Freezing PC

The Core RPGC Main Forum
1

Yes, my stupid computer is freezing AGAIN. I thought I had the problem solved when I downloaded HijackThis and used it to eliminate several viruses it had. But yesterday, it started freezing again, and THIS time it froze every few minutes after startup. This morning I ran Hijackthis again, eliminated two obvious bugs (far as I know, no good software starts has a bunch of BLOCK ICONS as its title, right? )

I dunno if that solved the problem; it might have been the uploading of the ZoneAlarmn Firewall Update I did yesterday (I had no problems until then). I shut down the firewall, just in case.

Only problem with Hijackthis is that it points out a LOT of things that MIGHT be bugs or errors, but it’s up to one to tell what has to be deleted. So, I’m gonna post the Hijackthis log here; could one of you computer-savvy guys tell me if there’s anything else I should detele? Serious answers only, please. Thank you. (note: This log was made AFTER I deleted the bugs I mentioned.)

Logfile of HijackThis v1.98.2
Scan saved at 9:20:11 AM, on 11/21/2004
Platform: Windows XP (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 (6.00.2600.0000)

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:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG6\avgserv.exe
C:\Program Files\Executive Software\DiskeeperLite\DKService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\gearsec.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ssoftsrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~1\dpps2.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Keyboard ype32.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG6\avgcc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Error Nuker 2004\bin\ErrorNuker.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe
C:\Program Files\PC-Encrypt Inc\A-Lock.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Wlfred Martinez\My Documents\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.emachines.com
F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=C:\WINDOWS\System32\Userinit.exe
N2 - Netscape 6: user_pref(“browser.startup.homepage”, “http://www.google.com/advanced_search?hl=en”); (C:\Documents and Settings\Wlfred Martinez\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\7or29ay8.slt\prefs.js)
N2 - Netscape 6: user_pref(“browser.search.defaultengine”, “engine://C%3A%5CProgram%20Files%5CNetscape%5CNetscape%206%5Csearchplugins%5CSBWeb_01.src”); (C:\Documents and Settings\Wlfred Martinez\Application Data\Mozilla\Profiles\default\7or29ay8.slt\prefs.js)
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O4 - HKLM…\Run: [WinampAgent] C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
O4 - HKLM…\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_05\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM…\Run: [QuickTime Task] “C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe” -atboottime
O4 - HKLM…\Run: [Pop-Up Stopper] “C:\PROGRA~1\PANICW~1\POP-UP~1\dpps2.exe”
O4 - HKLM…\Run: [iTunesHelper] C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
O4 - HKLM…\Run: [IntelliType] “C:\Program Files\Microsoft Hardware\Keyboard ype32.exe”
O4 - HKLM…\Run: [AVG_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG6\avgcc32.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM…\Run: [Error Nuker 2004] C:\Program Files\Error Nuker 2004\bin\ErrorNuker.exe autostart
O4 - HKLM…\Run: [Zone Labs Client] “C:\Zone Labs\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe”
O4 - HKCU…\Run: [SpySweeper] C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\SpySweeper.exe /0
O4 - Startup: A-Lock.lnk = C:\Program Files\PC-Encrypt Inc\A-Lock.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msjava.dll
O9 - Extra button: TREND MICRO HouseCall - {2B5EA4F8-620A-4A8B-B003-4C8C5EBEA826} - http://uk.trendmicro-europe.com/enterprise/products/housecall_pre.php (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: ICQ Pro - {6224f700-cba3-4071-b251-47cb894244cd} - C:\PROGRA~1\ICQ\ICQ.exe
O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: ICQ - {6224f700-cba3-4071-b251-47cb894244cd} - C:\PROGRA~1\ICQ\ICQ.exe
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\PROGRA~1\aim\aim.exe
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: MoneySide - {E023F504-0C5A-4750-A1E7-A9046DEA8A21} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Money\System\mnyviewer.dll
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Messenger - {E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\YPager.exe
O9 - Extra ‘Tools’ menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\YPager.exe
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.emachines.com
O16 - DPF: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/msgrchkr.cab27571.cab
O16 - DPF: {14B87622-7E19-4EA8-93B3-97215F77A6BC} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MessengerStatsPAClient.cab27571.cab
O16 - DPF: {1DEFB8C0-22A7-4E58-B735-43A169CDA2AB} (CWDL_DownLoadControl Class) - http://www.callwave.com/include/cab/CWDL_DownLoad.CAB
O16 - DPF: {2917297F-F02B-4B9D-81DF-494B6333150B} (Minesweeper Flags Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MineSweeper.cab27571.cab
O16 - DPF: {74D05D43-3236-11D4-BDCD-00C04F9A3B61} (HouseCall Control) - http://a840.g.akamai.net/7/840/537/2004061001/housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/xscan53.cab
O16 - DPF: {7B297BFD-85E4-4092-B2AF-16A91B2EA103} (WScanCtl Class) - http://www3.ca.com/threatinfo/virusinfo/webscan.cab
O16 - DPF: {7ED7005B-4AF6-4CFF-9AE0-F243C4B8260F} (HouseCallButton.setup) - http://de.trendmicro-europe.com/file_downloads/common/housecall/HouseCallButton.CAB
O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MessengerStatsClient.cab27571.cab
O16 - DPF: {9AA73F41-EC64-489E-9A73-9CD52E528BC4} (ZoneAxRcMgr Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/ZAxRcMgr.cab
O16 - DPF: {B8BE5E93-A60C-4D26-A2DC-220313175592} (ZoneIntro Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/ZIntro.cab27571.cab
O16 - DPF: {F00F4763-7355-4725-82F7-0DA94A256D46} (IMDownloader Class) - http://www2.incredimail.com/contents/setup/downloader/imloader.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6BF0D00-0B2A-4A75-BF7B-F385591623AF} (Solitaire Showdown Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/SolitaireShowdown.cab27571.cab

