Ok, I dont know what the problem is here, but now, many programs are just randomly performing illegal operations and whatnot and just shutting down. Happens to AIM, MSN, some games, lot of programs. Iv run several virusscans, spybot S&D, adaware, registry mechanic, CCleaner, and my computer has come out clean. Only thing I added recently was the update to iTunes. Does anyone have any suggestions? My system specs are in my sig and i'm running SP2 w/ XP Pro.

Check for windows updates also when the error happens send a report and sometimes when you do that they say they have a fix for that problem and give you link to get it.
Thats what I try first, also check your drivers and hard disk for errors.

Eh i send that report every time and i dont really get any feedback from it.
Another problem is that every time i open MSN messenger, it acts as if it was the first time i've ever used the program. Very annoying.
I update windows on a regular basis :-S
What should I use to check the HD for errors?

Possible your RAM? Try running MemTest86.

I think you might have a virus. Try AVG to get rid of that (make sure that if your running Norton or McAfee that you shut em down) http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

Then try running some programs that get rid of adware / malware that may be on your system:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

I agree with Spectrum, sounds like a stick has a problem...>Mike

could also be that your windows installation is corrupt, is this a new install a few years old? How long has this been going on? Have you tried a boot into safe mode and running scans from there? Have you tried a system restore through windows?

now then don't try all of these things till you answer some of the questions heh. Safe things to do:

Run scans from safe mode, both antivirus and spyware.(press F8 while computer is booting just before windows logo comes up to get into safe mode)
do a defrag if it is a fresh instal.
back up your stuff!

The reason I don't think it's RAM is the fact that it does boot into Windows.

EDIT: You might try to RESTORE to an earlier date........
There's also HijackThis http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html

This problem started about last month. It wasn't that bad to begin with, but more problems have begun to occur.
I have run, Ad-aware, Spybot S&D, McAffee. (read my first post). This windows install is a little less than a year old. Bout 11 months. I defrag every 2 weeks. Hijack this has been run several times and it looks clean so far.
The memory was new, installed another 512 module at christmas. Bought one stick 2 yrs ago and added a second stick, same model at christmas. So 2 CMX512-3200C2PT sticks. I guess i could check the memory, but i'm not sure about how to run memtest.
I was planning on formatting my computer again soon, but need an external HD so i can save all my mp3's Lost like 100 last time due to the fact that burning made some of the songs corrupt.

I'm gonna try to run the scans in safe mode once i come back from work. Thanks everyone.

Good luck fixing your problem sounds like a virus to me also.

I would try to reinstall Windows. After a while it sort of craps on it's self, and starts to Fu*k up. Sad though when it totally dies, and you haven't backed up anything

Well whatever your problem , we are here to put our heads together and> get er done< I want to mention that i have seen several computers that have a stick of ram going out , but still booted to windows.I am sure i am not the only one to see this>>Mike

Ok i have done this so far to my computer and fallen asleep in the process :-p
Run AVG ---> nothing
Started up in safe mode and run the following programs
1) Lavasoft Ad-Aware ----> Clean
2) Spybot S&D -----> Clean
3) McAffee AntiSpyware ----> Clean
4) AVG (again) ----> Clean
5) McAffee VirusScan ----> Clean

Just restarted my computer cuz i fell asleep.

This leaves, in my opinion, only 2 things that could be wrong. Either a bad memory stick, or a corrupted windows install. Unfortunately, RAM isn't that cheap to get especially with Corsair However, they do have a lifetime warranty on their memory sticks. What could I do to test the memory? I haven't the faintest clue how to use memtest...thanks guys

In addition, should i update my drivers for my video card? I haven't in awhile, still have forceware 71.84.

Just because the computer boots into Windows doesn't mean your ram is good. Your memory works simular to a hard drive. The megabytes are divided up into sectors that slowly get filled up as you work. One or more sectors can go bad. So the computer will work fine until a bad sector is accessed and then you'll have a crash. And because various sector''s will be flushed and reused the crashes will often appear to be random.

Quote: Originally Posted by Slaymate Just because the computer boots into Windows doesn't mean your ram is good. Your memory works simular to a hard drive. The megabytes are divided up into sectors that slowly get filled up as you work. One or more sectors can go bad. So the computer will work fine until a bad sector is accessed and then you'll have a crash. And because various sector''s will be flushed and reused the crashes will often appear to be random.

Ok, so how would i go about testing the memory? Are there instructions somewhere showing how memtest works? Or are there any other memory testing applications? Thanks guys.

This link should have everything you need.
http://www.hcidesign.com/memtest/

Thanks slaymate. How different is this memtest in comparison to memtest86?
Anyways I ran this memtest and received no errors. Ran it for about 2 and a half hours.... Maybe i'll run it again tonight and see what happens.

Anyways unless i need to run memtest 86, the only other option is for me to format....

Oh and another problem i have had for awhile. One of the folders on my D: partition I made for all the setup files I downloaded from the internet. However, it has an odd problem where it takes about 5 minutes for it to load up. I just double click on the folder and get a white Explorer screen. If i try to X the window, it says explorer is not responding. If left alone for 5 minutes it will load all the files. Does this problem have to do with a corrupt windows install? I made it so Drive C: contained all my windows files and other programs. Drive D: has all my mp3 files, documents and whatnot. I take it if i format Drive C, all my data will remain intact. However, this problem is on my D: Drive. Any idea what could be the problem?

As far as I know it doesn't test the memory already in use which memtest86 more or less does. But if it's already in use odds are it's fine unless your getting an error message you haven't told us about. As for your harddrive problem, that may be your whole problem. If it's just one drive with multiple partitions and sectors start going out then it can affect one or all of the drives. What kind of drive is it. If it's a Western Digital then go here and download and run there diagnostic tool.
http://support.wdc.com/download/inde...cxml=n&pid=999
If it say's it's bad then it will return a code which will allow you to RMA it if it still under warranty. If it's another kind of drive you'll have to go to there site and see if they have a tool also. I now only buy Western Digital because of there good to bad drive ratio combined with there RMA policy. If your drive is out of warranty or you can't find an actual test for it try windows scandisk and set it to run at your next start-up. But regardless of the scandisk I would buy a new Drive from Newegg.com. If you don't have a DVD Burner to back files up with then buy one. You can pick up one for less than $50. Backup your important file and then install your new Harddrive. Or you can try a product like Norton Ghost. But I have seen these program's fail resulting in total file loss.

Yup it is a Western Digital...the replacement drive they sent me for a supposed damaged drive, which ended up being damaged cuz my dad dropped it

I ran the DataLifeguard Diagnostic Tool, and my Hard Drive passed with flying colors :-/

My Hard Drive is about 2 years old, so i think that I might go out and buy a new one. Up the capacity a bit too I could do with more than 120 GB :-D Dont have the money at the moment, but maybe in the near future.

Well just because it passed the test today doesn't mean it won't fail next week or sometime soon. Taking 1 minute to access a partitioned drive is still 59 seconds to slow. I would reload the newest chipset drivers (and IDE drivers if there separate) just to see if something just hasn't went crazy with the original install. You should also double check your IDE BIOS settings, if there are any adjustments like IDE Busmastering or such try changing the settings to see if they help. Just remember what they were originally so you can restore them if needed.