MY computer used to lock up and then after I shut down, I could not start it up without waiting for some time - When I tried to start it up, it seemed to be showing that the memory was not functional.Now it randomly shuts off and cannot start up without waiting for a whileI guess I need to write down the specific error which occurs when I try to start back up.I have several Windows Accountson the PC and the 'hanging' problem usually seems to occur to my kids accounts - they are set up with limited accounts and also have ATTParental controls limiting their access. But the random shutoff seems to occur in all accounts now - I noticed recently that printing a microsoft works database seems to trigger the problem.

Hi,Could be heat related - try using a small fan to blow into the air intakes to see if that helps.Clean out the dustbunnies from the vents.Remove ALL power and reseat all card, memory, and cables (both ends) - actually remove andreplace - do not just snug. (Of course these are for a PC and not a laptop.) This sounds like hardware so if the above does not help then you probably need the help of areal computer shop (not leeks and peeks at a Best Buy or other Big Box Stores) or the Systemmaker's Support.===========================================================Check with these utilities to see if any information can be gathered :This is an excellent tool for posting Blue Screen Error InformationBlueScreenView - Free - scans all your minidump files created during 'blue screen of death' crashes,and displays the information about all crashes in one table.http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/blue_screen_view.html-------------MyEventViewer can be checked at the time of the BlueScreen (BSOD) to within a second or so of thetime of the BSOD to provide more information as to possible cause - see TIP.MyEventViewer - Free - a simple alternative to the standard event viewer of Windows.TIP - Options - Advanced Filter allows you to see a time frame instead of the whole file -set it to a bit before and after the time of the BSOD.http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/my_event_viewer.html------------AppCrashView - Free - a small utility for Windows Vista and Windows 7 that displays the details of allapplication crashes occurred in your system. The crashes information is extracted from the .werfiles created by the Windows Error Reporting (WER) component of the operating system everytime that a crash is occurred. AppCrashView also allows you to easily save the crashes list totext/csv/html/xml file. http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/app_crash_view.html------------------------------Also do this so you can see the likely bluescreens. (You may or may not be able to seethem if they occur even after doing this depending on the cause.)Windows Vista automatically restarts if your PC encounters an error that causes it to crash.http://www.winvistatips.com/disable-automatic-restart-t84.html=========================================What antivirus/antispyware/security products do you have on machine? Include any you have EVERhad on this machine including those you uninstalled (they leave remnants behind which can causestrange issues).Hope this helps.Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Hi,This does sound like heat or hardware as stated in the previous message however if you want toalso check for possible software causes these are the methods to use.-----------------------------------------------------What antivirus/antispyware/security products do you have on machine? Include any you have EVERhad on this machine including those you uninstalled (they leave remnants behind which can causestrange issues).----------------------------------------------------Do these :Start - type this in Search Box -> COMMAND find at top and RIGHT CLICK - RUN AS ADMINEnter this at the prompt - sfc /scannowHow to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) programgenerates in Windows Vista cbs.loghttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228Also run CheckDisk so we can rule out corruption as much as possible.How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vistahttp://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html==========================================After the above :How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vistahttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135How to troubleshoot performance issues in Windows Vistahttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/950685Optimizing Microsoft Windows Vista Performancehttp://support.microsoft.com/kb/959062To see all that is loading bootup - wait a few minutes without doing anything - then Right ClickTaskBar - Task Manager - take a look at Appplications - Processes - Services - this is a quickreference (if you have a little box on Lower Left - Show for All Users then check that).How to Check and Change the Startup Programs in Vistahttp://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/79612-startup-programs-enable-disable.htmlA quick check to see which are loading is Method 2 there - using MSCONFIG then post a list ofthose here.