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computer freezes when start menu opened. Why?

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by zack247

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i had built a computer, and i installed windows xp home edition. but whenever the start menu is opened,the computer freezes. why? i reinstalled winxp, but the problem persists. what's wrong?

-10gb fujitsu hdd
-256mb ram

23 replies

by rob miners

XP:

Check the memory.

You can test the memory by running Windows Memory Diagnostic that can be downloaded from http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp. If memory problems are found, try re-seating the RAM. If it doesn't work, replace the defective RAM.

by zack247

its not just the start menu. its after about a minute, and then my system freezes. i can't even install a service pack.

by rob miners

a faulty RAM Module causing the problems. If you have two sticks remove one and test. Do the same with the other one. If you have two modules make sure that they are exactly the same type. Better still they should be from the same manufacturer. Run the test that I mentioned in my previous post.

by zack247

it was working, and i replaced the ram, but now the start menu ACTUALLY freezes the computer! im going to try the memory diagnostic to see if there are any problems

by rob miners

You can use the Hard Drive Makers Testing Utility to Test the Drive which can be downloaded from below.

Hitachi / IBM
Western Digital
Fujitsu
Seagate
Samsung

If it tests out OK then try this.

Make sure that the BIOS is set to Boot from CD. Insert your XP CD and when you see ?Press any key to boot from CD? press a key. Now wait for the XP installer to finish loading up and you will be presented with the option to press R to Repair.

Press R.

The next screen will ask you which Windows installation you would like to log on to. Normally the following will be listed:

1: C:\WINDOWS

Press 1, then Enter to continue.

You may now be asked for the Administrator password. If you know this type it and press Enter. If you don't know the Administrators password it may be blank. Just press Enter or type your username and password.

At the command prompt type:

chkdsk C:/r

Let it run through the 5 stages.

by mdjameer

Hi ,

Request you to please check CPU (processor ) if his fan is working or not .

I think cpus fan is not working .

u can go to C Mos Setup and keep the system on C MOS mode for 15 min check whet it get hanged or not

by zack247

i re seated the ram, and it's working now.
i noticed that the slots for the locking clips on one of my RAM sticks was larger than the other. and i think perhaps the vibrations from the inumerous case fans i have installed just jiggle it loose. i have since repalced the ram stick, and it all works fine now. (that's what i get for buying cheap ram)

by zack247

long ago, the fan power units on the main board had stopped putting out power.so because of this, i had to hotwire the fan up with one of my case fans and it has stayed like that ever since

by rob miners

clip in, then its the wrong type of RAM. It's good to see that you have it working again. :D

by zack247

its still not working! and i have no floppy drives or blank cd's i can use! this is getting very annoying! i wish i could figure out what is going wrong! i can't even install anything without it freezing! so far i have only managed to install windows xp service pack 2, and the repair console did nothing! i can't figure out what's wrong, and it is really starting to get on my nerves! isn't there a program that can tell you exactly what's wrong with your computer?
i don't know if its the ram, or if the hard drive is silently committing suicide! please help! this is the first time this has ever happened, and i have no idea what to do!

by rob miners

Clean the golden edge of each memory stick with a soft rubber/eraser, remembering not to touch the golden edge of the memory stick. Reinsert one stick of memory and test, if it locks up try the other one. If it doesn't leave the other one out.

Diagnosing problems, is a process of elimination, surely you could access a re-writable, CD.

by zack247

i did run chkdsk, but it seemed to have absolutely no effect on the computer. i will try using the soft eraser and see if it works. i will report back after i try

by stefanverster

Hi you could also just try by setting your page file to system managed:To do this right click on my computer>properties>Advanced>Performance Settings>Advanced>Virtual Memory click on change>tick system managed size.
Then close all that.Right click my computer again>properties>Advanced>performance Settings>tick the adjust for best performance.This will give your pc some extra fire.Just something to try.Hope it helps!

by zack247

its working now, but now directx9 won't install! it has a problem with a cabinet file, it says: "A cabinet file necessary for installation cannot be trusted. Please verify the Cryptographic Services are enable and the cabinet file certificate is valid". cryptographic services are enabled, but it still gives me the message! why? and how do i fix it?

by seanferd

Could be a corrupted cabinet file, or a corrupted certificate file.. You could try downloading it from MS. Also, I believe DX9.0c is the latest that can install on XP (don't try to install DX10).

