Windows sort of, stalls...

ferrari_chris · 06-17-2006, 05:40 PM

OK, so here's the deal:

I bought a secondhand laptop and it's come with a very weird problem - occasionally Windows XP refuses to load new applications for a period. This usually occurs shortly after startup, but I think I've noticed after coming off standby too.

When launching a new application, it's added to the 'Processes' list in Task Manager, but the CPU stays at idle and the application doesn't launch. Sometimes it can take about a minute before there's any action, other times I get sick of waiting and have to reset. I say I have to reset because while I can access the Shutdown window, clicking the 'Turn Off' button doesn't actually do anything...

I still have access to some applications that are running - for example if an MSN convo is open I can continue chatting while other applications refuse to run, but my web browser will stop downloading some things.

I can look in the Task Manager and the process is running, but the processor is idle and there ain't nothing happening, then after a short time (we'll say between 1 and 2 minutes) it just fires into life as if nothing has happened and everything is fine. This only seems to happen once though - once 'we' get passed this little tantrum, she runs fine.

Here's the stats on my laptop, as I figure they may be useful?

Toshiba Satellite
1.5GHz
256MB RAM (PF of 384MB - my mate says it may be a Page File issue, but I don't know)
Windows XP Home with SP2

I've run spyware and virus scans with no result, so I don't think that is the problem...

Any help for this problem (even if it's just pointing me to further information) is greatly appreciated. Even if you can let me know where to start looking for answers would be good, because at this stage I have no idea, and the next stop is the Computer Repair Store...

If you need any extra info., just ask - I'm happy to provide.

Thanks is advance. :)

06-17-2006, 06:13 PM

most likely the OS have some major issues. Check the sticker underneath the laptop and make sure what OS you can use on the system. Then perform a fresh installation of the OS.

http://www.hps.com/~tpg/win/install.php

Check your HD for errors as well. You need to find out what make is your HD and go to their website and use their diagnostic software.

ferrari_chris · 06-19-2006, 12:45 AM

Hmmm. The sticker on the bottom says WinXP Home, so that's all good. Maybe does need a fresh install though...

I will look into the HDD thing - thanks.

:)

**Terrister** · 06-19-2006, 06:22 AM

This kind of problem coming out of standby normally has something to do with drivers. Make sure all your drivers are updated.
Do you notice any other problems?

**TheMatt** · 06-19-2006, 12:01 PM

Because you have so little RAM, your pagefile needs to be bigger, at least 1.5 GB. This may or may not be the cause of the problem, but it should be adjusted anyway.

**laboye** · 06-19-2006, 06:36 PM

Well, the RAM is relatively low for such a machine, but I dont think the Page File itself is the problem. It may actually be a hardware issue. But to pinpoint the problem, I suggest you try some extra steps to eliminate the possibilities. Windows generally blue-screens when it runs into bad memory clusters, but I have seen it hang. See here, the system is still partially responsive, making me doubt that. I suggest you download Ubuntu Live or Knoppix. (linux) and boot it up to see if it runs. If you can actively work in these environments, it is not your processor or memory. The problem will then be eliminated to the hard drive or the windows installation. Try that before you go and wipe your machine or start replacing parts.

ferrari_chris · 06-20-2006, 04:13 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Terrister

This kind of problem coming out of standby normally has something to do with drivers. Make sure all your drivers are updated.
Do you notice any other problems?

No, no other problems at all.

Quote:

Originally Posted by TheMatt

Because you have so little RAM, your pagefile needs to be bigger, at least 1.5 GB. This may or may not be the cause of the problem, but it should be adjusted anyway.

1.5GB sounds a lot. I've heard that the PF should be 1.5x the RAM. Which makes my 384 about right.

Quote:

Originally Posted by laboye

... I suggest you download Ubuntu Live or Knoppix. (linux) and boot it up to see if it runs. If you can actively work in these environments, it is not your processor or memory. The problem will then be eliminated to the hard drive or the windows installation. Try that before you go and wipe your machine or start replacing parts.

My mate has experience with Linux, so I might talk to him about this. I've got little experience.

Thanks.

**laboye** · 06-20-2006, 05:09 AM

No experience is needed, but be sure that you download the live version .Live versions of an OS dont touch the hard drive, but load in memory. They are EXTREMELY easy to use compared to others. Place the CD in and let the computer start up off of it or induce CD boot somehow. Usually, just press enter at the Linux Splash screen, and It will load on its own, asking questions like language and keyboard layout. Once it has started, just run some programs like FireFox (web browser), and OpenOffice (office suite). Just try to occupy am much memory as you can, to see if the memory is OK. Perform multiple tasks to check the processor's health. If it performs OK, you have a hard drive problem.

