Can a copy of Windows xp be bad?

[Getback]

My mom's computer has been nothing but trouble. First it was the e-mail. So I did a complete restore. The email still failed to work. I tried her e-mail address on my computer and no problems. Then her all in one printer wouldn't copy. So reloaded her drivers. Now the print spooler won't work. I tried using Microsoft fix it and that didn't work. I tried some other things as well. This computer has just been a pain. I was thinking of going to windows 7 but I don't believe her accounting software will work with that.

Any advice?

[Chalenge]

When was the last time you ran a memory test on her computer? RAM can go bad and cause problems that are difficult to diagnose. It could also be one errant driver causing something like brain damage to windows. Either of those generally cause blue screens with messages like SYSTEM_SERVICE_EXCEPTION BAD_POOL_HEADER BAD_POOL_LOADER and PFN_LIST_CORRUPT but she may not be running her system long enough for that to happen.

[TequilaChaser]

Can a copy of Windows xp be bad?

I have seen where older CD/DVD drives have trouble installing the drivers.cab file when doing a WinXP install....

it trys to load/find the particular driver and hitting the try again key  makes it look like it took, but in actuality it got skipped

( not saying you hit the skip key, one should never skip a troublesome file when doing an OS install )

also, when you say copy. is it a distributed copy ( Retail / OEM )  or is it a backed up copy of a WinXP install disc?

sometimes it is best to back up everything you want/can and then do a re-format and fresh install.....

outside of what GetBack posted, with possible Memory problem or component failing to do it's job in the PC

hope this helps.....good luck

[Getback]

No error messages except when trying to send an e-mail or trying to install the printer. When trying to install the printer it I get a message saying print spooler not started or something like that.

[TequilaChaser]

No error messages except when trying to send an e-mail or trying to install the printer. When trying to install the printer it I get a message saying print spooler not started or something like that.

GetBack ( I misposted your name in my last post, I meant challenge, regarding memory issues )

you can go to start/run/ type in services.msc and look for the print spooler, then click properties and make sure it is set to either automatic or manual ( make sure it is not disabled )

it appears it is currently stopped and set as disabled if you are getting an error for it.......

edit: email problems can be a toublesome thing... may need to get her ISP mail info

is it an STMP<--spelling? or a POP3 email type?  maybe going in to whatever mail program she uses and rechecking everything for incoming email server and outgoing mailserver will do the trick......

hope this helps

[Tigger29]

EXACTLY what error messages are you getting?

[cattb]

 I found memtest to be very helpful before, download it and put it on a cd. Boot your pc from the cd and run a couple rounds of the test see if your getting any errors.

[Ghosth]

An installation of  windows can  be fubar, especially so  if needed drivers were not installed correctly.

[Getback]

Fixed! I'm not sure if the problem was the operator or the operating system. I installed a new operating system and I knew immediately it was going to be a good install. From day one I never felt the old OS was quite right. So far everything works including e-mail. For the record I replaced XP Home with XP Pro.

Thanks for all the help. Sure appreciate it.

Addendum: Mom is sure happy!

[Denholm]

Will she bake you some apple dumplings?

[Getback]

Will she bake you some apple dumplings?

That's my domain. She did make me a very nice sandwich!