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What is the deal with my computer?
Hey Theymos, ygsgirl here with a frustrating computer issue.
I have an HP with Windows XP. It says on the tower that it is "XP Media Center Edition 2005" but for some reason the Microsoft website claims it is an XP Professional, or something. (By the way, their website is nothing but frustrating run around...)
Ok, I'm far be it from computer savvy, so please bear with me. I will surely sound like a dipstick.
Lately the programs I use seem to be messing up, and my computer is running slow as well.
For example: Windows Movie Maker- I have been trying to do a picture video project for my mom. I have tried to do it twice now. I put a lot of work into it, then suddenly I get this error message:
"Windows Movie Maker has encountered a problem and needs to close." and it gives me the "Send Error Report" option at the bottom.
It gives me this same error if I try to open the file, and it also freezes up and I have to do the whole control + alt + Delete business.
On Ashampoo 7, I try to burn a DVD project, and when I try to import the video files, it says that the file could not be added either because of an internal error or because the decoder could not be initialized. I have gotten both of those bad boys.
I have been having some serious issues with signing into my MSN messenger, as well as Yahoo messenger. When I troubleshoot MSN, it doesn't put a check mark next to "key ports", but an exclamation point. My little internet box says that my computer is online, so I don't know what the deal is.
I have never had these problems before. This recently started happening- maybe a week and a half ago. My husband did some thing where he set back the date to an earlier time on the computer. (Some restore feature?) That did no good.
These aren't the only problem programs. I can't think of what else right at the moment, and I don't want to make this 8 miles longer. :)
Also if it helps, it is a 250 GB computer, and only has about 20% space used. We did the disc clean up, defragmenter, ran Reg Seeker, and PC Doctor, and still have the problems.
I have done virus scans, which come up with nothing, and Spy Sweeper scans, which I'm not sure what that does, but I delete the stuff it comes up with.
Also, I download movies from the internet, but delete them from the "My Videos" and "My DVD" folders, if that is helpful info.
My husband is to the point of wiping the hard drive and using the system restore disks.
Can you suggest something we can do, or maybe do you know what the problem could be?
Your help will be greatly appreciated, and thanks in advance.
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Want to answer more questions in the Technology category?
Maybe give some free advice about: Computers?
Windows eventually gets like that after being used a long time. I reinstall my computer every 6 months to keep it in the best condition possible. Your problems are most likely due to malware or data corruption.
For malware, run scans with 2-3 different malware detectors(I use spybot, ad aware, spywaredoctor, antivir, and spywareterminator).
For corruption, go to start>run. Type "chkdsk C: /f /r", without quotes, and press enter. In the box that pops up, type y and press enter. Then put your Windows Media Center install disk in the disk drive(don't use the recovery disk, use the install disk), go to start>run and type "sfc /scannow", without quotes. A box will pop up and you should wait until it's done scanning, then restart the computer. If HP didn't give you an install disk, call them up and demand one, I believe they are required by law to send one with the computer.
If you want, you can send me a logfile that will allow me to find disruptive programs on your computer. Download hijackthis:
[Link](Mouse over link to see full location)
Run it and select "Do a system scan and save a log file", send that logfile(which appears in the same directory as hijackthis.exe) to theymos@lycos.com .
If you end up reinstalling(which I highly recommend, after backup up your data), you might want to consider buying Windows XP Professional Edition, which is a bit easier to deal with. Good luck!
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