--------------------------------------------------------------------Tools that should help :Process Explorer - Free - Find out what files, registry keys and other objects processes have open,which DLLs they have loaded, and more. This uniquely powerful utility will even show you who ownseach process.http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspxAutoruns - Free - See what programs are configured to startup automatically when your system bootsand you login. Autoruns also shows you the full list of Registry and file locations where applications canconfigure auto-start settings.http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspxProcess Monitor - Free - Monitor file system, Registry, process, thread and DLL activity in real-time.http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspxThere are many excellent free tools at Sysinternalshttp://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default.aspxWhatsInStartUP - Free - This utility displays the list of all applications that are loaded automaticallywhen Windows starts up. For each application, the following information is displayed: Startup Type (Registry/Startup Folder), Command -Line String, Product Name, File Version, Company Name,Location in the Registry or file system, and more. It allows you to easily disable or delete unwantedprograms that runs in your Windows startup. http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/what_run_in_startup.htmlThere are many excellent free tools at NirSofthttp://www.nirsoft.net/utils/index.htmlWindow Watcher - Free - Do you know what's running on your computer? Maybe not. The WindowWatcher tells all, reporting every window created by every running program, whether the windowis visible or not. http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptwinwatch.aspMany excellent free tools and an excellent newsletter at Karenwarehttp://www.karenware.com/===========================================Vista and Windows 7 love updated drivers so here is how to update the major ones.This is my generic how to for proper driver updates :This utility makes it easy to see which versions are loaded :DriverView - Free - utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your system.For each driver in the list, additional useful information is displayed: load address of the driver,description, version, product name, company that created the driver, and more.http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.htmlFor Drivers check System Maker as fallbacks and Device Maker's which are the most current.Control Panel - Device Manager - Display Adapter - write down the make and complete modelof your video adapter - double click - Driver's tab - write down the version info. Now click UPdateDriver (this may not do anything as MS is far behind certifying drivers) - then Right Click -Uninstall - REBOOT this will refresh the driver stack.Repeat that for Network - Network Card (NIC), Wifi, Sound, Mouse and Keyboard if 3rd partywith their own software and drivers and any other major device drivers you have.Now go to System Maker's site (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (as rollback) and then DeviceMaker's site (Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI as examples) and get their latest versions. (Look forBIOS, Chipset and software updates at System Maker's site while there.)Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - Right Click - RUN AD ADMIN - REBOOT aftereach installation.Always check in Device Manager - Drivers tab to be sure the version you are installing actuallyshows up. This is because some drivers rollback before the latest is installed (sound driversparticularly do this) so install a driver - reboot - check to be sure it is installed and repeat asneeded.Repeat at Device Makers - BTW at Device Makers DO NOT RUN THEIR SCANNER - checkmanually by model.Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htmHow to Install a Device Driver in Vista Device Managerhttp://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.htmlIf you update drivers manually then it is a good idea to disable Driver Installations in WindowsUpdates, this leaves Windows Updates ON however it will not install drivers which will usually beolder and cause issues. If Updates suggests a new driver then HIDE it (Right Click on it) and thengo look for new ones manually if you wish.How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows Vista - Drivershttp://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730606(WS.10).aspx===========================================Refer to these threads for many more excellent tips however be sure to check your antivirusprograms, update major drivers and BIOS, and also troubleshoot with the cleanboot methodfirst.Problems with overall system speed and performancehttp://support.microsoft.com/gp/slow_windows_performance/en-usPerformance and Maintenance tipshttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7performance/thread/19e5d6c3-bf07-49ac-a2fa-6718c988f125Windows Explorer has stopped workinghttp://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7performance/thread/6ab02526-5071-4dcc-895f-d90202bad8b3Hope these help.Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

thanks. i did not realize this is windows vista site forum...i am XP. I will try to look for tools for xp that are similar thanks

Hi,The error codes and the solutions apply to XP though you have to use XP commands such as RUNinstead of Start - Search as in Vista. Those programs also work on XP. (Just a little translation inhow to do some steps and it all works.)Answers - XP Forumshttp://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/default.aspx#tab=4Hope this helps.Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.