Windows XP Experts - Any clue what is wrong?

02/25/2006 05:56:19 AM · #1

Our desktop computer is having issues. Here are a few problems:
1) We cannot access windowsupdate.microsoft.com . We just get a white page that keeps loading but never comes up
2) About 3% of webpages do not display correctly. Things will be out of place. Netflix.com is one of them. We use Compuserve for our email and the Compuserve main pages do not display correctly.
3) A few webpages don't seem to recognize our system as being XP. Napster.com tells us we must be using XP to download their program.
4) A few webpages give us the following error. This one is from the mpix.com homepage. I can access mpix.com/forums just fine. :

-----------
Server Error in '/' Application.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Runtime Error
Description: An application error occurred on the server. The current custom error settings for this application prevent the details of the application error from being viewed remotely (for security reasons). It could, however, be viewed by browsers running on the local server machine.

Details: To enable the details of this specific error message to be viewable on remote machines, please create a tag within a "web.config" configuration file located in the root directory of the current web application. This tag should then have its "mode" attribute set to "Off".

Notes: The current error page you are seeing can be replaced by a custom error page by modifying the "defaultRedirect" attribute of the application's configuration tag to point to a custom error page URL.

----------------
Hopefully that previews right!

4) Photoshop CS2 runs REALLY slow when using the paint brush and font tools specifically. We have a 3.0ghz processor and 2gigs of RAM.

Anyways...I have most everything backed up on the computer but I REALLY wish we could fix this problem without reformatting the hard drive. I probably have 125 gigs of pictures on this computer and it would be a PAIN to have to reload them onto the computer.

Thanks for any help!
Jenn

Message edited by author 2006-02-25 05:57:45.

Nazgul

02/25/2006 06:04:34 AM · #2

youÂ´re basicly fuct, go get a Mac:D

02/25/2006 06:07:41 AM · #3

Originally posted by Nazgul:

youÂ´re basicly fuct, go get a Mac:D

LOL! I have never used a Mac and my dad was big into computers. My first computer when I was a kid was an old Commodore 64 followed by some IBM what only had green writing/pictures on the screen and then Windows systems.

I'd be lost LOL

Nazgul

02/25/2006 06:08:59 AM · #4

Originally posted by JRalston:

Originally posted by Nazgul:
youÂ´re basicly fuct, go get a Mac:D

LOL! I have never used a Mac and my dad was big into computers. My first computer when I was a kid was an old Commodore 64 followed by some IBM what only had green writing/pictures on the screen and then Windows systems.

I'd be lost LOL

If youÂ´re lost you can be found, but if your fuct you have no chance of beein unfuct:p

but seriously it seems like your operating system has serious problems and it might be a good idea to format/reinstall it.....

Message edited by author 2006-02-25 06:11:51.

peecee

02/25/2006 06:21:56 AM · #5

Have you tried system restore? probably something you have installed that has caused it.If all else fails try reinstalling/repair using the installation disc. I see reformatting only as a last resort.

Canon EF-S 18-55mm f/3.5-5.6

02/25/2006 06:37:30 AM · #6

Originally posted by peecee:

Have you tried system restore? probably something you have installed that has caused it.If all else fails try reinstalling/repair using the installation disc. I see reformatting only as a last resort.

Yes, my husband said he tried the system restore and it worked until he restarted the computer. Our computer did not come with an istallation disc. The install files were loaded on a separate partition of the hard drive.

dolphnz8

Canon EOS-350D Rebel XT

02/25/2006 06:48:15 AM · #7

I am no computer guru, however, based on some problems I had that were similar, I had dowloaded some programs that interfered with existing programs. When I downloaded. I had to reconfigure my color bits and resolution when I installed The Print Shop, Bauderband, because none of my editing programs were displaying properly. I uninstalled it, went to restore, then reinstalled.

front_element

Nikon D700

Nikon AF-S NIKKOR 24-70mm f/2.8G ED

02/25/2006 06:52:02 AM · #8

There are a few things that are worth trying:

* Run a virus check
* Run a spyware/adware check
* Defragment the hard drive partitions (right click on drive icon/select properties/select tools/select defrag now...)
* Re-install the compuserve software

02/25/2006 06:58:11 AM · #9

Originally posted by front_element:

We have tried all 4 of those...nothing helps. :o( What a pain, eh?

Canon EF 24-105mm f/4.0L IS

02/25/2006 06:59:00 AM · #10

Originally posted by dolphnz8:

I wish we knew WHAT caused the issue. We have had this problem, and have been trying to solve it, for several months now. Fun stuff. LOL

samanwar

Canon EOS-5D Mark III

02/25/2006 07:28:43 AM · #11

Jennifer, I am an IT manager and I fix these kind of problems everyday, Most likely you have some kind of malware installed on your computer, probably not a virus but a silly adware.

If you have a friend who's in the computer business who is near by, ask for their help, it may be a 5 minutes job.

If not, then try this:
In Internet Explorer, click on the Tools Menu, select "Internet Options"
On the first tab, there is a group called "Temporary Internet Files", in that group Click Settings, then click "View Objects".
It will open a folder, delete everything in that folder.
Immediately reboot the computer.

Try again the windows update web site and let me know ..

02/25/2006 07:52:36 AM · #12

Originally posted by samanwar:

Thank you so much for your time!

I did as you said. It gave me a little big of trouble, I had to do it twice. Two errors came up the first time:
1)DrWatson Postmortem Debugger has encountered a problem & needs to close
2)There is not enough info available too complete removal of JavaRuntimeEnvironment 1.2.1_02 . Please check add/remove programs control panel for more removal options

The 2nd came up the 2nd time. However, upon reboot the folder is now empty.

The problems still exist.

