Wiping the Cache (WXP-Home)

[Icarus]

Okay, this problem is annoying. Whenever my system crashes (and this is a full on crash, where everything freezes), and I have to reboot, the OS wipes out the internet cache when it starts up! Why does it do this, and is there a way of stopping it form happening?

[adg]

Do you have it set in Internet Options - Security to empty the TIF when the browser is closed? More important, what's causing the crashes. Have you checked the event log? Are you getting a blue screen? What preceeds the crashes?

Allan
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.tweakdatabase.com/idealbb>tweakxp.com</a>

[Icarus]

Right, the option to clear the cache upon closing IE is unchecked. When the system does crash, nothing happens - it just freezes suddenly. Here is a list on what I have been doing right before each crash:

1) Playing C and C: Generals (this has happened quite a few times, often an hour into the game)

2) playing Sim City 4 (again, often well into the game)

3) Just as I was using the preset shapes optin in PSP7 while listening to music in WMP, the system freezes, although the sound still came through for a few seconds before repeating the same part repeatedly;

4) Opening IE, Outlook and VB almost simultaneously - as if the computer could not cope with it

I've had a look at the event log, and I've had quite a few warnings about unloading registry files, but nothing important. At first I thought the crashes were to do with the processor/GPU overheating, but since when does that happen whilst opening a few programs?

[adg]

It sounds as though the tasks with which you are involved just before a crash are all video intensive. What are your system specs?

Allan
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.tweakdatabase.com/idealbb>tweakxp.com</a>

[Icarus]

Athlon XP 2100+
512MB DDR RAM
GeForce 3
nForce2 Chipset
Audigy Soundcard

At first I thought it was to do with my graphics card overheating, but I don't see how opening programs is video intensive; also, when using PSP7, the crash occured when the canvas was completely blank!

[adg]

Okay, well in order to make sure it isn't the OS I'd suggest a repair installation of XP and a check for the latest drivers. It's a simple process and will not effect your current settings or installed programs.

Boot to the XP CD and select the second repair option about four screens in (not the first one - that will only drop you at the repair console). XP will install on top of itself and replace missing or damaged system files.

Then I'd suggest you make sure you have the latest video and audio drivers from the OEM web sites, not from Windows Update. You also might want to check for an updated bios flash.

If none of this helps, then you are almost certainly looking at a hardware problem - perhaps overheating, perhaps a bad ram stick, perhaps something else.

Allan
<a target="_blank" href=http://www.tweakdatabase.com/idealbb>tweakxp.com</a>

[Icarus]

OK thanks, I'll try what you just said now.