I have a pc running Windows XP with SP2. It is now crashing many times a day and I am having to re-boot as when I try to close a program through task manager I lose all icons and the task bar on the desktop. There seems to be no rhyme or reason - it can be any program loaded or in My computer if I try to open a cd rom...

I have run AVG Free, removed temp files, run Spybot, Spyware Doctor - I have run out of time on Trojan Hunter and my Adaware also seems to be proving a problem. It stops scanning after about 30 minutes. I have removed and re-loaded but it still is doing that.

I recently acquired a new HP printer but prior to loading all the software I removed all (well I think it was all but there may be something lurking which I haven't discovered) the references to the previous model.

Any ideas of how to overcome all this will be welcome

It is now crashing many times a day

How long has this been going on? And how recently is the printer issue? This last day or two?

and I am having to re-boot as when I try to close a program through task manager I lose all icons and the task bar on the desktop.

Not sure what you mean here. You should rarely have to force stop a program from Task Manager. What problems are you having that keeps taking you into Task Manager?

There seems to be no rhyme or reason

That usually points to heat. Does it happen right after booting up first thing in the morning or after a long power off/complete cool-down cycle? Or only after it has been running for a while and warmed up?

When was the last time you had the side of the case off to inspect for heat trapping dust build up and fan operation? I poke my head in once a month and clean when needed - when dust (dog hair, cookie crumbs, and a fly once) bridges the CPU heatsink fins. Never buy a case without a filter.

If your system is clean inside, it could still be heat related. Ambient (room) temperatures are higher this time of year (Northern Hemisphere anyway) - but it could be signs of a component failing due to defect, or age.

What are your CPU, system and video temperatures?

When you got your head in there, inspect the motherboard for bulging or leaking electrolytic capacitors. These failed or failing capacitors are a common cause of sudden, but seemingly random system lock ups and reboots. The capacitors look like tall soda cans, many of which surround the CPU socket.

All older motherboards, and many of today's less expensive motherboards use electrolytic capacitors containing a liquid electrolyte. Failing (including flawed and/or abused/over-heated) capacitors literally bulge at the seams due to excessive internal pressures. Extreme (and very rare) cases result in a firecracker type explosion that can really stink up a room. Typically, electrolyte just oozes from the pressure relief points stamped in the tops of the capacitor casings (seen as a symbol or letter). The electrolyte can be caustic to motherboards and flesh. Look for white to dark-brown, dried liquid or foam on the tops or bottoms of the capacitors. Bulging capacitors are a sign leakage is about to occur.

A motherboard with bulging or leaky capacitors can be repaired, but often it is more cost effective in the long run to replace the motherboard.

Did you recently add new hardware? Have you added hardware since new and ensured the power supply was adequate?

I would keep an eye on your temperatures, particularly, the CPU temps. Your motherboard utilities disk should have a monitoring program (or check for a more recent version on your motherboard or PC maker's website). If none, I recommend CoreTemp for newer Intel and AMD64 CPUs. SpeedFan is a great and popular alternative, or you can try Motherboard Monitor. Unfortunately, I have found that these programs often have problems properly identifying and labeling the sensor they are reading. The temperatures shown are as accurate as the inexpensive, low-tech sensors will allow, but it may say System Fan instead of CPU Fan. Fortunately, the programs do allow you to edit the labels, so I use Everest to verify the temperatures (as it is able to put sensor to label correctly), then edit the label in the monitoring program. In Everest, look under Computer > Sensor, then wait a couple seconds for the readings to appear. Unfortunately, Everest does not minimize to the system tray to show real-time temperatures, otherwise, you could use Everest instead of the others.

In the meantime, open the side and blast a desk fan in there and see what happens (another reason to make sure there is no heat trapping dust in there ).

Fortunately, AVG does a good job with Trojans, so after many years of faithful service, I let my Trojan Hunter expire a few months back. No problem so far, but I do run supplement scans with Malwarebytes's Anti-Malware (MBAM) and I recommend you do the same. Run through your thorough crud cleaning routine to rid the system of new temp files first - no need to scan potentially 1000s of temporary Internet files, cookies, etc.

Thank you for your advice - please bear in mind I am an amateur with these things however I will go ahead and report back my findings:

It has been crashing for about a week now. I installed my new printer 3 days ago.

My software programs are freezing and I have to ctrl, alt,del for a dozen or more times which then brings up the Task Manager which eventually closes down the program but also leaves me with a desktop and no icons or task bar. If I wish to use my dvd writer I click on it in My computer, nothing happens and My computer is "not responding" and so we go on. This can happen at any time during the day from first light to bedtime!