2

I don’t know, sorry. But, I say use Anti-Virus. That’s what we have, and it’s way more accurate then that.

3

All of your Running Processes are safe/windows used, aside from these-

ssoftsrv.exe : i don’t know what it is/does, but that doesn’t mean it is malicious, but that also doesn’t mean you should leave it. Maybe someone else will know what it is.

I’m post your registry response in a few minutes, i’m reading it now.

4

Ive done a cursory scan of all your running processes and additional registry values. I cant find anything that is malicious in the programs listed. So hopefully nothing else needs to be done. It might not be malware causing the problem though. Ites entirely possible that two poorly written programs are conflicting with each other. You can quite easily loose most of the programs you are running, but I like running light :stuck_out_tongue:

Dev: Curse you for beating me, but ive gone one better, ssoftsrv.exe is from the freeware utility called Cryptainer LE.

It is a 128 bit disk encryption software that is a “miniature” version of Cryptainer PE and Cryptainer. It creates encrypted containers (vaults) of upto 25 mb each to store any type of data. You can encrypt files and folders by simply dragging and dropping them into this vault. Additionally, it lets you create secure e-mail files that you can send to anyone.

So its safe too :slight_smile:

5

Thanks, guys! :slight_smile:

I should’ve mentioned that Windows asked me to allow it to file a report, and I allowed it to, and it claims that the problem is caused by a driver. Thing is, the last driver I installed in my PC was for my sister’s scanner, which never worked anyway, and that was weeks ago. Unless the ZoneAlarm update installed a driver without my knowledge, but I doubt it. Do you think it’s safe to reactivate mt firewall? And should I delete the scanner driver?

And Dev, I’d appreciate to see my registry response.

Whatever that is.

6

I just meant that i hadn’t finished reading your processes ;P, but like shalc said, they all are non-malicious, and ok.

And about the freezing problem, i can’t really add anything that shalc hasn’t said. Random freezing can be caused by anything. My only other idea is that maybe it is iTunes. That program eats up resources and RAM like crazy, and perhaps it is crashing your system? But if this is the case, your system would only crash when using iTunes.

Aside from that, and what shalc said, i really don’t know whats causing your freeze. Maybe you should try to fix it the windows way- format. :stuck_out_tongue_winking_eye:

7

If your computer appears to be running ok for the moment, reactiveate your firewall and see if it causes any problems :slight_smile:

If its been running fine a few weeks, its unlikely to be the driver thats causing the issue. Most likely its the drivers that failing when something else falls over :stuck_out_tongue:

8

A friend of mine also recommended reformatting. And I’d certainly give it a try. Problem: I CAN’T FIND THE PROGRAMMING DVDS THE PC CAME WITH. My friend doesn’t want to try reformatting without them. Can I get it done without them? Can I download them somewhere? I hope it doesn’t cost money, cuz I have NONE to spend right now. -_-

9

You can download them from BitTorrents, but they would be illegal. Try and install Service Pack 2 first. Windows XP Service Pack 1 is known to freeze on certain configurations.

10

DAMMIT!! Now my PC is CRASHING!! It took me forever to start it today! I finally succeeded on Safe Mode. Gaah, I fear my PC is about to crash permanently.

I’m downloading XP Service Pack 2 right now, hoping that’ll help. (BTW, it says it’ll take 3 1/2 hours to download!! And I’m on 128k!! Let’s pray it doesn’t crash again BEFORE I finish downloading it!) ::dekar!::

11

You can download chunks of SP2 at a time, if I recall correctly.

Also, the crazy block titles don’t neccesarily mean bugs. More likely it means that the program you used didn’t understand the font it was in/you didn’t have the proper font installed.

12

Thanks for the hint, Tench. I’m going to have to do it that way, since my PC, yes, crashed again while downloading (at 81%, grrr). I’m using Makko’s PC for now.

13

Well, it’s official: my PC’s DEAD. It crashes as soon as I start it. I never got around to downloading anything (I’m using Makko’s PC, and probably will have to for the immediate future.) I’m going to take it to my friend’s house today, and look for that blasted programming CD again. (I’m confused by my inability to locate it; yes, my house is pretty much a dump, but still, it should’ve turned up by now. Could it be that it was never included in the first place? The computer came pre-programmed (it was a special offer at a local dealer.) That was three years ago, and my memory sucks.)

