Need Computer help
 

So within the last couple days I have been experiencing problems with my laptop.

After inactive for a certain period of time(not exactly sure how long but more than 10 -15mins) it just freezes up on me. It doesnt always happen also. Sometimes its fine, but it's almost one time a day kind of deal.

I always leave my computer on overnight too, and the screensaver comes up after 5 minutes and it has never been a problem for me.

Do I have some kind of virus, because as of now Spy Sweeper isn't picking up anything beside the regular cookies.

Re: Need Computer help
 

If I had to guess what's wrong with your laptop I'd probably guess a) it's overheating because it has ventilation issues or b) you have faulty memory.

Turn it of more often to see if that alleviates the problem and make sure that you don't have dust covering your laptop's vents. You can also test for faulty by running [URL="http://www.memtest86.com/#download0"]memtest86[/URL] (memory test application). You probably want to create a bootable memtest86 CD from the [URL="http://www.memtest86.com/memtest86-3.2.iso.zip"]ISO.[/URL]

Re: Need Computer help
 

One thing about laptops is they like to overheat so I would not keep it on all night. Also I would get a book or something to over hang your laptop so the fan or battery is not being covered by the table. You can also buy a stand that your laptop can sit on that has fans on it. Also I would make sure to run Windows Updated

Re: Need Computer help
 

I think it might be the memory, because I need more RAM and its been running slower recently

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=NM Redskin;271403]One thing about laptops is they like to overheat so I would not keep it on all night. Also I would get a book or something to over hang your laptop so the fan or battery is not being covered by the table. You can also buy a stand that your laptop can sit on that has fans on it. Also I would make sure to run Windows Updated[/quote]

well I have had my laptop for two years and this is the first time this has happened.


Also after 5 mins the screensaver comes up and I think it conserves energy...fan quiets down, all that.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=saden1;271402]
Turn it of more often to see if that alleviates the problem and make sure that you don't have dust covering your laptop's vents. You can also test for faulty by running [URL="http://www.memtest86.com/#download0"]memtest86[/URL] (memory test application). You probably want to create a bootable memtest86 CD from the [URL="http://www.memtest86.com/memtest86-3.2.iso.zip"]ISO.[/URL][/quote]

I honestly have no idea what you are saying.

So what do I do? Why would I want to create a CD.

Re: Need Computer help
 

I apologize, while I know a fair amount about computers, some other things I really don't understand.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271406]I honestly have no idea what you are saying.

So what do I do? Why would I want to create a CD.[/QUOTE]

What you want to do is create a bootable CD (you put it in, you restart the computer and the program(s) on the CD get run instead of your operating system). Assuming you have a cd burner you should download the zipped [URL="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ISO_image"]ISO file[/URL] for [URL="http://www.memtest86.com/memtest86-3.2.iso.zip"]memtest86[/URL], extract the ISO file from the zip file and burn the ISO file using CD burning software like [URL="http://www.petri.co.il/how_to_write_iso_files_to_cd.htm"]ISO Recorder Power Toy[/URL].

Note: When restarting your laptop you may have to either enable the CD -ROM as your first boot device from the BIOS or press a button like F12 to select CD-ROM as the boot device.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271404]I think it might be the memory, because I need more RAM and its been running slower recently[/QUOTE]

The fact that you're running slower has nothing to do with memory. Maybe hard drive, but not memory. What operating system are you running? Win XP? How much memory do you have?

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=saden1;271412]The fact that you're running slower has nothing to do with memory. Maybe hard drive, but not memory. What operating system are you running? Win XP? How much memory do you have?[/quote]

XP with only 256..thats my problem.


But it never ran slow before.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Sounds like a Worm to me that could be cuasing memory leaks as well as slowing down your computer. To check this i would bring up your Task Manager and go to processess and see how many u have running at oncebut alos before it freezes take note if a new process apears.

Re: Need Computer help
 

How will I be able to do that? So I need to constantly watch my computer until it freezes lol?

I do have alot of things running, and I don't think they are all needed.

So how do I get rid of worms?

Re: Need Computer help
 

Have you added any new software applications to the computer in recent memory. Downloaded anything (videos, games, etc) just before you experienced these problems? How often do you run ad-aware, Avast, spybot, etc? What processes are you running (task manager)? Have you run disk defragmenter or scan disk?

If all else fails, remember: some laptops make a great second base!

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271415]XP with only 256..thats my problem.


But it never ran slow before.[/QUOTE]

Listen to Saden, he's giving you sound advice.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271418]So how do I get rid of worms?[/QUOTE]

I think there are pills you can take to get rid of them. ;)

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=724Skinsfan;271424]Have you added any new software applications to the computer in recent memory. Downloaded anything (videos, games, etc) just before you experienced these problems? How often do you run ad-aware, Avast, spybot, etc? What processes are you running (task manager)? Have you run disk defragmenter or scan disk?

If all else fails, remember: some laptops make a great [B]second base[/B]![/quote]


hahaha.

Um I havent defragged and yes I have downloaded tons of stuff online. Mainly games and music, some software too. I think that's where it is coming from. I will defrag today and see what happens.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271415]XP with only 256..thats my problem.


But it never ran slow before.[/QUOTE]

You have sufficient memory unless you wish to have many application open all at once (i.e. watch prOn while browsing multiple web pages and typing your English paper :)).

Personally I hate windows because of all the garbage it collects over time. If you can't seem to solve your problem by yourself seek someone to help you fix your laptop. If all else fails, you might also want to reformat and reinstall windows

p.s. I have been using Linux for almost 4 years now and I have no intention of ever going back to the garbage that is Windows. If you want to try something new, try [URL="http://www.ubuntu.com/"]Ubuntu[/URL].

