geoprizmbw05

Okay so I'm a total novice in terms of computers, but there are some major problems with mine.

I have a Dell Intell-Pentium 4 processor with Windows XP, I bought it new in 2005 and I'm having some issues with it.

1) I don't have or cannot access my task manager.
I've tried ctr alt del and that only brings up the green network box which then continues to multiply so i have like 20 that i have to click out of .
I've tried accessing my task manager through the control panel and putting it as not-accessible (i don't remember exactly what I did but I got instructions offline) and that didn't work.
I'm afraid that there are constantly programs running that I can't get rid of and that is why my computer is so slow... which is my next issue.

2) My computer runs very slowly even though I only have minimal programs (i've deleted numerous unnecessary apps) and I even bought extra memory for it about a year ago. Nearly since I bought the computer anything i play on it (music, movies, tv) sounds all slowed down and skips like an old cd player). I've run numerous scans (i have symantec) but it hasn't found a virus so I don't know what the problem is.

3) Very recently my computer has been taking about 30-40 minutes to shut down. I click shut down and it goes through the process of closing all the programs that I guess were open (no task manager) and that takes about 10-15 minutes. Then it will show only my desktop picture (no start menu/icons) for about 5 minutes. From there it goes to the blue shut down screen for another 15 (saying it's saving my settings and then that it is shutting down) and then finally it shuts off. I have NO IDEA what is going on. I've run scans and tried everything I can think of (not much) but it's still a problem!!

PLEASE HELPPPP!!

THANKS!

Coolfreak

Honestly, at this point, in my opinion, I think you should just do a Repair Install of Windows. You will not lose any data.


How to perform a Repair Installation of Windows® XP.

Two things are needed here, just a bit of old technology, an ink pen and a piece of paper to write down any special settings that might have to be changed back after the repair-installation is completed.

Please Note: Performing a "Repair Installation" in this manner should not delete any Personal Files, it should 'repair' the core of the installation but to be safe with your data you should follow the next two paragraphs.

You might have to remove the hard drive from this computer and install it in another computer as a slave drive and after it is able to be accessed by Windows on that computer you will have to manually backup all of your important data that you have to another media like CD-R's, DVD or external hard drive. Then when this is done return it to the original computer as a master drive on the primary IDE cable. and do the following:

REGISTRY WARNING :

The details that follow require an above-average understanding of the technical topics involved. If you do not understand the Registry material presented here, either find a technically knowledgeable friend or do not attempt to repair your system Registry yourself. Improper changes in the System Registry can render all data on your hard disk inaccessible. :

Here is a link to a registry backup program that is absolutely fantastic it is called ERUNT and you would use this to backup the registry after running the repair-install procedure successfully.

http://www.larshederer.homepage.t-online.de/erunt/

(Remember to always keep a backup of two things: Your registry, and your data. You will never be sorry. ]

(The Windows® XP CD WILL be required for this procedure.)
( Recovery discs are NOT recommended with this procedure.)

A good set of instructions for doing a Repair-Installation are found on the following page and print out the pages of the site for reference further instructions on Slipstreaming Windows XP Home or Pro with any of the service packs are provided also other additional links that might be needed.

Please read the whole page on this web site to familiarize yourself with the procedure and all of the Warnings

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm
The following links are provided for reference incase they are needed.

How to perform a repair installation of Windows XP if Internet Explorer 7 is installed. ]

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/917964

(How to Perform a Windows XP Repair Install with IE6 Installed. ]

http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

Just be attentive and follow all of the on-screen prompts.

Just let it do its thing...now when you finally are at the Windows Desktop, power down the computer and re-enter the BIOS and change the Boot Configuration Order back to its original configuration.