My home desktop is crapping out on me. It is an Emachine with Celeron drive running Windows XP.

I am running AVG for virus scanner and Spyware. I have also tried Adware and the Yahoo download and am still having problems. I am at the point where I want to just format and restart the whole dang thing, but I don't have a disk.

Any suggestions? I don't have anything on the computer that I can't replace.

Thanks

do you want it workin or are ya just fishin? did ya try all the stuff i say?

http://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/inde...howtopic=275814

post #46

http://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/inde...44853&st=45

all explained in detail here

http://www.hardcoresledder.com/forums/inde...howtopic=222785

You'll spend days running all of ZLZEBUB's programs to still have your computer run slower than it should. Here is what you need to do:

1. Find your serial number and which version of XP you are running. If you aren't sure what you have, google a program called Rock XP. It will find which version of windows you have, and also your serial number. This can also be used to save Office serial numbers etc.

2. Acquire an install disk that for your version of XP. If you have to, borrow one from a friend or download one on bittorent. If you can't do either, call Emachines and see if they will send you a disk. The key is what you pay for. It may be illegal to download, but you already paid for the copy. I think in Canada you are safe.

3. Do a complete format of your hard drive upon installation of XP. Install the remaining drivers.

4. Enjoy your computer that will now run like the day you bought it. I've been days trying to get rid of viruses, most times it is just easier to reinstall windows.

If you have questions yet, feel free to post.

No fishin here. When I posted this at home, it was all the computer would do, I had such problems trying to search and the thing crashing that I didn't even look. I will be trying again tonight...Thanks

spybot!!
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

If all your computer would do is post to HCS, don't even try to fix that install of Windows.

Well, I tried ZLZEBUB's method, and it helped, but didn't fix everything so I "attempted" a format and re-install of windows (I think this is where I F'ed up).

I have a windows install disk (windows program) and when I tried to install it, everything worked great until it restarted.....
It would get run to the startup window then the blue screen of death would show up and it would restart again. Did this for an hour before I gave up on it. Now I can't get it started up at all.

I have everything backed up that I wanted, and just wondering if there is anything else I should try before I send it in and have it reformatted and windows re-installed.

Another question is what about a different operating system? Is it a good idea for a semi computer retarded guy like myself or not? I was framiliar enough with 95 and ME that I had no issue running them, cleaning them up, etc. Not sure why XP has got me so stumped and such a problem for me. I don't even want to look at the wife's laptop with Vista on it.

P.S. It is windows XP home edition. I have never had this problem with previous edditions of windows as I have been able to get them in DOS mode and do the work there. Apparently I can't do this with XP

Emachines are famous for the power supplies not lasting long, they can cause power spikes as well and mess up the motherboard or anything else.

If you have a funky power supply it can cause the problems you mention and be a bear to track down as you will be chasing software problems instead. Maybe get that tested before you go much farther.

Thanks. Called a friend of my dads. He is going to look at it tonight. He figured he had everything he needed to fix it either way.

well ya tried eh......the last thing ya want to do is a fresh install.....but teamgreen says this all the time.....had a feeling you might do what he says.....oh well.....when you ran what i said and it didn't fix everything then you should call me or post here again.....it was probably one more simple sweep or something.....maybe avast needed time to reset all the settings.....after doing what i say you should always go to bed and unplug the puter especilally if its a laptop.....then restart everything in the morn....should start slowly working good and will get faster and faster as the day goes on.....then it should run like a champ.....so once you get it going again run AVAST HOME for main security....CCLEANER to sweep it out and clean registry.....SPYBOT to immunize and block 51,000 known viruses......thats all you really need.....reload the XP again and update it

You can also download a tool called Hyjackthis.....it will search your registry and also your startup to see what is running and will allow you to delete the executable that is causing the problem. The thing with this program is you have to be very careful with what you delete, you have to know what is running on your computer to be sure not to delete the wrong program.

In the past I found that Adaware does work but not for everything. All the major AV's have free tools that you can download to clean off viruses. We run Kaspersky at work and I also run it on all my PCs at home and it detects everything and cleans very well.