Blackout

I don't know whether this is an IE problem or a Windows ME problem, but lately I've been surfing along and all of a sudden the screen goes black and then I'm taken to the standard error message, "click enter to return to Windows." After I push the enter button I am taken back to my desktop, still connected to the 'net.

Does anybody have a clue as to what is causing this event?

Jerry

 

Hi Jerry
Can you give us a few more computer specs? Have you gone into device manager and looked for any yellow splats?


Daizy

 

I just checked Device Manager and there is nary a yellow dot. I'm running Windows ME and IE 5.5. I have had my share of freezeups but I know that's from memory overload. But this is different. It's like the web site is telling me, "Don't even think about it." For example, I click on an email to open it and it's lights out time. Screen goes black and then the generic blue screen telling em there is and error and push enter to bla bla bla. So I go back to my desktob and click on the explorer icon and I'm back online.

Jerry

 

What are your resources at, after a fresh boot?
Again......can you give us a few system specs? Computer size......ram?


Daizy

 

To eliminate a couple of possibilities, visit this page and purge your TIF.

 

Daisy, I have Systems Resources 31% free, 191.0 MB Ram, lotsa room on the Hrddrive, Windows ME, IE 5.5.

Brett, what is TIF. Anyway, I followed the link and eliminated one parasite. The other required using DOS to change the register and I know not how to get into DOS.

Thanks for your help.

Jerry

 

Sorry, TIF = Temporary Internet Files. To purge 'em, open Internet Explorer and click Tools - Internet Options - Delete Files. This'll explain to how to get to DOS.

 

31% at a fresh boot? This sounds like a Compaq machine and all the little things they have decided you need to run at startup. Would you post a listing of everything running at startup?
Start\Run, type in Msconfig and press Enter, click on the Startup tab.

 

I'm sorry Mark. I hadn't rebooted when I gave the reading. I rebooted and checked. I ahve system resources of 61% It is an HP machine and I clean it with Window Washer daily.

I'm going to be off the rest of the day but i will be back tomorrow afternoon.

Jerry

 

61% is still awfully low to start with.
When you have time, do as markp62 has suggested, and we'll get your resources to a better place.

Daizy

 

Ok, here 'tis.

Taskbar Display Controls
Bookmarks
Washer
SpySweeper
ScanRegistry
TaskMonitor
PCHealth
SystemTray
LoadPowerProfile
Hidserv
Key Board Manager
HPScanPatch
hpsysdrv
Delay
Accelerate2002
MCAgentExe
MCUpdateExe
LoadQM
VirusScan ONline
HPDJ Taskbar Utility
LoadPowerProfile
SchedulingAgent
SSDPSRV
StateMgr
run=

Wow. I know nothing about a lot of those.

Jerry

 

Jerry

Download and install this:

Startup control
http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

This gives simple and full control of what starts at boot up.

After install there will be a Startup icon in control panel.

Why this over Msconfig? Msconfig only allows unchecking/disabling of items. Startup Control panel allows deleting items or moving from startup to run as a service etc.

After install uncheck all the ones I marked with XXXX. This does not delete or remove only takes out of autostart. After you uncheck them reboot.

One of these could be your problem. If everything is now better put them back one at a time untill you find the problem. I will guess the LoadQm, Mcaffee online or the Accelerate thing.

Mike

see below

Taskbar Display Controls XXXX
Bookmarks
Washer
SpySweeper XXXXX
ScanRegistry
TaskMonitor XXXXX TOTALAY USELESS
PCHealth
SystemTray
LoadPowerProfile
Hidserv XXXX
Key Board Manager
HPScanPatch XXXXX needed only if you have a scanner thennot in startup
hpsysdrv XXXX
Delay XXXX
Accelerate2002 XXXX
MCAgentExe
MCUpdateExe
LoadQM XXXX useless
VirusScan ONline XXXX
HPDJ Taskbar Utility XXXXX
LoadPowerProfile
SchedulingAgent
SSDPSRV
StateMgr

 

OK, I unchecked everything you indicated except Accelerator and Spy Sweeper. I like Acceleartor because it gets me on the net faster and spy sweeper cleans the snoops. I just rebooted and still have 61%, and a note that this is max performance for this computer.

I'll let you know if this fixed the problem.

Jerry

 

No Jerry

We are not getting rid of them only stopping them for testing purposes.

You may be surprised!

I have found most Accelerators to actually be Deccelerators! And even if it is Accelerating you to get online it may also be reved up to about redline at 7500 rpm to do it. Smile!

Stop these also! Heck all you have to do to put them back is recheck them and reboot!

Mike

 

From what I read on the Accelerate2002, you can go ahead and stop it from starting up. It changes settings in the registry to optimize the internet MTU, TTL, and others. Once these are done, they are done. There are free tweaking apps that would have done the same thing, and they do not load everytime at startup. How many times do you want to put the same settings in?
Try it and see.
The Spy Sweeper's job can be done by SpyBot Search & Destroy, a free app, and it doesn't need to load at startup. It is the best out there.
A quote from this page on Spy Sweeper.

 

OK, so far so good. I'm downloading SpybotSD now and will uncheck Accellerator. I've already paid for Spy Sweepter but I'll try Spybot anyway

I'll let you know wht happens tomorrow.

Jerry

 

I think that did it. I have 73% free now and haven't had a blackout yet. I did ahve one crash, however, but i think that was my fault.

Thanks a mill folks. You are super. Let's close it up now.

Jerry