wow that is minimal amount of memory, try up dating Firefox first, tools, about Firefox, update. Next clear the cache on it tools clear history, in the box check mark on cache, might need to do cookies too, at the top of the box it has options for the time period, use the drop down arrow and select all time, ok. close Firefox and reopen. see if it helped. Then in Firefox go to tools, plugins, run the checker to see if any need updated if it shows any that do get those done, watch out for any stuff that is added on that you don't want like toolbar or scans etc. you just want the update. restart Firefox.

let me know how it goes. And it really would be a good idea to increase the memory, it is cheap and very easy to do and would make a big difference.

You can go ahead and update malwarebytes and run a full scan too.

Thanks for the extra quick reply. I did everything up to check plugins for updates. Cant seem to find that.

ok on firefox click on tools then addons then plugins at the very top it says check if plugins are up to date click that.

OK RC, I found everything and it seems that I have 5 plugins that are vulnerable and need to be updated, about 8 others that have status unknown and need to be researched. It'll take a while before I can give you a complete report, but thanks to you I'm well on my way.

just click right on those it will take you to the update for each one.
be sure to do the malwarebytes scan too. I will be watching for the info. Good job!

It's been a while RC, but I'm still working on my updates. I'm having a problem picking up unwanted hitch hikers when I tried to download the update of Shockwave for director. I had to do a system restore, that wiped out the update for Silverlight. I did some research and learned that Shockwave for director is rarely used and I have another version of Shockwave, so I removed Shockwave for director. It's going slowly, just wanted to let you know that I'm still at it. It's a time consuming process, so I'm doing it a little at a time. I'll keep you posted.

I get this problem all the time. Try to update your Flash Player at Adobe.com When I play Zynga games on Facebook I get this problem constantly. If this happens when you are playing games Global settings have to be changed on the player to allow more information to be stored by the game. That is the problem I have. A lot of people have this problem with Firefox and Flash Player

Ravencajin is correct. You do not have enough memory. You did not say whether you had a laptop or desktop. The laptop may not support more than 1 G of memory, but the desktop probably supports more. Increasing your memory up to 1 G byte will speed up surfing the web becasue you can have more windows open without crashing or getting a conflict message. Windows XP service pack3 works well with 2 G byte of memory.

A common failure for 7 yr old computers, that see several hours of on-time per day, is the power supply. The voltage output can be getting low or it no longer filters well and too much ripple appears in the DC output.

A 2nd common falure is the keep-alive battery. This rechargeable battery keeps your settings and keeps the clock/calendar running. When it no longer holds adquate charge, strange behavor can result. One diagnostic is the date/time jumps to an erroneous setting. This will cause new files to be written with the wrong dates.

Jemdandy, it's a desktop. I bought it new. I hate to spend any money upgrading the memory on a computer this old. I've been waiting for it to go for some time. I'm surprised it's lasted this long. I have a laptop as a spare, but tend to use the desktop, as it is all set up where I like to use it. As long as it performs relatively well and doesn't completely crash I'll continue to use it if I can keep it going. It's sort of a challenge to me to see if I can fix it when it needs a tweak. Thanks for your input.

I have yet to have a computer of mine die, they all still worked years and years after I got them in fact some are still running and working. There is no reason to wait for it to die, what if it continues to run for years, all that time that you could have very easily added that new memory and been enjoying a much faster and happier pc! It is truly the easiest thing to do a matter of pulling one thing out of a slot and putting a new thing into the slot.
Plus if your pc has not had the side panel taken off and cleaned on the inside that is essential to keeping a pc running. If it is not cleaned of all the dust accumulation it will run hot and the power supply will be stressed and give out. But replacing the power supply is also easy, not as easy as memory though. A well maintained pc will have many many years of life.
There are lemons of course that have some type of defective part that can fail some arrive dead on arrival but that is different.
And no you do not need that Shockwave for director.
Yes unfortunately they try to add foistware to many of the updates we need that is why it is very important to read each line as it goes through the install process and watch for any check marks and UN check them on each step if it is some unwanted item like a toolbar or a virus scan etc.