I took your point about dusting! Having done that I then ran Everest and cpu temp is 25 ,Aux is 26 and Maxtor 32. PC in a cool place so I do not think room temp is a problem

Gave the inside a good examination, no signs of leaks or anything untoward

I have tried to simulate the problems since the cleanup but everything still happens - programs not responding, freezing programs etc

The PC is 3 years old and still a baby compared with previous ones I have had.

Many thanks for assistance

please bear in mind I am an amateur with these things

As we all were once! But you have already proven yourself to be wise - your security defenses indicate you practice safe computing, and you do your homework by asking questions before diving in. Always much easier than cleaning up aftermath.

You should probably only hit Ctrl-Alt Del once, then walk away and see if it can sort itself out. Once Task Manager starts, see what your CPU usage is and if high, what is using the resources.

I am not sure about your temperatures. 25°C is 77°F, just above most people's ambient summer temperatures, and that is not typical for a CPU with conventional (heatsink/fan (HSF) assembly) cooling - I typically see 40s - 50s. Normally, I would trust Everest over all others, so not sure what to think. Next time you reboot, go straight into the BIOS Setup Menu and somewhere in there, often under PC Health, it will hopefully display the temperatures. Since running the BIOS Setup Menu is probably the least demanding task you can ask of a CPU, "in theory" your CPU temp should be even less than 25°C. What CPU do you have?

That said, you indicated this problem can happen from first light - assuming that means you turn your PC off at night, and at first light, it is thoroughly cooled down, then that lessons the probability of heat, but does not eliminate it. If there is a low resistance (partial short) in a failing component or circuit, the resulting high current can cause a vulnerable device in the circuit to heat up and reach near the tolerance threshold quickly, teetering on the edge. In time, it will only get worse. Sadly, it could be the motherboard.

You might look in Event Viewer for any errors just seconds before the crash.

You still need to run MBAM to help ensure this is not a malware issue. Does it behave this way when you boot into Safe Mode?

Don't forget the desk fan.

If me, and still having problems, I would swap in another power supply, one of ample power and known to be good. If still a problem, I would remove any extra drives, network connections, all but one stick of memory, all extra USB devices and see what happens.

Oh dear - I really think this may be one for the expert ,however I will wait until I fire up tomorrow morning after it has had an overnight rest! I have an AMD Athlon 64 3200+ with 160GB hard drive. Only multi function printer plugged in and also on occasions an external hard drive for back up purposes, but that is only once a day and then switched off. Don't think the "boss" will be very chuffed if I have to replace the beast as he is definitely not into computers, won't touch them with a barge poll so it is only Granny here that will be working on it.

Many thanks for your help

Well here is the sad news! I switched on this morning and after about 5 minutes of locating the temp in BIOS it was reading 29 degrees - is that sounding terminal to you?

Actually, that is good news. It confirms that Everest was at least close. 29°Celsius = 84.2°F and depending on the room's temperature and CPU model, that may be right. Understand the heat is the bane of all electronics, so cooler is almost always better.

sorry for posting if i am wrong here - just trying to give ideas away from the hardware aspect.

Does it only crash when you are logged on? a disappearing taskbar+icons, and the fact your My Computer crashes is your explorer.exe process crashing. Maybe it is your windows system files that have gotten corrupted by something or other.

So before getting any new hardware or anything try a full reformat of your hard disk if you can to see if that helps. If you cant reformat because you dont want to lose all your documents/dont have a backup then i dont know what else to do >.<

just my 2 cents, Anti

sorry for posting if i am wrong here - just trying to give ideas away from the hardware aspect.

Hence the entire concept of forums - comments and ideas are welcome. I ask that if you counter previous advice given, please justify with links to references so the original poster (OP) and other readers/participants can learn, and can make informed decisions.

So before getting any new hardware or anything try a full reformat of your hard disk

I also ask that suggesting last resort options not be suggested until all other options have been exhausted. This includes suggesting a format and reinstall prematurely.

Suggesting a Windows system file problem is fine. But running sfc /scannow and doing a repair install comes before a format. Reformatting a hard drive is a last resort option and should NOT be suggested at this time because there are still options, including some already mentioned but not yet tried, or commented on. These also include using a desk fan, scanning for malware, trying Safe mode, etc. Formatting not only means all users documents, email, drivers, downloaded programs, and their updates, bookmarks and custom desktops will be lost if no backup is available. But more importantly, it sets the computer months, if not years behind in critical security updates and patches. It leaves the system, and potentially, the attached network, vulnerable until the security defenses are rebuilt. Finally, nothing is learned to help the user prevent recurrence of the problem, if possible.

Depending on the value of the data, and skillset of the user, there is no harm in taking it to a shop before resorting to a format and reinstall, or before breaking it further.