System failure, not enough "Quota", plz HELP!

My laptop (A8jm) has been experiencing some problem in the last couple of days. It runs fine for hours (internet and every are all working), but usually btw 6-10 hours of usage, it becomes non-responsive. I can't even save the currently working files. When I try to open applications (ie: word doc, pdf, or IE browser), nothing pops up but an error message saying

c:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe

"Not enough quota is available to process this command."

I don't know what happens. My theory is I have deleted some minor Asus programs when I was cleaning up the laptop (though not completely sure). I have run HiJackthis and the followings is a log feedback. Please help 'cause I have loss my works a few times which wasn't fun, I do click "save" more often when working, but it's very inconvenient and feels like a time-bomb waiting to screw up my laptop at any time.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 11:19:43 PM, on 7/22/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16674)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files Additional\Nero\Nero8\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSIService.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\BitDefender\BitDefender Communicator\xcommsvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\BitDefender\BitDefender Update Service\livesrv.exe
C:\Program Files Additional\BitDefender\BitDefender 2008\vsserv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\Wireless Console 2\wcourier.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\bin\ZCfgSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\ifrmewrk.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EOUWiz.exe
C:\Program Files\ASUS\ATK Media\DMEDIA.EXE
C:\Program Files\ASUS\Power4 Gear\BatteryLife.exe
C:\WINDOWS\sm56hlpr.exe
C:\Program Files Additional\BitDefender\BitDefender 2008\bdagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Lib\NMIndexStoreSvr.exe
C:\Program Files Additional\TypingMaster\KBOOST.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
D:\Downloaded program\~ On-the-go programs\uTorrent.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
C:\Program Files Additional\WordWeb\wweb32.exe
C:\Program Files Additional\TimeLeft3\TimeLeft.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Intel\Wireless\Bin\Dot1XCfg.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files Additional\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files Additional\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.ca/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://www.asus.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
O2 - BHO: txthlpBHO Class - {060235DC-6D84-47BD-95D7-A4EF5099A59D} - C:\PROGRA~2\TEXTHE~1\READAN~1\TEXTHE~3.DLL
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Conversion Toolbar Helper - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: BitDefender Toolbar - {381FFDE8-2394-4f90-B10D-FC6124A40F8C} - C:\Program Files Additional\BitDefender\BitDefender 2008\IEToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Wireless Console 2] C:\Program Files\Wireless Console 2\wcourier.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelZeroConfig] "C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\bin\ZCfgSvc.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelWireless] "C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\ifrmewrk.exe" /tf Intel PROSet/Wireless
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EOUApp] "C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EOUWiz.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATKMEDIA] C:\Program Files\ASUS\ATK Media\DMEDIA.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Power_Gear] C:\Program Files\ASUS\Power4 Gear\BatteryLife.exe 1
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ABLKSR] C:\WINDOWS\ABLKSR\ABLKSR.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SMSERIAL] sm56hlpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NBKeyScan] "C:\Program Files Additional\Nero\Nero8\Nero BackItUp\NBKeyScan.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BitDefender Antiphishing Helper] "C:\Program Files Additional\BitDefender\BitDefender 2008\IEShow.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BDAgent] "C:\Program Files Additional\BitDefender\BitDefender 2008\bdagent.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acrobat Assistant 8.0] "C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\Acrotray.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [IndxStoreSvr_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA}] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Lib\NMIndexStoreSvr.exe" ASO-616B5711-6DAE-4795-A05F-39A1E5104020
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [TypingSatellite] "C:\Program Files Additional\TypingMaster\KBOOST.EXE"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [uTorrent] "D:\Downloaded program\~ On-the-go programs\uTorrent.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Mult******] C:\Program Files Additional\ASUS\ASUS Mult******\Mult******.exe
O4 - Startup: Adobe Gamma.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Startup: TimeLeft.lnk = C:\Program Files Additional\TimeLeft3\TimeLeft.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Acrobat Speed Launcher.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Acrobat Synchronizer.lnk = C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AdobeCollabSync.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WordWeb.lnk = C:\Program Files Additional\WordWeb\wweb32.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Append to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files Additional\Adobe\Acrobat 8.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.asus.com
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: ASP.NET State Service (aspnet_state) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v2.0.50727\aspnet_state.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Desktop Update Service (LIVESRV) - BitDefender SRL - C:\Program Files\Common Files\BitDefender\BitDefender Update Service\livesrv.exe
O23 - Service: Nero BackItUp Scheduler 3 - Nero AG - C:\Program Files Additional\Nero\Nero8\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nero\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: ProtexisLicensing - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSIService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Service (S24EventMonitor) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Virus Shield (VSSERV) - BitDefender S.R.L. - C:\Program Files Additional\BitDefender\BitDefender 2008\vsserv.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Communicator (XCOMM) - BitDefender - C:\Program Files\Common Files\BitDefender\BitDefender Communicator\xcommsvr.exe

--
End of file - 11668 bytes

 

Well since it is system32 you know that means somethin awesome!

