Jane,

One of the biggest knocks against Windows is that the garbage and settings that can accumulate over time ultimately become debilitating and can prevent a PC from running.

Is it important to you to get this PC to operate well? If not, I'd get it running, use a wipe program to clear personal files off the hard drive, and then give it to a charity. If you want or need it to run, two approaches to try, neither guaranteed:

1) Do a Restore from the earliest available time, or even do a Factory Reset if available to start at Day 1. Keep the misc add ons and utilities to a minimum, just an AV program to start.

OR

2)(Gulp) Prepare a Ubuntu ISO CD disk from a functioning computer, and replace the crippled Windows system with Ubuntu. It's free.

If the PC wasn't a spring chicken when it was put into hibernation, it's also possible that the running problems are hardware related and if so, probably can't be economically fixed.

Also did you try a complete shut down and start again? Not a restart.

It is very possible the computer is overheating. Try removing the left side panel and see if the fan over the processor is spinning. If not shut down and manually spin it a couple of times to break the seal of crud possibly interfering with it. While there look to see if there is a build up of crud under that fan on the heatsink fins. When restarting feel high on the back to see if the power supply fan is also working DO NOT go into the power supply or you might get a nasty jolt even with the power cord removed.

Yes, Owbist, numerous times. I've been trying various things for the past 3 days. I did check the fans and everything looks good.

The computer is a deskstop about 6 yrs old. It was used in the office so didn't get heavy use, just mainly billing software and patient accounts, Word and Excell.

This has always been my favorite computer. It was so fast and 'sharp' best functioning of any I've used. I was looking forward to setting it up again. I know its a traffic jam with the updates. Some need to be installed before others can be updated. Trouble is I can't figure out a way around it as the computer crashes as soon as I try to update.

I get a message "Security Warning, Dep has detected something is using memory and can not be shutdown." (I'm paraphrasing as I didn't write it down). I was suspicious of add-ons because some were trying to update and causing FF to crash repeatedly. I disabled everything on FF and was able to update it in safe mode.

MS updates uses IE and that is where I get the DEP warning. It shuts IE and explorer down. So, I can't even get to the updates. I know some of the updates are Framework as that has popped up when I tried to use some of my software. But again, can't update anything.

Snidley, I agree with you and think wiping it clean is probably the only way around this. I have everything backed up so that isn't an issue, just like this computer. It originally was a Dell gaming machine that I got at a discount through the business. Always liked the way it ran.

Oh well, thanks anyway. Was just hoping there was an easy fix...nothing is ever easy with these machines.

Jane

My first thoughts are uninstall FireFox and save personal settings when it asks.
You shouldn't have needed safe mode to update it. That's probably part of the problem, but maybe not the start of the problems.

Then see how things work. Firefox is fairly simple download & reinstall later.

... you can turn off DEP or just exclude a program causing problems....
Click Start > Control Panel > System > Advanced. Look for the Performance section and select "Settings." In the window that opens, select the "Data Execute" tab

This post was edited by mikie on Fri, Jul 26, 13 at 18:03

I did uninstall FF, many times. After disabling the add-ons, I was able to install. It runs smoothly. IE is what keeps crashing. It wants to update but can't. The computer runs fine using FF. I can't use IE. if I could get the updates without IE, I might have a chance.

Jane using one of your other computers you can go here and download all the updates and burn them to a DVD. These can then be installed offline.

Before downloading click on the 'System requirements' tab to convince yourself it is good for XP with SP3.

Went to safe mode again and tried to update. This time I got an error message but when I tried to find the meaning of the error, MS said it had no solution.

Tried the MS Fix It tool and the results were:
"Default Windows Update data locations have changed" The location where Windows Update stores data have changed and must be repaired."

"Windows Update Components must be repaired. One or more Windows Update Components are configured incorrectly.
Repair Windows components - "Failed."

I'm offered paid support by MS but wonder if they wouldn't have me run a repair from the disk.

One question. This computer was networked at the office. The computers were hard-wired, no wireless but a router was used as a switch. I notice there seems some sort of conflict because the computer keeps saying the name of the computer changed. It is using my router password as the name of the computer. I don't know how to change the settings to run the computer as not networked. I don't know where to look. It appears the computer keeps acting as a networked computer. I don't know if this could be causing the conflicts.

What a pain in the neck. I'll just wipe it and start over. Although there will probably be a zillion MS updates!

Jane

Went to safe mode again and tried to update. This time I got an error message but

What was the error message? Do you have the windows xp disc?

