I have a program called PC-Doctor. It ran a battery of tests (taking over
two hours) on the HD and found "no problems." Same result with the video
card.
I had earlier run both checkdisk and sfc, neither finding anything amiss.
Though I haven't tried it, I do wonder whether Windows would allow me to
delete a protected .dll from the dll cache.
"Nepatsfan" <nepatsfan@SBXXXIX.com> wrote in message
news:uPcqQz7hIHA.4468@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> You could indeed be correct that it's an isolated software problem caused
> by a few misbehaving files. My intent in posting was simply to bring your
> attention to an issue that no one had addressed.
>
> That said, I prefer not to ignore unusual sounds that are coming from an
> internal hardware device. If you were driving and kept hearing an unusual
> noise coming from your car's engine, would you have it checked out or just
> turn up the radio? Running diagnostic programs on your hard drive are
> quick, painless, and free.
>
> Nepatsfan
>
>
> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
> news:ezLBSj7hIHA.4684@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>I appreciate your candid reply, and your sobering suggestions. I had not
>>considered a hardware issue.
>> Do you not think, however, that it is worthy of note that I experience
>> this behavior with no other Windows function or application?
>> I do have all of our personal files backed up to an external hard drive.
>> "Nepatsfan" <nepatsfan@SBXXXIX.com> wrote in message
>> news:uyodtN5hIHA.2268@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
>>> "JD" <Erehwon@Example.com> wrote in message
>>> news:%232qppOyhIHA.3400@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>>>> Is there a way to extract a fresh copy of Spider.exe from the setup CD
>>>> without reinstalling all of Windows?
>>>> I think my copy of Spider has been corrupted. I've uninstalled and
>>>> reinstalled from Add/Remove, but I don't think it's installing a fresh
>>>> copy of the .exe.
>>>> Every few weeks the computer locks up while playing Spider. I've
>>>> updated the video drivers. I have no problems with any other
>>>> application or Windows functions.
>>>>
>>>
>>>
>>> Here's a link to an earlier thread you posted on this issue.
>>>
>>> http://groups.google.com/group/micro...7ef0bc3c2e188a
>>>
>>> In that thread you indicate that you hear a click when the system locks
>>> up. With that in mind, you might want to make backing up your important
>>> files a priority. This click could be a sign that your hard drive or
>>> power supply unit is about to fail.
>>>
>>> Once you have the files backed up, run chkdsk C: /r from a command
>>> prompt window. Also, check the hard drive manufacturer's web site for a
>>> diagnostic utility that you can run to check the drive. Testing a PSU is
>>> a complicated process and not one I'd recommend to most home users.
>>>
>>> Now if you prefer to ignore the possible hardware issues, the first
>>> thing you would have to do is delete all copies of spider.exe and
>>> cards.dll that are on your computer. You should find copies of each file
>>> in C:\Windows\System32 and C:\WINDOWS\System32\dllcache. If you don't
>>> remove them from both locations, Windows will simply restore the file
>>> you deleted in the System32 folder with the copy from the dllcache
>>> folder. And it will happens instantly.
>>>
>>> You can then use msconfig or the Expand command to extract replacement
>>> copies of the files to your hard drive. The commands would be something
>>> like this where D: refers to your CD drive.
>>>
>>> Expand D:\I386\spider.ex_ C:\Windows\System32\spider.exe
>>> Expand D:\I386\cards.dl_ C:\Windows\System32\cards.dll
>>>
>>> Follow the same procedure to place copies of each file in the dllcache
>>> folder.
>>>
>>> Personally, I don't think this is going to make much difference. The
>>> next step would be to try a repair installation.
>>>
>>> Good luck
>>>
>>> Nepatsfan
>>>
>>
>>
>
>
>