Windows XP error

**Shadow_LT** · July 02, 2012, 02:43 PM

Hi,

I have Windows XP SP3 and last couple of days I have been having this weird error: when I try to open a file (notepad, Word file, etc.) Windows gives me and error message which says: "Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service". After that message, screen goes weird, and I can barely use windows explorer, other programs doesn't work and I end up restarting my PC, after restart PC seems fine until it happens again. It usually happens a few hours after I have booted my PC.

Today I scanned my PC with Avast antivirus (found no viruses), cleaned registry and temp files with CCleaner, defragmented my both drives with Diskkeeper and after all that it happened again.

What could be the problem ? Is it serious ? I am a bit afraid this error could be a beginning of an end to my PC, as my system is old. But my PC has been running quite smoothly over years and only big problem I had with it was a root kit virus 3,5 years ago. My system info is below.

My system is 5,5 years old, it's specs are: 2.8 GHz dual core intel Pentium D processor, 2,5 GB RAM ( 2 GB stick is 3.5 years old), 2 HDDs - one 250 GB Samsung, other is 640 GB WD (2,5 years old), GPU is Ati Raddeon 4670 1GB (1,5 years old). PC case is a bit hot: temp rarely drops below 40 C, but CPU temp never reaches over 65 C, and GPU is never over 75 C, both HDDs are almost always in 45-49 C range, but never over 50 C.
Windows XP have been installed 3,5 years ago.

**PoleCat** · July 02, 2012, 10:05 PM

As no one has answered I'll take an ill-informed crack at it. First off - make sure the case is cleaned out and not full of dust. You've probably already looked to that....

What do you use this system for? Is it just a basic PC used for Internet, gaming, etc.? Is it networked to any other systems? How about printers or other devices?

How much memory do you have? Is the system reporting the full amount? Have you run Memtest? Maybe a stick of RAM has fallen out from beneath you. Another related idea - what's your Pagefile set at?

Lastly - please try to get us the full error message. I'm all but sure there are some event codes that could help us to narrow down the problem.

The Hail Mary on this problem - disconnect your printer and see if you still have this error crop up. Please let us know. Good luck!

**Shadow_LT** · July 03, 2012, 06:11 AM

I cleaned my case two weeks ago, so dust isn't a problem and my case is always open, so I would see if there was any problem with dirt. I use this system for gaming and internet. I am not networked with other computers. The only devices I have connected to my PC are: monitor, 2.1 speakers, a UPS and other basic stuff like mouse and keyboard.

I have 2,5 GB RAM (DDR2). One stick is 512 MB and is 5,5 years old, other is 2GB and is 3,5 years old. Both Windows and Bios detect both sticks. Paging file is set at 5118 MB.

Ran memtest today, no errors came up. Scanned with malwarebytes, it also found nothing.

As for error message: it just states the path of file, which it tried to open and says: "Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service".

**Bolkonsky** · July 03, 2012, 06:43 AM

What's your virtual memory set at?

**Shadow_LT** · July 03, 2012, 07:29 AM

Isn't it the same as paging file size ?

My virtual memory is set at 5118 MB and it's size is set to be managed by system

**Shadow_LT** · July 03, 2012, 04:54 PM

It happened again today: PC was running for about 6 hours when it happened. It started to lag and pictures in one of the websites started to turn black. I tried to enter task manager, when this error came up: "taskmgr.exe application error. The application failed to initialize properly (0xc000012d)" . After that I tried to run Firefox, but when Firefox loaded, it's window was almost all black. Also I noticed that this happens when CPU is under medium heavy workload: 1st time - unpacking rar file, 2nd - 5 Firefox tabs at once and trying to open a Notepad file, 3rd - Avast antivirus update.

Finally, does anyone now a decent tech help forum ? I would like to try to get help there.

**PoleCat** · July 03, 2012, 10:18 PM

Originally Posted by Shadow_LT

Finally, does anyone now a decent tech help forum ? I would like to try to get help there.

The Microsoft Technical Help forum is your best bet. Don't mess around with other third parties here....

Originally Posted by Shadow_LT

It happened again today: PC was running for about 6 hours when it happened. It started to lag and pictures in one of the websites started to turn black. I tried to enter task manager, when this error came up: "taskmgr.exe application error. The application failed to initialize properly (0xc000012d)" . After that I tried to run Firefox, but when Firefox loaded, it's window was almost all black. Also I noticed that this happens when CPU is under medium heavy workload: 1st time - unpacking rar file, 2nd - 5 Firefox tabs at once and trying to open a Notepad file, 3rd - Avast antivirus update.

I'll ask this as delicately as possible - is your version of Windows legitimate? After that - can you think of any drivers you may have downloaded recently that may cause this? From what I've looked around this is software driven - bad drivers seem to be the play here. Exactly which drivers are at issue is hard to tell....

