Sigh another software problem

  • Thread starter enigma
  • Start date
  • Tags
    Software
In summary, IE has been experiencing various lag problems, one of which is the mouse pointer not keeping up with where the user moves it. Another problem is registry becoming cluttered and causing the computer to crap out. A fresh install of the OS usually cures the problem. If IE is 5.5 or earlier, it is recommended to upgrade to IE 6 or 7.
  • #1
enigma
Staff Emeritus
Science Advisor
Gold Member
1,757
17
This time with internet explorer

I swear, I need to drop the cash for a new PC and start fresh.

This started yesterday. Every time I use the wheel to scroll a webpage, it has a half second delay and it 'jumps' from place to place. Also, when I'm typing now, there is ~1/4 to 1/2 second delay between keystroke and placement of the character on the screen.

It remains after I shut down the system and re-boot.

Any ideas?

Oh... Probably not going to get any help on this one, but for about 2 weeks, I get pure virtual function call errors when I try to print out on my student version of Matlab (and only Matlab) which dumps me from the system, stops the print job halfway through, and requires a system re-boot before I can do anything without crashing the computer.

*grumble*
 
Computer science news on Phys.org
  • #2
just another worthless suggestion...

When things get sluggish I sometimes open the task manager and have a peek under the processes tab for anything using a lot of the CPU cycles. You might get lucky here and find the offender.
The scroll wheel I use has incremental adjustments that can be made, but in my experience it can also be caused by other problems too.
As to Matlab, I couldn’t say much except I do know someone who complained that after installing mathematica the computer began to crash randomly.

What kind of machine do you have (CPU speed, amount of RAM, etc.) ?
 
  • #5
Also, run ad-aware and make sure you don't have resource-intensive programs secretly installed on your computer, running while you're online.
 
  • #6
What kind of machine do you have (CPU speed, amount of RAM, etc.) ?

I have to second the request for this info, also what kind of OS?

Are you also experiancing lag with your mouse, such as the pointer not keeping up with where you move it?

Anyhow, a lot of times what happens is your computer simply gets wore out. More specifically, your registry. See, B. Gates and the other top dogs are counting on a person going and buying a new pc everytime they have trouble.

What happens though, is your registry becomes cluttered up, and your computer craps out on ya. Especially if you've installed a lot of various programs, and removed them improperly (deleting through win explorer instead of removing through control panel.)

Your registry is kinda like your short term memory. When it gets cluttered up, you start having weird problems. Probably a simple fix for your problems is back up everything you care about, and reinstall windows.

A good idea also, is that you should create a separate partition to install windows on, and keep all your important work on a separate partition. This way, if something corrupts your installed OS, or it just craps out like it sounds yours has done, it is a simple process of deleting the old info, popping the cd in, and reinstalling.

But if you could provide answers for the above questions, we could probably give you some more info.
 
  • #7
Originally posted by megashawn
I have to second the request for this info, also what kind of OS?


Win 98

PIII 700MHz, 256MB Ram

Are you also experiancing lag with your mouse, such as the pointer not keeping up with where you move it?

No. Only when I'm scrolling through (or typing) IE pages.
 
  • #8
That's fast enough for winXP, if you owned a copy. It might give you less trouble than win98.

You might try reinstalling IE;
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=318378

Eventually, things get working back enough on my systems that I just do a fresh install of the OS. This usually cures the problem when I don't know what else to do.
 
  • #9
if you have IE 5.5 you should consider upgrading. It's the worst IE ever... I had the keyboard delay problem too.
The best way is to get Opera and just forget about IExploder...
 

1. Why do software problems occur?

Software problems can occur for a variety of reasons, including coding errors, compatibility issues, and hardware malfunctions. Sometimes, they can also be caused by user error or external factors, such as viruses or network errors.

2. How can software problems be prevented?

The best way to prevent software problems is to follow good coding practices, regularly update software and hardware, and perform thorough testing before releasing the software to users. It is also important to have a reliable backup system in case of unexpected issues.

3. How can I troubleshoot a software problem?

To troubleshoot a software problem, you can start by identifying the symptoms and researching possible solutions. If that doesn't work, you can try restarting the software or your device, checking for updates, or seeking help from a technical support team.

4. Are software problems common?

Yes, software problems are common and can happen to anyone. With the increasing complexity and interconnectedness of technology, it is nearly impossible to have completely error-free software.

5. Can a software problem cause data loss?

Yes, a software problem can potentially cause data loss if it corrupts or deletes important files. That is why it is important to regularly back up your data and have a disaster recovery plan in place to minimize the impact of any software issues.

Similar threads

  • Mechanical Engineering
Replies
1
Views
1K
  • Set Theory, Logic, Probability, Statistics
Replies
21
Views
4K
  • General Discussion
Replies
19
Views
4K
  • General Discussion
Replies
1
Views
8K
  • STEM Academic Advising
Replies
13
Views
4K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
7
Views
2K
  • MATLAB, Maple, Mathematica, LaTeX
Replies
9
Views
2K
Back
Top