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Geek Culture / Windows XP problem

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Dazzag
22
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 01:35
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Ok, so one of my PC's has decided to flip out massively. Basically on booting up XP Pro I get the screen showing the users, then a couple of secs later it errors, referencing svhost and how it can't write to the memory. You click on the user and the background loads up, but nothing else. As it happens if you try to run explorer (from run option in ALT+CTL+DEL) then it errors. But everything else works. ie. I'm in Firefox right now. Yayish. Annoying how the rest of windows works around explorer though.

Oooh. Error window just appeared saying something about a problem with the sub-system. Fug it, ignore that one methinks....

Anyhows, any ideas anyone? Mainly if it's hardware or software.

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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Dazzag
22
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 01:36
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Ok, so the error that appears every 5 mins is "Spooler SubSystem App". And it reckons it encountered a problem. Any help?

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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Neofish
20
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 01:38
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svhost is norton isn't it? ensured the memory in? got the latest drivers? (that ones for tradtion )

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Dazzag
22
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 01:47
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Don't have Norton on this machine.

Everything was working fine or current installation for about a month.

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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Neofish
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 01:49
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Similar names

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JeBuS
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 02:13
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Well, I'd say go the normal route, Norton AV/ McAffee, then Adaware, then Spybot S&D. See what comes up.


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OSX Using Happy Dude
21
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Joined: 21st Aug 2003
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 02:30
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If its the Spooler subsystem, then it could be something to do with printing...

Visit http://homepages.nildram.co.uk/~nickk/
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IanG
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 02:38
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have you tried pressing f8 during boot and hitting the restore to previous good setting (or similar)?

Used to be Phoenix_insane registered in september 2003 despite what the date says to the left <--
PC - amd athlon 2.0ghz, 512mb, GeForce FX 5200 128mb, 200gb, xp pro sp2
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OSX Using Happy Dude
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 02:40
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Or possibly look in the Event Viewer in Safe Mode.

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Neofish
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 02:42
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That's not good if the last good settings is set badly, I've had one instance when the drivers were set wrong (not by me) and another where the problem had already occured before the save point

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OSX Using Happy Dude
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 02:54
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See if the Event Viewer shows anything.

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Dazzag
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 03:29
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Tried safe mode before and it still goes wrong. I noticed on the web that it mentions printing, so could try something there. Bit strange though.

Personally I might try plugging my old memory from about a month ago back in. Basically when I bought the new memory it was not listed in the MB's certified ok 3200 memory list. Another version from the same company was, but not the exact one I bought. It also went on to say things could go wrong with unlisted memory. Coupled to this I've also noticed that a couple of times the machine has reset itself (ie. you are in IE and then you are staring at the memory check on boot up with no warning), then I'm a bit worried the memory isn't 100% compatible or somesuch. Although it works most of the time, and hell seems to be working now apart from IE (and that memory error on boot).

Can't be bothered right now though, feel too ill. Luckily I have other machines to use.

Anyone have any other ideas before I convince myself to buy another mothboard/ CPU/ PSU? Heh, won't take much.

Come to think of it I may try a soft install of XP. Never had a problem with XP before so never tried it. Is it like 9X where you shove it in and it does a quick re-install of common components without wiping your data? Or do you need a complete wipe? Come to think of it I am tempted with a complete format. Was always nice in 9X to start afresh. About once every two months

Cheers

Ps. Event Viewer?

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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IanG
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 04:38
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you can reinstall xp over the top though it aint that good, its best to back it up then format it

Used to be Phoenix_insane registered in september 2003 despite what the date says to the left <--
PC - amd athlon 2.0ghz, 512mb, GeForce FX 5200 128mb, 200gb, xp pro sp2
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OSX Using Happy Dude
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 05:10
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Dont assume the recovery installation will solve the problem (usually it wont). The best way is to re-format and do a full installation.

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Dazzag
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 05:17
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Just been trying to do that. Basically I cannot back nothing up. I can use the run option in windows task manager to get access to the browser you get in an open file dialogue box, but any using of my computer of network places fries it. So does typing a letter on the filename box. Erm. So tried installing backup software, but no, crashes with explorer again. Arg. As does the windows disk if I manhandle it run. Copying files doesn't seem to work from the file dialogue (I can create stuff though), and no-one seems to be able to access my PC anymore. Grrr.... There is an option from the XP disk for transferring files though. If I avoid any kinky stuff it basically looks like I can transfer most of it to another PC. Perhaps.

Now it's been a while, but last time I transferred loads of files, one of the things I did was archive outlook, then import on the new machine. Outlook doesn't work because it crashes with explorer. Argle. How else can you obtain the old emails? I remember something about a pst file years ago but don't know 100% these days.

Luckily I only really need to backup emails and some family pictures. The emails being the most important. Mainly because this PC has been fairly un-used for a while (no programming etc), although lately have upgraded a bit, and has a fantastic monitor. Annoying. Hmmm, still a nice Firefox, ...erm... box? Think I'll totally convert to Firefox now (instead of 50-50) as thats a final reason : When all else gets flushed down the s**tter, Firefox is still working Conclusive proof that it doesn't use any explorer components at all. ie. every other f**king program pretty much crashes at the minute. Because of explorer by the look of it. B**tards...

So don't forget, how do I backup Outlook (2003) emails without using Outlook or any backup software? (assuming there isn't any software that runs fine in DOS, or explorer-free like Firefox...)

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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bitJericho
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 05:29
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Quote: "although lately have upgraded a bit"


hear the sirens going off? What have you upgraded?

outlook files are usually in
C:\Documents and Settings\username\Local Settings\Application Data\Microsoft\Outlook\

they are the one's ending in .pst


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Dazzag
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Posted: 17th Feb 2005 05:40 Edited at: 17th Feb 2005 05:42
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I remember the .pst files. But assuming I can get them off the computer, then what do I do with them? Am pretty sure older outlooks and express had an option to open .pst files, but have a worrying feeling that the newest ones (XP/2003 etc) don't work properly. Mainly because I'm pretty sure it didn't work in the last work upgrade to 2003. Could be wrong though, may have been Office XP I was thinking of.

As to the upgrades, yeah is an obvious source, but everything has been fine for over a month without any new software installs and only minimal useage (mainly Internet).

Will prob leave till the weekend now and try swapping the memory before anything else. Not as if I really need the PC at the minute (on laptop at the minute) and feel too ill .

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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blanky
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Posted: 21st Feb 2005 02:07
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Get one of 'em Windows-95-Explorer-clones or something, or learn to use the DOS prompt (run CMD).

Pff.

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Osiris
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Posted: 21st Feb 2005 03:52
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Quote: "Windows XP"


well that your problem right there...it seems youve installed a very hard to remove virus...

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Neofish
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Posted: 21st Feb 2005 03:58
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its not hard to remove...

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Osiris
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Posted: 21st Feb 2005 05:32
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yes it is...i put linux on a comp once and it detected the windows file deep in the hardrive...

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Dazzag
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Posted: 21st Feb 2005 06:26
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Quote: "or learn to use the DOS prompt"
Heh. I remember when all all we had was the dos prompt. I tried that, but it seems it have stuffed the network, and access to the dvd writer. Annoying.

Too ill (in bed all weekend) to sort out. Will try mucking about tomorrow.

Cheers

I am 99% probably lying in bed right now... so don't blame me for crappy typing
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Neofish
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Posted: 21st Feb 2005 06:32
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Quote: "I am 99% probably lying in bed right now..."

not much of a difference then

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Dazzag
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Posted: 22nd Feb 2005 01:38
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Most funny. These days though it's more like 98%. This is a bit of a go-getter year

Cheers

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