Originally Posted by Shadow_LT

I cleaned my case two weeks ago, so dust isn't a problem and my case is always open, so I would see if there was any problem with dirt. I use this system for gaming and internet. I am not networked with other computers. The only devices I have connected to my PC are: monitor, 2.1 speakers, a UPS and other basic stuff like mouse and keyboard.

I have 2,5 GB RAM (DDR2). One stick is 512 MB and is 5,5 years old, other is 2GB and is 3,5 years old. Both Windows and Bios detect both sticks. Paging file is set at 5118 MB.

Ran memtest today, no errors came up. Scanned with malwarebytes, it also found nothing.

As for error message: it just states the path of file, which it tried to open and says: "Insufficient system resources exist to complete the requested service".

Even though Memtest gave you a greenlight on your memory try removing your 512MB stick for the short time and try rebooting again.

You've got an odd problem - your best solution is to look to the MS sites. But I'd like to know what you dig up. Good luck!

**irishron** · July 03, 2012, 05:21 PM

Are you running Norton Antivirus?

**karamazovmm** · July 03, 2012, 11:20 PM

that could be the one virus that keeps getting back at work, suddenly it fills your HD and there is no space left to open whatever you want...

best way is to use nod32 to remove it. And sincerely most antivirus dont catch it.

The secure way is to wipe the drive and run a linux live cd to remove the malware from whatever is left from your personal files, or just install linux and remove it from there.

**Shadow_LT** · July 04, 2012, 02:03 AM

Yes, my Windows XP are legit. I will try my luck at Microsoft tech help forums, thanks for the link.

**karamazovmm** · July 04, 2012, 03:48 AM

Originally Posted by Shadow_LT

Yes, my Windows XP are legit. I will try my luck at Microsoft tech help forums, thanks for the link.

just try what I said, I did the simple trick of googling the error, as I said, it appears at work randomly.

**Shadow_LT** · July 04, 2012, 12:26 PM

My HDDs are fine, free space in them haven't changed. I will wipe my HDDs only as a last resort. And I am not completely sure this is a virus. Also, I briefly checked Microsoft help forums for this and it appears there is maybe something wrong with registry or drivers.

As for installing NOD32, is there a free version of it ? Or a good malware removing tool ? I really don't want to change antivirus programs again, it's a hassle. And I said earlier Malwarebytes didn't find anything. So I doubt it is a virus.

Also, is there a program which could help me to find out which drivers were installed last ?

**Squid** · July 04, 2012, 12:39 PM

Originally Posted by Shadow_LT

Windows XP have been installed 3,5 years ago.

That's a log time for an XP install. Likely there's something that isn't getting cleaned nicely. You're virtual memory should also be set to a fixed size as windows, especially XP, is notorious for not handling variable sized virtual memory well, specifically the growing and shrinking of it. Usually I have my virtual memory set to about 1G.

**Shadow_LT** · July 04, 2012, 12:54 PM

Windows recommends that I should have my virtual memory at 3838 MB, also should I set it to be on one drive or two drives ? And if one than which one: my drive with Windows, or a newer, larger drive with random stuff like games, pictures and etc. ?

Also, I don't want to reinstall Windows, it's a chore, which would probably take a few days to put everything the way it was. I just want for this system to live for a half a year or so, when I will probably buy myself a new system.

**Squid** · July 04, 2012, 02:29 PM

Originally Posted by Shadow_LT

Windows recommends that I should have my virtual memory at 3838 MB, also should I set it to be on one drive or two drives ? And if one than which one: my drive with Windows, or a newer, larger drive with random stuff like games, pictures and etc. ?

Also, I don't want to reinstall Windows, it's a chore, which would probably take a few days to put everything the way it was. I just want for this system to live for a half a year or so, when I will probably buy myself a new system.

Windows doesn't know what's its talking about, 1G, usually on your main drive/partition is adequate. Set the min and max to the same value to fix the amount of virtual RAM.

**PoleCat** · July 04, 2012, 09:17 PM

Shadow_LT - Please download Process Explorer and post the results here. As I think your problem is driver related this may help narrow down the culprit. This should show everything that your system is running at any given time and could help to narrow down what's eating up your resources. I did some deep searches and this seems to be driven by a fault in drivers. Which drivers remain to be seen. It's too much for me to tell why....

There is quite a bit of chatter regarding viruses with this error. But after looking through two pages each on multiple searches all I find are shady fix sites that only want your credit card number. I can't and will not recommend them as trustworthy.

You've received advice to reinstall the OS. It's likely the best solution as you'll save yourself a lot of time and aggravation. It's not bad advice. Good luck!

**karamazovmm** · July 04, 2012, 01:11 PM

given that a reboot should restore the lost space for the virus, you have to see when the virtual memory goes out

and I would wipe it out

**Shadow_LT** · July 05, 2012, 01:29 AM

I think I found something: last night when I was shutting down my PC, a message that program f78 is not responsive and I need to end it manually. Also, I remember seeing a few days back that program d (some number that I don't remember) is not responsive. But I googled program f78 and I couldn't find any thing useful.

Also I installed Process Explorer, what should I be looking for ?