Computer suddenly hanging/crashing

Considering that this seemed to have begun after you installed more RAM, I
suggest that you check out the memory thoroughly. Use the tool at the
following web site to run a test on the RAM

http://www.memtest.org/

Leave it running for a number of cycles to see if it detects anything.

Hope this helps.

Martin


"skylark42" <skylark42.3zrg2k.RemoveThis@no.email.invalid> wrote in message
news:skylark42.3zrg2k@no.email.invalid...
>
> My computer (running XP Home / SP2) has begun hanging, bunking out of
> programs and even crashing. Anti-virus is Avast, which I've been using
> for years and am totally happy with - never had any infections.
>
> I installed 2Gb of memory a week or so ago, giving a total of 2.5Gb -
> computer is configured for up to 3.5Gb. Things went fine till last
> night, while watching 4oD.
>
> The only other thing I've changed is to uninstall the old 4oD player,
> which is no longer needed, and prevent the (I was told) Kontiki helper
> program Khost.exe from loading at startup.
>
> Examples:
>
> *Hanging*: capricious and application-unrelated - even just surfing
> with Mozilla or I.E.
> *Bunking out*: Second Life
> *Crashing*: Channel 4's iPlayer (4oD)
>
> It's getting really boring and means I can't do anything much. It even
> hung when I was setting up this HTFC account. Any help/suggestions
> appreciated; thanks.
>
>

> "skylark42" <skylark42.3zrg2k.RemoveThis@no.email.invalid> wrote in message
> news:skylark42.3zrg2k@no.email.invalid...
>
> My computer (running XP Home / SP2) has begun hanging, bunking out of
> programs and even crashing. Anti-virus is Avast, which I've been using
> for years and am totally happy with - never had any infections.
>
> I installed 2Gb of memory a week or so ago, giving a total of 2.5Gb -
> computer is configured for up to 3.5Gb. Things went fine till last
> night, while watching 4oD.
>
> The only other thing I've changed is to uninstall the old 4oD player,
> which is no longer needed, and prevent the (I was told) Kontiki helper
> program Khost.exe from loading at startup.
>
> Examples:
>
> *Hanging*: capricious and application-unrelated - even just surfing
> with Mozilla or I.E.
> *Bunking out*: Second Life
> *Crashing*: Channel 4's iPlayer (4oD)
>
> It's getting really boring and means I can't do anything much. It even
> hung when I was setting up this HTFC account. Any help/suggestions
> appreciated; thanks.

Hi "skylark42",

Did you install the RAM in matched pairs? Make/model of computer?

The instructions for Dell computers says: "NOTICE: Before you install new
memory modules, download the most recent BIOS for your computer from the
Dell™ Support website at support.dell.com." - "Memory modules should be
installed in pairs of matched memory size, speed, and technology. If the
memory modules are not installed in matched pairs, the computer will
continue to operate, but with a slight reduction in performance."

I have heard of "Hanging" and "Crashing", but your message is the first
where I have seen the term "Bunking out". Please define/describe that.

Why is your computer not fully patched at Windows Update?

Standard Caution: "Without SP3, all post-SP3 updates, and updated anti-virus
and anti-spyware protection, your computer remains vulnerable to an untold
number of security exploits! For your own safety and the safety of the
online community at large, you should NOT be connected to the internet with
an unpatched computer. If SP3 isn't install by April of 2010, you won't even
be able to install updates via Windows Update or Automatic Updates."

Avast is an excellent anti-virus program that includes some anti-spyware
protection, but it is still a good idea to periodically check your computer
with another anti-malware program like MalwareBytes AntiMalware.

Microsoft Online Crash Analysis - Memory Test INSTaller
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp
(That page is the user manual. Download MTINST.exe there.)

Memtest86+ - Advanced Memory Diagnostic Tool
http://www.memtest.org/
(Versions for CD, floppy and USB flash drives)

System Information resources:
Start> (all)Programs> Accessories> System Tools> Event Viewer
(Check both Application and System logs in Event Viewer)
Start> (all)Programs> Accessories> System Tools> System Information
Start> Run> dxdiag

If you need assistance with error messages, please post complete messages,
including text that LOOKS_LIKE_THIS, and complete error codes.

HTH. (Hope This Helps.
--Richard