Any computer wiz out there? My computer running Windows XP SP2, freezes when running antivirus programs.?

Question

I've run both Norton and AT&T antivirus programs and get the same problem. I've recently reformatted my hard drive because my system was crashing frequently. It started when a program I was installing seized up. Any help would be appreciated.

Answer 1

If I understand you correctly, you ran two AV programs. I hope you do not have them installed simultaneously. They will recognize each other as a threat. One is sufficient. Personally, I use Norton. I have Norton's firewall off, and Windows' firewall on.

First, if possible, I would suggest you go into safe mode and free up your RAM. Observe the following:

1. Set wallpaper and screensavers to blank or none — they run continuously in the background and use memory.
2. Review your start menu – remove anything you don’t need on a daily basis — load games, etc. on an as-needed basis.
3. From Internet Explorer, Tools, Internet Options: delete cookies, delete files (offline), and clear history. (You can also set days to store history to 0.)
----- These actions will clear your computer’s cache. (For a description of cache, go to http://help.yahoo.com/l/ph/yahoo/mail/access/access-27210.html )
4. Run Disk Cleanup, Scandisk, Defrag at least every two weeks (the more frequently they are run, the less time they take).
5. Periodically, click Start, Programs, Run — they type ipconfig renew
(that’s ipconfig space renew).

These things should increase speed and free up memory as much as possible.
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Then, I would go for a Windows Repair:


WindowsXP Repair Explained
http://www.microsoft.com/resources/documentation/windows/xp/all/proddocs/en-us/options_to_use_when_a_system_will_not_start.mspx?mfr=true

WindowsXP Repair Tools
http://www.webtree.ca/windowsxp/repair_xp.htm#How%20to%20Repair%20Windows%20XP%20by%20Installing%20Over%20top%20of%20Existing%20Setup:

http://www.download-download-this.com/4.html?OVRAW=Windows%20Installer%20corrupted&OVKEY=window%20installer&OVMTC=advanced

Fix and/or Repair Windows
http://www.dougknox.com/xp/tips/xp_repair_install.htm
http://www.onsitechicago.com/support/index.php?_m=knowledgebase&_a=viewarticle&kbarticleid=23&nav=0

How to Perform a clean WindowsXP Repair Install
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Answer 2

2

Answer 3

This sounds like a Hardware problem to me... 1. Your memory card(s) are bad and corrupting data going through them. 2. Your motherboard is going bad and corrupting data going through it... Get both bench tested by a PC tech & have him check other stuff that involves the data as well ... When this was happening to me it ended up being my motherboard...but pulling one of my memory cards out seemed to help with reducing the data corruption...less for the mobo to deal with I guess...but shortly after in about 2 or so days it went all together and wouldn't even post to bios...