A question about windows hanging
 

Hello. I am using Windows XP home edition. Sometimes, however, when I start it (the computer) it just sort of hangs and all I get is the desktop (in my case the red desert picuture) with no toolbar or icons. Would appreciate any advice. What I normally do to remedy it is to poweroff the machine and when I restart it it is ok. It only happens once in a while. There doesn't seem to be a virus present

Re: A question about windows hanging
 

Anything in the Windows event logs?

Re: A question about windows hanging
 

What sort of thing should I be looking for and how do I access these logs?

Re: A question about windows hanging
 

Check cpu temps in bios if not high I would run memtest
http://www.memtest86.com/ download create a cd then boot from cd ensuring your boot order is correct,If this passes then run prime95 http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm this will then have tested your memory and cpu,If this test runs for say half hour your cpu is ok
Then maybe try a repair install using you xp cd,if all else fails try a reformat and reinstall
It could be something simple like a program at boot up,ive seen norton do similar

And although you have your own welcoming thread I :welcome: you here :)

Re: A question about windows hanging
 

I'd make sure you're using a decent virus checker (and that it's updated).

I'd run spyware checking software, and after that manually inspect the startup services and apps with start menu, run, msconfig.

Make sure drivers are updated and stable.

check power settings.

check and see if it happens with certain usb devices you might have unplugged.

Re: A question about windows hanging
 

You could try to use system restore and restore your PC to a time before this started happening.... assuming you won't lose any important data/installation.

Re: A question about windows hanging
 

Assuming XP Home is the same as XP Pro, Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Event Viewer (in 'classic' view), or Control Panel/Performance and Maintenance/Administrative Tools/Event Viewer in 'category' view. Look in the System and Application logs for anything with a red 'error' category.

Re: A question about windows hanging
 

I agree with JohnHorb, before going so far as reformatting and/or system restores, check your Event Viewer. Windows can sometimes be useful and helpfully log an error as it occurs.

Try and cast your memory back to when it last occurred, and then see if there are any errors listed that correspond to that time, as per JohnHorb's instructions.

If there's nothing, then you can investigate further, but this should be your primary source of investigations.