Windows vista crashes

Follow these steps to try and resolve the issues:

http://support.dell.com/support/downloads/index.aspx

·                         Go to your Laptop/Computer Manufacturer's website > Drivers and Downloads Section > Key in your Model number > Look for latest Vista Drivers for it > Download/install them.

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http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/83ec0ffe-ee04-4d53-8b87-25d1f05c954e1033.mspx

“Optimise Windows for better Performance”   

http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/1264bc24-72a8-48aa-84e3-a355327139d91033.mspx

“Delete files using Disk Cleanup”

The More Options tab is available when you choose to clean files from all users on the computer. This tab includes two additional ways to free even more disk space:

Programs and Features: Uninstall unwanted Programs.

System restore and Shadow Copies: Delete all but the most recent Restore Point

   Above is what you should do as part of normal Computer maintenance.

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Besides using an anti-virus, also scan for Malware/spyware:

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Malwarebytes is as the name says, a Malware Remover!

Download the Free Version from the link above.

Download, install, update and scan once a fortnight..

How to use Malwarebytes after it is installed and Updated:

1. Open Malwarebytes > Click on the Update Tab  across the top> get the latest updates.

2. On the Scanner tab, make sure the the Perform quick scan option is selected and then click on the Scan button to start scanning your computer

3. MBAM will now start scanning your computer for malware. This process can take quite a while.

4. When the scan is finished a message box will appear

5. You should click on the OK button to close the message box and continue with the Malware removal process.

6. You will now be back at the main Scanner screen. At this point you should click on the Show Results button.

7. A screen displaying all the malware that the program found will be shown

8. You should now click on the Remove Selected button to remove all the listed malware. MBAM will now delete all of the files and registry keys and add them to the programs quarantine. When removing the files, MBAM may require a reboot in order to remove some of them. If it displays a message stating that it needs to reboot, please allow it to do so. Once your computer has rebooted, and you are logged in, please continue with the rest of the steps.

9. When MBAM has finished removing the malware, it will open the scan log and display it in Notepad. Review the log as desired, and then close the Notepad window.

10. You can now exit the MBAM program.

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Run the Vista System File Checker Tool:

http://www.tech-recipes.com/rx/2231/vista_run_system_file_checker/


1. Open a Command Window in Administrator mode:

* click Start
* click All Programs, then Accessories
* right click on the Command Prompt option,
* on the drop down menu which appears, click on the Run as Administrator option.

* If you haven’t disabled User Account Control (and you shouldn’t!) you will be asked for authorisation. Click the Continue button if you are the administrator or insert the administrator password.

2. Start the System File Checker

* In the Command Prompt window, type: sfc /scannow,
* press Enter.
* You’ll see “the system scan will begin”.

The scan may take some time and windows will repair/replace any corrupt or missing files. You will be asked to insert your Vista DVD if it’s needed.

Close the Command Prompt Window when the job is finished.

One caveat: you need a Windows DVD to enable SFC to make more than minor repairs.

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx/kb/928228

“How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program generates in Windows Vista”

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If SFC finds serious errors it can not fix, you may have to do a Vista Repair Upgrade Install.

If you do not have a Microsoft Vista DVD, borrow one from a friend.

Read this Tutorial on how to do a Repair Install:

http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/88236-repair-install-vista.html

Cheers.

i have all the latest updates from dell

i have 5 files that are labeled x64 2 from 2006 and 3 from when i recently did a clean install

theres a file that says vcredist_x64

one that says 6.0.6000.20125.x64

and some others that closely resemble the first one here $$_system32_reminst_boot_x64_zh-tw_e14dd291e1da50d2.cdf-ms

Hi richardf18,

When the system crashes, what error message(s) do you receive? Have you complete all the steps provided by Michael?  What were the results of the virus scan?  Does the system crash in Safe Mode?

I dont get any error messages it just crashes randomly and i end up being forced to do a force shut down, yes i completed all of the steps provided by michael and it didnt solve the problem, the virus scan said my computer isnt infected and yes it crashes in safe mode the lack of an error message has made it very difficult to find out whats wrong.

Hi richardf18,

If the computer is crashing in Safe Mode, than this could mean there is major corruption in Windows and/or hardware issues preventing the computer from loading. If you installed any new hardware, uninstall the hardware. If no new hardware was installed, than Windows is corrupted or existing hardware is corrupted. Your best option is to reformat and reinstall Windows. If you receive errors reinstalling, than the issues is hardware. If you are able the successfully reinstall Windows, than the issues was a corrupted Windows.

***Formatting the hard drive will wipe out ALL data, programs and user settings that you have on the computer. If there is any information on this computer that you do not want to lose, or is not backed up, you will need to make backups before proceeding with the FORMAT/CLEAN INSTALL.