Volt-Schwibe · 06-20-2006, 05:57 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by ferrari_chris

1.5GB sounds a lot. I've heard that the PF should be 1.5x the RAM. Which makes my 384 about right.

the 1.5x guideline is fine as a minimum number. what is your maximum set for?

machines with less than 512, don't always work with 1.5x, in reality, the less actual ram you have, the more page you should use. (within moderation)

Zazula · 06-20-2006, 06:21 AM

In addition to the above, please check the Event Viewer on your computer:

1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click Performance and Maintenance, click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management.

2. The Computer Management window for the local computer is displayed. "Computer Management (Local)" is displayed at the root of the console tree.

3. In the console tree, expand System Tools, Storage, or Services and Applications to view the tools and services in each of these containers.

4. Click the item that you want (Event Viewer) to use it, and then view the the Events log.

Post back any Events you consider related to your issue.

**laboye** · 06-20-2006, 07:38 AM

Indeed, that would be most helpful.

ferrari_chris · 07-08-2006, 05:22 AM

Sorry for the delay, I've been very busy starting a new job...

Anyway, I've checked the Event Viewer and there's no relevant events generated. Actually, there's no events generated shortly before, during or after the period of inactivity.

I hope this helps, and for the record I'm still investigating some of the recommendations made earlier in this thread. I'll reply back here once I've been through those.

Thanks again.

06-17-2006, 05:40 PM	#1 (permalink)
ferrari_chris Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4 OS: WinXP	Windows sort of, stalls... OK, so here's the deal: I bought a secondhand laptop and it's come with a very weird problem - occasionally Windows XP refuses to load new applications for a period. This usually occurs shortly after startup, but I think I've noticed after coming off standby too. When launching a new application, it's added to the 'Processes' list in Task Manager, but the CPU stays at idle and the application doesn't launch. Sometimes it can take about a minute before there's any action, other times I get sick of waiting and have to reset. I say I have to reset because while I can access the Shutdown window, clicking the 'Turn Off' button doesn't actually do anything... I still have access to some applications that are running - for example if an MSN convo is open I can continue chatting while other applications refuse to run, but my web browser will stop downloading some things. I can look in the Task Manager and the process is running, but the processor is idle and there ain't nothing happening, then after a short time (we'll say between 1 and 2 minutes) it just fires into life as if nothing has happened and everything is fine. This only seems to happen once though - once 'we' get passed this little tantrum, she runs fine. Here's the stats on my laptop, as I figure they may be useful? Toshiba Satellite 1.5GHz 256MB RAM (PF of 384MB - my mate says it may be a Page File issue, but I don't know) Windows XP Home with SP2 I've run spyware and virus scans with no result, so I don't think that is the problem... Any help for this problem (even if it's just pointing me to further information) is greatly appreciated. Even if you can let me know where to start looking for answers would be good, because at this stage I have no idea, and the next stop is the Computer Repair Store... If you need any extra info., just ask - I'm happy to provide. Thanks is advance. :)

06-19-2006, 06:22 AM	#4 (permalink)
Terrister Moderator Hardware Forum Join Date: Apr 2005 Location: West Georgia, USA Posts: 7,098 OS: Xp	This kind of problem coming out of standby normally has something to do with drivers. Make sure all your drivers are updated. Do you notice any other problems? __________________

06-19-2006, 12:01 PM	#5 (permalink)
TheMatt TSF Enthusiast Join Date: May 2006 Location: Boston Posts: 13,701 OS: Win 3.1, 98, NT 4.0, XP Debian 4.0, Kubuntu 6.06 My System Blog Entries: 3	Because you have so little RAM, your pagefile needs to be bigger, at least 1.5 GB. This may or may not be the cause of the problem, but it should be adjusted anyway. __________________ - Matt M - KB1OSC - Folding@Home 85015 [url="http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/"] If TSF has helped you, please consider donating. If I have stopped responding to a thread, feel free to send me a PM with a link to the thread. It is advisable to subscribe to threads so you will receive updates when replies are posted. You can subscribe to threads from the "Thread Tools" Menu. »Memtest86 »Prime95 »UBCD »SpeedFan »NHC Personal »Everest »Sandra »PC Wizard »RivaTuner »ATi Tool Click here for Useful Articles and Guides

