multiple error messages appear when I start my computer. Programs freeze. Can I fix this? Are there any secrets for fixing it?
I'd love to say that I have a few secrets up my sleeve for fixing computers, but I don't. However, I can show you how to use several excellent techniques, utilities, and tools, many of which may already be on your computer.
Troubleshooting Basics
Since your computer can barely function, let's start with the basics. Are these errors new? Or have they been compounding over time? Have you recently updated your operating system? Added new hardware? Installed new software? Think back in time to the last time your computer ran as it should. If it was fairly recent, use System Restore to roll your computer back to that time.
Rule Out Malware Infections
Malware infections, such as viruses and spyware, are notorious for the symptoms that you've described. I want you to restart your computer in "Safe Mode with Networking." This will load only the most essential system files and drivers while still allowing you to go online. Now, you should be able to right click the icon to your antivirus/anti-spyware program and view a submenu. Select the Update Now (or similar) option and update these crucial computer security programs. Once updated, launch the software and run a complete (not quick) system scan.
If you do not have antivirus and antispyware installed, I can guarantee you that your computer is infected. Take a look at our anti-virus reviews and protect your PC (some are even free).
Manage Startup Programs
Another good way to crash your computer system is to expect too much of it. Is your computer set to load a variety of programs each time it boots up? Each program requires resources such as processor power and memory. If you have a bunch of programs gobbling up these resources, you will soon see out of memory and low resources error messages and other programs will freeze when you try to launch them.
Go into the Start button and click Run. Type in "msconfig" and press OK. Now, find the Startup items tab in the next screen and click it. Remove recognized programs such as Google Desktop, Adobe Reader, and Quicktime from this auto start list. Removing programs from the list only prevents them from automatically loading; you can still use these programs on demand.
While in this tab, you will likely see several unrecognizable programs, too. You'll need to research those before removal as they could be critical system processes. They could also be useless programs or spyware, so it pays to do your research. BleepingComputer.com has an excellent Startup items database for this purpose.
Clean and Defrag the Hard Disc
When the hard drive becomes nearly full, computer performance comes to a screeching halt. Use the Disc-Cleanup utility to free up disc space. Once you've recovered disc space, run the Disc Defragmenter to reorganize the disc's contents and improve PC performance.
Clean the Windows Registry
While most of these troubleshooting steps have been free, this next one requires a small investment. The Windows registry is a large index that instructs the operating system in how to interact with your hardware, software, settings, and so on. When it's manageable, the computer performs as it should; when it becomes bogged down with junk, file corruption, partially installed programs, and obsolete information, it sends Windows on a wild goose chase and performance suffers. Cleaning the registry of this junk solves the problems.
Registry cleaning utilities are excellent at solving computer startup errors and program freezes. okpckit offers a limited use evaluation version that lets you check your computer's registry for errors. The full featured version is amazingly easy and effective.
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