Why does Windows Spider Solitaire cause computer lockup?

  • Thread starter Thread starter JD
  • Start date Start date
J

JD

The game is played many times every day, and the lockups occur at roughly
one week intervals. I have no problems with any other computer functions.
I've swapped out the video drivers more than once. There are never any
events recorded. Dr. Watson finds no faults. I've run Scandisk successfully.
I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Windows games. To no avail.
This began happening regularly months ago. Must I reformat and reinstall the
entire OS? Can anyone suggest a cause--or a solution?
 
Before you do a reinstall, try a repair install instead so that you don't
have to reinstall all your apps and files.

"JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
news:%23J$QWJyeIHA.5160@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> The game is played many times every day, and the lockups occur at roughly
> one week intervals. I have no problems with any other computer functions.
> I've swapped out the video drivers more than once. There are never any
> events recorded. Dr. Watson finds no faults. I've run Scandisk
> successfully.
> I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Windows games. To no avail.
> This began happening regularly months ago. Must I reformat and reinstall
> the entire OS? Can anyone suggest a cause--or a solution?
>
 
Clearly you're suggesting that this problem can only be fixed by
reinstalling Windows. I feared as much.
If something is amiss with this one game, why doesn't scandisk identify and
"repair" it?
Will a "repair install" relplace ALLWindows files? Return Windows SP1, the
original IE and WMP?
"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:7F2F55AE-9E91-4450-ADF9-C9BEA981BA24@microsoft.com...
> Before you do a reinstall, try a repair install instead so that you don't
> have to reinstall all your apps and files.
>
> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
> news:%23J$QWJyeIHA.5160@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>> The game is played many times every day, and the lockups occur at roughly
>> one week intervals. I have no problems with any other computer functions.
>> I've swapped out the video drivers more than once. There are never any
>> events recorded. Dr. Watson finds no faults. I've run Scandisk
>> successfully.
>> I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Windows games. To no avail.
>> This began happening regularly months ago. Must I reformat and reinstall
>> the entire OS? Can anyone suggest a cause--or a solution?
>>
>
 
No, I'm not. But it may be quicker than trying to figure out what is
corrupted.

If you are running SP2 on the hard drive but only have an SP1 cd then you
should make yourself an SP2 cd now. I use a program, nLite, to make what is
called a "slipstreamed" cd from the XP hologrammed cd and the current
service pack. It is easy (provided of course that you have a cd burning
program).

1. Download and install nLite. http://www.nliteos.com/download.html
2. Download the SP2 package for IT Professionals. (save it to your desktop
where it is easy to find)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
3. Following the guide on the nLite website as needed use your XP SP1 cd
and the SP2 download to create a new XP SP2 cd image (.iso). Burn the .iso
file to cd as is.

Using the new cd, run the system file checker to see if that fixes your
issues.
Start>Run, type "cmd" in the Run Box and hit Enter.
At the prompt in the Command Window, type "sfc /scannow" and hit Enter.

SFC will ask for the XP cd and that's why you need the XP SP2 cd and not
your original XP SP1 cd. It will only replace system files that it thinks
might be corrupt.

If that doesn't do the job, then do a repair install.
http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx

A repair install will replace all your system files with good copies without
requiring you to reinstall your apps.


"JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
news:OS9znd0eIHA.4712@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> Clearly you're suggesting that this problem can only be fixed by
> reinstalling Windows. I feared as much.
> If something is amiss with this one game, why doesn't scandisk identify
> and "repair" it?
> Will a "repair install" relplace ALLWindows files? Return Windows SP1, the
> original IE and WMP?
> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:7F2F55AE-9E91-4450-ADF9-C9BEA981BA24@microsoft.com...
>> Before you do a reinstall, try a repair install instead so that you don't
>> have to reinstall all your apps and files.
>>
>> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
>> news:%23J$QWJyeIHA.5160@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>> The game is played many times every day, and the lockups occur at
>>> roughly one week intervals. I have no problems with any other computer
>>> functions.
>>> I've swapped out the video drivers more than once. There are never any
>>> events recorded. Dr. Watson finds no faults. I've run Scandisk
>>> successfully.
>>> I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Windows games. To no avail.
>>> This began happening regularly months ago. Must I reformat and reinstall
>>> the entire OS? Can anyone suggest a cause--or a solution?
>>>
>>
>
>
 
