I am having annoying computer problems. it only happens sometimes, and I am not sure of the cause. It seems like a memory problem. After opening a few programs I cannot open anymore. Double clicking on the icon results in nothing. Closing all the open programs doesn't help either. The only way I can continue is to restart.

Memory is 1GB, CPU is 1.8Ghz.

I don't know anything about computers so please help!.

Tom

Probably need to know your exact operating system name. People most likely will want to know that information.

Opps

I have Windowns XP professional version 2002, service pack 2.

Have you noticed any program that is always open when this happens? I had a similar problem when visiting web sites with Firefox using XP where they would cause 100% processor cycles so nothing could be done until reboot. Can you press ctrl/alt/delete to get the task manager screen and check CPU usage? If high check which process it is and try turning if off (you will likely get a possible lost data warning but that will happen with re-boot anyhow). You might be able to pin it to a program and then maybe Google to see if others are having problems with the same version you have.

Above just thoughts - hopefully someone with more computer knowledge will have better ideas for you.

Thanks Lopburi

I can press ctr alt del and get the task manager up, but nothing appears to be overworking. But I do use firefox and open multiple tabs at the same time.

Tom

i haven't got better knowledge nor ideas , you've nailed it in one lopburi3

Have you downloaded/installed any programme recently that could possibly be interfering with your set up? If you have, i suggest removing it (thoroughly), rebooting and then checking if that has improved the situation.

can fire fox be run as a seperate process as ie7 can ??

at least that way you don't need to go to the reboot .

just restart the browser .

I doubt you have memory configuration problems.

I Gb is plenty enough for XP.

Even with insufficient memory the machine should just become slow, as it starts to use the swap file,

not fail to open programmes.

What anti-virus programme do you use, also Adware protection?

Are your MS updates up to date?

Hi again

I have kept my MS updates current and closing firefox doesn't fix the problem either. No it is doing something a bit different. The top menus of the programs are disappearing. I am typing this in firefox and there is a big black box up near the top right corner. Don't know what is going on. Will have to restart again.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

Try running Process Explorer to see what programs are hogging all your memory. Possibly a virus of some kind.