i was running firefox, checking my yahoo! mail, and then the screen froze, with the pointer frozen and all. about two minutes later, all the programs and mouse pointer disappears and only the desktop wallpaper can be seen. control-alt-delete twice does not restart the computer. i had to push and hold the power button to turn off and on the computer. happened every single time i turned it on today. what the heck is going on, and how can I fix it?
2006-09-26 16:15:51 · 10 answers · asked by skip_to_my_ken 2 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
i have taken a look at the error log, it says there are errors to the True Vector Engine, a component of ZoneAlarm. the errors occured at the time the computer froze. is this an indirect occurance due to whatever is going on? or could this be the direct cause?
2006-09-26 16:37:30 · update #1
Sounds like its either heat problem or just too many programs running.
On start up disable zone alarm products and see if it freezes (and any other unnecessary programs). If it doesnt then something isnt working right with ZoneAlarm. Sometimes ZoneAlarm doesnt work on every computer. Its notorious of not letting you shutdown a pc.
(Do this first then do the above step). Try on boot to let everything load up and hit Ctrl Alt Del, tab over to performance and see how much CPU usage is using. If its getting stuck between 60-100% then you have programs that are sticking. Sticking programs are problematic and usually a sign that the program isnt doing what its sposed to do.
Added
Firefox doesnt override programs to malfunction. Thats a general crappy running pc if it did that.
2006-09-26 16:50:56 · answer #1 · answered by nerdboy 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
A dozen and a half things could be going on; if you start your computer up without going to the internet, does it do tha same thing? If not, it's most likely malware. If it does, and the computer is fairly old, consider getting a new one. If not, it could be the power supply, like has been mentioned, a firewall could be shutting down a vital system file, your memory could be crapping out on you, or it might be the processor or the motherboard. You might just need to clean the thing out, as dust can clog up things a bit.
You might also want to run a Disk Cleanup and Defrag.
2006-09-26 16:28:24 · answer #2 · answered by Heather 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Yikes, it can be so many things. Does it occur if you use Internet Explorer and not Firefox? Have you installed any new software lately? Have you checked to see if the PC has a virus? Have you removed spyware by using both Ad-aware and Spybot? Have you removed temp files? Cookies? Do you have enough space on your C drive (you need at least 15% free)? Have you run windows updates? These are a few ideas for you.
2006-09-26 16:22:22 · answer #3 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
I had an old Acer that did this same thing. I reloaded the OS several times, and eventually just got rid of it and got a Dell. The best diagnosis I could get from the techs was that the mother board was bad, and it wasn't worth the money to fix it.
How old is the computer? If it's more than 3 - 4 years, consider replacing it. That means start backing up your important files NOW while you can still get to them.
2006-09-26 16:21:43 · answer #4 · answered by Ralfcoder 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
How many programs are you running simultaneously?
Are you using a complex screensaver?
Maybe your memory "runneth over."
- check Startup and remove anything you do not need daily.
- get rid of the screensaver if it is full of graphics (I reset mine to blank)
From My Computer, Right-cl on C, select Properties, use Tools. Run an error check and a defrag.
Periodically, from Start, Run, type ipconfig renew (that's ipconfig space renew)
This may help.
2006-09-26 16:27:28 · answer #5 · answered by TheHumbleOne 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
what u can try is to start ur laptop in secure mode by ability of pressing f8 as your laptop boots. Then start up residing house windows in secure mode with networking and internet browse and play video games to work out if u have the comparable situation. If u do no longer then u have an epidemic or something of that nature, poasibily malware.
2016-10-18 01:18:09 · answer #6 · answered by finkenbiner 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check for spyware/malware/adware...etc....
Download the following programs, update, and scan:
Adaware Personal 1.6
Spybot Search and Destroy 1.4
AOL Security center
AVG antivirus
ewido antispyware
etc....etc.....there are more, but these should block most, if not everything that is bad on your computer.....
2006-09-26 16:20:48 · answer #7 · answered by Carl D 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Check the cables to your power supply. If your PC doesn't startup anymore it is likely your power supply is blown. Don't worry though, buying a new one is relatively cheap--about $30-$50 on average.
2006-09-26 16:24:58 · answer #8 · answered by Mark B 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Don't use Foxfire while using any other program
Foxfire abviously overrides other programs and causes them to malfunction.
If you want to view Foxfire, view it without bringing up other pages.
Best of luck.
2006-09-26 16:37:54 · answer #9 · answered by sweetcitywoman2002 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Adware, spyware, virus, scan for these, or might be the memory, get more RAM
2006-09-26 16:24:40 · answer #10 · answered by Giggles 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