installation beginning to fall apart

usually in xp my installation would last at least a year or two before it
started to either grind to a halt almost or start action strange, ok the
first installation of vista was scrubbed due to the fact that it was a poor
installation attempt for unknown reasons, then second installation went fine
except for the odd annoying fact it would go to the BSOD and the fact then
when i put an extra gig, its just not worth the hassle, now my shortcuts are
missing the proper icon, i.e. its gone to a blank one, and everytime i try
to copy a photo to the desktop it disappears

so tell me what i should do?

should i start about thinking upgrading my cpu and mobo and risk another
activation?

current mobo: asus p4v8x-x and the cpu is 3.0ghz ht 1mb cache and not dual
core

From the details you've posted this is just a guess but try testing your
RAM.

www.memtest.org

Run the test for at least three or four hours. If it locks up or you get
even one error you probably have bad RAM.

--
Kerry Brown
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
http://www.vistahelp.ca


"Squibbly" <> wrote in message
news:C4CFED87-7D54-4DD4-94E4-...
> usually in xp my installation would last at least a year or two before it
> started to either grind to a halt almost or start action strange, ok the
> first installation of vista was scrubbed due to the fact that it was a
> poor installation attempt for unknown reasons, then second installation
> went fine except for the odd annoying fact it would go to the BSOD and the
> fact then when i put an extra gig, its just not worth the hassle, now my
> shortcuts are missing the proper icon, i.e. its gone to a blank one, and
> everytime i try to copy a photo to the desktop it disappears
>
> so tell me what i should do?
>
> should i start about thinking upgrading my cpu and mobo and risk another
> activation?
>
> current mobo: asus p4v8x-x and the cpu is 3.0ghz ht 1mb cache and not dual
> core

so you dont recommend vista's own tester?

"Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
news:...
> From the details you've posted this is just a guess but try testing your
> RAM.
>
> www.memtest.org
>
> Run the test for at least three or four hours. If it locks up or you get
> even one error you probably have bad RAM.
>
> --
> Kerry Brown
> Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
> http://www.vistahelp.ca
>
>
> "Squibbly" <> wrote in message
> news:C4CFED87-7D54-4DD4-94E4-...
>> usually in xp my installation would last at least a year or two before it
>> started to either grind to a halt almost or start action strange, ok the
>> first installation of vista was scrubbed due to the fact that it was a
>> poor installation attempt for unknown reasons, then second installation
>> went fine except for the odd annoying fact it would go to the BSOD and
>> the fact then when i put an extra gig, its just not worth the hassle, now
>> my shortcuts are missing the proper icon, i.e. its gone to a blank one,
>> and everytime i try to copy a photo to the desktop it disappears
>>
>> so tell me what i should do?
>>
>> should i start about thinking upgrading my cpu and mobo and risk another
>> activation?
>>
>> current mobo: asus p4v8x-x and the cpu is 3.0ghz ht 1mb cache and not
>> dual core
>

It is better than nothing. I prefer memtest86+.

--
Kerry Brown
Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
http://www.vistahelp.ca


"Squibbly" <> wrote in message
news:69308900-BA13-4548-9A59-...
> so you dont recommend vista's own tester?
>
> "Kerry Brown" <*a*m> wrote in message
> news:...
>> From the details you've posted this is just a guess but try testing your
>> RAM.
>>
>> www.memtest.org
>>
>> Run the test for at least three or four hours. If it locks up or you get
>> even one error you probably have bad RAM.
>>
>> --
>> Kerry Brown
>> Microsoft MVP - Shell/User
>> http://www.vistahelp.ca
>>
>>
>> "Squibbly" <> wrote in message
>> news:C4CFED87-7D54-4DD4-94E4-...
>>> usually in xp my installation would last at least a year or two before
>>> it started to either grind to a halt almost or start action strange, ok
>>> the first installation of vista was scrubbed due to the fact that it was
>>> a poor installation attempt for unknown reasons, then second
>>> installation went fine except for the odd annoying fact it would go to
>>> the BSOD and the fact then when i put an extra gig, its just not worth
>>> the hassle, now my shortcuts are missing the proper icon, i.e. its gone
>>> to a blank one, and everytime i try to copy a photo to the desktop it
>>> disappears
>>>
>>> so tell me what i should do?
>>>
>>> should i start about thinking upgrading my cpu and mobo and risk another
>>> activation?
>>>
>>> current mobo: asus p4v8x-x and the cpu is 3.0ghz ht 1mb cache and not
>>> dual core
>>
>

On Tue, 3 Apr 2007 07:16:26 +0100, "Squibbly" <>
wrote:

>so you dont recommend vista's own tester?

Many memory problems are transient in nature. You can leave the
computer on all night in a loop testing memory, and in the morning it
will say nothing wrong, then five minutes later the same problem you
had before comes up again.

If you tested and nothing works, and you still suspect the memory try
the old pencil eraser trick.

CAUTION, static electricity can zap your memory and other components
in your computer. If you try this, be SURE you ground yourself first,
by touching your bare hand to the metal of the computer chassis first
and remove the computer to a safe bright work area BEFORE you begin.
NEVER work on the insides of your computer on a carpeted floor or any
place where static electricity can build up.

Ok, you were warned. Remove plug from power source of course. Open the
case, locate and CAREFULLY remove the memory sticks. Make sure your
hands and fingers NEVER TOUCH THE MEMORY PINS, you have sweat and body
oils you don't want to get on anything.

Find a new pencil with a regular eraser that has NOT been used before.
CAREFULLY and gently make 2 or 3 passes on the pins top to bottom
lifting up on each pass, don't go back and forth. When done carefully
reinsert memory sticks.

Why?

Over time corrosion can leach through the motherboard traces and get
desposited on memory socket pins which can place a very thin film of
corrosion on some pins which you may not even see, don't take much.
The eraser should remove all or most of it.

Try as a last restort. Don't over do it. While inside clean the
accumulated dust and dirt from computer case fans, the CPU fan, etc.,
your computer will thank you. You can also do the eraser trick on any
circuit board for the same reasons.