 

Any suggestion other than reformatting C drive?

 

Simple way to trun off rundll32 error via msconfig, type msconfig in run, in msconfig open startup tab, disable the rundll32.

 

Apology for my lack of computer knowledge, but do I need the rundll32 to run my computer properly? If not, why is it there in the first place?

 

Not necessarily, perhaps. I don't think Rundll32.exe always is supposed to be running. I think it runs when you are dealing with certain things (like when you have one of those taskbar "messages" that pop-up from time to time.)

How much ram do you have installed? You may not have enough ram to accommodate all of those programs efficiently. That's where I might have heard something like this message come up, because you were coming close to the ram limit of running processes?

If you have a chance, maybe try to find where you can adjust your virtual memory, and put the slider up to a higher limit if it is at all possible. It might help. I can't think of anything else though, there are others I'm sure.

The only thing that caught my eye in your Hijack this log was this: C:\WINDOWS\sm56hlpr.exe

I don't know if that's associated with any programs you use, but I haven't seen a process quite like that, but do a Google search, just copy the file name, I.E. sm56hlpr.exe into the Google search. (Don't go crazy deleting things though.) If you find that you might have a problem, you can try using another anti-virus and maybe an anti-malware program like Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware program, I heard it is a decent one.

 

sm56hlpr is for the modem, it's safe.

I would suggest the clean install route as the best option, and be careful what you remove and what you install the next time.

I would bet with 90% confidence that rundll32 is absolutely essential for Windows to run properly.

What is you RAM usage when or just before the computer freezes? Is there a memory leak in some application? For instance, ASUS Live Update is known to have memory leaks.

What is the size of your pagefile?

A spyware/adware/virus scan is also in order.

 

Ah, alright, I wasn't sure. Thanks for clearing that up. I don't know if the OP does have a running virus or malware, but that doesn't mean that he doesn't have it, in reality.

Hmm, but why have I had rundll32.exe only run under certain conditions (task manager freak here)? I haven't had it run all the time on multiple computers that I have run. Maybe it's just specific to one OS, but I am not sure.

It is pretty crucial though when it does run, so you definitely don't want to exit it if it is running. I was wondering about a memory leak as well, but...

Which version of Firefox are you running? I think sometimes even the new version can have problems (well, not 3.0.1, but 3.0 seems to have had some bug problems), and I know for a fact that the 2.0.0.x Firefox programs have been known for memory leak problems, right?

 

My laptop has 1G RAM, I am not sure if it is insufficient since I have had it for 1.5 years and never had any problems like this (though I do have MS words 2007, photoshop CS2, and adobe pro 8.0 etc which I didn't used to have from the very beginning). I have tried opening a bunch of programs and examine the stats from Windows task manager, the CPU % ranges from 85% - 90+% idle with those prog opened, and 50-90% idle when using some of the prog, the most memory-demanding programs are firefox (78000k), photoshop, winword, excel, imageready, svchost (24000k)... etc

EBE, I don't know the Ram usage before and during the issue since when I press alt, ctrl + delete, nothing shows. How can I test any program for memory leak? Also, I have already deleted Asus live update prior to this problem. The strange thing is it takes 6-8 hours for this problem to emerge, doesn't it eliminate the possibility of my laptop not capable to handle the programs?

I guess I will try to do a clean install, it just means reformatting the C-drive using a boot cd, am I right? Is there any Asus drivers I may give a shot before reformatting?

 

Another strange thing I have noticed was that under Display properties, regardless how many times I have specified the screen saver time count, every time the system is shut down, the screen saver setting will be disabled automatically the next time the computer was turned back on.

Just wanna throw this in, in case it might be relevant.

 

It sounds like a memory leak.

How much space do you have left on your hard drive? Also, does the amount of hard drive space change as you keep working?

You need to open up task manager and check virtual memory usage in addition to RAM usage for your programs. When you're viewing processes in Task Manager, go to the 'View' menu, then 'Select Columns'. Enable virtual memory size and page faults delta. Check to see whether there is a program that is increasing in virtual memory size or has many page faults and an increasing memory size. There may be a program that is buggy or has become corrupted, causing it to use up system resources.

You may need to increase your virtual memory size. For the programs you're using, you are cutting it relatively close with 1GB of RAM.

