Blue Screen

NiftyDigits

Look here

Otherwise just run a clean install with the help of a up to date recovery disc and the DELL Utility disc if you still have it. If you don't you'll need to visit here.

RichIX

Might be time for an upgrade MS will stop Windows Updates on XP systems on the 8th April 2014 after that there will be plenty of viruses that wont be patched..

It could be your memory has failed and needs replacing might be worth doing a memory test or check that the memory is seated correctly on the motherboard.

badger09

NiftyDigits wrote: »

Look here

Otherwise just run a clean install with the help of a up to date recovery disc and the DELL Utility disc if you still have it. If you don't you'll need to visit here.

Thanks for the advice but your 1st link is a very old article and I think that issue was fixed with SP3, which I'm running.

closed

have you got the acronis boot disc, or the windows installation disc?

did it get past loading your personal settings, chkdsk can take a while, if it doesn't get past, try another boot, or try safe mode.

Hopefully it should still have the factory restore partition

NiftyDigits

badger09 wrote: »

Thanks for the advice but your 1st link is a very old article and I think that issue was fixed with SP3, which I'm running.

Perhaps you should use the AVG Remover

badger09

RichIX wrote: »

Might be time for an upgrade MS will stop Windows Updates on XP systems on the 8th April 2014 after that there will be plenty of viruses that wont be patched..

Yes I think I can reasonably justify splashing out on a new PC. Seems like this almost 8 year old one needs so much doing to it, just to keep it going. I know about withdrawal of support for XP - just not sure whether to go for Windows 7 or 8

RichIX wrote: »

It could be your memory has failed and needs replacing might be worth doing a memory test or check that the memory is seated correctly on the motherboard.

You are so right -and not just talking about the creaky old PC :rotfl:

closed

factory restore takes 10 minutes .........., acronis restore something similar depending on data sizes

badger09

closed wrote: »

have you got the acronis boot disc, or the windows installation disc?

did it get past loading your personal settings, chkdsk can take a while, if it doesn't get past, try another boot, or try safe mode.

Hopefully it should still have the factory restore partition

I don't have the windows installation disc - it was already installed when I bought the PC new from DELL (if I remember correctly)

I can use my acronis backup to restore I think.

It actually froze completely so I had to switch off at the power supply. But when I switched on again it seems to have booted normally.

I really appreciate all the help here but do like to understand if I possibly can. Does CHKDSK actually fix anything or is it just diagnostic?

Was there anything in the reports I posted to suggest any problems?

Why do people recommend uninstalling eg Windows Defender, Rapport etc? Is it just personal choice?

I know you're a great advocate for cleaning out & tuning up but is there really much point trying to clean, tweak and upgrade my nearly 8 year old setup which is starting to cause me grief? I can afford a new one

closed

Is there really any point --- put it this way, we've both spent more than 10 minutes on this thread already, in that time, you could have factory restored it (Ctrl F11 at boot) and assuming there is no hardware problem, which there is no evidence of at the moment, the machine should run like new. ie fast, low commit charge, no problems, stick avast free on, copy your data back, done. If you wish there is a link to a cheap ram upgrade in your previous thread too. Then you still have the option of buying new.

you will need to install any programs you added since purchase, office etc, so make sure you have the media if it's important.

the rapport/defender reasons are explained in the speedup sticky, and possibly in your previous thread, it's bloat you don't need, which will slow the machine down, and possibly be connected with blue screens, which in most cases are caused by software.

chkdsk with the /F or /R flag does fix logical corruptions, if you don't put the flag on the end, it doesn't fix anything

if you do go the factory restore route, I suggest making one additional (keep the old one) acronis backup to an external drive, and creating the boot cd first - an acronis backup in this scenario is a bit useless without the boot cd

there is usually a means of creating the dell restore cd too

badger09

OK thanks for all your help.

You say there's no evidence of any hardware problem - I'll take your word for it as I really don't have a clue.

I'll do a final backup of data and factory restore as you advised.

I thought I could use the acronis image direct from the external hard drive via the USB - didn't realise I'd need a boot cd.

If that doesn't work and I still get Blue screens I'll think again.

Thanks for taking the time to post.