I don't run Windows Defender.

I am not sure I have a restore point prior to the registry "cleaning". PCHF has been helping me with some probs lately, and as you know, the PREWORK advises turning off System Restore, which erases all restore points.

I do have a backup of the registry. However I have installed, and uninstalled software since that backup. Will restoring the "older" registry backup have a negative effect, since I have made software changes since it was generated?

These tools apparently require a little more technical expertise to run, without guidance, than I currently posses.

SpeedFan has some settings that can damage a computer in the hands of a novice. What exactly do I do with the info provided by the app?

Memtest86+ has several different download options, and no instructions for using any of them. This apparently is also a tool for advanced users.

Could you please elaborate as to what, you want me to do with these tools?

Could you also review my last couple of posts, I had some additional questions that remain unaddressed.

Sorry for my technical ignorance.

With speed fan just download and run.Do not adjust any settings.

Memtest if you scrol down the page you will see listed several items.Such as a download to put to a floppy disk or USB pen drive or a disk.The choice is yours.



First, download the program from here:

http://www.memtest.org

There are three types of downloads you can get, a bootable CD (.iso),USB and a bootable floppy disk. Pick one and download it. If you're experiencing troubles using the CD or Floppy versions, you may try the USB version, but i haven't tried it yet.

Test the system with all RAM sticks inserted first.
Or time consuming I know take all of them out so you have just the one plugged into the primary slot. Run the test and swap with the other sticks until all is tested individually. Don't forget to turn off and unplug your computer before removing/replacing any components.

It is suggested that you run the test for at least 7 Passes. You can run it longer or shorter if you wish but note any errors it states on the information it gives you onscreen. If you do get errors, that means that the stick you have currently is incompatible or faulty or it only a dirty slot or contact on the module/motherboard. If you don't get any errors, put all your RAM sticks back into its slots if you removed them all but one and run the test a final time and observe any errors.

There is also menus, infos and things you can change inside the program. Fiddle if you want to, but don't ask me what they do..I only use the basic setup,why?As I am not fully used to the program and would not want to create an issue were there proberly is not one to start with.


Memtest CD:

Download the ISO current version (memtest86+-1.70.iso.zip) to your PC.

Extract the .zip file to a location that you know, like the Desktop or Downloads folder or next to the .zip file. You should end up with the file Memtest86+-1.70.iso

"Note" If you have WinRAR (or similar) installed, it will look like an unzippable archive with nothing inside. Do not open it with WinRAR.

Go to your favorite CD burning software, and choose to burn from an image file. Simply point to the memtest.iso file and hit the burn button.

Example: Nero>Disk Image or Saved Project>[select the memtest iso file]Ok>Next etc.But you can use the software you have already installed if it is compatable.

Insert a blank CD into the drive and let it do its magic.

Yeay,you have a memtest bootable CD. Simply leave the CD in the drive and boot from CD by pressing a key then running the test.You may need to enter BIOS/Setup via relevent key on your computer and set first boot device.

How to set first boot device in BIOS/Setup:

Restart the computer/laptop and on the post screen(black screen white words) It should say "To enter setup press ?" this could be F1,F2 or Del key or another,please refer to your machines manual or manufacturers website.Once in bIOS locate boot order tab and set first boot device to either USB,CD,Floppy and save and exit.


Bootable Floppy Disk:

Download the package current version (memtest86+-1.70.floppy.zip) to your PC.

Extract the zipped file to a location that you know, like the desktop or folder etc. You should end up with a folder named floppy.

Go into the folder and double click on the install.bat.

A command window will pop up asking you for a location of your disk drive. Insert a blank floppy disk into the floppy drive, then enter the letter of the drive (usually the letter a) then follow the prompts.
After it creates the floppy, simply boot your PC with the disk still in the drive and run the test as advised.

After you've set the test, grab some coffee and a magazine or go watch tv or play XBOX360,etc. It will take a while.

Problems FAQ

Q: I put the CD/Floppy disk in and rebooted my PC and it still didn't run.

A: You may need to select the boot device by pressing a special key or change the boot order of your PC by entering BIOS/Setup. While your PC is starting up, there is a button you have to press to enter it. You can find it by looking for "Press .... to enter SETUP". Most comonly the DEL key or F2, then looking for "Boot devices" or "Boot order" or similar, then following the onscreen prompts to change them.

Q: I have no floppy drive..

A: Use the CD version.

Q: What if i want to run the test overnight?

A: Go ahead. If you have the patience..

Q: Is this test entirely 100% accurate?

A: Yes and No. I would actualy treat these tests as more of a guideline, since there are other factors that can play into having hardware/RAM trouble. Most common example would be mixed and matched RAM, where both test out OK but when put together won't let your system boot etc. (although there are cases that mixed RAM works fine on most people's system - but that's motherboard dependant.) Some others are under-powered systems etc.

If you want a second opinion, there are other memory diagnostic programs out there, and one built into Vista type in the search bar memory and click on Memory Diagnostic Utility. Follow the instructions and reboot.

Q: Test comes out OK but Windows OS is still giving me errors?

A: You can try another new set of RAM if you wish (as per comment above), but you should now be focusing on finding out if it is a windows problem (since this test runs pre-windows boot) or other hardware related problem. I suggest striping your PC to its barebones components where possible then start troubleshoot from there.

Bare bones basicaly means you power off the computer and remove all the RAM,disconnect CD/DVD rom drives,floppy drives,card readers,hardware items not required to boot the computer,then start with 1 stick of RAM inserted in first slot nearest processor.Then reboot/restart the computer and test the system,note do you get any beep code errors as an example.Each time you connect a peice of hardware you must power off the machine and disconnect from the power socket before reconnecting any hardware into your computer.

The older registry backup would proberly mean you would loose some settings and software.

Thanks Jelly Bean, I ran MemTest86+, and let it cycle 7 times. Returned zero errors. So that is good news, kinda. Woulda been fairly easy to slap some new memory sticks in, eh? I still might throw a couple more in anyhoo. In addition to what's there.

I will work on SpeedFan, and other advice a little later on. Right now wifey has me working on the "Honey Do" list. No rest for the wicke...er...weary, eh?

Thanks, cb

Thats ok,brilliant.

Wifey is right get the work done.

I am officaly on my ten minute tea break.

Catch in in a little while.

Hello again,
Well I ran the Speed Fan prog, and it looks like it only detected my internal hdd. My computer is almost three years old, don't know if that has anything to do with it. Not sure what to do with the info.

I left Speed Fan running in sys tray for awhile, reads a constant, unchanging, 54 degrees centigrade. That would indicate to me that the reading may not be accurate. What say you?

Thankyou.

If that is a true reading then you have a problem.A hard drive operates at around 30 well enough.

Are you able to open the side of the computer carefully while running and see if the fans are all spinning?

The test doesnt show your processor nore any fans.

It could be a false reading it may not.

When was the last time you cleaned the computer internals fully while powered off?