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My daughter's laptop (running XP) has just locked-up, whilst she was copying a commercial CD. Totally frozen. I haven't a clue what to do about it; if it was a PC I'd disconnect the power & go back to a restore point. Any ideas, please?

disconnect it, remove battery, reconnect battery then power lead and then go back in, like you would on a desktop.

Thanks, Kwackerz.
Just done that. I suspect she's filled it up with sh*te; takes several minutes to boot up, and responds slowly. I've just started defragmentation, but I can't remember where disc clean-up is to be found on XP - please?

ummmmmmmmmmmm... start- programmes-accessories?

cant remember offhand and sat using vista

more likely that as well as defraging and general removal of shite, she has cluttered it up with malware - or shite again

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/

and when it comes to spyware removal - please all, before you try any other products please please please ask around about them - there are some right b'stards out there that sell you shite..... spybot is my preferred tool and is totally free

(If you find something really nasty that it will not fix just let me know what it is - i have quite an intensive battery of solutions for nasty spyware)

Yup.

Google is good for showing up how shite some of the allegedly 'really good' programmes are.
When you do find one of merit, make sure however you only download them from a reputable source, preferably not from a link on a google search, but direct from the maker or from a site such as http://www.cnet.com/

MartDude wrote:Thanks, Kwackerz.
Just done that. I suspect she's filled it up with sh*te; takes several minutes to boot up, and responds slowly. I've just started defragmentation, but I can't remember where disc clean-up is to be found on XP - please?

'My Computer'; Right click on C drive; Properties; Do the disk clean up from there and then go to 'Tools' for the defrag.

...and wot 'e said about SpyBot
HTH

Thanks guys; don't know what I'd do without this site.

Still defragging.

Think it's got AVG 8.5, and I suspect some other anti-virus stuff which might be slowing it down.

She's 20, supposedly of the IT-literate generation, yet she still comes to Dad for this
Still, I guess I'll miss it when she doesn't any longer

erm mart...

just one anti virus program - and no more than one... one shall be the number. two should not be counted and three is right out....

avg is a good program - i use it on the couple of windows pc's i have - and have i mentioned i loathe windows??

Pete - you don't like Windows? Never knew that

And, from first-hand experience, I'm aware of the anti-virus OD scenario.

Seriously, I'm very grateful for all the inputs here. I'm leaving it for tonight, having just returned from the pub

MartDude wrote: I'm leaving it for tonight, having just returned from the pub

'S funny but, I reckon I can tackle anything when I've been to the pub It's only in the mornig I realise I can't.

I use Avast anti-virus.. used to use AVG until it was letting in more than it was kicking out.. That was the free version though.. the pay-for one is supposed to be very good.

I wouldn't touch Vista with a 10' barge pole.. Needs a massive amount of system memory (4gb min i'd say).. It's just a slow and really nasty OS. Windows 7 is suppose to be quite good if you're looking to upgrade. I'm using XP SP3 with no problems..

Spybot is very good.. as is Ad-Aware. I run both from time-to-time. Rarely get a problem. Just got to keep your wits about you..

agree re vista - its shite

windows 7 is a lot better - almost mac like.....

and if you are going to switch to it, just buy the academic upgrade version - it does not check what to upgrade....

You can generally also force a power-down by holding the power button in for about 5 seconds or so, don't have to yank the battery

Well, I've been through defragging, disc clean-up, and installed and run Spybot (found 73 'problems'). It seems a little faster, but it's still painfully slow to boot up and respond (although it behaves ok when on-line)

I can't find any anti-virus software other than AVG.

It seems to my untutored mind that it gets rather hot; is it worth taking off whatever panels are on the back and cleaning dust etc. out? If so, how - gentle compressed air?

BTW it's a Compaq Presario V5000, with an Athlon Turion 64 processor, just under 4 years old