WINXP hangs.

Make sure that you have ALL the updates in place and then try again to see if the problem is resolved or not. If possible put in more memory so that your computer runs a little smoother. Make sure you have run a defrager:
(http://www.diskeeper.com/defrag.asp)
program to keep all of your files in order.

Please post back if you have any more problems or questions.

While Windows XP is more stable than Windows 98 was, it can over time develop a memory leak.

If a reboot always helps things, a memory leak is a likely cause.

The only "cure" I know of for memory leaks is a clean installation of Windows.

You can get some help by using a memory manager and by reducing the number of programs that run all the time.

Adding more RAM, and making sure your hard drive has enough free space for a decent size page file is also important. In my mind, the bare minimum amount of free hard drive space is 5 GB on the drive that contains the page file.

The problem with Word could well be too little free hard drive space. When a document is open, Word needs free hard drive space up to 3 times the size of the document file.

Chas

WinWord is notorious for this misbehavior, but there are steps you can take to mitigate the problem.

1) Turn off 'autosave' in Word. To do this, open Word, find the 'Options' menu (by default, it is usually under 'Tools'), click the tab 'Save', and uncheck the 'autosave' option. In my version of Word, it says "Save AutoRecover every ___ minutes". This is the single most unstable feature in Word.

2) Get in the habit of using Ctrl-S frequently while using Word, which manually saves your work to the disc. In Word, all your activity resides in memory, and if Word crashes, you have lost everything since the last 'save' command. My thumb and index finger are trained to execute Ctrl-S about every minute that Word is open.

3) If Word hangs, you do not need to boot the computer to restore complete functionality. Open the Task Manager (Ctrl-Shft-Esc), click the tab Applications, click Word, then click 'End Task'. You may need to repeat this process. Word will close, and everything else will work properly. Then reopen Word.

Rick/Portland, OR

Please Check Your system SMPS
'

and

Please Removed

C:\windows\Prefetch

Removed File In Prefetch Folder............
If SMPS Is Working Proper ,OS Problem

As you didn't say whether this is a Notepad or a PC and your not giving away to much information there are a few ways to tacle the problem.

First thing to do is check to see if Hibernatation is enabled, if it is a Notebook check the Manual or search for it through Google to see how to resume from Hibernation. If it is a PC here is how you disable it.

Open Control Panel.

On the Windows XP default Start menu, click Control Panel.

On the Windows XP classic Start menu, point to Settings, and then click Control Panel.

In Control Panel, open Power Options.

If the computer is in Category View, click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Power Options.

If the computer is in Classic View, double-click the Power Options icon.

In the Power Options Properties dialog box, click the Hibernate tab.

On the Hibernate tab, clear the Enable hibernatation check box, click Apply, and then click OK.

In the box under 'When I press the sleep button in my computer', in the drop down list on the Advanced tab select do nothing.

In Control Panel, on the File menu, click Close.

Second thing I would check is the Memory.

Sometimes random lockups can be attributed to the computer memory starting to fail. You can test the memory by running Windows Memory Diagnostic that can be downloaded from

http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp.

Video Memory Stress Test 1.4

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Video_Memory_Stress_Test__d5896.html

If memory problems are found, try re-seating the RAM and using one stick at a time. If it doesn't work, replace the defective RAM.

Then again if its a Notepad:

Laptops run fast microprocessors that can generate a lot of heat. The heat is mainly vented out of the bottom of the laptop but ventilation effectiveness is reduced when the laptop is placed on a solid surface. A hot laptop can suffer from reliability problems and a system that overheats can fail.

Adjusting your power options will help your laptop from heating up when not in use even if for short periods of time. You can set your hard drive and display to turn off after a set time period. Another option is to set the laptop to go into standby or hibernate mode.

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Laptop_cooler

Third a visual to see the environment that the PC is trying to operate in.

A common reason for shutting down and locking up or freezing is the CPU overheating.

Faulty Fans, Dust and Grime build up on the Heatsink restricting air flow. I would give the inside of the case a blowout with compressed air. When blowing air through the fans make sure that you physically stop them from spinning, as they may generate power and blow something up. Then remove the Heatsink, giving it a thorough clean and reseat the CPU applying new CPU grease. If the Fans spin freely when you give them a spin they are probably OK. If there is resistance replace them.

Also check Capacitors around the CPU for swelling or bulging, if they are its time to replace the Motherboard.

A faulty PSU can also cause it. Fluctuating power is no good for the motherboard. Try another one if available or replace it.

My philosophy dovetails perfectly with yours. It's nice to get positive feedback, but we usually know when we've contributed solid information, and the absense of gratitude doesn't shake our confidence in our own worth.

Please don't get discouraged - I'm very new to TR, but you have already taught me a lot, and I look forward to your postings. You may not get a [i]thumbs up[/i] from my monitoring of your posts, but I [b]really[/b] appreciate your instruction.

Rick/Portland, OR