Keep on working on it!
And one of the number one problems caused by low memory? freezing up and stalling and slow processing. And since that is obviously an XP computer it is always a good idea to reboot it daily because there were problems with certain things (and programs you may have) in XP that do not release resources well even when it is no longer being used so you may not have anything running but your resources are still locked up, rebooting will release them and allow you full access to the resources on board and with that little memory you need every bit!

I was prevented from downloading one of the updates because I don't have Windows SP3. That was deliberate on my part, When I downloaded SP2, I ended up having to restore my computer back to factory . Tho I had my documents backed up I had to reinstall my programs etc. I found out that the SP2 caused a problem because I have an AMD processor. I checked, and it seems to be the same with the SP3. I found a patch that should be installed B4 the SP3, but I'm still reluctant. I enclosed a link to the MS page where I got the info. It's the 2nd highlighted link that has the download. I'm just checking for reassurance B4 going ahead.

Here is a link that might be useful: Link To MS page

if you don't have sp3 you are no longer getting windows updates for your computer which is very likely contributing to the problems. Plus you are not getting security updates. There was a problem when sp3 was first released with the amd processor, I had the same issue with one of mine. However they put out a patch for that so if you have done all of the offered critical updates from Microsoft for windows xp then you should have that patch installed. You can also check the manufacturer site look up the model number of your pc and search for a patch there for your model.

I highly recommend updating to sp3, Microsoft will end support for it next year in April, but at least you can get the security updates till then.

You do have Sp2 right? because you definitely need it then sp3. I can't imagine that you have xp with no service packs? If that is the case we may well have the answer to the problems. Plus it is extremely lacking security.

Have you been doing regular updated malwarebytes scans? if not at least do that weekly, what is your antivirus program?

yes that link is exactly what I was talking about! definitely should install the patch.

Always create a new system restore point before doing anything, so do one before the patch, one after patch, that way should you have to go back you have a good restore point. you can never have too many.

Got another question. When I click on the SP3 download I get this:

Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3.docx 97 KB
Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3.pdf 324 KB
Overview of Windows XP Service Pack 3.xps 447 KB

With boxes to check infront of each. Which one do I check? Or is that even what I need?

Here is a link that might be useful: Here's the link

are you up at the top there where you choose your language English then click on the big red download button? The red button should be the download it self.

the link below is also a good site for download and instructions there is a direct download link under download the service pack manually section.

be sure to remember to create your system restore points in advance. Also once you have it downloaded to your pc before you begin to install, you might want to just turn off your antivirus program during that short time period so there is no conflicts, Which antivirus do you have? usually if your right click on the icon in the tray at the bottom there is an option to just turn it off or disable, do NOT uninstall it. In rare cases some AV products did conflict with the install.

Here is a link that might be useful: sp3

Yes, I clicked on the big red button and was taken to the page with the selections for the overview. I tried it a couple of times and it's always the same.

I'm trying your site. The Headline is "Windows XP Service Pack 3 Network Installation Package for IT Professionals and Developers". Is that the correct download for a Windows XP Home Editiion OS?

YES it is that is the one! it is an all in one. It does say there that it can safely be used for home also.

The other option is that you should be able to get it from your windows updates you may have blocked it or told it not to show it but you can click on history on your windows update page and see what you have installed and what you have blocked and unblock it so it comes to you through the windows update page.

But yes the link in the one you mention is the one to get.

I downloaded SP3 from the site you gave me. I'm trying to install it now, but I think I might have a problem. The installation bar is about 90% toward the end but it hasn't moved in about an hr. It says that it's finishing the installation and is performing a cleanup. Should it take so long? I have my antivirus disabled.

it can take a while yes.