Jenn

edited to add that we just moved to Guam from the US and don't know many people yet :) My husbands is the one a lot of people come to for computer problems but he cannot figure this one out.

Message edited by author 2006-02-25 07:54:05.

Strikeslip

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/25/2006 07:58:36 AM · #13

You can also check to see what's running at startup, which may help, especially if a system restore worked until a reboot.

Start -> Run -> type in msconfig -> OK -> go to the Startup tab and uncheck EVERYTHING except your anitvirus (your antivirus might start a couple of apps). -> OK -> restart.

Hope this helps.

I'm an advocate of wipe & reinstall in extreme cases, though it's a HUGE pain in the neck. You should be able to do it from that partition your PC came with. I sure understand why anybody would want to avoid that, though.

brownt

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

02/25/2006 08:02:42 AM · #14

A great wee program that'll help clean out all of the stored Internet Explorer files is called Easy Cleaner. Download it from here then install it.

When you open the program, lick on the Clear Files button to remove the rubbish that may be installed.

It's also a good idea to install a program to deal with spyware. I've made up a page on this on my own site, click here and follow what it says : //www.brownt.co.uk/support/spyware.htm

Now, one other thing that would be VERY useful should you have any more problems is to get a copy of the device drivers on your computer. You'e mentioned you didn't get any restore disks, if everything does go wrong in the future, you'll be glad you did this.

So, download this : //www.brownt.co.uk/dpc/WinDrvExpert.exe
Click the Collect All button
Click the Make All button
This will sav ethe files to the My Drivers folder on your C:\ drive.

Copy these files to a CD and don't loose it!!

If all of this doesn't help, you could install another web browser. This would show if it's Internet Explorer that's broken, rather than anything else.

Firefox or Opera are good places to start.

If these work, IE's broken.

There is a way to reinstall it, a wee bit technical but you'd be fine if you followed the steps. More info here : //support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?kbid=318378#XSLTH3140121123120121120120

Have fun :-)

Canon EF 70-200mm f/4.0L USM

02/25/2006 08:24:37 AM · #15

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

THIS FIXED IT!!!!!!! My husband now is turning one thing back on at a time to find out the corrupt program. We'll keep you updated!!!!!!

brownt

Canon EOS-450D Rebel XSi

02/25/2006 08:29:02 AM · #16

Originally posted by Strikeslip:

I'm an advocate of wipe & reinstall in extreme cases, though it's a HUGE pain in the neck. You should be able to do it from that partition your PC came with. I sure understand why anybody would want to avoid that, though.

I used to hate reformatting my machines, liked to do it every few monthst though to get rid of any cr*p installed.

Then I found //www.autopatcher.com/

You download the full version of the program (there are monthly updated too) Once you've installed XP, or 2000 etc you run AutoPatcher and it installs every patch included in that version.

I have the December full version, so when I reformatted a machine last week, I loaded the program on, ran it and it does every Microsoft patch plus loads of other useful programs and tweaks.

Definately something everyone should know about, saved me a good few hours clicking all over the place!

peecee

02/25/2006 08:50:25 AM · #17

I know it has been said on numerous occasions but I always create a system restore point before any installation of new software, it has saved my bacon many times.
Glad you appear to have found the problem.

02/25/2006 08:55:26 AM · #18

P.S. THANK YOU THANK YOU THANK YOU to everyone who helpd or tried to help. You have made my....February...LOL

We do seem to be having problems with keeping the autoprotect on Norton on. We may try a reinstall there.

Strikeslip

02/25/2006 09:01:29 AM · #19

Originally posted by JRalston:

Originally posted by Strikeslip:
You can also check to see what's running at startup, which may help, especially if a system restore worked until a reboot.

Start -> Run -> type in msconfig -> OK -> go to the Startup tab and uncheck EVERYTHING except your anitvirus (your antivirus might start a couple of apps). -> OK -> restart.

Hope this helps.

I'm an advocate of wipe & reinstall in extreme cases, though it's a HUGE pain in the neck. You should be able to do it from that partition your PC came with. I sure understand why anybody would want to avoid that, though.

THIS FIXED IT!!!!!!! My husband now is turning one thing back on at a time to find out the corrupt program. We'll keep you updated!!!!!!

Sweet! I'm glad it helped.

I'm also an advocate of not installing anit- this & that software. The only thing you'll find on my PC's is AVG Antivirus. The fewer apps you have installed the better. Thoughtfull PC use has kept me problem-free for over a decade.

Strikeslip

02/25/2006 09:06:55 AM · #20

Originally posted by JRalston:

Do yourself a favour, uninstall Norton and throw out the CD, and never use it again.

Go here, to get the free version of AVG Antivirus. I've been using it for years on many PC's & laptops. It does the job better than Norton, and it is MUCH lighter on system resources. I've turfed out Norton and replaced it with AVG on many friends' PC's and they're always impressed by how much faster their PC runs.

soup

Canon EOS-30D

02/25/2006 09:16:11 AM · #21

this seems a little sketchy... what are you going to do if the HD fails? who has the copy of the install CD that was supposed to ship with your computer? i'd ask the people you got the PC from for the CD.

Originally posted by JRalston:

The install files were loaded on a separate partition of the hard drive.

peecee

Sigma 18-250mm f/3.5-6.3 DC OS HSM

02/25/2006 09:28:24 AM · #22

I would echo previous comments and get rid of norton, it is intrusive and memory hogging,I got avg and use the xp firewall and my pc has speeded up no end.

NathanWert

Canon EOS-90D

02/25/2006 09:46:26 AM · #23

Originally posted by JRalston:

You must have an HP. If You can go to their website (from any computer)you might be able to get them to send you one in the mail (it was actually required of them at one time by a court order).

awpollard

Canon EOS-5D Mark II