Problem opening more than one program on XP PC

[Greenman]

Hi folks.
Tried looking on line but to no avail so I thought I would try here. I still XP on my Compaq PC which I've had for years and done loads of diagnostics and other checks but I just cannot understand why I can't open TWO programs and run them simultaneously any more. Why would I want to do that? Well here is an example: say have the browser OPERA(before that Firefox) open and a music program like WINAMP, which although is not backed up anymore still played well(I have since had to scrap it). I used to have it in the background playing my favourite MP3 tunes whilst I played a game via the browser or posted stuff here. Since the last two years things have happened to stop this process and I find that if I try to open more than ONE program the whole machine will crash - again as an example a video playing program like Windows Media Player and the MP3 program again (which I never used to have problems with) I can say that this happens when I am not connected to the Internet. Can anyone suggest why this might be happening and a possible solution? Remember I have run all sorts of checks for malware and a full check several times using my anti-virus software Norton.

[40plus]

What processes does the task manager say are running (largest memory use and largest CPU use)?

If you have MS Outlook running, even in the background, that is enough to screw an XP machine up nowadays, followed by the browser.

If neither of those, try downloading CCleaner from Piriform and give the drive a clean up. That program also tells you what runs at start up (as opposed to what Microsoft says runs at start up).

If that doesn't help, the good news is that buttsie is back on VEF so a sensible answer should be forthcoming.

Regards

40+

[hos]

XP? Norton?

like caveman from stone age.

anyhow.
1. run "msconfig" from start menu, check autoload section for suspicious entries and remove those.

reboot, try again what you want to do.

2. try hijackthis (google for free software download), do a system scan (gain logfile) and post your logfile here:
http://www.hijackthis.de/en

check results and act. restart machine and try again.

but honestly, invest some money and buy a new/more modern PC (enough ram, enough power and win 7 at least) with better security tools than this crap called Norton.

[Greenman]

Okay let's take the first things that 40Plus has said.
I have nothing running in the background at start-up-I used a program that allows you to disable anything like that. I've used CCleaner several times and anti-malware software too-nothing was found.

Hos: Yeah I know but I have a laptop that runs Windows 8.1 which I know I should use but all my most useful programs are on this PC and I like the keyboard better for typing on than the laptops. I don't necessarily think it is anything to do with XP because a lot of the programs have worked for years. I am pretty sure there is nothing wrong with the memory as I had that boosted several years ago and as I said I've done loads of scans in the past-the most recent found nothing. I realise that it does sound odd that you would want to run TWO programs at the same time but I used to like listening to background music whilst browsing here or playing a pool game. It seems that anything outside of that won't work. Norton I know is expensive but it does it's job and has kept my computer safe-the PC at least-on the laptop is McAfee and that came free for a year with the laptop. It's not a major problem but the crashes drive me crazy and I do like to listen to music - now I just play it (on a DVD I made) via my video/dvd player.

[buttsie]

That sounds more system related than malware to me

When you crash try the event viewer and at least you'll have an idea even if it is in IT language

To open Event Viewer, click Start, click Control Panel, click Performance and Maintenance, click Administrative Tools, and then double-click Event Viewer.

A right click on the event and select properties should give a short explanation

https://www.microsoft.com/resources/....mspx?mfr=true



Defragmenting if you havent for awhile &
checking the hard disk for errors
would be where i'd head

Right click on c drive under tools from memory

[Greenman]

Hmm did that and THAT crashed/froze on me as well so tonight that makes the 10th time!!

I didn't understand any of it, but then I don't think us mere mortals are supposed to. It does sound like a system-related problem to me, but I have no idea what to do about it. I will try defragging the machine but it takes bloody ages and the last time I did it I didn't notice any difference. Always checking things of course and yesterday the blue screen telling me it was going to check the C drive came up and it found nothing untoward. It remains a mystery but it could also be the computer is just too old now-still in other areas, when ONE program is open it still works well(I used Print Shop Plus recently to print some 50th Lunch invitations out) so maybe I should just do that...I miss my music though(playing in the background) but I think I can do without it. At least I have my DVD player. Thanks for your help lads, any other advice will be gratefully received.

[haVEFun here]

@ Greenman,


Just my hunch:
How much space is leftover on the C drive? As example i have now only 3.2 GB free of 74.4 GB, which is already slowing down the PC dramatically......

regards, hfh

[buttsie]

You can start the process of elimination i guess

If you were able to use 2 or more 2 years ago then something occured
to change that status quo

I'd be trying your system offline with norton disabled and see where that leads
Might prove theres a conflict

Windows updates have been known to be reissued at various stages but some of us still have the initial one onboard that should have been removed.

Even as reliable as cc cleaner has become their registry option is just as dangerous as everyone elses because windows is a closed source system so 3rd party software engineers are not really playing with 100% knowledge

[Greenman]

Originally Posted by haVEFun here

@ Greenman,


Just my hunch:
How much space is leftover on the C drive? As example i have now only 3.2 GB free of 74.4 GB, which is already slowing down the PC dramatically......

regards, hfh

When I last looked 108GB and I've only used 37.6 has been used of a full 145GB (as I said it was boosted several years ago from its original 40GB drive.

[9876543210]

Greenman,

Originally Posted by Greenman

Okay let's take the first things that 40Plus has said.
I have nothing running in the background at start-up-I used a program that allows you to disable anything like that. I've used CCleaner several times and anti-malware software too-nothing was found.

Just want to check and make sure. You used MSCONFIG (or some other app) and its telling you that nothing is running in the background. Sorry, its been awhile since I've worked with an XP machine, but if MSCONFIG says nothing is running at startup thats probably OK if the machine is NOT attached to the internet (if not attached then you don't really need an AV, firewall or other anti-malware app). That should save you quite a few clock cycles.

Norton I know is expensive but it does it's job and has kept my computer safe-the PC at least-on the laptop is McAfee and that came free for a year with the laptop.

IF your PC isn't attached to the internet then you really don't need Norton. Don't know which version you're using but Norton is notorious (worldwide apparently) for sucking up clock cycles like crazy. I haven't used it in years just for that reason. If I were you I'd uninstall it (if the machine isn't connected to the internet).

From my experience these type of problems are almost always associated with some type of memory problem. How much physical RAM do you actually have? Have you had any problems recently that might have damaged the RAM? Any startup error messages recently?

And I have to reiterate someone else's suggestion, time for a new machine. At least on this side of the pond you can pick up pretty nice Dell laptops and desktops with Windows 7 for $150 or less on Craigslist.

Here's the London Craigslist just for Dell. Lots of stuff here I'd probably be interested in. Stick with an Optiplex, Precision or Latitude (all business class machines) and you should be fine.

http://london.craigslist.co.uk/searc...ce=&query=dell

Good luck!