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holyforest · (This post was last modified: 2011-07-15, 04:44 PM by holyforest.)

Well, normally my computer behaves very well, but recently it's been plagued with a whole bunch of issues.

First of all, I find that when loading my internet browser (Google Chrome), the page usually freezes and then an alert message pops up saying I should kill the page. I've been having a very hard time accessing different sites through the browser. So, I decided to go to speedtest.net to see if everything was alright. I'm not a tech savvy person, but I looked at my results, and from what I can tell, everything appears to be fine:

Ping: 28ms
Download Speed: 9.72 Mbps
Upload Speed: 0.96 Mbps

When my computer does freeze up, I've had to pull up the task manager to force end the internet browser or whatever else I have open. I should also mention that my computer has been running at less than 10% CPU Usage for the last week, and when running certain programs, like for example, Maple, the CPU Usage either hovers between 0 and 2% or skyrockets to 100% and overheats my computer. The problem has been so bad recently that I've had to manually shut off my computer by pushing down on the on/off button for 10 seconds at least 9 times in the last 3 days.

I've ran CCleaner, cleared registry issues, and even today defragged my computer, but the issues still seem to remain.

Any help or suggestions would be greatly appreciated. Since I'm not tech savvy either, you'll have to not talk in computer lingo (sorry for the inconvenience...I'll get lost if you guys tell me to do all this stuff without explaining how to access certain things >.<)

Corn · 2011-07-15, 04:41 PM

Um....virus/spyware check? Just use Avast or something or Malwarebytes for spyware.

holyforest · 2011-07-15, 04:44 PM

Thank you! I'll check that right away! Maybe it'll fix things (at least I hope so).

holyforest · 2011-07-15, 05:25 PM

Scanned for spyware and there are no issues there. I'm still having issues though.

Alex123123 · 2011-07-15, 06:14 PM

Scanned for virus? (Personally, I use AVG anti virus)
Have you updated/installed something recently?
Have you modified Google Chrome in some manner? (Update, installed extensions etc..)
How's your hard disk space doing?
How many background processes do you have running?
Have you tried running in safe mode with internet enabled to see if the problem persists?
Does your computer show any other kind of problems? Perhaps a Blue Screen of Death, or random error messages...

/Kind of hard to help when the issue is so... vague. So it's better to attack from all angles.

Also, when was the last time you formatted your computer? And post your PC specs just in case (Operating system etc).

I think that's all. Rolleyes

holyforest · (This post was last modified: 2011-07-15, 07:20 PM by holyforest.)

Alex123123 Wrote:Scanned for virus? (Personally, I use AVG anti virus)
Have you updated/installed something recently?
Have you modified Google Chrome in some manner? (Update, installed extensions etc..)
How's your hard disk space doing?
How many background processes do you have running?
Have you tried running in safe mode with internet enabled to see if the problem persists?
Does your computer show any other kind of problems? Perhaps a Blue Screen of Death, or random error messages...

/Kind of hard to help when the issue is so... vague. So it's better to attack from all angles.

Also, when was the last time you formatted your computer? And post your PC specs just in case (Operating system etc).

I think that's all.

1) Yes, nothing there.
2) No, except MS about a few weeks ago.
3) No
4) I wouldn't really know...if you can tell me how to access it than I can post my information.
5) As in all the processes visible when you open the task manager? As of right now, I have 31 processes running.
6) My computer is always in safe mode with the internet.
7) Never had a BSoD (thank goodness). I only receive time out errors mainly.

Umm formatting? Hmm, not quite sure. PC specs? Hold on a minute. Let's see if I can get that info ( >.< can't you tell I totally rock at this kind of stuff?)

Edit: Here's the info: I ran dxdiag for computer specifications like mentioned in the troubleshooting thread above:

Spoiler

MuscleWizard · 2011-07-15, 07:21 PM

jesus christ don't format your computer
that wipes the entire harddrive clean, and if you don't have your OS Install disk lying around, you're pineappleed.

also, wait
you're always running in safe mode?

why?

And GET MORE RAM.
512mb isn't NEARLY enough to run modern applications. Maple at times can use up to 300mb, there's the reason your computer is freezing so often.

holyforest · 2011-07-15, 07:47 PM

MuscleWizard Wrote:jesus christ don't format your computer
that wipes the entire harddrive clean, and if you don't have your OS Install disk lying around, you're pineappleed.

also, wait
you're always running in safe mode?

why?

And GET MORE RAM.
512mb isn't NEARLY enough to run modern applications. Maple at times can use up to 300mb, there's the reason your computer is freezing so often.

I'm running safe mode for the exact reason it's called safe mode: to keep my computer safe. I don't want any fishy thingamajigs futzing with my computer. Got any suggestions for where I can get more RAM? Smile

MuscleWizard · 2011-07-15, 08:00 PM

holyforest Wrote:I'm running safe mode for the exact reason it's called safe mode: to keep my computer safe. I don't want any fishy thingamajigs futzing with my computer. Got any suggestions for where I can get more RAM?

but thats not how safe mode works at all.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Safe_mode

An operating system in safe mode will have reduced functionality, but the task of isolating problems is easier because many non-core components are disabled (turned off). An installation that will only boot into its safe mode typically has a major problem, such as disk corruption or the installation of poorly configured software that prevents the operating system from successfully booting into its normal operating mode.

