Wierd general problems

[Frick]

Ok, so I'm trying to fix my parents computer. It did have some major problems for some time, but those were related to a 4 year old, abused Windows XP install. Programs didn't respond, it was slow as a dead turtle and whatnot. You know how bad OS'es are. But then I reinstalled.

And some things just don't work. I cannot install most programs and drivers, the installations just hang when they're at ~50%. And it seems it's random. I've tried to format/reinstall Windows a couple of times, same problem. Windows updates works as normal, but not IE8. I could install Foxit PDF something, but not an antivirus program. It seems entirely random, and the working programs are different each time I format/reinstall.

I don't think I've seen it before. No bluescreens are present and the only error messeges I get are related to failed installations.

The computer have not displayed hardware troubles as such, only general Windows instability.

I have not tried another harddrive or something like that. I don't want it to be hardware, that would be such a hassle.

It's an HP dx2200 (microtower) with the following specs:

Celeron D 2.6 Ghz
2GB DDR2 RAM
80GB SATA
Radeon Xpress 200 chipset with integrated GPU (Radeon 300 I think)


Any input is greatly appreciated!

 

[brandonwh64]

when it locks while installing something does it make the dreaded hard drive click? i would suspect a faulty drive or maybe some bad memory, run memtest86+ as well

 

[2DividedbyZero]

probably the most important drivers are the motherboard drivers, did you install these first after reinstalling the OS?

 

[Frick]

when it locks while installing something does it make the dreaded hard drive click? i would suspect a faulty drive or maybe some bad memory, run memtest86+ as well

Have run memtest for about an hour now, will run it until tomorrow. Will try another drive as well.

2DividedbyZero: Yep, that's what I normally do.

BTW, I'm using HP's own XP disc with SP2, but there are no modifications as far as I can tell. I have to use another disc (called Setup Live or something) to verify the installation disc, but other than that I can't see anything modded. I found another disc just now though so I'll try that later.

 

[happita]

Might sound a little redundant and you probably have tried it already...

But you might want to run a few scans in safe mode, namely for: malware, spyware, virus's, trojans and other annoying little critters to see if you come up with something.
I use Malware bytes for malware, SuperAntiSpyware for spyware, and the others are whatever you can think of or already have.

 

[Frick]

I have not done that as I format the drive before installing Windows.

 

[95Viper]

when it locks while installing something does it make the dreaded hard drive click? i would suspect a faulty drive or maybe some bad memory, run memtest86+ as well

This^, plus...

If installs from the cd/dvd are the ones hanging, try cleaning the lens.
Re-seat the cables(power and data), memory, cpu and clean the connectors, if needed(like on the memory, cards, etc.)
Also, check or replace the CMOS battery, if they plan on keeping it.
Check the bios clock to see if it keeps time.

 

[Goodman]

Long time installation , long time without cleaning the parts inside the case , dusty?

1-CD\DVD rom defect or need to be clean out?

2-HDD failling? (most likely)

3-PSU may also be on it's way...?(most likely #2)

Also this is a prebuilt HP? it should have come with it own CD repair disk or program in windows that you just have to click & the computer reinstall windows on it's own like when you first bought it
if that is the case then there is a second partition probably in fat 32 with everything needed for the reinstallation...

Boot with a Linux CD & delete all partitions true linux & than reinstall windows with XP CD

 

[Mussels]

i'm thinking HDD has bad sectors.

 

[Namslas90]

i'm thinking HDD has bad sectors.

Could be failing PSU also.

 

[Mussels]

Could be failing PSU also.

that should trigger system crashes as well, not just this problem with files installing.

random issues with installing/writing files (but not reading them, which would trigger crashes/BSOD's) sounds more like problems with specific parts of the HDD instead of a more general problem with the system.

 

[Namslas90]

that should trigger system crashes as well, not just this problem with files installing.

random issues with installing/writing files (but not reading them, which would trigger crashes/BSOD's) sounds more like problems with specific parts of the HDD instead of a more general problem with the system.

Yes, I agree but I have seen it both ways before, recently had a similar problem turned out to be the OEM PSU the HDD still works I'm on it now. Eh, he's got a couple ideas anyways.

 

[micropage7]

what about reset the bios to the default first?
i dunno i ever experienced the same thing on my friend board sometimes it works sometimes it aint work at all

 

[Frick]

Ok, I've tried another disc, another DVD player and another HDD and still the same issues. I don't have another PSU handy right now, so I'll bring it home later for further troubleshooting. So, it looks like it's the PSU. Or it could be motherboard or something. We'll see.

Thanks for all the input guys!

 

[Mussels]

Ok, I've tried another disc, another DVD player and another HDD and still the same issues. I don't have another PSU handy right now, so I'll bring it home later for further troubleshooting. So, it looks like it's the PSU. Or it could be motherboard or something. We'll see.

Thanks for all the input guys!

uggh. hate these ones. at least you've narrowed it down.