Windows XP Problem

Sidewinder · 04-09-2007

I've been having some problems with XP, starting tonight. Thanks to Microsoft, I don't qualify for their help, even though I have a legit version of XP.

Today I installed Steam on my computer, along with Half Life 2 and Counter Strike Source. I also shut off my computer in the middle of a Linux disk check, but I don't see how this would affect Windows.

I started up my computer and booted up XP. The XP loading screen took 3-4 times longer than it should have. After that, it took longer for everything to load. When I logged in, the login sound was all choppy and out of pitch. It also took much longer than usual for everything to start up. Whenever I open a folder or a program, it slows everything down and the program or folder itself takes forever to load. I tried doing a disc check, but even that is broken.

Does anyone know of any remedies that I should try before wiping the drive and reinstalling Windows?

Sypher · 04-10-2007

Any time your computer shuts down unexpectedly there is a possibility of file corruption. The odds are increased if you're in the middle of a disk utility.

If you have system restore enabled you can try that. Open help and Support then look for "Undo changes to your computer with System Restore". Pick the most recent restore point that you know was before you started having problems. You could also try reinstalling service pack 2 or installing it if you don't have it, or reinstalling windows over what you have now without wiping it out.

kevinXcore · 04-10-2007

for me restoring is my last option i try and figure out the problem before i do that. run a few virus scans from different people. run a scan for spyware. defrag. or uninstall counterstrike and half life and steam and reinstall them.

BoyEngland · 04-10-2007

Well its obvious why you are having problems. Stopping a disk check "unexpectedly" is almost a guarenteed way of fudging your computer.

When your computer starts, go into Setup (I think its ESC or F1/2) and do a system restore. You will lose your files and crap but if you are patcient and can transfer them to a disk/drive first, you will be fine.

Once again, you need patience. You can do system restore through regular windows (control panel) to a time before you started the disk check, but even that may not work because the files will be corrupt during the restore.

When my HD went the other week, I couldnt do a restore (any restore) because some files were corrupt/missing. You may get that problem.

In future, don't shut it down during a disk check/defrag, you are bound to have problems.

Sidewinder · 04-10-2007

I tried the system restore. It helped to a point, but I ended up reinstalling XP anyway. My computer already was messed up, so I guess I just gave it the cleaning out it needed.

BoyEngland · 04-10-2007

That's what I thought would happen, it happened with me.

I got 50 minutes into the restore and a file was missing, FAILED! Time for a new computer/laptop.

Glad to hear you're all sorted.

shadow1768 · 04-10-2007

Could have tried booting from the windows disk and going into the recovery console, and try the comman CHKDSK. I think it was that command or somhting like that, it checks those windows files and fixes them .

BoyEngland · 04-11-2007

I never got a windows disk with any of my computers.

I did always find that weird, but oh well.

shadow1768 · 04-11-2007

Because some companies (like Dell) have a hidden partition on your hard drive which basically restores your computer back to factory settings (MUCH quicker then using the CD to do it, although when I did it, it froze... :( ). ANd if the partion mananges to work you wouldnt technically ever need the CD, however they usually ship at least an OEM windows CD. If you want the CD you can usually call you comptuer company after you buy the comp and ask them to send it to you.

BoyEngland · 04-11-2007

Yea my Compaq Precrapio had a partition for the "restoration" process.

I'm not sure its available on all systems, but on mine I could set the size of the partition in which extra files could be saved. There obviously was a minimum size due to the fact that it needs to space for vital files, but you could always make it larger for added storage.

The last restore disk I saw was on a floppy disk, that was literally 10 years ago at least!