computer crashing and on desktop-no mouse,can't restore with disk

[fordbronco69]

This is my Mom's computer, 850mhz,30 gig,pentium3,
windowsME,128mb Ram,E-watch virus protection.

Her computer has progressively started doing wierder and wierder stuff. Takes several scandisks(thorough)
to complete scan,desktop apperance changes for no reason,ect.

Computer starts and then performs a Scan-Disk.
Then ask for a login(not normal), next it shows the desktop and the screen colors,Icons, and background are funny looking. Mouse doesn't work!

Press ctrl-alt-del and in the box(which was slow to come up) of running applications Ecpcfg(not responding) is highlighted.

Once I double click on it to stop running and EndTask,
I hit ctrl-alt-del again and the box pops up quickly as it normally would.

But I still can't use my mouse or access the computer.

I have tried to use a startup disk to restore but, when I
try to select the number choice to restore it doesn't do anything.

so I have to reset the computer to get it back to the messed up desktop.

She wants to restore but I can't get her restore disk to work?

Any help would be greatly appreciated!

Fordbronco69

[fordbronco69]

I figured out that espcfg is the config for e-watch virus program that she uses.

I thought that my help

fordbronco69 :confused:

[Dodge]

When you boot the PC, at the First screen that comes up hit one of these keys to allow you to get into the Bios.

1. F10 (Compaq's)
2. F1
3. Delete
4. F12 (Very rare)

Depends on what kind of Bios your Computer has as to which key will allow you in.

When you get into the Bios, look around and find Boot Priority. Make sure the Cdrom is listed before the Hard drive. The boot order should really be in this order.
1. Floppy
2. Cdrom
3. Hard drive.
This should allow your Restore disk to work.

The problems you are having could be caused by many things.

First, take the cover off the PC (If you dont have a Warrenty, If you do have a warrent then taking the cover off can Void it) With the cover off, take a look at the Fans to make sure they are Spinning correctly and Free of Dust and dirt. If it is dirty, then you need to clean it. You can get a can of compressed air for about $5.00 to blow the system out safely....

It could be over heating, which will cause all kinds of weird stuff to happen.

You could have a Virus, which if the PC wont bootup and allow you to run a Virus scan there is no way of finding out. So a Format and Reinstall would be the best way to go..

post back with what you find from the above.