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[DarthWoo]

Ok, this started today right after I tried to uninstall the Java Runtime Environment that I had installed long ago, when it was necessary for Azureus or something. That seemed to go just fine. However, I later noticed to my dismay that when I tried to run disk cleanup, it wouldn't do anything except sit there with the progress bar motionless. I cancelled that and went to restart.

On restart, the PC got to the WinXP logo screen, and then everything just stopped. The PC was running, but the monitor shut itself off due to no signal. Naturally I'm already quite worried, as that's never a good sign. I turn the PC off by the toggle switch on the back, which I shouldn't normally need to do. Then I return in safe mode, which works fine, and use system restore to successfully bring me back to before I removed the JRE. That goes fine as well. So I restart the PC again.

On this restart, the same thing happens. WinXP logo screen, and then nothing. I turn the back switch again, and turn it back on and go back into normal mode instead of safe, and now everything appears fine. However, disk cleanup still doesn't work, Norton AV Corporate Edition seems to be telling me that it can't work any more, and any time I restart or turn on the computer without first having shut it off completely via the back switch, it dies after the logo screen again.

What the hell is wrong with it?

 

[DarthWoo]

Ok, I seem to have fixed one problem on my own, but others still remain. Apparently the Disk Cleanup problem was related to the "compress old files" option that I never use, so deleting that part from the registry fixed that. I seem able to restart without the computer hanging after the logo screen, at least for now. However, the Norton AV is still unresponsive, and a few minutes after restarting, it tells me that its realtime scanning is disabled, and I can't start a manual scan either.

This AV program is actually the free distribution that my school gave out to all students starting two years ago. Though I graduated, the program was still running fine all summer, and even giving me new liveupdates regularly. I figured that maybe it would expire eventually, but would it really just stop working entirely, rather than just refuse to give me any more updates?

 

[Diablos]

Could be a number of things... your virus scanner's registry keys might be messed up. I did that once by running Spybot S&D; it identified required registry keys for my Trend Micro software to update itself as spyware, and I, like an idiot, deleted them. There was nothing I could do. I had to reinstall because I don't believe in system restore. I don't think S&D does that anymore, but I'm still cautious when using it.

Ah, so you're saying Windows works. I'd bet that your virus scanner expired.

 

[BigGreenMat]

I have no answer so I'll just add my own little problem. My PC keeps 'hiccuping' while playing MP3s and video files. Every few minutes it will just pause for a split second and then continue playing. This is a pretty nice new comp. 3200+ 64, 1 gig of 2225 mushkin, 300 SATAII maxtor, and a 6800GT. Temps read out well within normal. Any clues? I defragged and have a very clean app list. I have the comp optimized and it starts up and into XP in under 15 seconds. This has only recently started occurring. I have a surge protector so I am pretty sure it isn't power. My voltages all are rock steady as well and I am not stressing the machine either.

edit: I use multiple programs and it happens on all of them. Winamp and WMP for music, DivX and WMP for movies generally.

 

[Diablos]

What software do you use for mp3s and videos?

 

[Shogmaster]

Darthwoo, how old is that install of XP? If it's older than 18 months, blast it and start fresh with a new install. No OS should be expected run fine after 18 months.

Hell, I reinstall my machines after 12 months. Preventitive reinstall is my game.

 

[Diablos]

I have no answer so I'll just add my own little problem. My PC keeps 'hiccuping' while playing MP3s and video files. Every few minutes it will just pause for a split second and then continue playing. This is a pretty nice new comp. 3200+ 64, 1 gig of 2225 mushkin, 300 SATAII maxtor, and a 6800GT. Temps read out well within normal. Any clues? I defragged and have a very clean app list. I have the comp optimized and it starts up and into XP in under 15 seconds. This has only recently started occurring. I have a surge protector so I am pretty sure it isn't power. My voltages all are rock steady as well and I am not stressing the machine either.

edit: I use multiple programs and it happens on all of them. Winamp and WMP for music, DivX and WMP for movies generally.

Use the directsound plugin for winamp's audio...
Um, I dunno why that could be happening.
Find out what drivers your onboard sound uses and download the latest one.

Sometimes it's an issue with bandwidth between audio/video and there's nothing you can do about it.

 

[DarthWoo]

Darthwoo, how old is that install of XP? If it's older than 18 months, blast it and start fresh with a new install. No OS should be expected run fine after 18 months.

Hell, I reinstall my machines after 12 months. Preventitive reinstall is my game.

Well, it's actually only about twelve to thirteen months now. The old hard drive in this thing had been making some crazy noises the year before, so I eventually decided to just toss it and start with a fresh one. I suppose I may eventually just start it over, since I have broadband now, which makes updating everything much easier. However, I must first buy a new AV software (with all the hassles of getting it free after rebate that that entails) since this software from the school was a network install.

 

[Shogmaster]

Well, it's actually only about twelve to thirteen months now. The old hard drive in this thing had been making some crazy noises the year before, so I eventually decided to just toss it and start with a fresh one. I suppose I may eventually just start it over, since I have broadband now, which makes updating everything much easier. However, I must first buy a new AV software (with all the hassles of getting it free after rebate that that entails) since this software from the school was a network install.

I definitely recommend a reinstall. Clean and fresh! It's time to douche the drive!