I will study your suggestions. I note that when I ran SFC I was not asked
for the original installation CD, so I assume ran it ran from the SP2
version on the HD.
I wonder if the "repair reinstall" couldn't be run from the updated Windows
setup on the HD rather than from the "outdated" CD.
I also infer from your reply that the cause is something [presumably a
Windows file] that has been "corrupted." Frustrating that SFC doesn't find
it!
Thanks for your help.
"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:BA6AC320-C984-4069-AA65-BA34EDFEC2EA@microsoft.com...
> No, I'm not. But it may be quicker than trying to figure out what is
> corrupted.
>
> If you are running SP2 on the hard drive but only have an SP1 cd then you
> should make yourself an SP2 cd now. I use a program, nLite, to make what
> is called a "slipstreamed" cd from the XP hologrammed cd and the current
> service pack. It is easy (provided of course that you have a cd burning
> program).
>
> 1. Download and install nLite. http://www.nliteos.com/download.html
> 2. Download the SP2 package for IT Professionals. (save it to your
> desktop where it is easy to find)
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
> 3. Following the guide on the nLite website as needed use your XP SP1 cd
> and the SP2 download to create a new XP SP2 cd image (.iso). Burn the
> .iso file to cd as is.
>
> Using the new cd, run the system file checker to see if that fixes your
> issues.
> Start>Run, type "cmd" in the Run Box and hit Enter.
> At the prompt in the Command Window, type "sfc /scannow" and hit Enter.
>
> SFC will ask for the XP cd and that's why you need the XP SP2 cd and not
> your original XP SP1 cd. It will only replace system files that it thinks
> might be corrupt.
>
> If that doesn't do the job, then do a repair install.
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx
>
> A repair install will replace all your system files with good copies
> without requiring you to reinstall your apps.
>
>
> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
> news:OS9znd0eIHA.4712@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> Clearly you're suggesting that this problem can only be fixed by
>> reinstalling Windows. I feared as much.
>> If something is amiss with this one game, why doesn't scandisk identify
>> and "repair" it?
>> Will a "repair install" relplace ALLWindows files? Return Windows SP1,
>> the original IE and WMP?
>> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:7F2F55AE-9E91-4450-ADF9-C9BEA981BA24@microsoft.com...
>>> Before you do a reinstall, try a repair install instead so that you
>>> don't have to reinstall all your apps and files.
>>>
>>> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
>>> news:%23J$QWJyeIHA.5160@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>> The game is played many times every day, and the lockups occur at
>>>> roughly one week intervals. I have no problems with any other computer
>>>> functions.
>>>> I've swapped out the video drivers more than once. There are never any
>>>> events recorded. Dr. Watson finds no faults. I've run Scandisk
>>>> successfully.
>>>> I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Windows games. To no avail.
>>>> This began happening regularly months ago. Must I reformat and
>>>> reinstall the entire OS? Can anyone suggest a cause--or a solution?
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
 
JD wrote:
> The game is played many times every day, and the lockups occur at roughly
> one week intervals. I have no problems with any other computer functions.
> I've swapped out the video drivers more than once. There are never any
> events recorded. Dr. Watson finds no faults. I've run Scandisk successfully.
> I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Windows games. To no avail.
> This began happening regularly months ago. Must I reformat and reinstall the
> entire OS? Can anyone suggest a cause--or a solution?

Run DXDIAG and see if it finds any errors. Also, just as a test, try
lowering graphics hardware acceleration slide. You can lower graphics
hardware acceleration in Display Properties, Settings tab, Advanced
button, Troubleshooting tab.

--
Joe =o)
 
While SFC replaces system files, it does not necessarily regenerate catalogs
and such. Nor does it register the software. It would not address an issue
in the registry, for example.

If SFC did not request a cd then it did not need to copy a file from it.
That's good. But there are other things in the system that a repair install
can fix that SFC cannot.

Even though it turned out that you did not need the cd for the SFC run, that
will not be the case with a repair install. If you attempt a repair install
with the XP SP1 cd you will get an error message that the version on the
hard drive is not the same as the one on the cd.

Even if there was nothing wrong on the computer I would still recommend
making the slipstreamed cd to save yourself from getting caught with an
inoperable system requiring repair some time (and of course you would not be
able to make a cd at that point). You want to always be in the position to
use options short of a complete reinstall. You want that to be your
procedure of last resort.

"JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
news:%23FNsyQ1eIHA.5560@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>I will study your suggestions. I note that when I ran SFC I was not asked
>for the original installation CD, so I assume ran it ran from the SP2
>version on the HD.
> I wonder if the "repair reinstall" couldn't be run from the updated
> Windows setup on the HD rather than from the "outdated" CD.
> I also infer from your reply that the cause is something [presumably a
> Windows file] that has been "corrupted." Frustrating that SFC doesn't find
> it!
> Thanks for your help.
> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
> news:BA6AC320-C984-4069-AA65-BA34EDFEC2EA@microsoft.com...
>> No, I'm not. But it may be quicker than trying to figure out what is
>> corrupted.
>>
>> If you are running SP2 on the hard drive but only have an SP1 cd then you
>> should make yourself an SP2 cd now. I use a program, nLite, to make what
>> is called a "slipstreamed" cd from the XP hologrammed cd and the current
>> service pack. It is easy (provided of course that you have a cd burning
>> program).
>>
>> 1. Download and install nLite. http://www.nliteos.com/download.html
>> 2. Download the SP2 package for IT Professionals. (save it to your
>> desktop where it is easy to find)
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
>> 3. Following the guide on the nLite website as needed use your XP SP1 cd
>> and the SP2 download to create a new XP SP2 cd image (.iso). Burn the
>> .iso file to cd as is.
>>
>> Using the new cd, run the system file checker to see if that fixes your
>> issues.
>> Start>Run, type "cmd" in the Run Box and hit Enter.
>> At the prompt in the Command Window, type "sfc /scannow" and hit Enter.
>>
>> SFC will ask for the XP cd and that's why you need the XP SP2 cd and not
>> your original XP SP1 cd. It will only replace system files that it
>> thinks might be corrupt.
>>
>> If that doesn't do the job, then do a repair install.
>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx
>>
>> A repair install will replace all your system files with good copies
>> without requiring you to reinstall your apps.
>>
>>
>> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
>> news:OS9znd0eIHA.4712@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> Clearly you're suggesting that this problem can only be fixed by
>>> reinstalling Windows. I feared as much.
>>> If something is amiss with this one game, why doesn't scandisk identify
>>> and "repair" it?
>>> Will a "repair install" relplace ALLWindows files? Return Windows SP1,
>>> the original IE and WMP?
>>> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>> news:7F2F55AE-9E91-4450-ADF9-C9BEA981BA24@microsoft.com...
>>>> Before you do a reinstall, try a repair install instead so that you
>>>> don't have to reinstall all your apps and files.
>>>>
>>>> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
>>>> news:%23J$QWJyeIHA.5160@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>>> The game is played many times every day, and the lockups occur at
>>>>> roughly one week intervals. I have no problems with any other computer
>>>>> functions.
>>>>> I've swapped out the video drivers more than once. There are never any
>>>>> events recorded. Dr. Watson finds no faults. I've run Scandisk
>>>>> successfully.
>>>>> I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Windows games. To no avail.
>>>>> This began happening regularly months ago. Must I reformat and
>>>>> reinstall the entire OS? Can anyone suggest a cause--or a solution?
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>
>
>
 
Thanks for the suggestions. I have already done both of those things. No
joy. I really don't think at this point that the video card or drivers are
the source of the problem.
"Elmo" <elmogeek@iglou.invalid> wrote in message
news:uRxnnc1eIHA.4164@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> JD wrote:
>> The game is played many times every day, and the lockups occur at roughly
>> one week intervals. I have no problems with any other computer functions.
>> I've swapped out the video drivers more than once. There are never any
>> events recorded. Dr. Watson finds no faults. I've run Scandisk
>> successfully.
>> I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Windows games. To no avail.
>> This began happening regularly months ago. Must I reformat and reinstall
>> the entire OS? Can anyone suggest a cause--or a solution?
>
> Run DXDIAG and see if it finds any errors. Also, just as a test, try
> lowering graphics hardware acceleration slide. You can lower graphics
> hardware acceleration in Display Properties, Settings tab, Advanced
> button, Troubleshooting tab.
>
> --
> Joe =o)
 
