I have a Windows XP. I just recently turned off the computer and it had the little shield next to the shut down button meaning that it had to download something. Well, I left a little while later and it said like "the memory could not be read" and a bunch of numbers and letters. I clikcked okay and for a few minutes it did nothing. So i held down the power button to turn it off. I turned it back on and it didnt start right Now when Start it up, i can get to my desktop and my icons and bottom bar, but when I try to open any program, the hour glass keeps spining around and around and around for a long time. I'm not very intellegent with computers. Please help!
2007-01-13 06:34:41 · 11 answers · asked by Verbtex 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Hardware ➔ Desktops
Some of you dont understand, I cant open any program, cant even shut it down properly.
But i will be trying some of those other things said, thanks for the ideas guys!
2007-01-13 07:00:00 · update #1
im going to try what cash cobra said, as he said the most information, but if i will still try to comeback and try out something else =)
2007-01-13 07:20:25 · update #2
if it is a software error then you need to roll back the installation a couple of days - to a date prior to the
if you can do this in "normal windows" the instructions are here
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/ivascu1.mspx
if not boot to safe mode by pressing F8 during the boot process as outlined here
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222
if it is a hardware error (Ram or harddrive corrupted - as evidenced by that "bunch of numbers" and stuff you will need to test your ram and your harddrive by swapping them over with those in a working machine
2007-01-13 06:48:16 · answer #1 · answered by cool_clearwater 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Clear your cache - which means, go to your internet tools pull down menu and delete all cookies, all temp internet files and history. then hit okay or apply. Then shut down normally. Reboot and then visit the microsoft windows update website and have it scan your pc to see if you have any critical updates that you haven't downloaded yet. If there are some to be installed, do it. Only do the critical ones at this point.
Do you have an anti-virus, anti-spyware program? If not, get Norton 2006 and install that. Have Norton do a full system scan of your PC to determine if you're infected with spyware or a virus. If so, it will give you steps to clean it up or quarantine it.
I also recommend the defrag option - you can find it under start menu, accessories, system tools and then choose defragment system. It will take a long while, but it will be worth it in the end.
Good luck.
2007-01-13 06:44:04 · answer #2 · answered by CricketB 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
First. Switch off computer. Plugged out connertor, wait a minutes and plug in. When Bios loading press F4 to get to minimal windows. If you have a virus program, start it, or delete (uninstall) the programs what has been installed at last.
Second. If no results, take the MSWindows XP CD and restart computer, make sure that first boot device is your CD/DVD. (you can set up boot device priority when you enter to BIOS, looking for boot options and follow instuctions - see your motherboard instruktion book). When boot screen appear, choose repair funktion.
Third. Reinstall your OS(Operating System).
2007-01-13 06:56:56 · answer #3 · answered by unit-one 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That little red shield was your windows update. Since you left it there something went wrong with the RAM. This isn't guess work but solid facts. Replace the RAM not necessarily an up grade just replace it with another stick. The simptoms you have described to me is you RAM is really low (the numbers and letters) might look like 1l004hx000x007777100000 if you see a crap load of letters and numbers like this some what this is what we call DECIMALS. So I would replace it or re-insert the RAM again. Just to help you out I have this little web site for you. http://www.ehow.com/how_895_install-ram.html
2007-01-13 07:45:33 · answer #4 · answered by Anointed71 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
archives are all contained in blocks on you puzzling rigidity. maximum archives will take in diverse blocks in the document equipment. What defrag does is flow the blocks so all blocks, for an same document, are in consecutive places in the disk. this manner once you bypass to open a document the O/S places the examine head on the first block and would examine always w/o having to flow the top round. So, when you consider that defrag is only transferring were the blocks are it has to attempt this w/o dropping or deleting any assistance from the disk. So, trouble-free answer, no defrag gained't delete some thing.
2016-10-31 00:25:26 · answer #5 · answered by ? 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Run system restore and restore your PC to a time before the downloads. You could also try to restart your PC using the "last known good configuration". To do this you must press F8 or was it F11 while rebooting your computer. I don't remember but it is one of those two, and select last known good configuration.
2007-01-13 06:46:07 · answer #6 · answered by cashcobra_99 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Can you get to system restore? Turn it off for a few minutes and try again?
2007-01-13 06:38:44 · answer #7 · answered by Kevin 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Do what Cool_clearwater suggests. But it sounds like you're definitely going to have to do it from safe mode.
2007-01-13 06:56:24 · answer #8 · answered by Krista 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Run your anti-virus program.
Clean-up and defrag next if nothing is found.
2007-01-13 06:40:05 · answer #9 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
start it in last known configuration...or in safe mode...good luck
2007-01-13 07:02:14 · answer #10 · answered by Mario diaz 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