 

These are good suggestions.

As to the screensaver problem, your ATK (power management) drivers may have become faulty. You can try reinstalling them.

 

Thx for the suggestions guys. As for my free HDD, I have 27G left on C and 20G left on D drive. If this is a problem of memory leakage, wouldn't a clean install won't cure the problem after I have reintall the very same programs? And should I be uninstalling those memory demanding programs and replace by less demanding ones (ie: earlier versions of office, photoshop, adobe etc)?

Okay, I have set 3072 MB for both of my C and D drives, I will see if it helps. And I will monitor the possible leakage source. Will keep you guys updated.

 

svvhost.exe and vsserv.exe have high VM size (60,000+K), and the PF Delta for both of them fluctuate largely. The other thing I notice is there is a constant DF delta from 700-900 for multi-f-rame.exe. I have reinstalled the original multi-f-rame before because it didn't work with MS word, though it only takes up about 4000K VM.

 

If you mean svchost instead of svvhost, I have several instances running and they take up to 60MB of VM size in total.

I don't have vsserv.

You could uninstall multif-rame if it's not essential, or stop it for a while, see if it solves the problem.

If this is a memory leak, a clean install followed by the same apps won't solve the problem.

It's true that photoshop & latest versions of other stuff will typically require a lot of RAM and 1GB will be a bit tight, but it the pagefile size is large enough that should only cause swapping and slowdowns, not hangups.

Did you do the spyware/virus scan?

 

I have done a number of things, and there wasn't a problem since, hope that reallys works. Since there were several twists I have tried at once, I really don't know which is the real solution.

I have deleted Firefox,
Downgrade some memory-intensive programs (ie: photoshop and adobe, previous versions)
Remove only MS outlook 2007
Virus scan computer
Reinstall Asus mult****** (I actually installed the Windows Vista version when the problem persisted, not sure it this was the problem; and now I have installed the correct XP version)
Now I am using Opera as primary browser, this is the SICKEST browser I have ever used, fast, sleek, organized, and mouse gesture is simple and great

vsserv.exe remains high (170MB just now) and I just find out this is part of the antivirus program so I will not lay my hand on it.

svchost.exe (87MB)

I have actually added up all the instances, and it is about 600MB. Is it normal for a 1G ram laptop? How can I reduce it?

 

I'm not very sure about this, but what I know is that: svchost starts other services, so depending on which of your applications rely on services, and how memory intensive those apps are, svchost can get to pretty high amounts of memory.

Although, 600MB seems a bit excessive. I have one order of magnitude less than that.

You could still try the clean install... BTW you are running XP, right? In Vista memory readings are different.

 

Yeah, it's XP, thank you for all the help, esp EBE, really appreciated!

Can I use the original Asus recovery cd for the clean install, or do I need to make my own bootable XP cd? Also, I can do a clean install with D:drive intact, right? (so that I can backup files by transfering to both D drive and my flash drive)

 

I would use the recovery partition if you still have it - cuts your reinstall time by 75%+ over the CD route. You should be able to use the recovery CD directly (not make another bootable disc), but you want to be sure and have the Drivers cd also else the reinstall won't work properly.

When you get into that using the correct key sequence on bootup for the recovery partition (can't remember for the life of me what that is), if I recall correctly you should get an option which allows you to just reinstall the OS onto the C partition, leaving your D data partition intact - another option there is to wipe the entire HDD to factory new specs.

 

ClearSkies is correct, and the key is F9.

More info in the ASUS_FAQ in the Info Booth, last item.

I would rather recommend to install with the CDs, and only install the drivers, and the ASUS utils that you really need. Definitely skip ASUS Live Update; check my Vista guide for a list o apps that could be skipped (the list also applies to XP). That cuts down on the chance that one of the ASUS apps is buggy and causes your problems.

 

Darn it! I only have the recovery cd 1 (the one you need to reinstall windows XP) now, is the recovery cd 2 the driver cd you have mentioned? If I don't have the cd2, can I still do a clean install.

I am not too sure what cd 2 does, if it only contains drivers, can I simply go to the Asus homepage and dl all the latest drivers?

Thanks again.

 

No, both recovery CDs are needed to recover Windows XP (at least for my XP notebooks, they are). The driver CD is a 3rd CD.

So your only option is HDD recovery... press F9 at the ASUS splashscreen, follow the prompts. Then remove all the ASUS apps that you don't need.

 

Allow me for one more question, can you give me a list of all non-essential Asus applications I can remove without compromising the laptop performance?

 

Yeah, check my Vista optimization guide for that. The list of apps is equally valid for XP (well, once you intersect it with the apps that you actually have on your computer).