updating the BIOS

[ellegrand]

Well, it happens suddenly with no apparent cause. But, not always... sometimes. Today, it happens once, when I try to close a text file and a video file that were open and "this program is not responding" appeared for both.

[igalan]

This problem appears to be totally unrelated to everything else you have posted. It seems to me that we are dealing with several different problems, so it is very difficult to find the root of each one.

To sumarize, you have the following problems:

• The computer shutsdown completely after some time of use.
• The screen turns off after some time of use while the computer seems active.
• You get errors running programs.

Maybe it's time to reinstall Windows XP from scratch and start from there. I'm sorry but I don't know how to help with so many different problems; unless you find a way to isolate each one, so we can start from somewhere .

[ellegrand]

Don´t worry, you´ve helped me a lot with your words. I was just taking dvantage of your knowledge. Of course, at the end of this week, I will reinstall windows XP and check everything we´re talking about.
Thanks a lot.

[igalan]

If you're going to do a clean install, I would recommen you to follow this order:

1. Full backup to a spare disk, DVD+-RW or USB disk. Norton Ghost is a good program for this.
2. Verify backup and if possible do another to somewhere else (you're never too safe ).
3. Unplug USB devices except mouse and keyboard. Keeping the peripherals at minimum will help in case something isn't working well.
4. Unplug from network (Ethernet, WiFi, DSL modem...)
5. Install Windows XP deleting old partition (backup!). Highly recomended the use of NTFS.
6. Install SP2 if it isn't already sliptstreamed in your installation CD.
7. Install latest motherboard drivers (remember to have them at hand before proceeding!)
8. Install video card drivers.
9. Install drivers for any USB device that you have.
10. Plug USB devices one by one making sure that each one works.
11. Set up networking adapter (Ethernet, WiFi, DSL modem...)
12. Make sure Windows XP SP2 firewall is activated and only after this connect to the network (Internet).
13. Install antivirus. AVG Free is one of the best and you can't get it any cheaper than free .
14. Install all critical Windows Updates.
15. Ready to go .

[ellegrand]

Thank you for your advice.
I´lll write you when I finish, and, if I have any dout, it´s nice to count on you.
Never forget!

[ellegrand]

How are you everybody?
Thi is for telling you that I solved the PC problem:
I changed the PSU and reinstalled the windows xp.
Thaks a lot , Igalan and evry body for taking your time to answer me.

[igalan]

I'm glad to know that you got it working .

[ellegrand]

Thanks a lot. I see that here I can gather a lot of information.
Hey, do you know something about encrypt/decrypt?
I have a dout... can you see my post in Operating System- Microsoft?