You were right, it took hrs. I left it on, when I came back, the black and white Safe Mode screen was showing. When I clicked on "Start Normally" , the Windows XP screen appeared for a few secs, then it went back to the Safe Mode screen. I tried a couple of times, the same thing happened. I did a system restore and here I am, back to SP2. I guess there's just something about the AMD processor that messes up the SP updates, even tho I did install the patch. I guess the only thing left is to install more memory, but I still won't have SP3. Thanks for all your help!!

I am so sorry it failed. That is really unfortunate. Well you did give it a good try! Be sure since you do not have sp3 and will not be getting the critical security updates for it to keep your antivirus program fully updated and scan weekly and also update malwarebytes and do full scans weekly with it also. the more protection the better.

Even tho the update failed the computer does seem to be faster. I haven't had a warning box pop up, I hope I never see one again. Now I'm wondering about my laptop, which hasn't been used in quite a while. That also has an AMD processor and no SP3. It has Windows Vista. I wonder if having the Vista will make a difference or will I have the same problem as with this desktop. I updated Malwarebytes and did a scan today after the restore on the desktop. It found 5 threats. I admit that I don't do the malware scans as often as I should. I'll have to make myself do it more often. I have AVG antivirus, which is up to date. I have automatic updates enabled, it's set for 3AM. Does not having the SP3 prevent all updates? I hope you know how much I appreciate all your help. It's like having HP tech support only better.

sp3 is for xp if you have Vista it does not take that sp3 update vista had 2 service packs So do not try that sp3 on your Vista laptop. Be sure you are turning on the laptop regularly and letting it get the updates for the antivirus program and also all of the windows updates! Do you have it set to get windows updates automatically? If not you may want to do that and make sure you have it turned on several times a month even if you are not using it so that it can get updated if not when you do turn it on you will be very out of date. Run the secunia scan I am going to link to on this laptop also and update things that need to be updated.

You will not be getting any of the windows updates for the xp computer that has sp2, they stopped supporting it some time back only those with sp3 still get the windows updates unfortunately and that will end in April of 2014.

So because of that it is really important to make sure everything else on the xp pc is updated and running the scans is essential the fact that malwarebytes found 5 threats is significant.

If you have java on your pc make sure you have it updated to the latest version and all earlier versions are removed from the add remove programs list. That is one of the main ways infections are happening now. Also same with all adobe products, and your flash. Those things you can still update
You can run this scan and check to see what needs updating
Secunia Online Software Inspector (OSI)
you do not install this just go to the website and run the free scan it will check your pc and tell you anything that needs to be updated and link you to them.

It would be good to also install this spywareblaster program, this one is super easy, just install it then once a week click on it to open, hit the update button if it has updates click on the enable updates and the shield will turn green that is it just close it. It will help protect you.
Download SpywareBlaster 5.0 Installer
When doing this you want to stay with the free version it may offer you to go with the trial of the pay but just stick with the one you are doing which is the free one.

This post was edited by ravencajun on Wed, May 29, 13 at 18:45

Hi, mare_wbpa.

Whew! Ravencajun asked me to stop by and see if I could be of assistance. There's a lot going on here. First off, I've had several computers with AMD processor, including Windows XP at one time as well as Windows Vista and had no problem with the SP install. Yes, make sure you have first installed KB 953356 from http://www.microsoft.com/en-us/download/details.aspx?id=23751.

When it comes to Flash Player, I prefer the direct install. You need the update for both IE and Firefox. Flash Player is now updated the 2nd Tuesday of the month, same day as Microsoft Security Updates. Links for both IE & FF here: http://securitygarden.blogspot.com/2013/05/adobe-flash-player-security-update.html

Since malware was found on the Vista machine, I suggest log review -- probably best on the XP machine too. If you're interested, you'll need to post the logs at LandzDown, instructions here: http://www.landzdown.com/analysis-and-malware-removal/log-posting-instructions/

(Sorry for all the unformatted links. Since there's only room for one "useful link", you'll need to copy the URLs.)

