Archived from groups: microsoft.public.windowsxp.general (
More info?)
Kelly wrote:
> boot into safe mode, scan with antivirus and antispyware software.
> remove any threats. open internet explorer, tools, internet options.
> delete cookies, files & offline content, clear history. go to start,
> all programs, accessories, system tools, disk defragmenter. choose
> analyze first and see if the drive needs to be defragged.
More erroneous information from the troll. See below for answers:
>
>
> "phal" wrote:
>
>> I put a fresh install on a compaq presario 2.2gh, 512 m. ram, WinXP,
>> Svc Pk 2
>>
>> I have almost no programs on it.
>>
>> I had Norton System 2000 on it and removed because I thought it may
>> have been the problem.
>> The only other programs on it are Spybot S&D, Ad aware SE
>>
>> I am getting extremely slow boot up. Right before this error, The
>> post screen was so dim that it could hardly be seen. This message
>> then popped up.
>>
>> Generic Host Process for Win32 Services encountered a problem and
>> needed to close
>> I:\Docume~1\GARYMO~1\;PCA;S`1\TEMP\WER4b6c.dir00\svchost.exe.mdmp
>> I:\Docume~1\GARYMO~1\;PCA;S`1\TEMP\WER4b6c.dir00\appcompat.txt
>>
>> Thanks for the help...gary
Gary - It sounds like you are having hardware issues. If the POST could
hardly be seen, that has nothing to do with the operating system
(Windows). The operating system isn't even loaded at that point. So, I
would start with some hardware troubleshooting (general steps are
below). There is always the possibility that your monitor is going
regarding the dimness, but the slowness would not be caused by that.
The slowness when you finally get into XP can be caused by the drives
using PIO mode instead of DMA. You can try and fix this, but if you
have underlying hardware problems you're going to need to address those
first since hardware issues can't be solved with software. Here's a
link about PIO/DMA modes:
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxDMA.htm
In addition, when you say "fresh install", did you use the Compaq
Recovery disk or did you use a retail copy of XP? If the latter, did
you also install all the Compaq drivers for their very proprietary
hardware? If you didn't install proper drivers, you must get them from
Compaq's website (their Recovery disk would have taken care of this).
If you did use a Recovery disk and are still having the issues, that
definitely points to hardware.
So here are some general hardware troubleshooting steps:
1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing). Obviously
you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan is running
and feel if the laptop is getting too hot.
2) Test the RAM - I like Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org. Obviously, you
have to get the program from a working machine. You will either
download the precompiled Windows binary to make a bootable floppy or
the .iso to make a bootable cd. If you want to use the latter, you'll
need to have third-party burning software on the machine where you
download the file - XP's built-in burning capability won't do the job.
In either case, boot with the media you made. The test will run
immediately. Let the test run for an extended period of time - unless
errors are seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.
3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr. Usually
you will download the file and make a bootable floppy with it. Boot
with the media and do a thorough test. If the drive has physical
errors, replace it.
4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system. The adequacy issue doesn't really apply to a
laptop, although of course the power
supply can be faulty.
5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
www.tufftest.com. Sometimes this is useful, and sometimes it isn't.
Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts
with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are
uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a professional
computer repair shop (not your local equivalent of BigStoreUSA).
Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
Facebook
Twitter
Instagram