| 0 |
Subject: Computer Crashing Questions
Posted by: Great One
- [574139] Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 14:48
So my computer has been crashing periodically... its probably happened 10 times the last month - I get the error that I am low on virtual memory and it shuts down and restarts with the blue screen, safe mode etc. screen.
Anyone know how I can work to fix this?
Is there a utility I can download that can break down my memory usage so I can see if I have used too much?
Toshiba laptop, 4 GB, Windows 7 |
| 1 | Perm Dude
ID: 3210201915
Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 14:53
|
You can increase the size of your virtual memory to help: Changing virtual memory in Windows 7.
Do you have a lot of files open at the same time? That could be contributing.
|
| 2 | Great One
ID: 574139
Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 14:57
|
My most common setup is only having Google Chrome open but with 5-6 different tabs. That should be easy enough to handle.
|
| 3 | C1-NRB
ID: 23781518
Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 15:00
|
I've had a similar problem over the last year or so, except mine doesn't give any kind of warning- it just shuts down. It doesn't restart itself, either.
I've had antivirus running on it since before this began and nothing has ever been detected.
Dell Inspiron 1525, Windows Vista Basic.
|
| 4 | Great One
ID: 574139
Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 15:28
|
I've run Malwarebytes and SuperAntiSpyware (sp?) and both seem to be ok. So I thought I ruled that stuff out.
|
| 5 | WiddleAvi
ID: 3611313016
Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 17:31
|
What is the bue screen msg ? Usually it has a paragraph of generic text and then one line in ALL CAPS. Sometimes there might be a string of numbers as well (ie. 0x0000000fa) or it may also mention a file name.
|
| 6 | An Old Hippie
ID: 5311273017
Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 18:28
|
This may sound stupid but have recently uninstalled a virus program. When I first got my Gateway it came with all that free junk on it but the computer ran great. I started uninstalling all the junk and right after I started getting that blue screen a lot. Tried a lot of different things before I checked about uninstalling that virus program. Turns out they have their own little program for doing it. So I reinstalled and ran the uninstall program and everything worked great again. Think it was Norton.
|
| 7 | Great One
ID: 5511411920
Fri, Dec 30, 2011, 18:50
|
I think I got rid of Symantec/Norton... wondering if I can reinstall it somehow. I suppose it couldn't hurt.
|
| 8 | Frick
ID: 52182321
Sat, Dec 31, 2011, 09:39
|
You might want to try cleaning up the uninstall. Most of the anti-viruses that come with a computer are a PITA to uninstall (this also helps them from being uninstalled by malware). Try running Revo's Uninstaller. linky. It does a more complete job of uninstalling software and cleans up the registry and other areas that the default uninstaller typically misses. It can be a bit unnerving the first time messing with the registry, but it does have an impact on how the machine runs.
4GB of memory is a decent amount, but Chrome is a mememory hog, although I like it and use it. You could try and plug a USB drive in and let the computer use it as additional memory and see if that helps correct the issue. Upgrading memory is fairly simple on a desktop, if you are handy you could do it yourself. If you aren't you can probably find a local high school kid who will do it significantly cheaper than Best Buy will charge you for 5 minutes of work.
|
| 9 | An Old Hippie
ID: 45044219
Mon, Jan 02, 2012, 20:47
|
Have ordered memory from Crucial before I think they have good prices plus they help you find out what you need and can use. I didn't know much about memory sticks just that I needed more memory to run better and faster on an older machine. It was very easy to install and the directions that came with it were very good,
Unfortunately adding memory may not help you very much. I am assuming that Vista and 7 have some of the same characteristics. A 32 bit version won't recognize anything over 3 to 3.5 GB of memory so more wouldn't do you any good if you run the 32 bit version of 7.
To add more memory and be able to make use of it you would need to install the 64 bit version of 7.
This brings up another problem though as almost all 32 bit programs will run a 64 bit system there aren't a lot of programs yet written for 64 bit machines. You don't gain as much as you should then.
|
| 10 | Great One
ID: 113241019
Mon, Jan 02, 2012, 23:55
|
Well now that laptop won't boot at all... great. Now what do I do?
|
| 11 | WiddleAvi
ID: 3611313016
Tue, Jan 03, 2012, 00:14
|
What happens ? Does it turn on ? Is it getting a blue screen ? If so check out my post above and post whatever info you have from that blue screen
|
| 12 | Great One
ID: 113241019
Tue, Jan 03, 2012, 00:34
|
The blue screen flashed, but went away so quick i couldn't read it.
Toshiba logo pops up and then it just goes black with p1-Toshiba MK6465GSXN
Boot Failed FDD
Now I am on a grey Boot Menu with the option to go into BIOS setup
|
| 13 | Great One
ID: 113241019
Tue, Jan 03, 2012, 01:00
|
Something I forgot to do is make those boot or restore disks which I think would help me boot without the hard drive working... I'm wondering if I couldn't make one from this computer and then try and use them on the other one.
|
| 14 | WiddleAvi
ID: 3611313016
Tue, Jan 03, 2012, 08:19
|
If you power off and then try and boot up again keep tapping the F8 button on the keyboard until you get a boot menu. One of the option should disable automatic restart, try selecting that. My initial guess from what you are writing would be a failing Hard Drive.
|
| 15 | Great One
ID: 574139
Tue, Jan 03, 2012, 08:51
|
I'll try that tonight after work, thanks.
|
| 16 | Khahan
ID: 373143013
Tue, Jan 03, 2012, 09:04
|
GO - I've never heard of removing symantec/norton doing this kind of thing.
One thing to try before adding software or going nuts with searches is a simple use of the disc tools.
Even if you have a schedule for these things, run a defrag. Then run a disc fix. Always try the simplest solutions first. When I used to work the help desk in college (this was back at the time we switched from 486 processors to Pentium I, but I'm guessing the theory is still the same) people would come to the desk complaining this component or that device didn't work - and I would go plug it in or hit the power button. Always start simple with troubleshooting.
|
| 17 | An Old Hippie
ID: 5602313
Tue, Jan 03, 2012, 14:03
|
https://www-secure.symantec.com/norton-support/jsp/help-solutions.jsp?lg=english&ct=united+states&docid=20080710133834EN&product=home&version=1&pvid=f-home
Sorry I don't know how to make it a link
|
| 18 | astade
ID: 78462922
Tue, Jan 03, 2012, 20:03
|
You need to determine if it's actually a physical hardware failure. Consider this: http://www.memtest.org/
|
| 19 | Great One
ID: 113241019
Tue, Jan 03, 2012, 23:54
|
Well I got it to launch in Safe Mode. So I am trying to figure out what I should do first while its up. I guess create a system restore disk (if it lets me).
|
| 20 | WiddleAvi
ID: 3611313016
Wed, Jan 04, 2012, 08:50
|
See if the Toshiba has some sort of Hardware diagnostic tool installed on the laptop and run it.
|
|
|
|
Post a reply to this message: Computer Crashing Questions
|