SSSLLLLLLOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWWWWW..... what can I do?

[BlueDarkness]

First Off:
Toshiba Satellite
256MB ATI Radeon 5790
AMD Turion X2 Dual-Core Mobile 2.00
184GB HD with 25.4GB Free
3GB RAM
Windows Vista 32-Bit

My computer is running like shit and I don't really know what it is. Borderlands and TF2 contunually crash either the game or Windows Explorer (not the internet browser).

I've tried running CCleaner, AdAware, etc so I don't think it's spyware or viruses, but it's becoming more of an issue.

I've also gotten errors when I start up my comp (like Toshiba Power Saver and something like x00000005).

Just wondering if you guys knew either what the problem is or what steps I can take to fix it.

As far as I am aware of my video card and system are all up to date.

[Airborne|Parker]

You'll probably get some other opinions on this, but if I were you I'd just do a clean Vista Install.

[BlueDarkness]

Would there be a disk in the box my laptop came in? Because I didn't upgrade.

[GuAcAmAlIn]

Sounds like a overheating problem to me.

[Airborne|Parker]

ooo good call. check that!

[StealthMunkey]

it sounds like a ram or or virtual memory problem to me. If your system has a hard drive test on it I would do that for sure, ram test possibly as well. If it isn't shutting down the computer completely I wouldn't say it is that likely to be overheating, but most laptops run pretty hot so you never know. Maybe try to defrag your HD and look up how to defrag your swap file and/or increase it a little bit if your HD tests out fine. You can also try to look up the error it is reporting with the 0x000005 or whatever on microsoft's support site. It can actually lead you in the right direction to the problem much of the time.

[Caliban]

There's alot of different directions to go on this one, could be heat related like Guac said. That would explain the crashes when gaming. Could be a failing HD or RAM as Stealth suggests. Could be the system is just old and flakey and a reinstall of the OS would clear it up like Parker. I'll add to the list by saying be sure to check your Event Log especially your application/system look for any Red or Yellow entries around the times of the crash they could point to a bad app or maybe reference bad RAM or failing HD.

If you aren't familiar with the Event log the easiest way I find to get to is to right click on Computer and select Manage, should be near the top perhaps under the name Event Viewer.

[TBone]

Would there be a disk in the box my laptop came in? Because I didn't upgrade.

Usually no, unless you requested a disk...however, I'm sure you'd be able to call in and request one.

[Gungadin]

I hear soaking your system in a tub of saltwater helps speed up a system ..... cause of the salt ya know

[BlueDarkness]

Well I ran a RAM test, and HD Test, Spyware Test... NOTHING

So I dunno what I can do now... but I guess I should mention all the problems I've had.

Toshiba Power Saver crashes on startup
TF2 often crashes Windows Explorer
Volume Wheel believes I am pressing "c" when decreasing volume
ATI Catalyst Control was not working, but is now fixed

[StealthMunkey]

if there is any software that displays an overlay on your screen, such as for multimedia buttons or other extra buttons on the laptop, disable that feature or the software(if necessary) and see if it helps.
See if there is a bios firmware update for your exact model through your laptop manufacturer. I cannot stress how important it is to make sure it is for your exact model and you follow whatever instructions they give if you choose to try to update your BIOS.

Also a side note, a RAM test can miss finding problems if you have more than one stick of RAM. If it finds a problem, it is correct though, its just iffy if you run it with 2 or more ram modules in at a time.

[GuAcAmAlIn]

Any BSOD's or just plain reboot?

[Feowen]

I have a ram hardware problem (which I can't afford to fix atm). The first 2 tests didn't pick it up, but the third did. No slowdown though... just a freeze or occasional BSOD if it accesses the bad kernel.