Resolved Win XP System Errors

Hello and happy Independence Day,

My father bought a "re-manufactured" computer and I have been giving it a good once over since he has told me that it is crashing on him. I have checked it for viruses and malware using Avast free, Ad-Aware, Spybot S&D, and Advanced System Care free.

These programs show no malicious software on the hard Drive, however ASC shows 469 system errors, as well as 175 unoptimized settings. The program wants you to upgrade before you can see any detailed information.

I have used several free diagnostic programs in an attempt to find the system errors, to no avail. I have also used some highly recommended free registry cleaners, which brought the system errors down from 698 to the current 469.

Any help would be greatly appreciated, I've tried pretty much everything that I know of and seem to be at an impasse here.

Thank you in advance

 

I don't use ASC, so I can't comment on its recommendations.

Only Viruses/malware don't cause crash. Flaky Hardware can also be a culprit.

When the computer crashes what happens - does it reboots, hangs or you get a blue screen ? After how much time ? What are the specs ? Was Windows installed again ?

 

Gateway, Low Profile model (horizontal Tower), Win XP Pro SP 3 with all critical updates current, Celeron 3.06 GHZ, 1024 MB shared ram 992 MB available, 40 GB HDD, 3-1/2 Floppy, CD-RW, 56 K modem, Standard on boards.

The company that re-manufactured the tower stated that the OS was reinstalled, however I don't see how it could have registry errors if this were true.

Since I found and fixed the 200 plus registry errors, Windows has not crashed. When it was crashing, it would usually hang on start-up or shortly thereafter, so the first thing I did was turn off all unnecessary start-up programs.

I have seen machines with so many viruses/malware that the ram was totally used on start-up.

I have used several diagnostic programs to check for hardware issues, to no avail.

Any ideas?

 

Either the company does not seems to be telling the truth or they botched up somewhere. You could watch it for a couple of days more. If it behaves then ok, else you may start to think about reinstall.

 

It did not come with the installation or restoration cd's.

The programs tend to freeze and then catch up to themselves, indicating that there are still problems.

I just ran a program called Binaware Error Messages 2006, which came up with 14,000 + messages. I won't post them here, the list is too long. However, if you or any forum members would like to review the list, I'd be happy to PM it.

Also Sygate Personal firewall has just reported that the ntoskernel process is trying to do an ICMP echo request to my att modem's setup address. This is something that I have never seen nor heard of it happening, and I know very little about networking. The LAN is currently connected to the second port of my modem.

 

If the programs freeze & then suddenly start again, it may be due to your CPU [Celeron]. You should also check your hard disk with the hard disk manufacturer's utility to check if there are some bad or on the edge blocks. Also scan your Windows logs for any clues.

I don't have much faith in these error message programs as they tend to go over the top as nobody would pay if the software don't scare the user with all types of messages.

 

Good advice rs, I'll do both of these and post any results that i find before i close this thread.

Thanks so much for your help.

 

Seem is the operative word here arie, I have found problems using rs's advice and will post them when i get the chance.

 

Thank you rs for your help and please tell arie that I, as a member, did not appreciate his 'two cents', you did just fine without it. In my opinion this site does not need an administrator with an attitude like his. He should go develop something for Microsoft that actually does what it promises if he knows so much.

I found dll errors in the windows logs and was able to get them to reload using the administrative tools.

Next, I downloaded Sea Tools for dos and performed a long scan on the hard drive. ST ended up reallocating several sectors of the drive. Now the computer runs like it was fresh from the manufacturer.

Again I thank you for your time and effort rs.

PS, If I could vote arie out as admin, I'd do so in a heartbeat.

 

Glad to be of help.