06-19-2006, 06:36 PM	#6 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	Well, the RAM is relatively low for such a machine, but I dont think the Page File itself is the problem. It may actually be a hardware issue. But to pinpoint the problem, I suggest you try some extra steps to eliminate the possibilities. Windows generally blue-screens when it runs into bad memory clusters, but I have seen it hang. See here, the system is still partially responsive, making me doubt that. I suggest you download Ubuntu Live or Knoppix. (linux) and boot it up to see if it runs. If you can actively work in these environments, it is not your processor or memory. The problem will then be eliminated to the hard drive or the windows installation. Try that before you go and wipe your machine or start replacing parts. Last edited by laboye; 06-19-2006 at 06:37 PM.

06-20-2006, 06:21 AM	#10 (permalink)
Zazula Manager Emeritus, I'm blond, James Blond Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Athens, Greece Posts: 7,667 OS: Win XP Pro SP2	Any relevant Events? In addition to the above, please check the Event Viewer on your computer: 1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel. Click Performance and Maintenance, click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Computer Management. 2. The Computer Management window for the local computer is displayed. "Computer Management (Local)" is displayed at the root of the console tree. 3. In the console tree, expand System Tools, Storage, or Services and Applications to view the tools and services in each of these containers. 4. Click the item that you want (Event Viewer) to use it, and then view the the Events log. Post back any Events you consider related to your issue. __________________ "Time is the wisest because it discovers everything" Thales of Miletus (ca.624BC-ca.546BC) "Everything flows, nothing stands still." Heraclitus of Ephesus (ca.535BC-475BC) "One thing I know, that I know nothing" Socrates of Athens (ca.470BC–399BC)

06-17-2006, 06:13 PM	#2 (permalink)
PurpleSky Guest Posts: n/a OS:	most likely the OS have some major issues. Check the sticker underneath the laptop and make sure what OS you can use on the system. Then perform a fresh installation of the OS. http://www.hps.com/~tpg/win/install.php Check your HD for errors as well. You need to find out what make is your HD and go to their website and use their diagnostic software.

06-19-2006, 12:45 AM	#3 (permalink)
ferrari_chris Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4 OS: WinXP	Hmmm. The sticker on the bottom says WinXP Home, so that's all good. Maybe does need a fresh install though... I will look into the HDD thing - thanks. :)

06-20-2006, 05:09 AM	#8 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	No experience is needed, but be sure that you download the live version .Live versions of an OS dont touch the hard drive, but load in memory. They are EXTREMELY easy to use compared to others. Place the CD in and let the computer start up off of it or induce CD boot somehow. Usually, just press enter at the Linux Splash screen, and It will load on its own, asking questions like language and keyboard layout. Once it has started, just run some programs like FireFox (web browser), and OpenOffice (office suite). Just try to occupy am much memory as you can, to see if the memory is OK. Perform multiple tasks to check the processor's health. If it performs OK, you have a hard drive problem.

06-20-2006, 07:38 AM	#11 (permalink)
laboye TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Apr 2006 Location: Hollywood, FL Posts: 1,246 OS: Windows xp Pro/Vista Beta 2/Ubuntu 6.06 LTS My System	Indeed, that would be most helpful. __________________ Repair Windows XP Guide --- Resolutions Crazy Computer that I'm saving up for::Antec P180 Case;PC Pwr&Cooling 1kW Quad SLI PSU;Asus P5N32-SLI SE Deluxe;Intel Core2 XE X6800;Corsair TWIN2XP2048 2GB PC2-6400 DDR2 RAM;2xAsus GeForce 7950 GX2;BFG PhysX Accel.;IBM DVD-RAM/Plextor DVD±RW;Seagate 750GB HD 7200RPM;WDX 150GB 10000RPM;Vigor Monsoon TEC Cooler

07-08-2006, 05:22 AM	#12 (permalink)
ferrari_chris Registered User Join Date: Jun 2006 Posts: 4 OS: WinXP	Sorry for the delay, I've been very busy starting a new job... Anyway, I've checked the Event Viewer and there's no relevant events generated. Actually, there's no events generated shortly before, during or after the period of inactivity. I hope this helps, and for the record I'm still investigating some of the recommendations made earlier in this thread. I'll reply back here once I've been through those. Thanks again.