Have you run this fixit below,

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

And, this just for additional information,

http://www.interworks.com/blogs/ijahanshahi/2011/02/23/how-fix-microsoft-update-not-installing-updates-or-failed-updates-micro

This post was edited by zep516 on Fri, Jul 26, 13 at 23:41

Jane, the network settings will be in System properties, right click on My Computer (or choose System in Control Panel). Go to the Computer name tab and change the workgroup name. Have you reset Internet Explorer to default to see if that helps? Close all IE windows, click Internet Options in Control Panel and on the Advanced Tab click reset and choose Delete Personal Settings. That will remove all add ons that are in use with IE. It could help and if successful will change your homepage to msn.com.

Thanks all. I did try Fix It, no go. See my previous post about corrupted files. PK, I will try your suggestion. The error messages seem to be about the changed computer name. Can I delete the computer name? For some reason, the original network name was changed. I think I hooked it up on a wireless signal after we closed the office. I don't remember, for sure, so much was happening then. Should I give it a new name or put the old name back?

You can change the computer name or keep it the same unless another computer on your network has the same name. You will have to reboot after changing the name and after changing the workgroup. You can add it to your current workgroup if you want. You folks didn't have a domain set up before did you?

......... and before you give up on it, you ought to try snidely's suggestion.
"2)(Gulp) Prepare a Ubuntu ISO CD disk from a functioning computer, and replace the crippled Windows system with Ubuntu. It's free."

That attempt may encourage me to dust off an old computer that I have stored.

You share the system has been down for two years, and it is an old XP system. Unless you need it or this whole matter is just tinkering, I would just jettison it.

Like I did with my Win98 system, albeit kicking and screaming, XP users will sooner or later have to let their systems go.

DA

DA, it's her favorite computer :-)

Da, it worked perfectly. Has tons of space, big hard drive and big video card. It might be 6 yrs old but didn't get heavy use. Super fast. I don't understand why I should trash it because the operating system is old. I have a Win 7 laptop and a Vista machine...big deal! I have no great desire to get Win 8 when I can do everything I want on XP. Plus, I have MS Office which was expensive.

I'll work on the computer tomorrow and see if changing the name works. I'm typing on my phone as I'm not home

Jane

I would try booting it up offline.

Tried to change computer name. There is a box which says 'more'. That opens a dialog 'DNS Suffix & Net Bios Computer Name Primary DNS suffix of this computer.'

There's a small checked box which says: 'Change primary DNS suffix when domain membership changes.'

The okay box is greyed out. Only the Cancel box is lit. Unless I change something, I can't change the name.

Does this make sense?? For some reason I can't Print-Screen the screen to show you what I see.

So apparently, I can't change the Computer Name or Workgroup without changing the DNS primary suffix.

Jane

Did you try what I suggested on the 26th? Download from that link then burn to CD/DVD or copy to a flash drive and install.

Owbist has a great point, it should be easier to just download the updates and install them locally.

Is there a Primary DNS suffix listed there? That would indicate that the computer was previously on a domain. You don't need that entry and can delete it if you no longer have a domain setup. Typically in a home network setup, this field would be empty.

You should not have needed to click on the More button to change the computer name or workgroup though. Just delete and type in the new computer name, click OK and take the prompt to restart. Repeat with the workgroup.

PK,

My favorite slippers, screwdrivers, and lawn mowers wear out too. Then I just replace them. :-)

DA

The problem seems to be that Windows doesn't know where to put the updates, it says the name changed, the directory changed. Owbist, I haven't tried your suggestion as the same problem would exsist, I think!

PK, the 'okay' button is greyed out.

Dan, the machine is not worn out. It's Windows that got screwed up.

OK so if Windows is screwed up try System File Checker.

Click Start, click Run then type scf /scannow noting the space after sfc and the 2'n's. Your computer will verify all Windows files are good, if not it will ask for an XP CD to be placed in the CD drawer to continue.

Regarding my other suggestion, downloading on the computer you are now on then using a CD or flash drive eliminates the need for your corrupt computer going online and perhaps it will be a success.

You noted somewhere above you did not wish to wipe the drive and start over because you had MS Office, do you not have the original CD for that program then?

Thank you Owbist. It's disconnected now as I only have one monitor. I think the screw up has to do with the name of the computer changing. I don't remember how that happened, but recognize the name so I must have done it. The failure of the updating keeps mentioning the changed name and Windows doesn't know where to install the updates. There is more, but I'm on my phone as its the only way I can get online. I would reinstall but that's another nightmare. The windows license # is pasted to the envelope with the disk and I can't read it. The # is under the flap which is glued. I tried peeling it open and the # gets destroyed. How do I find the license #?? I think if I could change the computer name and workgroup, it might work. I'd really rather not go through a reinstall,. Yes, it's office 07 and I do have the disks

It's a Dell, there is also a sticker on the computer case with the key.

As Pam notes the sticker should be on the case. However if that too is damaged I feel sure SIW for Windows (System Information Windows) by Gabrielle Topalis will give you that info, it has been around a few years now, updated often and very reliable.