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If the little sucker had blown up, you might have been defendant in an apple torte court action. Mmmuuuaahaahaa.

Thanks, Andavari. That's a good software. It also works to install different versions of the same distro on a single USB stick. For example both the 32 bit and 64 bit versions of Zorin on one stick and Puppy 6.3.0 on another. I had trouble getting the distros to achieve persistence, but it says here that it is possible. https://www.pendrivelinux.com/yumi-multiboot-usb-creator/

Apple repairs should be attempted only by certified apple cobblers.

Topic started 10 november 2016. Almost 3 months. Good grief. Delays were mostly due to the way I had to work on it ... catch as catch can, then wait several days to see if it was fixed, then start again. But i would never have gotten off the starting block without the hardware & heat diagnostics, so thanks again. I ran a bunch of diagnostics that I didn't post about (was afraid the topic might get too long.) but thanks very much for those too.

Wonder how clever those apps are at distinguishing words. Toaster, toothbrush, toilet, teapot. Cortana, turn on the toaster. NO, NO, THE TOASTER!!

The lockup problem seems to be fixed. This computer has been running without lockups for about 10 days now. The problem Seems to have been a file called acs.exe, part of Outpost free firewall 6.5.1. Outpost firewall uses acs.exe as part of it's host protection. To view the components monitored by acs.exe, right click the tray icon and go to: show/hide > host protection level optimal > known components > view list. There is some more information here: http://www.outpostfirewall.com/forum/showthread.php?28170-Ver-6-5-1-%282009%29-Recently-Locking-Up-on-Win-xp-sp3 Note that nowadays there are files called acs.exe that go with different software & hardware. Acs.exe was monitoring over a thousand items, mostly exe files. Some were associated with software that hasn't been on this computer for years, some had no associations. I went through the list and removed the obviously useless entries, then a few of the not so obvious ones. Probably removed about 100 items and everything kept chugging along nicely. Soooo, it seems to be fixed. I cannot say how much I appreciate the suggestions offered here, they were all very helpful. They helped rule out the most serious hardware and software issues. I would certainly have gotten bogged down on that without some experienced guidance. After that it just came down to rooting around in the haystack and investigating anything that looked odd. So many thanks again. You folks are the best.

Thanks for the backup, there, Andavari. Full disclosure, my newer versions of ms office have been kidnapped by the kids. They would die of embarrassment if they had to boot up office 97.

:lol: Yep, I really really do. I have a couple of newer versions around here somewhere, 2007 and 2010 I think. In times past I could get the latest releases really cheaply (and legally) but 97 does anything i need. Also have a 95 and 98 computer but never fire them up. Not sure how secure they would be. But on Troph's point, I use a couple of USB HDDs to store everything. You could also use a drive caddy but I have never tried that. I disconnect them when not in use so ransomware can't get to them. On the plus side, it is a (relatively) inexpensive and secure setup. On the negative side, you might run out of room for big videos, music files, of system backup images. Also, if the house burns down or the HDD dies you probably lose your data. For pictures of vacations, babies, weddings, etc, I use a BOX account, but don't regard it or any cloud storage as secure. Nukecad, are you sure that cad software won't run on win 7 somehow? Lots of old stuff will, I hear. Almost all the old stuff I have will. Including office 97, lol.

No cloud. Save stuff locally. I use office 97.

Same experience here as in post #4. Tango's first link goes to the real download site. In fact Firefox won't even let me go to the download 1 site, and ublock origin blocks CNET. Could it be that tango's browser is being redirected? Wonder why tango hasn't been back?

Hi, fireryone. Long time no see.

Thanks, Hazelnut. Same here, bacon saver for sure.

FYI: This is it, I think. To quote the venerable rridgely, "I hate computers". https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=194742.0 and https://forum.avast.com/index.php?topic=193385.0 Probably the fix is DennisD's recommendation, revert back to an earlier version of Avast. Will post back when I know for sure. edit: I remember Andavari also said to check on Avast compatibility. & I did, their sites say it is OK w/ win xp. I did, they say it is. ??

OK. Edit: Thanks very much for all the suggestions. All in all, it was a comprehensive shakedown, for sure. All those diagnostics showed that the hardware is probably OK. Big help, that was. Same for the software ideas, although I haven't tried many of them yet. I'll keep trying each suggestion and give it enough time to see if it works. It's time now to let this topic rest a little bit. You guys have gone above and beyond the call of duty to help. I'll post back here eventually with the long term results, whatever happens. Thanks again.

One of the ads says: Programs Personal Brush Settings: You can use your smartphone as a “remote control” to customize your brush to your needs, including setting your target session length and selecting your preferred modes. and Utilizes Two-Way Communication: 
Not only does the app receive brushing data and report it back to you, but you can also program the app so that it communicates with the brush for personalized brushing. So there's an app for that. Not sure how I've lived without it

