Browser Freezes / Hard Reset

[jerh]

Hello.

I have a computer that's several years old.
P3, 501 mhz, 640 mb ram
Originally running W98. Upgraded to WXP SP2.

When I go online, the browser freezes on certain websites. Not sure if it's the java, flash or something else causing it. I have to hit the reset button every time.

I'm using the latest version of Firefox. Downloaded the latest version of IE, Java, Flash. Still happens. No virus, no spyware.

What's the problem here? What else do I need to look at?

Any help would be greatly appreciated.

Thanks

J

[davy]

Trust you tried clearing the Temporary and Cookie files out, you can do this in Internet Options, Explorer or from the C drive properties... then no harm doing a defrag and then a disc clean up, could be that your temporary folders are getting full... also check the security and cookie settings.

One hogger is Messenger it runs in the background whether on line or not, the only way to tell is to 'stop and try', stop the services from running one at a time to see whats happens, if you are running Firefox then it's well worth stopping.

Heres a link that might provide 'zip' Beginners Guides: Understanding and Tweaking WindowsXP Services - PCSTATS.com page 7 should be of interest.

davy

[jerh]

thanks davy. I went through the article you suggested and we'll see how that works out.

One thing I noticed recently is that it freezes up when opening up an adobe pdf. I uninstalled and re-installed (I need it) and it still happens. does this ring any bells?

thanks again.

[davy]

On opening pdfs... sounds as though there 'might' be too many things running at once.

Why not try stopping one or two.. click start in the run bar type msconfig... and try stopping one or two to see what happens.

When making changes like this I always advise keeping a note book specially for this purpose and passwords etc, so you know where you are when you want to revert back... now then, any changes made in msconfig you will get a 'pop up' every time you boot up, simply click box that says 'Do not show this again' and it'll go away, until you make further changes.

Here's an interesting link to optimize windows. Windows XP Services - By Gene Goldring

If you stop Office for example.... it does not mean that you can not use Office, it simply means that it isn't pre-loaded into ram, what happens when you want to use it means it'll take that second or two longer to load - leaving a little more ram space.

Don't stop any vital services though.

Davy

[jerh]

It's still happening.

Is there a log that would show what's happening at the time of the freeze?

Also, it seems to happen on mouse cursor movement also. Possibly over part of a web page that's running script.

I'm seriously ready to reformat, but really don't want to.

thanks.

[davy]

Event viewer logs. Open Control panel / Open Performance & Maintenance / open Admin. Tools / open Event Viewer.....

... these are logs that can be exported to a folder or safely deleted, then you can open either Application or System, double clicking on any errors or logs will give an explanation.

Must admit when ever I have serious problems I prefer to 'Clean install'.

Just a thought
Being that hard drives are quite cheap today getting a spare could save a lot of hassle. It could be installed as a slave purely used as a storage or you can clone your hard drive... just in case.

Another method would to get an external IDE hard drive case, lop a IDE hard drive in and you'll be able to use it on a USB socket... anything goes wrong you can simply swap the drives over and reboot, at least one way or the other you'll lose no important files.

Trouble is with partitions... you get a hard drive duff you lost the partition as well..!

Here's another link maybe of interest Optimizing Windows

Davy

[jerh]

Thanks Davy. I'm thinking clean install and clear up the clutter.

One question:

I have ms office installed from an upgrade disc. When I go to re-install it, I'm assuming it's going to look for the original installation which will no longer be there. Is that the case? If so, any way around that little hurdle?

thanks.

[jerh]

well, I did a re-format and clean install of xp. it's still happening. all service packs & updates are installed. I'm about to punt and play defense.