Computer freezing

[Peter]

I would be most grateful for some information or advice regarding a repeated
problem that I have been experiencing for the first time only in the past few
days.
When I start my computer (Windows XP Home), it freezes either on the login
page (where clicking the User name does not work and the computer cannot be
shut down in the usual way), or at the next step, where the usual programme
icons do not populate the desktop completely, or if they do, the computer
is unresponsive.
Some days, I have had to shut down and restart the machine 5 or 6 times,
before it finally starts up satisfactorily.
Naturally, I fear some catastrophe has happened, but I have the computer
about 3 years with flawless performance to date. The problem seems to have
begun suspiciously close to the time when I decided to go for free antiviral
software, as opposed to the Bullguard subscription I had previously! I am
currently using a combination (recommended to me) of AVG Free, ThreatFire,
and SuperAntispyware, which is all up to date, and has reported no viruses,
etc. I can't be entirely certain, but if this problem is indeed related to
the software change, it did not begin to happen for 1-2 weeks after the new
antiviral programmes were installed.
I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.
Best wishes for Xmas,
Peter

 

[Randem]

First create a new profile and log into it to see what happens there. If
nothing you may have a corrupted profile.

Second, go in and run msconfig (Start-Run->msconfig) then go to the startup
tab and disable all starup programs then restart your computer to see if
anything changes. If it does, you need to remove programs from your starup
which are causing the problem.

--
Randem Systems
Your Installation Specialist
The Top Inno Setup Script Generator
http://www.randem.com/innoscript.html
http://www.randem.com/installerproblems.html
http://www.randem.com/vistainstalls.html
http://www.financialtrainingservices.org

 

[Mick Murphy]

Threatfire is an Anti-virus, as well as Anti-spyware..
And you are also running AVG Anti-virus.

It is NOT recommended to be running 2 Anti-virus, as that will cause
conflicts, and computer crashes.

 

[Kayman]

I would be most grateful for some information or advice regarding a repeated
problem that I have been experiencing for the first time only in the past few
days.
When I start my computer (Windows XP Home),

Got SP3 yet?
Why Service Packs are Better Than Patches.
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/archive/community/columns/security/essays/srvpatch.mspx?mfr=true

it freezes either on the login page (where clicking the User name does not
work and the computer cannot be shut down in the usual way), or at the next
step,where the usual programme icons do not populate the desktop completely,
or if they do, the computer is unresponsive.
Some days, I have had to shut down and restart the machine 5 or 6 times,
before it finally starts up satisfactorily.
Naturally, I fear some catastrophe has happened, but I have the computer
about 3 years with flawless performance to date. The problem seems to have
begun suspiciously close to the time when I decided to go for free antiviral
software, as opposed to the Bullguard subscription I had previously! I am
currently using a combination (recommended to me) of AVG Free,

Instead of AVG Free (bloatware IMO) you could try AntiVir Personal Edition

ThreatFire,

I'd uninstall/remove this apps. from the os as it serves no useful purpose
IMO.

and SuperAntispyware,

Good-quality application!

which is all up to date, and has reported no viruses,
etc. I can't be entirely certain, but if this problem is indeed related to
the software change, it did not begin to happen for 1-2 weeks after the new
antiviral programmes were installed.
I would appreciate any comments or suggestions.

1.Clear the (IE) temporary Internet files and the history cache.
Click Start==>Run... then type (or copy/paste) "inetcpl.cpl" (w/out
quotation marks) into the box, then click the 'OK' button.
In Internet Properties panel 'General' tab, under 'Browsing history', click
'Delete...'button, in 'Delete Browsing History' panel, click the 'Delete
all...'button then place a checkmark into the box beside 'Also delete files
and settings stored by add-ons', Click 'Yes' and exit the Internet
Properties panel by clicking the 'OK' button.

2.Clean HDD
Click Start==>Run... then type (or copy/paste) "cleanmgr" (w/out quotation
marks into the box, then click the 'OK' button. Select your drive
(presumably WinXP (C and click OK.

3.Download/execute:
Malwarebytes© Corporation - Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exe
--and--
Kaspersky® AVPTool
http://avptool.virusinfo.info/en/
Direct:
http://downloads5.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/

NOTE:
Kaspersky® Virus Removal Tool and the free version of Malwarebytes© are not
capable for real-time protection of your computer.
Kaspersky® AVPTool has no update feature (so it won't turn into a full
blown scanner). As soon as your computer is cleaned you are supposed to
remove the Kaspersky® AVPTool from your operating system; To uninstall/move
this program 'enable self-defense' must be unchecked!

The free version of Malwarebytes© has an update feature, keep it installed
in addtion to your resident AV/A-S applications and scan frequently.
BTW: You can have multiple AV/A-S application installed to your operating
system as long only one (1) of each is running in 'real-time' mode; The
other applications should be of the 'on-demand' type .

4.Download and execute HiJack This! (HJT)
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis

Please, do not post HJT logs to this newsgroup.
Fora where you can get expert advice for HiJack This! (HJT) logs.

http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=3.0
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/index.php?showforum=27
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showforum=7
http://www.5starsupport.com/ipboard/index.php?showforum=18
http://www.theeldergeek.com/forum/index.php?s=2e9ea4e19d3289dd877ab75a8220bff6&showforum=29

NOTE:
Registration is required in any of the above mentioned fora before posting
a HJT log and read the 'stickies' (instructions/guidelines) for the
respective HJT forum.

5.Routinely practice Safe-Hex.
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

Good luck

 

[Gerry]

Peter

What is the CPU and how much RAM does your computer have? Right click on
the My Computer icon on your Desktop and select Properties to get this
information.

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance
Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?
Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308427/en-us

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~