RC, thanks for asking for added help. Thanks Corrine. Should the KB 953356 show up in the list in Add/Remove programs. I don't see it there. I know I downloaded it and am pretty sure I installed it, but maybe it got wiped when I had to do one of the system restores when I picked up hitch hikers when doing updates. I updated Shockwave Flash, if that's the same as Flash Player. I didn't see anything about Java listed in the list that needs to be updated or researched on the "Mozilla/Check your plugins page". I just checked add/remove again and can't find Java or Flash player.

I tried to do the Secunia scan. After va few secs a box popped up and said "There might be a problem loading Java applet in your browser. If you are sure that Java is installed (Version 1.6X or later) and functional press OK and continue." I don't think I so, so I canceled.

Direct install as opposed to what?

The malware was found on the XP machine, not the Vista. In doing research about the SP3 update I found many others who had the same problem as I did. I know it was a mess when I updated to SP2, I had to wipe out the whole thing and start from scratch. I'm glad that didn't happen this time. I guess I've learned a little bit since then, nowhere near enough tho.

Thanks again RC and Corrine for your time and patience.

Ok good you might not have java on that pc, the secunia scan uses java so if you don't have it that's why you got that message. It is best right now not to have it.

I noticed that the links Corrine posted have spaces in them and are not directing properly so watch for that just remove the space.
There's a version of the secunia scan that is installed but unfortunately it won't work with xp Sp2 it requires sp3.

If you want to try going to the LzD forum where both Corrine and I are you can get some hands on help running some special scans that will help identify the problems and get everything updated. Up to you, a lot of people from here have done this with great results. Just let me know.

Having used system restore, the requisite KB 953356 needs to be reinstalled.

The problem with SP2 was a very, very long time ago. Although frustrating at the time, if you plan on continuing to use the desktop, it would be best to get SP3 installed. Since it was the XP desktop that was infected, that could be the reason for the recent problem installing SP3. It would be best to get it checked. No guarantees, but worth a try. I'll do my best.

I think I'm going to try reinstalling the KB 953356 patch again then the SP3. I have a lot to do for the next couple of days and since these updates are time consuming (to me) I won't try them til I have a chunk of time to devote. Probably a couple of days or so. If you don't hear from me for a while you'll know why. I'll report back after the retry.

Here's how it went. I reinstalled the KB 953356 patch to make sure it was there B4 I reinstalled the SP3. I proceeded to install at about 12:30 PM yesterday. At 8:30 it was stuck on performing cleanup in the same spot on the installation bar as in the 1st installation attempt. It had been in that same place for 4 hrs. At that point I shut it down and had to do a restore in safe mode because it was doing a loop from the startup screen to the Safe Mode page. Now it's performing just about the same as B4 the updates and SP3 attempts.

I fear you still have some of the infections still lingering and that could very well be interfering with your installation. I would suggest going to LzD and having Corrine look at your logs she will be able to see if any of the infection is still there and how to remove it. She is great at this she goes step by step as slow as you need. You would not want to risk having infections on it at any rate.
Analysis and Malware Removal
that is the link to LzD where you can create your own post, you do need to register at the forum and they will email you back.
I am there and Corrine will be there to help you.
Let us know so we can be watching for you.

Should I check the box to allow users to email me?

This post was edited by mare_wbpa on Mon, Jun 3, 13 at 13:55

up to you but no reason to, on that forum you can do private messages so if we need to we can do that.

oh good see you made it there, Corrine started a welcome thread for you!

I'm working on it. This computer is so bad it's taking me forever to do all the prerequisutes. I'll get there eventually, I hope!!

I did all the downloads and pasted the logs into the post but I was copying and pasting some of what I wrote here so I wouldn't have to retype and it posted that whole post B4 I had a chance to edit it. When I edited the post and included all the logs asked for I hit preview then post but nothing happened.

I copied and pasted the whole failed post into a reply to the 1st one. It took. I'll be waiting to hear what Coririne has to say