PC keeps crashing and hanging, until it was 'nearly' over. - long. Please help !

Lee_Francis

For a couple of weeks now, my PC has been from slightly to seriously unstable.
I cannot think what or why - well nothing obvious anyway - I'm not an IT person, just a user.

It started with IE7 being unstable, culminating in every time I opened a tab it crashed.
Tried to restore - eventually tried every available restore point - it wouldn't.
I installed Firefox from the free CD from this month's Webuser. Updated it online and imported my IE settings etc. No problem.
But,
when my Microsoft 'automatic updates' attempted to connect, message popped up something like, . . . if there isn't an IE browser then you cannot download updates.
So, tried to uninstall all IE versions that were on my PC . . . well those who have tried that it isn't that simple. It seems they have to be uninstalled/deleted in chronological order etc etc.
I couldn't get rid of everything, no IE in the control panel 'add/delete programs option, so could not uninstall. Even when I tried deleting, they mysteriously came back !
Anyway, abandoned that option, and downloaded the latest version of IE7 installed and updated it via Microsoft. But still, the internet options tab - just cannot load it - it flicks out without fully loading, and additional tabs crash, at least not every time.

So, ran
CCleaner
Windows defender
System Mechanic
AVG
Malwarebytes
Advanced Windows Care
checked with Secunia for any insecure or end of life programs

Everything was OK
But, IE is still unstable.

Then yesterday.
Booted up, and . . . wallpaper only, no icons, no toolbars and left hanging.
Turned it off, rebooted to last known time it worked properly option - same.
Turned it off, rebooted in safe mode - black screen, with top left and top right corner words 'safe mode'. Just hung there !
Out of sheer panic, turned it off and on again, pressed everything, and thankfully 'system restore' option came up. I picked a point a couple of days ago, and to my complete surprise, it restored.

Then I immediately updated Microsoft, AVG and all automatic updates via filehippo checker.
Ran all the above utilities again - all OK - and am now writing to you.

• Has anyone any idea of what went wrong ?
• How can I stabilise IE 7 ? Looked on net (cnet filehippo and majorgeeks ) for a utility to'fix' IE7 - I couldn't understand what many of the programs did, so was too scared to download and use. Any ideas ?
• How can I prevent it all happening again ?
• If it does, what should I actually do, apart from panic and press everything ?

Please help me !

I run Windows XP, IE7, Office 07, and OE.
My PC automatically updates when I switch on the machine.

Many thanks

Lee

will check MSE forum after work this pm

exup

there could be a few reasons -
how old is the PC . it may need a good clean out of dust from inside the case and fans. (dont forget to turn it off and disconnect - also watch out for static from yourself - ground yourself first. (touching a metal object such as a table or cabinet).

The Hard drive may be getting full, or may also be wearing out . does it run quietly or does it squeak, rumble or make other noises which sond odd.

Do you have the installation disk for windows XP? If so it may be time to take off any files you need, then format (erase) the hard drive and reinstall XP.

It sounds like some file may have been corrupted that helps windows to start up pproperly.

Also do you run regular system maintenance (system cleanup - disk defragmenter )

Browntoa

Run Internet Explorer 7 in "No Add-Ons" mode

Internet Explorer 7 add-ons, such as ActiveX controls and browser toolbars, are used by some Web sites to provide an enhanced browsing experience. An error may occur if an add-on is damaged or if an add-on conflicts with Internet Explorer 7. To determine whether the error is caused by an add-on, run Internet Explorer 7 in "No Add-Ons" mode. To do this, follow these steps:

1.Click Start, and then Accessories , then System Tools

2.Click Internet Explorer (No Add-Ons). Internet Explorer 7 opens without add-ons, toolbars, or plug-ins.

3.Test Internet Explorer to verify that it works correctly. If issues still occur try the following


1.Open Internet Explorer 7 with no add ons again.
2.Click Tools, and then click Internet Options (if this works with no add ons).
3.Click the Advanced tab.
4.Under Reset Internet Explorer Settings, click Reset.

