Cannot Open Programs

[Tommurphy]

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

[lopburi3]

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

[Tommurphy]

Opps

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

[lopburi3]

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.

[Tommurphy]

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

[Mid]

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

[eek]

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.

Edited July 1, 2007 by eek

[Mid]

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 .

[astral]

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?

[Tommurphy]

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.

[octagon]

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