Computer Problems.

[Roger Kettle]

For about the last two weeks, every time I switch on my laptop, it launches into some kind of disc-cleansing programme thingie. (Excuse the technical mumbo-jumbo). Anyway, unless I abort it within ten seconds, it goes on forever, filling the screen with lines of nonsense. In an effort to end all this, I've let the damn thing run its course three times now but it's still there every time I switch on. I'm not sure if this is connected, but I find the Beau Peep site really slow to get round at the moment. Any suggestions, guys?

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Yes. Ask Mince.

Sorry, but there's no other way.

[Mince]

When did it start to do this?

What is the Disc Cleansing thingy called (program name)?

How do you know it's disc cleansing?

When do you get the ten seconds? Does it load Windows first?

Is it just the Beau Peep site or do other messageboards also load slowly?

[Roger Kettle]

When I switch on, it says the usual "Welcome" and then it goes into this disc-checking thing and gives me 10 seconds to abort it by pressing any key. As I say, I've let it run three times and the screen fills with " such and such file is unreadable....20% completed" etc. etc. It takes ages and hasn't stopped it reappearing.
I've not noticed a problem on other sites, only here. For example, when I pressed "reply" to answer you, it took about thirty seconds to respond.

[Mince]

When I switch on, it says the usual "Welcome" and then it goes into this disc-checking thing and gives me 10 seconds to abort it by pressing any key. As I say, I've let it run three times and the screen fills with " such and such file is unreadable....20% completed" etc. etc. It takes ages and hasn't stopped it reappearing.

Can you give what it says at the beginning? It sounds like a defrag or file check. It might also be a damaged hard drive.

I've not noticed a problem on other sites, only here. For example, when I pressed "reply" to answer you, it took about thirty seconds to respond.

It does not with me (or anyone else?). Have you tried using another browser. It might also be loads of spyware or a virus on your computer.

Have you installed loads of new programs on your laptop?

[Roger Kettle]

When I pressed "reply" this time, it responded immediately.
I presume you're joking when you ask if I've installed any programmes.
I'll have to switch off and on again to tell you what it says exactly.

[Roger Kettle]

Okay, it says it's checking file system on C and then something about FAT 32.
As I tried to scan this page down to "post", it froze for about ten seconds.
Me confused.

[Mince]

Do you have Windows XP or Windows VISTA?

[Mince]

It sounds like CheckDisk is running but not completing.

1. Go to the start menu.

2. Choose RUN.

3. Type CMD in the text box in the popup screen/box and press OK.

4. Type CHKFAT32 /x C: in the new black screen and press the ENTER/RETURN BUTTON.

See if that works.

[Tarquin Thunderthighs lll]

Isn't that the self-destruct code?

[Roger Kettle]

I've, apparently, got Windows XP. What you said after that might well have been Martian.

[Mince]

Do you know where the START MENU button is? It is at the bottom left with START on it.

[Roger Kettle]

So it is!
Do you really want me to try that stuff you said?

[Mince]

Do you really want me to try that stuff you said?

Yes.

[Roger Kettle]

Right, I did all that but I wasn't sure what to do after your last instruction (press Enter). There didn't seem to be a way to finalise all this. I switched off and, when I re-started, the crap was still there.