computer help

[Whtbread]

I have a problem with my computer. Anytime I try to intsall an update or new program on my computer it will not let me. An example is I try to update adobe and it gets almost done then locks up. I am running xp. Any ideas? I should be back in about an hour so if you need to ask me questions feel free and I will respond when I get beack.

 

[onesojourner]

do you have virus protection?
if you don't look up avgfree (but I guess you can't install so it wont help you much)
If it were me I would pull the hard drive and stick in a external hard drive enclosure and run a adaware and a avgfree through the drive to see if it found anything, but I dont know if you have another computer or not.

 

[Whtbread]

I do have up to date McAfee and run ad-aware about once a week. Some of the computer guys at work have tried to fix it but none of them could do it.

 

[onesojourner]

ok I did some research all you need to do is back up all your data. then download ubuntu 6.10. stick the cd in and install. after that all your problems will be solved.

actually I did look it up on google but could not find much. sorry man.

 

[2lick]

ok I did some research all you need to do is back up all your data. then download ubuntu 6.10. stick the cd in and install. after that all your problems will be solved.

actually I did look it up on google but could not find much. sorry man.

LMAO:haha: :haha:

I tell people this all the time....

 

[Glory_Freestyle]

I have a problem with my computer. Anytime I try to intsall an update or new program on my computer it will not let me. An example is I try to update adobe and it gets almost done then locks up. I am running xp. Any ideas? I should be back in about an hour so if you need to ask me questions feel free and I will respond when I get beack.

First and easiest question, do you have plenty of free space on the hard drive?

Are you logged into the computer as a local administrator?

When's the last time you cleaned out all your .tmp files?

 

[Whtbread]

ok I did some research all you need to do is back up all your data. then download ubuntu 6.10. stick the cd in and install. after that all your problems will be solved.

actually I did look it up on google but could not find much. sorry man.

I take it that this was a joke?

 

[onesojourner]

yep thats a joke sorry. but only sort of. it really would solve your computer problems.

 

[Whtbread]

First and easiest question, do you have plenty of free space on the hard drive?

Are you logged into the computer as a local administrator?

When's the last time you cleaned out all your .tmp files?

The more I try to solve the problem the more problems I find. I tried to goto my computer and then view system resources. When I click it I get an hour glass then nothing happens. I also can't defrag or clean up my hard drive. When I try to clean the hard drive it gets stuck on compress old files.

I am the only one that uses the computer so I would say that I am the local admininstrator.

I have not cleaned out the .tmp files. How would I go about doing that?

 

[vitaly]

1. Run: "cmd"
2. In the command prompt: "cd %temp%"
3. then "del *.** /s"
4. Reboot.

 

[Whtbread]

1. Run: "cmd"
2. In the command prompt: "cd %temp%"
3. then "del *.** /s"
4. Reboot.

I'll give it a try

 

[chadc]

Don't worry about the tmp files, it would not be the cause of the issue. Where I would begin is go ahead and go to http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp and run the free online virus scan. See what it picks up. I am not a fan of any Macafee products, so I would trust the Trend product more. If this does not work you can try going into safe mode and running a virus scan that way. You would need safe mode with networking to get it to work correctly.

One of the things I have found to fix MANY issues is to reinstall a service pack if you can. Again you would probably need to do this in Safe Mode with networking, go to www.microsoft.com and do a search for XP Service Pack 2. Try installing that and see if it helps fix the issue.

 

[Glory_Freestyle]

Don't worry about the tmp files, it would not be the cause of the issue.

If he has disk space issues, removing the tmp files will most definitely help. If Windows is trying to write to a corrupt tmp file, it can cause probs with almost anything/everything.

Even if it's not the problem, it is good maintenance to clear out the tmp files and empty the temp folders (%temp%, and C:\windows\temp)

 

[chadc]

http://consumer.installshield.com/kb.asp?id=q108476

Try that too. See if you get that error code in your Event Viewer. Sorry Glory, I have never seen clearing tmp files actually fix anything, I don't think its the issue, but I could certainly be wrong. Has happened more than once.

 

[Whtbread]

If he has disk space issues, removing the tmp files will most definitely help. If Windows is trying to write to a corrupt tmp file, it can cause probs with almost anything/everything.

Even if it's not the problem, it is good maintenance to clear out the tmp files and empty the temp folders (%temp%, and C:\windows\temp)

I did it and it did allow me to see I have 77% free space with 53.72 gb

I'll be working on the other suggestions now

 

[Whtbread]

Don't worry about the tmp files, it would not be the cause of the issue. Where I would begin is go ahead and go to http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp and run the free online virus scan. See what it picks up. I am not a fan of any Macafee products, so I would trust the Trend product more. If this does not work you can try going into safe mode and running a virus scan that way. You would need safe mode with networking to get it to work correctly.

One of the things I have found to fix MANY issues is to reinstall a service pack if you can. Again you would probably need to do this in Safe Mode with networking, go to www.microsoft.com and do a search for XP Service Pack 2. Try installing that and see if it helps fix the issue.

When I try to run the housecall a window pops up that says "Java control, proxy configuration: no proxy.

Also if I try to update windows or download a service pack it is blocked my the companies surf control.

 

[chadc]

They must have you locked down pretty tight at work. Here at the hospital we allow people to update their own machines. Do you have an IT dept that could install service pack 2 again? I am surprised they have not tried this step already as it is common practice.

 

[Glory_Freestyle]

I did it and it did allow me to see I have 77% free space with 53.72 gb

I'll be working on the other suggestions now

That's good, the free space I mean. You'd be surprised how often that really happens. I had an attorney at here at work who couldn't even save a 10 page Word doc because he had filled his hard drive with itunes music. :banghead:


Look into the stuff Chad mentioned. If you can't get to windows update on this computer, try downloading Service Pack 2 to a memory stick or CD using a different computer.

 

[Glory_Freestyle]

They must have you locked down pretty tight at work. Here at the hospital we allow people to update their own machines. Do you have an IT dept that could install service pack 2 again? I am surprised they have not tried this step already as it is common practice.

Us IT Admins are a**holes. :biggrin:

Actually with Win2k3 Server based policies and WSUS, it's better to not let the users do their own updates. Prevents a lot of unnecessary problems.

 

[chadc]

Look into the stuff Chad mentioned. If you can't get to windows update on this computer, try downloading Service Pack 2 to a memory stick or CD using a different computer.

Good call, it seems like they have him locked down pretty tight as far as internet access goes, so this might be your only choice if your IT dept wont do it for you. Here is the link to the version of SP 2 you will need.

http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en