why does my computer lock up?

Question

I think it is a 2000 model gateway intel pentium 4 cpu 1.50ghz 512mb ram running windows xp home, 256mb memory, 133mhz processor speed, 20gb hdd with over 11gb free space. I thought the locking up started after I installed the latest iTunes software but after removing all unneeded sw it was fine for a few days then acted up again. I had problem with it booting up. Acted like a crashed hard drive but I really don't know how a crashed hard drive would act. I use comcast high speed internet and have a cdrw/dvd read only combo drive and a floppy drive. Could it be the hard drive failing? Memory problem? I looked at purchasing a bigger hard drive. What all do I need to change out the hard drive? Is there anything else I need to buy along with it? Thanks to all serious answerers, all else...get a life.

the problem I have when it locks up it doesn't respond to anything. It just freezes and the only thing I can do is hold the power button until it resets. I get no windows errors except the occasional windows did not start up correctly and asks if I want to start in safe mode, which it has also locked up on this page too! I only have McAfee that I downloaded from comcast.

Yes, when it freezes up and I hold the power button until it resets, then if it boots all the way without freezing again, I am able to do work until if freezes again. I ran spybot, ccleaner, superantispyware, and avant! last night. If froze up during spybot and avant! but was able to delete a bunch of crap and ad ware, but after running all of those programs it still froze up.

I mean avast!

Answer 1

The issue here is most likely a memory matter...

As you add more programs, you will have some of the memory allotted to them (like iTunes).


Before anything, do a spyware and virus scan to make sure you do not have bad programs taking up memory

Then Restart your Computer (for now):
I would do is
Start --> run
Type "taskmgr.exe"
and click the tab "Procceses"

Check your Commit Charge: which shows you the how much of your memory is being allotted (at that time).. If the commit is close to your max, you need memory (or you have too many programs open from startup/systray)

Check the "Performance" tab
See Physical Memory how much you have available to total.. If you have <100,000k, you are cutting close to 100% Memory utilization when you open up additional applications (I use 100MB because I have seen some programs use 100MB of available which includes virtual memory and make your computer go to a complete stop)

This way, you are spending on memory if it is the issue and not due to spyware issue.
HD is not the issue here unless you are paging from RAM (again, that would be a RAM issue)

Append:
1) McAfee (like Symantec) is a memory intensive program and could slow down your computer.

I assume is that when you restart the PC, you are able to do work? How long before your computer freeze up? Any particular program?

I still think it will be a memory issue since it is not responding without any error message (do you see any error under Event Viewer? Start --> Control Panel --> Administrative Tools --> Event Viewer)


Append (Con't).

Well, you have a definite spyware issue... I would recommend you download Grisoft AV and Anti-Spyware. They have a free version and they do clean very well (I recommend to my clients and it works in comparison to other spyware program)

Assuming no memory issue, the issue you might have is the cleaning of your computer only removes the spyware program itself but not its self-replicating source. If you run your spyware again and the same program pops up again, the spyware program is replicating from a source (be it in memory, registry, etc.) I do not recommend installing multi-spyware and virus because you just allotting all your available memory to those programs..

These are my things I would do
1) Download the AVG programs
2) Disconnect the Network Adapter Cable off your computer
3) Uninstall all the Spyware / AV programs you have on
4) Install the AVG programs
5) Connect Network Cable and update the programs
6) Spyware and AV Scan
7) Disk Cleanup (Start --> All Programs --> Accessories --> System Tools --> Disk Cleanup)
Clean up anything temporary (temporary files, etc.)
8) Disk Defragmentation

I would be honestly, the best way is to try to go to your computer and see what is going on... Do you have VNC or know how to Remote Assist? I have to see to believe what the issues are

Answer 2

advance window care from iobits.com will run a check on your computer for crashing
also run -go to start and the accesory to system files and run the disk cleaner and defragment units.
go to majorgeeks .com and get cleanup and ccleaner and run them.
If you clean the garabage out of the computer it should run real good .
get quick clean from mcfee and check your spaces units to see howmuch space you are using because 512 ram sould like a good amoung of space.
you can also go to your computer and pick you c drive and click so it will show you the properties and on the properties is tools and there is a drive checker on that you can run and it will tell you if your hard drive is not line up right.
also at majorgeeks.com is a junkfile finder which will find all the files on your computer that you donot real need - you can clean it up that way as well.

Answer 3

it sounds like a memory issue... try running the ad aware program and virus scan like everyone else said..but also try

start
run
type in "msconfig"
click start up
uncheck everything but the virus scan program( there is a line between command and location. put your mouse on the line till it turns into a cross. holding the left button on the mouse drag the line to the right . this will able you to see the command line for the program so you can see which program you are unchecking.. when you are done restart your pc.

a box will appear on the desktop just click ok and see if that helps with the freezing problem.....

Answer 4

First I hope you are running a virus protection, I would assume you are, but there is more you need to do. One get a cache cleaner and registry helper. Go to ccleaner.com and get ccleaner could be you are oversaturated in cache files. Next go to SUPERatispyware.com ang get Superantispyware to clean up any spyware programs you might have which will also slow down your computer. Both are free downloads and work great, have used them for years. Good luck let me know if this has helped

Answer 5

If your harddisk is poorly or dying, you'll get windows errors and corrupt files. Time to make backups to CD-R. If the harddisk is dead, windows won't start.

Could be a virus or trojan, also. Try running "Spybot search and destroy" to find malware, and use an up-to-date virus scanner such as "Avast!".

Microsoft has a malware remover too:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx

Replacing harddisk (10 minutes) and reinstalling EVERYTHING is a big job, but that's another question.

Answer 6

Thanks for the details about your machine - but we need more details of the problem.
Is the hard drive making any noise?
Are you getting a blue screen at start up - what is the stop code?