Tech Guy Stumped: Weird problem - Empty rendered windows, Unability to open programs

akaidiot · 01-26-2008, 09:35 AM

First of all I'm a professional tech support guy so I know how to troubleshoot a computer and I usually figure out the problem, but this one stumps me..

I've got a Zepto 6324W with these specs:

14,1" WXGA+ 1440x900 - 6324W
2.0 GHz Intel C2 DUO
3GB(1gb + 2GB) DDR2 SODIMM
NVIDIA® Geforce 8600M GT
250GB HM250JI 5400rpm SATA Hårddisk
Intel Pro/Wireless 4965AGN - 300Mbit

The computer that has been behaving very weirdly ever since I got it. I've had these problems both in Windows XP Pro and Vista Ultimate.

Here are the symptoms:

After using the computer for a while without restarting and letting some programs(firefox,photoshop,etc) build up a solid amount of memory. In total 1500MB is used of my total 3GB. All of the sudden programs won't start and IE7 will crash when I try to open a new tab. Another thing that leds me to believe that it could be the memory or somthing about the memory handling is that I can "fix" the problem temporarily by closing a program then it works fine again for a while.. This is what the "My computer window" looks like when it's acting up:

What I've tried:

* MEMTEST - Passed!
* Reformat and install Windows Vista - Same behaviour
* Reformat and install Windows XP - Same behaviour
* Use only the 1GB or 2GB stick seperatly - Same behaviour

My first instinct was that it was the memory but it passed memtest and it can't be that it needs more. My previous computer had 1GB and when it was full it didn't behave like this it just was sloooooow since it had to swap from the HD.

This has led me to suspect the harddrive. The c omputer works fine and it's torrenting away 24/7 stable as a rock and I can't think of why the problem with the HD would manifest itself like this but I'm desperate!

Sadly I have no replacement SATA drive to swap to but I'm thinking I can boot from the USB..!?

Before I do this does anybody have an idea of what to try before I proceed with reinstalling vista on a USB HD!?

iLLEBOC-R · 01-26-2008, 07:52 PM

which drivers are you using for the 8600M?

I had a host of problems including screen redraw/cpu throttling/explorer crashes etc with certain revisions of forceware.

does it happen before you install the graphics drivers?

Do you have an adpater to test the harddrive in a desktop unit? Don't use usb/firewire adapters. That will at least eliminate it and remove it from other possible causes of the symptoms.

I've lost your thread.. have you tried testing the psu? i faulty psu can cause the cpu to throttle to half speed, which is enough to cause unresponsiveness in all applications.

**speedster123** · 01-27-2008, 05:16 AM

this is laptop?
correct?
try uninstalling ie7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927177

01-26-2008, 09:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
akaidiot Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Posts: 1 OS: Windows Vista	Tech Guy Stumped: Weird problem - Empty rendered windows, Unability to open programs First of all I'm a professional tech support guy so I know how to troubleshoot a computer and I usually figure out the problem, but this one stumps me.. I've got a Zepto 6324W with these specs: 14,1" WXGA+ 1440x900 - 6324W 2.0 GHz Intel C2 DUO 3GB(1gb + 2GB) DDR2 SODIMM NVIDIA® Geforce 8600M GT 250GB HM250JI 5400rpm SATA Hårddisk Intel Pro/Wireless 4965AGN - 300Mbit The computer that has been behaving very weirdly ever since I got it. I've had these problems both in Windows XP Pro and Vista Ultimate. Here are the symptoms: After using the computer for a while without restarting and letting some programs(firefox,photoshop,etc) build up a solid amount of memory. In total 1500MB is used of my total 3GB. All of the sudden programs won't start and IE7 will crash when I try to open a new tab. Another thing that leds me to believe that it could be the memory or somthing about the memory handling is that I can "fix" the problem temporarily by closing a program then it works fine again for a while.. This is what the "My computer window" looks like when it's acting up: What I've tried: * MEMTEST - Passed! * Reformat and install Windows Vista - Same behaviour * Reformat and install Windows XP - Same behaviour * Use only the 1GB or 2GB stick seperatly - Same behaviour My first instinct was that it was the memory but it passed memtest and it can't be that it needs more. My previous computer had 1GB and when it was full it didn't behave like this it just was sloooooow since it had to swap from the HD. This has led me to suspect the harddrive. The c omputer works fine and it's torrenting away 24/7 stable as a rock and I can't think of why the problem with the HD would manifest itself like this but I'm desperate! Sadly I have no replacement SATA drive to swap to but I'm thinking I can boot from the USB..!? Before I do this does anybody have an idea of what to try before I proceed with reinstalling vista on a USB HD!?

01-26-2008, 07:52 PM	#2 (permalink)
iLLEBOC-R Registered User Join Date: Jan 2008 Location: UK Posts: 6 OS: xp 64bit/vista/server 2003/os x	Re: Tech Guy Stumped: Weird problem - Empty rendered windows, Unability to open progr which drivers are you using for the 8600M? I had a host of problems including screen redraw/cpu throttling/explorer crashes etc with certain revisions of forceware. does it happen before you install the graphics drivers? Do you have an adpater to test the harddrive in a desktop unit? Don't use usb/firewire adapters. That will at least eliminate it and remove it from other possible causes of the symptoms. I've lost your thread.. have you tried testing the psu? i faulty psu can cause the cpu to throttle to half speed, which is enough to cause unresponsiveness in all applications. Last edited by iLLEBOC-R : 01-26-2008 at 07:57 PM.

01-27-2008, 05:16 AM	#3 (permalink)
speedster123 Mentor Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: United States-New York Posts: 3,904 OS: xp pro My System	Re: Tech Guy Stumped: Weird problem - Empty rendered windows, Unability to open progr this is laptop? correct? try uninstalling ie7 http://support.microsoft.com/kb/927177 __________________ Infection Detection and Removal Thermal Grease Instructions Bench Test