I've an HP computer w/Win ME OS; it errors to a dos blue screen stating a problem w/.vxd file. problem w/ OS?

Question

I hav tried to recover, w/no success, using the provided 3/recovery disc's

Then I formated the HDD, put the WinME OS back on

Made all possable windows updates including security updates

computer worked good for about 90 days

If computer sets idle for any length of time w/screensaver activated, it will error out to a dos blue screen stating .vxd file problem

I used a boot disc to get to a dos prompt; started scandisk and it fixed errors; no sys file backup was made

how can this be fixed, or can it with the current OS?

no Virus's, worms or trojans were found

Should I re-format the harddrive with ( /u ) switch?

Answer 1

I would recommend a complete reformat of your system. After installing, go straight to the Windows Update site and download all updates for your OS.

What .vxd file is the blue screen giving you? That would be a clue as to what component is causing the error.

Also, if you do not want to get a new computer. I would definitely recommend at least upgrading your PC to Windows 2000. Both 2000 and ME had similar hardware requirements, so you shouldn't notice too much slow down. However, your stability will improve over 100 times.

Answer 2

My first thought is that you need to get away from ME, which is almost 7 years old. Microsoft does not support it anymore.

Buy a new computer and upgrade to WinXP. It's more secure (relatively speaking) and better than ME.

I'm wondering what OTHER software you are installing on the computer. That may be where you're getting the error. Something is interfering with a Virtual Device Driver (VXD).

Answer 3

Screen saver: On the desktop, Right Click the mouse, click on properties, click on Screen Saver. adjust the time out value.
too select a different screen saver!

Too, you might have Graphic problems. Did you reload your graphic drivers for either the motherboard or graphic card?

Did you go to all the sites for you software/hardware and download their most current drivers for your OS?

Buy 512MB RAM, Windows XP. If your hard drive is less than 60GB, purchase a second hard drive. otherwise, install additional
RAM, READ MOTHERBOARD USERS GUIDE TO INSTALL THE RAM! Which socket and order might be an issue.
Disconnect system from Internet.

If you have only one drive, delete all partitions during Operating System installation and create two new partitions, one 20GB.
Install Windows in the 20 GB. Complete installation including Anti Virus, Firewall and motherboard drivers and utilities.

Connect to Internet and go to all sites for XP drivers for your hardware. Do not load any original soft ware that was not written for XP! Go to www.Microsoft.com UPDATE and let that site update your system.

Computer Help Page

http://www.diskgenius.com/

http://www.pcbeginner.com/tools/pcdoctor.htm

http://www.pcguide.com/byop/index.htm

http://www.ntfs.com/boot-disk.htm

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/

http://www.freedownloadscenter.com/Best/ntfs-boot-iso.html

http://www.disk-image.net/products.htm

http://www.bootdisk.com/bootdisk.htm

http://www.errornuker.com/info/01.php?hop=product1

http://www.nu2.nu/pebuilder

http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads2.html

http://www.ntcompatible.com/Acronis_True_Image_9.0_Build_2337_s61449.html

http://www.theosfiles.com/

http://www.data-recovery-reviews.com/windows-startup-disasterrecovery.htm?gclid=CMSl0b7X2YcCFSJxYAodKy6Lpw

http://www.winternals.com/

http://www.pcworld.com/downloads/file/fid,25181-order,1-page,1-c,alldownloads/description.html

http://www.softpedia.com/get/System/Boot-Manager-Disk/Windows-XP-PowerPacker.shtml

http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1697,674406,00.asp

http://windows.about.com/od/tipsarchive/l/bltip632.htm
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Answer 4

I have had the same problem with WinME and BSOD with .vxd messages. Check if your hard is fine. You can download HDD scanner utilities from the respective manufacturers website. Also check if your RAM and other compenents are not heating a lot.

Answer 5

Emachines has been known to use faulty hardware to lower prices. I had an emachines for 5 years though before my power supply just stoped working, if you bought the computer a month ago you are probably still under warranty so you can probably send it in to have some hardware replaced

Answer 6

I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems.
Some drive problems can be easily fixed by yourself using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in useful. Try this site, if you can get what is required

Answer 7

try to install the OS on a new hard drive. and do not do any updates. let me know if u need more help

Answer 8

If your computer is not working properly while you are working on it, it could be a problem with device drivers, hardware or software.
Detailed instructions at http://tinyurl.com/yk5zpr