Posted by TCMN on 2/3/06 4:21pm
Msg #94000

PAW....SHANE....ANY COMPUTER GENIUS...

I have had it.
I have had this new computer since Jan 14th, 2006 and since last night it take forever and a day to restart or shut down. It can't seem to open a word document or Excel unless I try the Microsoft Office Tools and "force" it to. I did a system restore and it still wont and I restored it ALL the way back to the Jan 18th when I had just opened it and only had the updates that said I had to have when I turned the damn thing on.

I have not had any issues. Been there done that when it comes to the Spybot and everything. I have it scanned daily for everything and then when I retreat from being on the internet, I do my OWN scans with spybot, etc. to just be extra safe.


I've got XP Media, also says something about
Version 2002
Service pack 2

I have more than enough memory, etc.

ANYONE who can help me...PLEEEEEEEAAAAAAAASSSSSSSEEE???????

Reply by Nd_WA on 2/3/06 4:35pm
Msg #94024

I had the same problem as yours when I built mine. I think it has somethings to do with winXP SP2. My problem was fixed by uninstalling the winxp/sp2 then reinstall the older version of winxp and downloaded all the updates from MSN.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/3/06 4:36pm
Msg #94025

Windows XP SP2, is loaded with flaws last I check...

Let me do some research and get back with you...

Reply by eXpedN_TX on 2/3/06 4:38pm
Msg #94029

SP2 has flaws, but for some people it works great. What type of computer are you using?

Reply by TCMN on 2/3/06 5:01pm
Msg #94053

eXpendN....

I have HP and I must tell you, I was reading that the "Updates for HP" should only need about 1-3 times a month maybe for updates, etc? I swear its on ALL the time.

I spent about 4 hours last night on the help and troubleshooting pages of Microsoft. Has of it they say, never heard of it. Hmmmm when it says wil has something to do with Office or Application Hang....

I'm so tired of this stuff. I don't know how to be more protected with my scans, etc. I just don't get it.

Reply by eXpedN_TX on 2/3/06 10:12pm
Msg #94155

Re: eXpendN....I'm back....

Hi TCMN -

I think its good to run updates at the very least...weekly. There are so many hackers out there now that you never know?!?!?

Are you running any type of Antivirus Software as well? Symantec can also raise havoc with your firewall. Also, if your computer came with an antivirus software (test) package and you installed another, that can cause issues as well.

It's hard to get help from calling computer helpdesk call centers. It is very frustrating and half the time they have no clue. Their answer is usually to reinstall everything. I do, however, find the web very helpful with resolving issues. I recently had an issue with my laptop not being able to view HTTPS websites...I looked it up on a google search, and low and behold, a bunch of recommendations resulted in a 5 minute fix.

It could also be that you have a faulty computer and I would recommend exchanging it and/or having the co. you bought it from fix it. I used to put 500-700 laptops together a summer and about 5 of those would have some sort of issue. Maybe you got the lemmon of the bunch?!?!?

Did Shanes idea about the firewall fix the issue?

Reply by srnotary_CA on 2/3/06 4:39pm
Msg #94030

There have been alot of problems with xp sp2. At least thats what my huby said and he refuses to get the update or whatever it is iand install it fdor anyone. He has had to fix to many computers because of it.

Reply by TCMN on 2/3/06 4:46pm
Msg #94036

Nd, Shane...THANNNNNK YOUUUU. I'm about to

show my neighbors what a computer looks like going out a second story window.

I swear if I figure out how to get the software downloads to work with Apple, I will buy the iMac I was going to before I got this thing.

The signing I had this morning, he is a filmmaker and said that he thought there is a program that will convert those viewers, etc. Since he had 2 nice little iMacs sitting in his studio with the rest of his set up, I am inclined to think he night know something about them.

Microsoft is the WORST. Nothing like put a bandaid on all their problems instead of fixing it in the first place, like Apple will. If Apple only had the $ dollars that Bill Gates had at the time...People would realize how much superior Apple is to Microsoft Windows.

Reply by eXpedN_TX on 2/3/06 4:52pm
Msg #94043

Re: Nd, Shane...THANNNNNK YOUUUU. I'm about to

I agree MAC is better. My mom worked for the computation center at Dartmouth College, so I got to gropw up with them. The money wasn't the issue, Microsoft made it so their software worked on many platforms. Mac didn't, therefore, to make the Mac work you HAD to buy MAC software....anyway....

If you have a chance to look, or can get your computer to respond long enough to read, there are some things you can do to help your computers performance. You can get a lot of info. at http://support.microsoft.com

Type in your problem description and a lot of info. will pop up. If you can, see if some of your resources are being "hogged" when you can. You can view this off of the task manager. You right mouse click in the bottom of your screen, click task mananger, then Processes. If you see soemthing out of whack, you can search on the link I said above and they can give you suggestions on how to fix it. If you computer is new, you should also be able to take it back to where you bought it and have them take a look at it for free.

Computer issues are such a pain!!! I wish you lots of luck!!!

Reply by Anonymous on 2/3/06 6:24pm
Msg #94097

Is the date you wrote correct 1-14-06 or did you mean 05? Return it, if it's just a little over 2 weeks old.

Reply by TCMN on 2/3/06 7:32pm
Msg #94123

Anon...yes, that is

the correct date 2006. I know it's only a couple weeks. I will take it back should I not be able to get it figured out. But have you ever had a computer that you didn't back up one week and you have it almost dead and you have to race like hell to get the info off? Well, that happen and I can tell you I have hated every last second trying to put it onto the new computer, run my businesses still in the process, then have to ALSO do taxes and get forms out by a deadline that could've been two weeks later to give me some chance in hell of not staying awake through a night, and then have this happen to? And I won't complain that I was vey busy these last two weeks and if I can pull off the next two the same or close, then I've got a good beginning year going.
Besides, if take it back, someone will be fired or hurt before I leave since I had idiots tending the store the day I was there and it took an hour and a half to buy the damn thing and I knew what I wanted. (should've been the sign)

So, rather than take it in and have them have my business in their hands for a day or two, first I'd like to fix it if possible, then put it on their desk and say it's yours, give me a new one NOW!


So, if anyone has any ideas??? the drive up is open for input. And thanks in advance

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/3/06 9:34pm
Msg #94146

My first instinct is to update the drivers for everything. Make sure you have the most recent versions, and there are no conflicts in hardward manager..

My 2nd guess, and this is a stretch but it looks like it could affect some people.... Turn off the Windows firewall...

If you dont' know how to do these, let me know, ,I'll post it...or your could do a google search...its fairly easy.

Reply by Shane_OH on 2/3/06 9:42pm
Msg #94150

Instructions to turn off Windows Firewall

Click Start, then Control Panel
Click on Security Center (icon)
Click on the Windows Firewall
Select Off even though it says (Not recommended)...

Then close out. And you'll get a red balloon pop up that says windows firewall is off. You need to click on that balloon, and a box pops up.

Click the "Recommendations" pop up
Click on the "I have a firewall that I'll monitor myself" option
Click Okay, and close the window

That should hopefully solve your problem.

Reply by TCMN on 2/4/06 1:43am
Msg #94186

Shane, I'll try that, thanks. I'll let ya know! n/m