately. The reason why I am asking is because ever since we installed a new updated version of a very good anti spy-ware program, our computer has stated to freeze both during the boot up and the shut down processes. Also why don't you try defragging and see if that helps.

Answer 3

I'd suggest you immediatly back up all your important stuff. Then reformat the hard drive(s), re-load XP and start again. It could be hardware but more likely a software glitch. As you load your programs back on, write down the order you do it, and check that the system is ok between loading. When it starts to do it again thats the program thats a problem. If its a must have program try loading it in a different order.

Answer 4

in case you may circulate to initiate/run and form msconfig into the container. click on the tab that broadcasts centers and click on the disguise all microsoft centers. See which centers you have working nonetheless. in case you notice any unusual ones working which you're not sure what they are disable them one by one and attempt and turn off your computing gadget. in the event that they say stopped next to them you do no longer could desire to uncheck them. next circulate to the startup tab and seek for something it is termed surprisingly like a random string observed with the aid of exe i.e. 01342342.exe it is maximum probably a spyware or virus software. Disable them and then boot your computing gadget and in case you will get a bootable virus rescue cd and test your computing gadget from it.

Answer 5

Sounds like you may have a virus of some sort. Try booting into Safe Mode, then run a Virus Scan, if you have an AntiVirus software program. Hopefully you do, and hopefully you've kept your AntiVirus definitions up to date (new ones come out almost daily). Good luck to you.

Answer 6

If you hold the power button in the front of the computer it will shutoff. Load AVG Free anti-virus software.

Answer 7

Linda,

Abject morons like "dr" schmitty are prime reasons why going to www.suggestafix.com is a better and TOTALLY FREE alternative than relying on answerers who evidently had too much meth tonight.

Answer 8

ppossible bc its not a mac...haha

but, either too much porn haha.
or to much adaware or malware or a virus possibly?? maybe to much running at the same time....

a number of problems. trying getting some virus software or somehting. i use adaware docter and norton antivirus

Answer 9

Check your RAMs. They might not be functioning well. Sometimes it may be the case that some chips are malfunctioning on the run.

Answer 10

You might have installed too much things on your Hard Disk.
You might have adware or spyware.
Some extraneous program might be running on startup.