Computer freezes up

Hello, this computer locks up when ever it feels like while on line.
It is a Gateway 500XL , Pent 2.6 GHz, 512MB, 80GB, 5 months old.
Using Gateway tech support they tried on line many fixes to no avail. Say it is software problem, came with Windows XP home. My question is can I just reload XP on top of existing XP to maybe correct the problem. I don't want to format drive.

 

Hello Big Foot,

You can try subtracting software that's running while on-line and see if you can isolate a problem process either running in the tray or in the "background" - use TaskManager to see whats running. XP's services "bundled" under SVCHOST.EXE's. That's another issue to look into.

Startup software finder:
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm See if they are needed.

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm This one's for XP's services.

Or - you can try a repair of IE6:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=KB;EN-US;Q318378

Regards - Charles

 

If you've already scanned for and removed spyware by downloading, installing, immediately updating and running Spybot and AdAware and the problem continues then, yes, can install Windows over itself.

Put the Gateway restore CD into the CD drive and reboot and follow the instructions on the screen. It will (or should) offer the option to reinstall Windows without formatting the drive first.

 

I have a similar problem, occasionally, but the freezes are not limited to being online. I stumbled on my cure by accident- reset CMOS. (open case, disconnect power supply, move jumper pins (consult your Mobo manual) put it back, reconnect power, reboot.) Then all is well for another few months. You could try it- can't hurt anything, and you won't lose any data or settings, before you do a reinstall. If you do a reinstall, do it clean (do not choose the "repair" functions) or you'll probably just carry your problems over. Post back and let us know what works for your comp.

Johanna