Computer Hope
Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows XP => Topic started by: MarleneD on August 21, 2007, 04:14:11 PM
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I have Windows XP and have gotten stuck while switching users. There are 4 of us who have our own logons and when one of is logged on and another one wants switch to their loggon window, it gets stuck. The only way I've handled this is to just log off when I'm done and the next person can log on "cleanly".
Any ideas as to what is causing it to get stuck? This just started about 3 days ago.
Appreciate any input.
Thanks.
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There are various things that can cause it to stick, this including:
Some sort of corruption
Antivirus program
Certain network adapter driver types
Whether or not you are using Domain or Workgroup, or just your local group.
What antivirus protection do you have?
Did you try updating your network drivers? (WiFi devices, Ethernet devices, Network controllers, Windows Update)
Are you connected to a network?
Have you tried disabling Switch Users, and then restarting, and enabling it?
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Have you installed any AV JUST before this started to happen?
Have you updated any drivers JUST before this started to happen?
If you have, you could try rolling them back.
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Windows and Anti Virus software automatically update (current AV was installed one year ago). I defraged after this incident occured. We are using a workgroup. I don't have a network set up yet. This computer is connected to the internet through cable.
How do you disable Switch Users?
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Disable SwitchUsers:
Start> Control Panel> User Accounts> "Change the way users log on and off"
There is a check box there, uncheck it, apply, restart, go back to the menu, enable it again, and apply, restart, and see how it works.
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Another thing could be a lack of memory. How much do you have and if ot is under 128mb add some virtual memory
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You know programming_pat, I was just thinking about memory yesterday. We have 4 itune libraries, each with at least 200 to 400 songs (or more, depending on the user); perhaps it's time to expand the memory. I'll have to check that tonight and Zylstra's suggestion on disabling switchusers. I'll report back in a day or two with an update.
Thanks :)
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MarleneD, your thinking about disk space, not memory
A hard drive (HDD, Space, Storage):
http://www.patik.com/tools/computer/hdd.jpg
Used for storing information, like music, photos, documents, your operating system (Windows), programs (iTunes), and whatever you put on it.
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/h/harddriv.htm
RAM (Memory):
http://www.viaarena.com/images/articles/3/watermarks/uRAM1.jpg (seen in this image are various types of RAM, since many do look a bit different, but they all still follow the long shape with pins at the bottom)
Used for holding programs while they run. When you open iTunes, it gets loaded into the RAM
http://www.computerhope.com/jargon/r/ram.htm
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Yea i think you've got memory mixed up with disk space.
RAM stands for random access memory. It's like a piece of hardware which looks like a circuit board with black squares on it. It slots into one of four slots in your computer.
in basic terms, the more RAM you've got, the faster you're computer can process and do things.
How much RAM do you have anyway?
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I believe the computer has 1.5GB. Haven't checked on anything else yet, too busy with other stuff, but will check on things this weekend. I was also thinking of increasing the virtual memory by a few notches as programming_pat suggested. Again, will check on this soon and will report back :)
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Aaachh! I only have 512MB of RAM :P But, I've done some "cleaning up" i.e. did a disk clean up, limited what was loading onto Startup, & ran an error checking on the local disk. I've decided to keep the "Switch Users" option off which forces everyone to log off (much smoother that way). I'm still wondering if I should expand my Virtual Memory. Currently it is as follows:
Custom- Initial MB = 800 (recommended is 765 MB)
Maximum MB = 1536
Local Hardrive:
My used space is 46.7 GB
Free Space is 43.0 GB
My computer is running much smoother now, but I'm still considering expanding the RAM. How do I find out how many slots I have free to expand on my computer without opening it up?
Thank you :)
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Set both the minimum and maximum at 1536...this may smooth it out.
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Is there a down side to setting the virtual memory to a max of 1536???
Just wondering...
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No...providing there's plenty of disk space which there is.
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Sorry Marlene, but i don't think there is an alternative method of finding out how many RAM slots you've got left.
However, we can probrably make a good guess.
you say you've got 512 mb RAM.
well, if it's a desktop comp, then i'd say you've got about 2 or 3 slots left.
(2X256 module or 1X512 module.)
but if it's a laptop, then the RAM modules are slightly different, and i reccomend you go to a computer shop to get another module installed.
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Actually there is a way of finding out how many RAM slots are on the board without opening the case. Heaps of software can do it but I recomend CPU-z http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php (http://www.cpuid.com/cpuz.php)
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whoops, my bad.
good thinking NDog.
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I will certainly try the CPU-z to find out if it tells me the available slots.
Thanks everyone! :)