My computer is seriously screwed up

When trying to play a movie, the video wouldn't play. Now, when I CTRL-ALT-DELETE, the computer sets itself to 640x480 4bit color mode. And when I try to change it, Windows XP gives me that blue screen "memory error" and restarts the computer. Also, everything looks like Windows 95 style. No mouse shadow, menu's scroll instead of fade in, etc...

I posted this on Zelda Fan Game Central and found out that it could possibly be due to bad memory (RAM). Which seems odd, becuase the memory cards are only about 1 year old.

So, if any of you have help, that would be nice.

Go to www.tweaktown.com and post this there (preferably in the "Windows") section. I wish I could help you with this, but I don't think I can offer much information...but bad memory seems to be the most likely culprit.

http://forums.tweaktown.com/

There you go, Yoshi. Sear showed that to me a while back. Give them as much info as you can, and if you can be helped, you will be.

Well, exactly how much RAM does your computer have?

'Cause if it's like 16MB or something, then that's what the problem is (Windows XP requires 64MB minimum, 128MB+ recommended)

It'd be pretty hard to find ram in 16-meg units one year ago.

RAM is finnicky. It can burn out or otherwise go bad at the drop of a hat, and can lead to countless mysterious results. One of the problems you'll face is that, since memory errors can cause such a broad range of problems, it's easy to confuse other problems for those relating to memory. Often it isn't helped by the fatalist attitude of people on various forums.

Have you installed or uninstalled any applications recently? Drivers in particular? You could try rolling back your system through the startup options screen when you power on your computer.

It could also be that your videocard drivers are misbehaving, which would explain the crippled video mode and weird video behavior.

Of course, it could be a lot of other things: I went through a similar ordeal last summer when my heatsink was sitting loose on my processor, causing the system to slowly overheat.

It might mean that you have some pretty disguisting viruses or spyware.

Originally posted by Dryth
It'd be pretty hard to find ram in 16-meg units one year ago.

I was exaggerrating. I bet eMachines offers one though.

First thing I'd do is check for any viruses, trojans, spyware, hijackers, etc. present in the system. You'll need a virus scanner for this and I'd recommend Spybot for the rest. If that doesn't turn up anything, then I'd check the status on my display driver (My Computer>Properties>Hardware>Device Manager) and update it to the latest available driver (Check the manufacturer's website). Last off I'd open up the box itself and check to make sure all RAM and AGP/PCI cards are properly secured, and while I'm at it look for a loose heat sink :p.

And of course, when you're absolutely out of ideas, back up anything important and wipe the drive, but that advice is given too much these days for problems that turn out to be rather simple or completely unrelated.

Originally posted by Fury Three
Well, exactly how much RAM does your computer have?

'Cause if it's like 16MB or something, then that's what the problem is (Windows XP requires 64MB minimum, 128MB+ recommended)

2 memory cards, 256MB each, so I have 512MB ram.

I would just restore your computer. Its not worth fixing. Burn everything off your computer that you wanna keep and find all the disc that came with your computer. Look for one that says "System restore disc" and put that in. Reboot your computer and launch from that disc. Delete your operating system, create your computer again using all the space and reinstall your operating system. (Its real easy) When your computer is all set and finished, it will be fresh and just like new.

If you wanna try and fix it I would make sure you have a product like Norton Antivirus and it is up to date and you have scanned everything on your computer. I would also use Ad Aware 6 on your computer. If you do fix things make sure in the future your computers security settings are tight and really crack down and do not download extractable files from file sharing programs. (Like Zips, exe's, rars ect) becaue those are the files that you get viruses ect from.

Well, for some reason, my computer decided to fix itself. So, the problem is resolved.

Well, for some reason, my computer decided to fix itself. So, the problem is resolved.

Computer are funny that way. They'll be going all crazy one minute, and then the next the will be working perfect. I find a good flick of the "off" button often helps once rebooted.

Good to hear your problem has been fixed!

Well, that's great :0) !

Glad your problem is solved. Did you open it up? Sometimes it's just dust or loose wires.

Welpers, this has served its purpose, then.

*pulls out mini-lock*
*LoCkEd*