Though it varies by operating system, typically safe mode loads as few executable modules as possible and usually disables devices, except for the minimum necessary to display information and accept input. Safe mode can also take the form of a parallel "miniature" operating system that has no configuration information shared with the normal operating system. For example, on Microsoft Windows, the user can also choose to boot to the Recovery Console, a small text-based troubleshooting mode kept separate from the main operating system (and can also be accessed by booting the install CD), or to various "safe mode" options that run the dysfunctional operating system, but with features such as video drivers, audio and networking disabled.

Safe mode typically provides access to utility and diagnostic programs so a user can troubleshoot what is preventing the operating system from working normally. Safe mode is intended for maintenance, not functionality, and provides minimal access to features.

holyforest · 2011-07-15, 08:05 PM

So I'll take that as you think I should keep it off except when running maintenance stuff? And as for RAM?

shouri · 2011-07-15, 08:16 PM

Yeah, stop using safe mode. You want at least 1 Gig of ram, preferably 2 gigs.

MuscleWizard · 2011-07-15, 08:36 PM

and don't just go out and buy any old ram, you need one that's specific to the type of motherboard you have in your computer.

Alex123123 · 2011-07-16, 12:48 AM

Alas, I wasn't going to tell him to format his computer without knowing his exact circumstances first. Chin

Anywayz.

I had the suspicion that you were running an old computer.

You do have low ram for the standards nowadays. You can try searching and buying your ram from crucial.com.

I believe your computer is this one?
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.a...&mfgr=Dell

Or you can/totally should click the "Memory ram" button on the top left of the page and then click "Scan my computer" (recommended). Then just follow the instructions.

Be aware that there might be cheaper/better alternatives that I don't know of. The few rams I've bought have been from there though, and they seem pretty reliable to me. Your choice. If you decide to buy it from somewhere else, the crucial page should tell you the type of ram your computer uses.

- About the hard disk space thing, I believe you can click my computer, then right click the C drive and in one of the tabs you should be able to see a pie chart telling you the amount of space available, I think. Been a while since I last used XP. The point is, I just want to make sure that your hard drive isn't full. Not likely to be the problem (unless you download movies/games), but you never know.

Oh, and do what MuscleWizard said. Don't run in safe mode anymore.

holyforest · 2011-07-16, 01:37 AM

Alex123123 Wrote:Alas, I wasn't going to tell him to format his computer without knowing his exact circumstances first.

Anywayz.

I had the suspicion that you were running an old computer.

You do have low ram for the standards nowadays. You can try searching and buying your ram from crucial.com.

I believe your computer is this one?
http://www.crucial.com/store/listparts.a...&mfgr=Dell

Or you can/totally should click the "Memory ram" button on the top left of the page and then click "Scan my computer" (recommended). Then just follow the instructions.

Be aware that there might be cheaper/better alternatives that I don't know of. The few rams I've bought have been from there though, and they seem pretty reliable to me. Your choice. If you decide to buy it from somewhere else, the crucial page should tell you the type of ram your computer uses.

- About the hard disk space thing, I believe you can click my computer, then right click the C drive and in one of the tabs you should be able to see a pie chart telling you the amount of space available, I think. Been a while since I last used XP. The point is, I just want to make sure that your hard drive isn't full. Not likely to be the problem (unless you download movies/games), but you never know.

Oh, and do what MuscleWizard said. Don't run in safe mode anymore.

^_^ Will check out/do some of this stuff. Yeah, that's my computer alright. It's a dinosaur...

steveg89 · 2011-07-16, 11:59 AM

As for that message when web pages load, update flash and java. Those can both cause "this script may slow your computer" messages because they're badly coded (ads).

BananaSalad · 2011-07-16, 12:19 PM

Don't run in safe mode,and it looks like you just need more RAM, which can be kinda costy:V.
Sometimes getting a new computer is the better option lol.

Also try defragging your computer , gets rid of stuff you don't need/use anymore and it may run slightly faster.

Alex123123 · 2011-07-16, 05:05 PM

Oh, I forgot about something else. Does your computer resets the date every time you shut it down?

If it does, then its internal battery might be dying out. So you might want to save some money to buy an internal battery too...

Anyway. If the date of the computer is set wrong, you will be unable to access some sites (hotmail, perhaps facebook) because of certificate/cookie issues. Perhaps this is why you have problems accessing some sites?

/Just throwing this out here.

Tristan · 2011-07-16, 10:11 PM

Alex123123 Wrote:Oh, I forgot about something else. Does your computer resets the date every time you shut it down?

If it does, then its internal battery might be dying out. So you might want to save some money to buy an internal battery too...

Anyway. If the date of the computer is set wrong, you will be unable to access some sites (hotmail, perhaps facebook) because of certificate/cookie issues. Perhaps this is why you have problems accessing some sites?

/Just throwing this out here.

Cmos battery costs like 1 buck at the grocery store.

Alex123123 · 2011-07-16, 11:24 PM

It's more like, $2 something for one.

That's the difference between going to sleep with Chef Boyardee AND Lays on your stomach. Or going to sleep without eating at all.

Tristan · 2011-07-17, 07:34 AM

Spaghetti-O's are where its at bro.

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