Vista freezes at desktop?

Hello,

I have Dell laptop with Windows Vista home premium. I started having problems about 3 months ago, not sure why, I don't think I installed any new software.
I have ran all kinds of diagnostics, it says no problems, I inserted my windows CD, found no problems. Ran CCcleaner, ran Nod32, ran in tools under my recovery disk, nothing.

What happens it will boot to desktop, and then freezes, my mouse will move but if I click on something the cursor will just spin and spin forever. Then I shut it down, and for a while it would work after the second boot, but now it won't.
It goes into safemode just fine, I ran all kinds of tests while in safe mode, but when it restarts, same thing freezes at desktop.

Is this a hardware problem or software problem? Please if anyone has had this before or knows what I can do to fix it, I sure would appreciate the help.
This is a old laptop I realize, but I would like to get it to working.
Any advice would be GREAT!!!
patti

Hi. Welcome to VirtualDr.

If the laptop boots into Safe Mode and then runs OK, chances are you have a software problem. If you boot into Safe Mode, you may want to look at the events in Event Viewer. Those might give us a clue as to what is causing the problem when you boot into normal mode.

I looked in the event viewer and it had 2 critical errors
MMC has detected an error in a snap-in and will unload it
System kernel-power event ID 41 error

A lot of warnings, but they made no sense to me....

At the top of this error is says:
The last sleep transition was unsuccessful. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, failed, or lost power during the sleep transition..... Both of the critical errors say that at the top....

That error has several potential causes. Links with details are below.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2028504#method3

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...ent-id-41.aspx

Overheating and memory issues are among the possible causes. Check the BIOS to see if the temperatures are OK, if the BIOS has this data, and make sure that any fans are functioning properly. If you have a CD/DVD drive in that laptop, you could make a bootable CD with memory test software using a working computer, and then use that CD to run a memory test.

Ultimate Boot CD:
http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/download.html

Quote:

---

I have ran all kinds of diagnostics

---

What specific diags did you run? Run a memory test like Memtest86+ and the hard drive manufacturer's test. Both are on UBCD, which jdc2000 mentioned.

When was the last time you cleaned out the heatsink/fan? Use some compressed air to blow it out.

I used the diagnostic tests on my windows vista CD.
I was going to clean my fan, I starting taking it apart, then I got company and had to quit.
I tried downloading Ultimate Boot, but I couldn't get it to install, my Nod32 kept popping up saying there was malware on the site. So I stopped.
I used to have one on a CD if I can find it.

I also have memtest on a CD somewhere. I just moved and I am having problems finding all my cds. lol

I will take another look at my event viewer and see if it says anything different. When I restarted after being in safe mode, it froze the first boot, and I shut it down and turned back on and it loaded and ran just fine then.
I uninstalled some software also that I thought might be the problem. I will try again after I get my fan cleaned out.

Thanks so much for all the replies, I really appreciate your help.
patti

You should really run hardware diags first. No sense wasting time on software if the hardware is bad.

Quote:

---

I tried downloading Ultimate Boot, but I couldn't get it to install,

---

You don't install it. You have to burn the .iso file to a CD and then boot from the CD.
http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/faq.html

Thanks for the reply. Yes I know I have to burn it, what I meant was when I tried to download it from the website, my nod32 popped up saying there was malware on the webpage.

I found a different site, so I got it downloaded going to burn it tomorrow and run it on my computer.

Thanks again for all your help.

patti

I had a death in family, going to be gone for couple of days. Just wanted you to know I am still trying to get this fixed. I will be back Sunday, then I will post again.
Thanks to all that have helped me, I will keep in touch and let you all know how that CD worked.
Thanks Again....

I am running memtest86+ currently, what do you suggest I run in order to check on my freezing problem?
Does memtest86+ take a very long time?
Again thanks...

Memtest, maybe a hour. All I use and some folks say 4 to 8 hours.

Now if errors, red show up like in this graphic, stop and let us know.

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/im.../2013/04/5.jpg

Ok will do..... so far no red. My version is memtest86+ v4.20 there were several to pick from, this is the only one that had a + beside it.

The length of time depends on the amount of ram in the system. It can take several hours to complete, like Train said. I usually let it run through a couple passes.

Sorry for your loss. :(

Thank you so much, we are leaving in the morning, won't be back until Sat night. Hoping to get this finished before I leave.
Thanks for reply....