Dennis, what a memory. Most impressive. Thanks for those links, old memories, eh? And you are quite right, its a looong topic. I very much appreciate the kind help so far. I had no idea that the thread would run so long, and certainly don't want to be a bore. But I find this investigation intriguing. I'm just thinking that maybe some other hapless windows xp user is having a similar problem and will maybe stumble on this. Probably not, probably they have all gone over to the dark side, win 10. To make it easier, here is a summary: The computer just sort of locks up. - Sometimes once or twice a day, sometimes not for weeks at a time. - the lockup usually occurs when awakening the computer from standby, then getting on the net. - When it occurs, the desktop window and the system tray stop responding to the mouse or keyboard. --- but Process Explorer and HWmonitor still respond normally ... --- except if you try to get them to do something outside their own window, such as shut down the computer. - Sometimes after a restart check disk runs, always on D: (recovery partition), always no bad sectors. - The mouse and keyboard are OEM, PS2 type, the graphics processor is integrated in the MB what has been done so far: There is a screenshot of some tests actually running in post #51 - ran chkdsk and sfc /scannow, OK. - ran avast boot scan, OK. - Manually deleted the recycle bins in safe mode, OK. - monitoring w/ procexp and hwmon for heat, CPU, RAM use, OK. - ran speccy for heat & CPU, OK - ran intelburntest, got hot, 147 deg f, but didn't lock or freeze. - ran gsmartcontrol, the 2 minute test, attributes and health report were OK. - ran HDTune, no bad sectors, health report looked OK. - ran cleanmem, made no difference. - ran mta's touch test, sort of hot but no blisters. what has not been done yet: - replace the CMOS battery - run Microsoft Windows Memory Diagnostic - run Puppy for 2 or 3 days to see if lockup occurs - replace firewall or AV. Firewall is now the chief suspect. - use a non PS2 mouse and keyboard. - check hardware contacts for oxide, do a thorough cleaning. - run that static discharge test Recent observations & actions: - Dennis, the lockup did occur on xp on the newer computer. --- It dual boots 7 and xp from different HDDs using the BIOS boot menu. - the lockup seems to correspond with Avast automatic updates. . .but, --- At that same time acs.exe, an outpost process, jumps to near top of the CPU usage list. - I ran a "repair" on Avast. Soon after I did that the Outpost popup appeared. - I found a setting in Avast under settings > special scans > screen saver scans which seems to indicate that Avast will run a "loop scan" ?? every 3 days. This corresponds roughly to the recent frequency of the lockups. So I'm thinking, the locked window is the desktop and systray, maybe it's that Avast setting? It's 99.9 percent sure that hardware / heat isn't the problem. Its also 99.9 percent sure the problem is with Outpost, especially since popup that appeared. Declining that popup may have fixed it. But if the lockup occurs again, I intend to first shut off that 3 day setting in Avast, then if need be replace outpost, then if need be replace Avast. Any other suggestions?

Good job Dennis. Although my vote is for the Servisol cleaner also. Years ago a friend of mine heard similar crackling and said man, you got oxide on your pot. Given what I knew about his lifestyle, I sort of dismissed it as some sort of delusion, but it turned out he meant oxidation on your potentiometer. And he was right. That procedure fixed my problem also.

OK. unins099.exe has been there in the program folder, apparently forever, it just never ran before. I declined it. Will wait & see what happens next. And I thought there might be an obvious, easy fix.

Another clue emerges from the haystack. This popup from Outpost appeared today. Keep in mind I start this computer the same way every day for years and I don't remember ever seeing it. Also, the exe called Unins099.exe is one I have not seen before. I power up, connect to the net, update Avast & SpywareBlaster, then disconnect. Then start Powershadow. Then reconnect to the net, do computer stuff. In other words, the only things that change while not shadowed are the AV and SBlaster. One thing different, I ran a repair on Avast, but PS was on and those changes should have been undone. Also when I declined this popup PS was on, so Outpost shouldn't "remember" that choice. We'll see. Now to wait 2 or 3 days to see if the lockup occurs again.

Saw an ad the other day for a Bluetooth connected toothbrush. Just stay out of my bathroom, thank you very much.

Nice one. Thanks Razz. Happy new year.

Hope the new year brings peace, happiness, light burdens and lots of laughter.

Dennis, thanks a lot for going the extra mile & providing that link. I will do that first, it would be the easiest solution if it works. May have to do the same thing with Outpost firewall. I frequently get called away from my computer reveries with little advanced notice. That and a remarkable talent for procrastination are the reasons I haven't actually done this stuff yet. Can't start until I'll have time to finish. PaleMoon works excellently here.

Andavari: no, I haven't changed pagefile Hazelnut: yes, the active window continues to run, that is, the values change and you can rearrange the displays... most to least, least to most, etc. But Process explorer will not shut off the computer. It will terminate winlogon.exe, which has the same effect. Didn't remove Avast yet. Will do, can't right now. Also will replace Outpost firewall, it is another primary suspect. Didn't try USB mouse or keyboard, didn't think of it. Will do. This screenshot shows all that monitoring stuff running. None of the values seem cause for alarm. ?? Also, When the lockup occurs, there is no visible spike in any of the values. Remember the values in procexp and CPUID continue to update after lockup. I know this haystack fairly well. Am about 99.9 percent sure that a secondary process within Avast or Outpost is the culprit. Either Avast "instup.exe" or Outpost "acs.exe". These 2 processes pop to the top of process explorer at the point of lockup. Have to go. Back to the salt mines ... hay stack. More later

OK, running cleanmem now. Will just leave it running until lockup or shutdown. By now everybody who reads this forum is probably thinking "Why doesn't the ding-a-ling just reinstall or go to a newer OS?" Simple reason, if not a rational one: I just don't WANT to. Pretty sure win xp will still update, not ready to go that route yet. Would be such a pain to get everything set up again, but it might be the only option.