I confess to being a little overwhelmed by your suggested course of action.
I will surely study the procedure carefully.
I also wonder whether I can do as you suggest if my original CD is an OEM
version--that came with my Gateway computer about six years ago.
I certainly agree that a complete reinstall should be a "last resort."
Though I'm not especially daunted by the prospect of reinstalling my
programs, installing SP2 (I have the CD), and downloading the IE and WMP
upgrades, what I am very apprehensive about is the prospect of losing my
Address Book and Outlook Express "identities" and saved e-mails. If I were
confident of being able to save and restore these things, I wouldn't be so
afraid of doing a "clean" reinstall.
"Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
news:313810E8-EA04-4754-913D-E95C2B9BBD1F@microsoft.com...
> While SFC replaces system files, it does not necessarily regenerate
> catalogs and such. Nor does it register the software. It would not
> address an issue in the registry, for example.
>
> If SFC did not request a cd then it did not need to copy a file from it.
> That's good. But there are other things in the system that a repair
> install can fix that SFC cannot.
>
> Even though it turned out that you did not need the cd for the SFC run,
> that will not be the case with a repair install. If you attempt a repair
> install with the XP SP1 cd you will get an error message that the version
> on the hard drive is not the same as the one on the cd.
>
> Even if there was nothing wrong on the computer I would still recommend
> making the slipstreamed cd to save yourself from getting caught with an
> inoperable system requiring repair some time (and of course you would not
> be able to make a cd at that point). You want to always be in the
> position to use options short of a complete reinstall. You want that to
> be your procedure of last resort.
>
> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
> news:%23FNsyQ1eIHA.5560@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>I will study your suggestions. I note that when I ran SFC I was not asked
>>for the original installation CD, so I assume ran it ran from the SP2
>>version on the HD.
>> I wonder if the "repair reinstall" couldn't be run from the updated
>> Windows setup on the HD rather than from the "outdated" CD.
>> I also infer from your reply that the cause is something [presumably a
>> Windows file] that has been "corrupted." Frustrating that SFC doesn't
>> find it!
>> Thanks for your help.
>> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
>> news:BA6AC320-C984-4069-AA65-BA34EDFEC2EA@microsoft.com...
>>> No, I'm not. But it may be quicker than trying to figure out what is
>>> corrupted.
>>>
>>> If you are running SP2 on the hard drive but only have an SP1 cd then
>>> you should make yourself an SP2 cd now. I use a program, nLite, to make
>>> what is called a "slipstreamed" cd from the XP hologrammed cd and the
>>> current service pack. It is easy (provided of course that you have a cd
>>> burning program).
>>>
>>> 1. Download and install nLite. http://www.nliteos.com/download.html
>>> 2. Download the SP2 package for IT Professionals. (save it to your
>>> desktop where it is easy to find)
>>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...BE-3B8E-4F30-8245-9E368D3CDB5A&displaylang=en
>>> 3. Following the guide on the nLite website as needed use your XP SP1
>>> cd and the SP2 download to create a new XP SP2 cd image (.iso). Burn
>>> the .iso file to cd as is.
>>>
>>> Using the new cd, run the system file checker to see if that fixes your
>>> issues.
>>> Start>Run, type "cmd" in the Run Box and hit Enter.
>>> At the prompt in the Command Window, type "sfc /scannow" and hit Enter.
>>>
>>> SFC will ask for the XP cd and that's why you need the XP SP2 cd and not
>>> your original XP SP1 cd. It will only replace system files that it
>>> thinks might be corrupt.
>>>
>>> If that doesn't do the job, then do a repair install.
>>> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx
>>>
>>> A repair install will replace all your system files with good copies
>>> without requiring you to reinstall your apps.
>>>
>>>
>>> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
>>> news:OS9znd0eIHA.4712@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>>> Clearly you're suggesting that this problem can only be fixed by
>>>> reinstalling Windows. I feared as much.
>>>> If something is amiss with this one game, why doesn't scandisk identify
>>>> and "repair" it?
>>>> Will a "repair install" relplace ALLWindows files? Return Windows SP1,
>>>> the original IE and WMP?
>>>> "Colin Barnhorst" <c.barnhorst@comcast.net> wrote in message
>>>> news:7F2F55AE-9E91-4450-ADF9-C9BEA981BA24@microsoft.com...
>>>>> Before you do a reinstall, try a repair install instead so that you
>>>>> don't have to reinstall all your apps and files.
>>>>>
>>>>> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
>>>>> news:%23J$QWJyeIHA.5160@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
>>>>>> The game is played many times every day, and the lockups occur at
>>>>>> roughly one week intervals. I have no problems with any other
>>>>>> computer functions.
>>>>>> I've swapped out the video drivers more than once. There are never
>>>>>> any events recorded. Dr. Watson finds no faults. I've run Scandisk
>>>>>> successfully.
>>>>>> I've tried uninstalling and reinstalling Windows games. To no avail.
>>>>>> This began happening regularly months ago. Must I reformat and
>>>>>> reinstall the entire OS? Can anyone suggest a cause--or a solution?
>>>>>>
>>>>>
>>>>
>>>>
>>>
>>
>>
>
 
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