Two part technical question: Program hang & mouse?

Question

Three months ago I switched over from Windows 2000 Server to Windows XP Prof.

Atleast once per day MSN 8.0 live messenger will hang. Windows Task Mgr., will not end program. I have to do a manual reboot to end program.

I sent the "Event Viewer", file to Microsoft Support showing the hang error. They came back and says "don't have an answer to resolve this problem". Search of their technical data shows no real answer to resolve an application hang problem.

Does not take much brains for some one to be smarter then Microsoft.

Any answers please to resolve application hang, or why the pointer on the mouse vibrates after about three monthsof use.

I have purchased atleast ten different brands of mouse and after about three months of use the arrow will start to vibrate on it's own. (I have to tap the mouse on the desk to stop the vibration so I can use the mouse pointer).

Answer 1

Don't know if this will be much help but it's worth a try. From easiest to hardest:

Let's clean out the "junk" that could be causing problems.

1. Click start > control panel > internet options. Click content tab > autocomplete > clear forms > OK twice. Click general tab and then one at a time delete cookies, delete files (including offline files), clear history. Answer OK/yes when it asks you to confirm. Reboot.

2. Click start > all programs > accessories > system tools. Click Disk Cleanup. When it finishes analyzing, check mark everything and run it. Reboot. Go back to system tools and do Disk Defrag. (This could take a few hours depending on how long it's been since you last did it.) Reboot.

If the above doesn't solve the program hang problem, get out your XP Pro install disk.

1. Click start > run > type in "sfc /scannow" (without the quote marks and note the space between sfc and /scannow) > OK
2. A check for missing or corrupt system files will be done. If any are found you will be prompted to insert the XP disk
3. When the /scannow is finished, reboot.

You didn't mention what brand of computer you have but XP has a neat little tool called Device Manager. It can check and analyze device drivers (including the one for the mouse) and see what's going on.

1. Click start > run > type in "devmgmt.msc" (without the quotes) > OK
2. First look for any obvious issues like an exclamation point or an X by a device name. Double click the device and a properties screen will open. From this screen you can click the driver tab and check for updated drivers.
3. You could also click start > control panel > mouse to see if there's a newer driver.

Finally, go to the support section of your computer manufaturers web site. From there, you might be able to have a free scan run on your computer, or check for latest downloads, patches, drivers, BIOS, etc.

I hope one of these suggestions helps. Sorry I can't offer more.