Browntoa

xp_fix_internetoptions.vbs - Disable/Enable Set Internet Options in Windows XP (right click on the highlighted text and then "save as" to your desktop)
© Doug Knox - rev 5/21/2003
Additional note: Restricting Internet Options in IE also has the side effect of restricting Folder Options in Windows Explorer. Undoing the NoBrowserOptions setting with this script will re-enable the Folder Options in Windows Explorer.

Your antivirus software may report this script as potentially malicious, or a possible virus. This is because the script writes to the System Registry.

Navigate to where you saved it and double click the file. The VB Script file will check for the appropriate value and if not found will create it. If the value was found, it will be toggled to its opposite state and you will be informed that you need to restart

http://www.dougknox.com/xp/scripts_desc/xp_fix_inetoptions_restrictions.htm

Browntoa

If you have spybot installed:

Disable Spybot's Tea Timer

• Open Spybot Search & Destroy.
• In the Mode menu click "Advanced mode" if not already selected.
• Choose "Yes" at the Warning prompt.
• Expand the "Tools" menu.
• Click "Resident".
• Uncheck the "Resident "TeaTimer" (Protection of overall system settings) active." box.
• In the File menu click "Exit" to exit Spybot Search & Destroy.

and this also

• On the menu bar click on Mode
• Click Advanced Mode
• Choose "Yes" at the Warning prompt.
• Now click on Tools on the left menu.
• Then on IEtweaks
• Untick Lock IE title bar........
• Click File => Exit

nickj_2

right click my computer > manage > event veiwer > system
scroll down until you see a red cross , click on this and this will tell you what is causing your pc to crash

Lee_Francis

Thanks guys.
A quick post from work.

Didn't have a chance to get online last night.
But, will have a work through all your suggestions, if not during the week, then def. at the weekend.

Many many thanks

A few quick answers:
1 My PC is about 2 years old - a reasonable spec Packard Bell.
2 Nowhere near full hard disk.
3 It appears clean/dust free - but will clean (in/out) it as much as I dare at w/e.
4 No XP installation disk - I remember there was a post here with a link for instructions on how to 'make' one from my PC - looked at them and was bamboozled with the technical language, so didn't happen.
5 I'm quite sure that I haven't got spybot.
6 My PC updates every day, and I run CCleaner and AVG and Defender and System Mechanic and standard maintenance every day I use it - defrag etc Then most w/ends run every utility that i have - full scan.
7 Re Nickj suggestion to check via eventviewer errors - tried that already but cannot understand the lingo-would have posted with my original post, but won't let me highlight/copy/paste

Thanks again
Will post results

Lee

adouglasmhor

Stuff IE use this http://windizupdate.com/whyuse.php to use windows update

23rdspiral

OP - if you're still out there, what worked? if anything... maybe you're not online anymore as nothing worked?! not meaning to sound flippant, just interested. thanks.

Lee_Francis

Hi all, esp. 23rdspiral !

Well, update is - unfortunately it won't help any of you with similar problems.

I gave up.

• Bought another computer.
• Then, from the old one,
• went permanently offline,
• copied all personal stuff onto external HD, only transferred Outlook info
• am in the process of copying all software without installation CDs, those with installation CD's used them , + loading onto new one, and one by one updating them (online), and checking if IE still 'works'.
• haven't finished yet.

The list seems endless, so at times am losing the will !

With my limited knowledge, I eventually suspected that one or more of the programmes aren't 'happy' working at the same time as IE.
Up 'til now - the new one's working 'fast and loose' if you know what I mean.

My plan is to find out, if poss. what was wrong for my own curiosity, and then sell one PC.

Just glad to be back online at home, and reading this forum. The more I read the more I find out what I don't know. Love it.

Thanks

Lee

( if spelling is bad - apologies - just tried to spellcheck, but haven't loaded IE spellcheck yet . . . )