Help me with my computer problems!
 

So I'm not sure if these are all related or not, but here are the problems I'm dealing with:

It basically started when I fell asleep with the computer on and one of those stupid Windows Vista Updates things started on its own. I was half asleep and shut the computer (it's a Toshiba laptop) during step 3 when it said "please don't turn off computer." Well anyway when I reopened it was still at that step so I waited for awhile and it didn't progress or anything. I tried a few times just to restart it and it eventually worked and everything seemed to be working normally.


Since then, I've noticed these problems.
-Adobe Photoshop won't open, even after I restart. I click it and the hourglass shows up but then goes away and nothing happens; however, it shows up in the Task Manager under "Processes."
-The software for my webcam won't open, and my webcam won't work on MSN (but it works on online webcam sites like Stickam)
-There is only like 1 MB of space left on my hard drive, so I thought "okay I should remove some programs" and I tried to do that and THIS happened:

I started with just trying to uninstall Google Chrome because I never use it. So I went to the programs list where you go to do that - highlighted Google Chrome, clicked "uninstall" - Nothing happened. I clicked it again and it said "please wait while it's finished." I restarted my computer a few times (which probably isn't good for it at all) because the bottom startbar froze and the same thing happened whenever I tried to uninstall something.
It also doesn't seem to be properly deleting things from my desktop.

I also tried to defragment my computer and that ended up just freezing things by opening it up.

The last thing I can think of that's wrong with it is that the icon on the far right that shows my internet connection status is showing it as not connected when, obviously, I am connected to the internet.






What baffles me is that with all of these problems, I can still run AIM, Windows Live Messenger, a chat program I go on, and Firefox with multiple tabs all at the same time with no delay/lag or anything.

I didn't even know what to begin to Google so hopefully some nerds here can help me. There's definitely not enough space on my computer to download anything so hopefully that's not going to be what everyone says.

But yeah! Thanks in advance if you even read all of this.

system restore?...

shit, you lost your webcam and photoshop? that's really a hard hit given what you use the computer for most.

I'm pretty clueless about Windows problems, but it sounds like what you really want to do is upgrade the OS without fucking it up again (not meant as a dis). You sound like you've only got a partially installed OS at the moment.

yeah, sounds like something fucked up in the registry, with the impartial instal and all, re-install vista (ugh) if a restore doesn't work. better yet, install xp.

put all your files on a backup drive, wipe your hard drive, uninstall/reinstall your OS.

I just wish I knew how to do that. The only things I really need to save are, of course, pictures and music.

I hate vista so much. I am sooo Mac-ing it up next computer I buy.

now, now, I didn't even begin to suggest switching to a mac. of course symbol man has been so nice to me lately, I'd hate to start that shit again..

I think I'm missing something.

Still though, if anyone's feeling really generous this Christmas...

i don't even know how to use windows anymore, i just remember having to back all my shit up and start all over about 50 times when i had it because of random problems like this.

What do you use now and how much better is it compared to Windows?

mac osx snow leopard

4397603760670647 times better than windows ANYTHING

I have been using windows me (supposedly the most unstable OS) for about 10 years and never had a single problem with it.

However, in just a few hours of messing with Vista, my brain has been fucked by it so bad. All sorts of bullshit popping up, things updating itself when you don't give it permission to, oh my god. Worst fucking OS ever.

this, i hate Vista, programs always stop working and need update after update....

:(

backup everything you can, while you can.

then format and reinstal everything.

can you look at your last updates, and uninstal that last one and let it reinstal?

but, yes, in my own experience I've spent too long at times trying to 'fix' problems and just find it easier to wipe and start over. I do have all my software at hand though so I wouldn't lose any programs...


My laptop has been on vista for 12 months now and I've not once had any 'major' problems. Aside from once or twice my computer doesn't start up, but, I think this might be some hardware issue. As it gets half way then turns off.. and I turn it on again and it starts up and is fine..

i like win7

is it dazzling? I've not used it....

I'm waiting for an OS that actually breaks boundries not just comes up with more animations and icons.

right on.

after 10 years with the me computer, my friend gave me his $1200 laptop for free.

vista kinda makes me wish i'd let him keep it.

i'm thinking of installing me over top of it, haha..

chrome OS?

I don't get what's wrong with Vista. I have it on my computer and it barely ever crashes. It used to crash when I had those antiviruses/firewalls conflicts, but I've solved them and now it works perfectly. And my laptop only cost 450€...

Personally, I like to attack computer problems with a big rubber mallet. Doesn't make it work any better but you get to relieve your stress.

it's not that my computer crashes, that's hardly ever happened. it's just that lots of the programmes i use don't work properly or won't open up at all.

ha ha ha. i have 2 macs and a 3rd one on the way but if i were to shut them down during a firmware update i'm pretty sure i'd be in a world of shit. then i'd have to go & queue up for the "genius", provided i've paid the requisite maintenance tax. which is not a bad choice, considering the shit i'd be in without help.

solution: wait till jico/verme appears on the thread & follow his instructions. he's the only one who knows shit about computers around here. for this i shall include him in my will.

if you only have 1 mb of space left, yr virtual ram could be crapping out.

try deleting temporary files before doing uninstall. also, make sure that the programs (that aren't working) have been updated to run on vista (go to the software's website and patch if not).

that said, feel free to wait for verme. I dunt no shit bout puters.

When I try to delete something from my desktop it takes FOREVER and I end up just closing it.

I hope verme gets here soon.

it really sounds like yr problem is RAM related.

vista is a huge resource hog and if you don't have enough hardware RAM it will
attempt to make up the difference using the virtual paging files.

delete junk. clear all internet temp files and cache. after you have about 700mb free, you should notice some difference.

if that does manage to make yr OS stable, delete some more (mp3s are a good place to start) and begin patching programs that have become nonresponsive.

also, since I know you like TEH Pr0N, make sure you have a good malware scanner installed and run. spybot s&d and adaware are my personal faves

you may also want to consider buying more RAM. it's dirt cheap, easy to install and will most likely solve yr stalling OS issue.

good luck.

Well, I went into safe mode and uninstalled programs I don't need (TONS of Sims shit, Google Chrome, etc.) and when I went to start>shut down>restart this is what happens:

It gets to a page when I can choose "startup repair" or "start normally"

1st option: it says "Windows is loading files" and loads really quickly, then goes to the "Microsoft Corporation" screen where there's a green loading thing that goes around, then that stops, and it's at a black screen for awhile and finally a cursor appears but nothing else. It stays at the black with cursor screen forever.

2nd option: It just stays at the "Microsoft Corporation" part forever.


I tried to press f2 and f12 right when it first boots up, but I don't know what any of that shit means and it doesn't seem to help anything.
And my dad's friend at work will probably have to look at it but I'm worried about him seeing certain pictures on there. If he can even get to that point, fuck.

I hear that they are calling that the black screen of death.

try booting up off the vista disc by starting up yr machine with it in the drive.

if it let's you without making you reinstall windows, save yr shit while you can.

it's possible that due to lack of space, you got a partial install. I find it unlikely that you installed the entire thing with 1 mb to spare.


ps: fucking iphones make posting a chore.