If it was copied from a disk, try re-copying it. If you are installing from CD/DVD, it is just possible that there is a scratch or dirt causing problems reading the cab or cert file.

Does it say which cab file? Maybe in event viewer?

by ctmoore1998

10GB 256Mb is very much for XP, it will be slow but should run. Run memory test and HDD test.

by zack247

maybe the directx steup i was using is a bad one. no it doesn't say what cab file, it just says it has a problem with one. i will try to find a new dx9 setup

by zack247

i have found the directx installation log file. here it is:
http://www.mediafire.com/download.php?gumhdywl2lm

i found this part near the end, it seemed interesting:

11/06/09 16:14:15: dsetup32: GetCDXUpdate(): Loading dxupdate.dll in C:\WINDOWS\system32\DirectX\DX1F.tmp\.
11/06/09 16:14:16: dsetup32: DirectXSetupIsJapanese == 0
11/06/09 16:14:16: dsetup32: DirectXSetupIsJapanNec == 0
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In dxdllreg_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In RGB9Rast_1_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In RGB9Rast_1_x64.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In RGB9Rast_2_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In RGB9Rast_2_x64.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In MDX_1.0.2902.0_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In MDX_1.0.2903.0_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In MDX_1.0.2904.0_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In MDX_1.0.2905.0_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In MDX_1.0.2906.0_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In MDX_1.0.2907.0_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In MDX_1.0.2908.0_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In MDX_1.0.2909.0_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Plug-In MDX_1.0.2910.0_x86.cab does not exist.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: -----
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn(): Checking for Feb2005_d3dx9_24_x86.cab...
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DXCheckTrust(): WinVerifyTrust() failed, error = 0x80096010.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dxupdate: DXCheckTrust(): C:\WINDOWS\system32\DirectX\WebSetup\Feb2005_d3dx9_24_x86.cab is not trusted. The file may be damaged. Please check valid certificate is installed and Cryptographic Services are enabled.
11/06/09 16:14:18: dsetup32: CSetup::InstallPlugIn(): DirectXUpdateInstallPlugIn() failed.
11/06/09 16:14:18: DXWSetup: DSetupCallback(): Phase = 0, Steps = 0
11/06/09 16:14:18: dsetup32: start finalizing: phase: 0 - 0, total: 0 - 0
11/06/09 16:14:18: DXWSetup: DSetupCallback(): Phase = 3, Steps = 0
11/06/09 16:14:19: dsetup32: Installation ended with value -21 = A cabinet file necessary for installation cannot be trusted.
11/06/09 16:14:23: DXWSetup: WM_APP_ENDINSTALL
11/06/09 16:14:23: DXWSetup: CDXWSetup::~CDXWSetup()
11/06/09 16:14:24: DXWSetup: CreatePropertySheet() returns -21.
11/06/09 16:14:24: DXWSetup: Deleted file C:\WINDOWS\system32\directx\websetup\dsetup.dll.
11/06/09 16:14:24: DXWSetup: Deleted file C:\WINDOWS\system32\directx\websetup\dsetup32.dll.

i think i need to install the .net franework, but i can't get it to install, it says it has problems too. i don't remember what it said though

by stefanverster

Open cmd under start ,run type in cmd

Type the following commands, pressing Enter after each line:

regsvr32 /s Softpub.dll
regsvr32 /s Mssip32.dll
regsvr32 /s Initpki.dll

Also, add microsoft.com to your trusted sites in Internet Explorer
under Tools / Internet Options / Security / Trusted Sites

Hope it helps!

by zack247

i was installing 3d studio max 8, and during the installation, it installed directx 9.0c. all of the problems i had before were during the unpackaging of the directx setup. i was lucky that 3dsmax installed it, or i would still be having problems. i didn't need to try what you said, StefanVerster, but i will keep it in mind. thank you

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