Re: Need Computer help
 

If you are running a non standard screensaver(didnt come with windows),I would recommend defaulting back to something simple.

Also, I would run a virus scan. Try Avast or AVG, THey have free versions.

If you can, I would suggest a reformat. It forces you to get windows up to date.

Re: Need Computer help
 

First thing, try what saden says. RAM just goes bad from time-to-time. Also do this, boot up your computer, open up task manager and sort by CPU. Don't do ANYTHING on your machine and just watch the processes that work on your machine. If there is a process that takes up a lot of CPU power, research what it's for and that's likely your culprit.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Correction, check out memory usage in your task manager. If you see something constantly changing, that could be it. Also, check out if something goes over 50-60MB. If you're not running anything but the task manager, there should be nothing running with that type of size.

Re: Need Computer help
 

I didn't reformat, but I tried to system restore and it won't work!!!

Could something on my computer be preventing this from happening?

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;271682]Correction, check out memory usage in your task manager. If you see something constantly changing, that could be it. Also, check out if something goes over 50-60MB. If you're not running anything but the task manager, there should be nothing running with that type of size.[/quote]

I have so much stuff in my task manager I have to keep on scrolling down to see new stuff. And ALOT of things are changing. Ahh i odnt know what to do :(

Re: Need Computer help
 

thanks for all the help guys, I just hope my computer doesnt crash.....

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271708]I didn't reformat, but I tried to system restore and it won't work!!!

Could something on my computer be preventing this from happening?[/QUOTE]

I'm pretty sure the cause of your problems isn't spyware/malware. It's time to back up your prOn and reformat.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=saden1;271719]I'm pretty sure the cause of your problems isn't spyware/malware. It's time to back up your prOn and reformat.[/quote]

bummer, I guess that is the only option.

I don't even have all the disks they give you to install stuff in the beginning. That is all at home. Great.....

Re: Need Computer help
 

You are solidly in reformatville. Anything you do will only delay the inevitable. The machine is dying and the only way to fix it is to kill it and bring it back alive. It will fix all your problems(outside of physical issues like mem failure of course). Oh and stop downloading/installing and unistalling crap. That seriously screws with the puter Keep it lean and mean. Run what you need and like. Leave all the crappy games and screen savers and stuff for everyone else to mess up their machines. You probably don't even use 85% of the stuff.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Yeah it just jumped to about 391 MB of ram being used.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Its needs to be reformatted.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271769]Yeah it just jumped to about 391 MB of ram being used.[/QUOTE]

Which means it is page caching 135 mb of RAM. That will kill just about any machine.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Ok so I reformatted. I do not have my drivers CD, which sucks but I had my XP CD. So windows is installed and I did install an antivirus software.

I still have a couple issues. I have a widescreen laptop and right now the settings make it look very distorted. It looks liked a streched image. Is that because I am missing some kind of video/graphics driver?

Also when I scroll up and down, like on this site for example, it doesnt flow smoothly like it did before. This one is hard to explain, but I know something is missing.

Thanks for the continued help guys.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Yup, that's exactly why. Install the video driver and it'll all be fixed.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271904]Ok so I reformatted. I do not have my drivers CD, which sucks but I had my XP CD. So windows is installed and I did install an antivirus software.

I still have a couple issues. I have a widescreen laptop and right now the settings make it look very distorted. It looks liked a streched image. Is that because I am missing some kind of video/graphics driver?

Also when I scroll up and down, like on this site for example, it doesnt flow smoothly like it did before. This one is hard to explain, but I know something is missing.

Thanks for the continued help guys.[/QUOTE]


You probably need to [URL="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/personalize/resolution.mspx"]change your screen resolution[/URL] and [URL="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/accessibility/smoothscrolling.mspx"]turn on smooth scrolling[/URL].

Re: Need Computer help
 

Also, what kind of video card do you have? If you're going to get the driver, don't go to your computer manufacturer's website to get it, go to the device maker itself. Like if you have an nVidea card, don't go to Dell to update it, go to the website since it has updated drivers.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=saden1;271909]You probably need to [URL="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/personalize/resolution.mspx"]change your screen resolution[/URL] and [URL="http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/accessibility/smoothscrolling.mspx"]turn on smooth scrolling[/URL].[/quote]

The resolution option is not available that is why I think it is a drivers issue.

And I will do the smooth scrolling.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;271912]Also, what kind of video card do you have? If you're going to get the driver, don't go to your computer manufacturer's website to get it, go to the device maker itself. Like if you have an nVidea card, don't go to Dell to update it, go to the website since it has updated drivers.[/quote]

Really, my roomie who is some kinda computer whiz(he lead me through this mess) said I should just do windows update.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Yeah, it's all driver-related. Install the drivers and everything will fix itself. If you want to optimize your computer even further, here's some things to turn off:

1) Right click on My Computer, go to Properties, then the Advanced tab. Under Performance, uncheck the top six options. This will make your computer perform even faster graphically. Also, under the Advanced tab, turn off Error Reporting.

Also, I don't use System Restore, it doesn't do shit for me. I would turn that off as well.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=hooskins;271917]Really, my roomie who is some kinda computer whiz(he lead me through this mess) said I should just do windows update.[/quote]

Windows update will most likely have the driver, but probably not the most up-to-date one.

Re: Need Computer help
 

My smooth scrolling is on, so I think it is a driver issue.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271916]The resolution option is not available that is why I think it is a drivers issue.

And I will do the smooth scrolling.[/QUOTE]


One more thing, save yourself some headache down the road and get [URL="http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/"]Firefox Web Browser[/URL]. You'll be better off in the long run.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Yes, that's without question. It's all about being safe in how you browse. If you see the pop-up at the top saying, "Do you wish to install this ActiveX control?" don't do it if you're browing pr0n, it's DEFINITELY spyware.