Problem with Crashing

**lifehacker** · April 13th, 2006, 04:22 PM

Ok so here is my problem. My computer started crashing an awful lot about three days ago. I am using Windows XP sp2, have a 1.34 ghz processor, 224 RAM, and a 1000mb paging file.

Before you ask if I have done this, let me say the following:
-Yes, I am clean of viruses, spyware, malware, adware, etc. Scanned by NOD32, BitDefender, Ad-aware, SpyBot and a-squared.
-Yes, I have defragmented.

I dont remember any major changes made at the time the problems started. Also this is only a theory but it seems that every application that places files into the Local Settings/Temp folder causes a crash (again I might be wrong and this could be only a coincidence).

The problem does not occur randomely there are specific applications that cause my PC to crash. I will be very thankful for any help.

**cheapprick** · April 13th, 2006, 05:09 PM

Which applications?

**nukehella** · April 13th, 2006, 05:19 PM

Do you have any Windows Explorer add-ons?Like if you go and right click a folder,do you see any file managers or file viewing type programs in the drop down menu that aren't native to windows?

**littlebits** · April 13th, 2006, 05:25 PM

Did you run a scan desk error checking? If not it will usually solve most system crashes.

Here is how to do it- http://www.bsu.edu/ucs/article/0,137...7-4756,00.html

Thanks.

**multi** · April 13th, 2006, 05:33 PM

what sort of crash ?
screen and pointer freeze up sort of crash ,sudden reboot, BSOD ?

try
run... drwatson
and then an app that gets it to crash
that might get some info on whats causing it
providing you dont have to hit the reset button to get out of the crash

also check your event viewer (computer management)

**lifehacker** · April 13th, 2006, 05:48 PM

Originally Posted by cheapprick

Which applications?

So far the following: mencodersh.exe, laumin.exe (both are parts of PocketDiVx encoder), then ABC usinstallation caused a crash, and installation of a program called SOMPY enoder. These are the application that so far have caused crashes, and there probably are more that I have yet to discover.

Originally Posted by nukehella

Do you have any Windows Explorer add-ons?Like if you go and right click a folder,do you see any file managers or file viewing type programs in the drop down menu that aren't native to windows?

I use a secondary file manager called Explorer Plus.

Originally Posted by multi

what sort of crash ?
screen and pointer freeze up sort of crash ,sudden reboot, BSOD ?

Its a sudden reboot

I am going to try the tools that littlebits and multi suggested and tell you if there are any changes.

**cheapprick** · April 13th, 2006, 06:07 PM

How is your power supply? If it came on suddenly and your software/hardware is unchanged that's a good bet.

**nukehella** · April 13th, 2006, 06:58 PM

Originally Posted by lifehacker

I use a secondary file manager called Explorer Plus.

.

If you don't have any luck with your other attempts try uninstalling Explorer Plus.I'd try it first actually.

**lifehacker** · April 13th, 2006, 07:22 PM

Originally Posted by nukehella

If you don't have any luck with your other attempts try uninstalling Explorer Plus.I'd try it first actually.

Why do you think this will help?

Originally Posted by littlebits

Did you run a scan desk error checking? If not it will usually solve most system crashes.

Here is how to do it- http://www.bsu.edu/ucs/article/0,137...7-4756,00.html

Thanks.

I didn't know you meant chkdsk, yes I ran that already and it didnt help. : (

Originally Posted by cheapprick

How is your power supply? If it came on suddenly and your software/hardware is unchanged that's a good bet.

My power supply is unchanged. If it was a power problem, wouldnt the crashing occur on a non-application specific basis?

**lifehacker** · April 13th, 2006, 07:35 PM

Just had another crash, this time it was caused by ZoomPlayer.

**shawners** · April 13th, 2006, 07:43 PM

224 Ram?? 256 or 512mb... I think honestly that windows need at least 512, especially when your encoding and as windows is running. I stoped alot of crashes by avoiding spyware, and adware blaster of sorts. To me i just use regmechanic, and windows washer. It clears the clutter, and then afterwards you may want to go back to an earlier time to when it was running normal if you have an earlier date saved.

**The Hunter** · April 13th, 2006, 07:49 PM

I can easily run xp pro with 256 of ram, it may be a bit slow for people that let everything run, but it will work. Hell it will run with less ram than that if you are careful. Im presently running xp on a 950 celleron, with 512 ram, and multitasking very easily.

**littlebits** · April 13th, 2006, 07:53 PM

1.Try System Restore, go back before the last 3 days that the errors started to occur.
2. Start your computer in safe mode and select last known configuration that worked.
3. Check your system startup with msconfig, disable all of the startup program that are
not necessary to run your computer. Restart your computer.
4. If that doesn't work use msconfig and select diagnostic startup and restart your computer.

Hope that helps.:icon_sunn

**nukehella** · April 13th, 2006, 08:05 PM

Originally Posted by lifehacker

Why do you think this will help?

?

I had a similar problem recently.I had a program called folder size extension ,which is a explorer extension program ,running.Sometimes when I used it to look at a system folder my computer would freeze up(usually while playing jetaudio with a lot of windows open) or sometimes crash outright.It just started happening one day,maybe after a windows update or maybe not.
I did a lot of googling and I saw a lot of problems caused by these kinds of programs.I don't use it any more and have had no problems.I'm not 100% sure that was my problem as there was a motherboard involved that would fail prime95 after 6 hours or so.