PC Freeze when adding file

[lemarsh]

Have just brought a new PC (4.0, XP Sp2).

However, when I attempt, in a number of applications, a file (e.g. in Word adding a picture - but not just Microsoft applications) - the system freezes.

Doesn't seem to matter if it is in the main harddrive, or the 2nd (D) drive (physically different).

Any suggestionms before I take it back to the shop?

[Paul K]

Any error messages showing in the logs? How are you inserting the images by the way? Could be a damaged software installation causing the hang or even a thrid party app thats interfering with it all. Have you tried booting into safe mode etc?

[lemarsh]

The error log obtained using Task Manager, when I have to forcably close the application is (for Word 2003) "szAppName : WINWORD.EXE szAppVer : 11.0.6502.0 szModName : hungapp szModVer : 0.0.0.0 offset : 00000000"

For mydvd "szAppName : MyDVD.EXE szAppVer : 6.1.0.0 szModName : hungapp szModVer : 0.0.0.0 offset : 00000000"

If that means anything to anyone.

I am using the the general insert method (sorry, can't think of a better description!), where the application opens a mini file manager screen. You can click between different directorys, drives etc, but as soon as you click on an image (or anything) to import, it just freezes - and can only be closed using Task Manager.

Not sure how to boot in safe mode.

[Paul K]

F8 as soon as you pass the BIOS screen is the usual method. Have you got any installation media at all that you can use to reload Word?
By error logs I meant the error logs you view via the event viewer in admin tools. It may show what is causing the issue with the software.

[lemarsh]

Same thing happens in Safe mode as well as normal. I have all the media, but as it is happening with Microsoft Office 2003 - Word & Publisher (which was working on the old pc), and MySonicDVD (also worked previosuly) not sure it can be the programmes.

I have attached the logs, if this is what you mean.

Had a quick look in Systems - and nothing seems to be obviously wrong (although not sure what I would be looking at - but there are no Warnings).

[Paul K]

Just because a software works fine on your old PC it doesn't stand that the same software will work in the new one. Installations go wrong very easily, corruptions occur and it only takes a single damaged registry entry to seriously mess an application up. A new installation or repair installation will put right a lot of issues quickly and easily. If you do re-load Office then make sure your AV, anti-spyware tools are off temporarily to enure nothing is there that can cause a problem.
Have you tested the RAM in the new PC by the way? Faulty ram can cause issues with software applications which depend on plenty of memory being available to them.

[lemarsh]

Paul - thanks for the advise so far...

I have tried to repaid Office (no luck), and now have taken out Office 2003 & SonicDVD completly. The only thing I can import with is movie make - and this now fails.

How can I check the RAM?

[MadGamer]

Originally Posted by lemarsh

Paul - thanks for the advise so far...

I have tried to repaid Office (no luck), and now have taken out Office 2003 & SonicDVD completly. The only thing I can import with is movie make - and this now fails.

How can I check the RAM?

http://www.memtest86.com/

[lemarsh]

Guys

Thanks for all the advice. I have now (with the help of the shop) worked out what the problem is - I will advise below in case anyone else gets the same problem.

It appears that a photo file (1 of about 2000) is corrupt . This is stored in the 'My Pictures' and it appears that Word etc always looks there first. Once this corrupt file has been accessed (as MS always does when it looks in a directory - it will corrupt the application - even if the file is not loaded itself, or you go someone else to get a file.

All I now need to do is check whcih file it is!

Thanks again for the advise.