This is just weird...

[Janna]

I'm at work. Running XP on a Dell Dimension 4600. (I, personally, detest Dell computers, but that's what they have and it's very new, so I can't request a change.)

I came in this morning and found that the computer hadn't actually shut itself off last night like it usually does; it was frozen on the "Windows is shutting down" screen (or whatever it says with XP - I'm stuck with 98 at home until I can afford a new computer). Of course the computer has no reset button, so I wound up unplugging the thing. Plugged it back in, turned it on - started up no problem.

The programs are all running nicely.

Except...

If I try to open a program or maximize a window without first minimizing my current window, the window bar (in the task bar) for the one I want just sits there and flashes until I minimize the current window and then click on the one I want again.

It's been doing this all day. Any thoughts?

-Janna

[kodmaster]

wouldn't there be an IT at your work?

[Janna]

No, I'm it. And I don't have a degree in IT or anything - all I know is from experience, experiments, and looking it up online (or asking here).

I'm a church secretary. I do a little bit of IT type work here, but seriously - this is just weird.

I'm about to head out, so we'll see if it turns off like it's supposed to this time.

-Janna

[kosova]

Of course the computer has no reset button, so I wound up unplugging the thing. Plugged it back in, turned it on - started up no problem.

Let this be a lesson, don't do that. HOLD the power button until you hear the fans turn off, you will hear it, it's like normal shutdown. Do you scan this computer with some sort of an AV software? The only time I remember my computer doing what you described is when my computer couldn't support XP (low ram, 128MB) and when it was full of dust inside, I mean FULL!!! Check your comp for viruses, check it if it's overheating--else your OS is going bad, then you will need to do a repair install.

Hope this helped.

[Janna]

Originally Posted by kosova Let this be a lesson, don't do that. HOLD the power button until you hear the fans turn off, you will hear it, it's like normal shutdown.

Tried that, nothing happened. It was completely, 100% non-responsive. Hence the unplugging. It turned off properly today, so hopefully it'll work properly tomorrow.

Originally Posted by kosova Do you scan this computer with some sort of an AV software?

The sub to Norton just ran out and I installed the trial of AVG small business instead. There are a few infected files in the archives, and AVG can't do anything about them.

Originally Posted by kosova The only time I remember my computer doing what you described is when my computer couldn't support XP (low ram, 128MB) and when it was full of dust inside, I mean FULL!!! Check your comp for viruses, check it if it's overheating--else your OS is going bad, then you will need to do a repair install.

Hrm. Could be dust. I'll open it up when I arrive tomorrow morning and have a peek. I think it does need more operating memory (hard drive has lots of space yet) - it doesn't seem to take much to peak on the task manager readings.

I typically run a to-do list program, Outlook, and Firefox all day and may need all of Word, Publisher, and Excel open at once, too (sometimes more than one file in each of those programs). I also keep MSN Messenger running in the background, of course AVG, and Windows Media Player (for music). I have started physio for my tendonitis now, so I'm planning to uninstall the RSI program I've been using since the physio exercises are individualized and of course the RSI program isn't. I also have a Palm, but I don't Sync it with the computer on a daily basis.

I'll check back here tomorrow and give an update after I've checked the innards for dust and seen how it works tomorrow.

Thanks!

-Janna