I also wonder if it’s maybe a HARDWARE problem? The problems remind me of when my old playstation started to malfunction. And the problems started after the original power supply fried, a few months ago.

I hope it can get fixed… and that my buddy doesn’t charge me much. : (

14

How far does it get during boot-up? Past the bios? To the windows loading screen?

This does sound like a hardware issue, but depending on where the PC gets to before dying, it could still be a windows issue.

Most computers come with all that firmware software pre-installed also give it to you on a disk, in case you need to format. You should have gotten the CD at the store, but try checking the Manufacturer’s site? Or maybe even ask the store?

I don’t think we will be able to diagnose what the problem is without looking at the PC, so take it to the store. If you can, try to take it to a local repair shop, so you can prevent supporting big corparations like best buy.

15

The ‘programming CD’ should just be windows, and maybe some other utilities (like MS word and stuff). Stuff you can get of bittorrent. And drivers, but those should be gainable at the manufacterer of the components website (IE a geforce cards drivers are on nvidias website, while a sound blaster’s drivers are on creative’s website).

As such, if you can just get SOME kind of windows install disk, you could try the reformatting.

16

First of all, my pc takes TWENTY MINUTES to BEGIN start-up, it’s been like that since the new power supply was installed. And the crashing now happens at any moment, even before it gets to start.

And thanks, I’ll tell my friend to use ANYTHING he has at hand if I can’t find the CDs. What’s the worst that can happen, that It’ll be screwed up? It’s a damn 2000$ paperweight right now anyway. (Question: it HAS to be XP, right?) I hope I can save the data inside, but if gets wiped out, I can always reload or rewrite everything. Yeah, I’m too damn positive. :stuck_out_tongue:

17

You can save the data easily. Assuming this friend has his own computer that he will use to fix yours, ask him to unscrew your hard disk, screw it into his computer, than connect a spare ribbon cable and power supply. Make sure that he leaves his hard disk in, as he will need this too boot.

Once has your drive in, he should boot his computer, and choose to boot with the OS on his hard disk, NOT yours. Then, once in windows, he should navigate to “My Computer” then to the disk drive that matches your’s. It will display all your files as if your hard disk was CD or something, and you can ask him to move all of your files from your hard disk to his, or maybe have him burn a CD of your important files. This method will not allow you to save any porgrams, or items dedicated to your PC. Also, some files may not open correctly (ie Microsoft Money files can be saved, but rarely can be opened in a different version of money).

So you will be able to save all of your documents if you need to wipe…

But also, this is almost surely a hardware issue. Again, i can’t really tell you what the issue is without looking at your PC, but it is highly likely that the Hard Disk and Operating System of your computer are intact, and that the issue is being created by the motherboard, or RAM, or PSU, or other device.

If this is the case, doing a reformat/wipe/reinstall of windows will do absolutely nothing, and will just cause you to loose all your work.

The way you can test to see if this is a hardware fault, or a HardDisk/Operating System/Software fault, is have your friend install your DiskDrive as a 2nd drive in his computer. When he boots up, make sure he selects to boot from your hard drive.

If indeed it is a hardware issue, you hard disk will boot his computer normally, and will run fine, since his hardware is O.K.

If it is a software/DiskDrive/OS issue, then the PC will fail to boot.

So uh, yea. Good luck. Stupid technology! :hahaha;

18

Yeah, try finding another computer and plugging your HD into it (and try removing the other HD in said comp), and see if it boots. If it doesnt boot, its reformat time (after putting the disk back in your comp that is!). If it DOES, then its something else in your’ comp. If its been happening since you installed a new power source, its likely that. What was the old one, and more importantly is the current one as high capacity as the old one? If you or a friend have a high-enough-capacity PSU around, try plugging that in and see if that works. Add, rinse, and repeat with all the other components. Though IMO its either corrupted windows, corrupt Mobo, or bad PSU. Those are the most likely. Come to think of it, it could be RAM.

Does it ever crash during POST, or does the computer at least let the boot sequence get to the windows logo before crash? If it doesnt get to the logo first, then I’ll jump off the corrupt OS boat and onto the hardware boat instantly.

19

My friend knows about that hooking up hard drives stuff; although it isn’t his main job, he’s been fixing computers on the side for years. (He should open a shop already- his house is littered with computer parts!) Yeah, I’ll ask him to check out if it’s a hardware problem first.

And the PC has crashed, before, during and after windows load.

Thanks, btw. ^^

20

Okay then. If its crashed before the windows logo showing up (this does NOT mean that windows loads all the way up, just the logo at all with the little loading meter that isnt really a loading meter), I would wager a hardware problem.

Do the HD switch and see what happens. If there is no problem, the HD is fine.

This leads three possibilities: Faulty PSU, Motherboard, or some other component (only other one that seems likely is RAM, but that wouldn’t cause a full on freeze)

I would personally believe it too be the PSU, the killing evidence being that apparently you’ve recieved these issues ever since the PSU was switched. But the mobo is also a possibility.

My main concern for your’ sake is thus; you may have had a very faulty PSU, which may have sent out too much wattage, and had poor control over such a mater, giving the rest of the comp too much energy. This could potentially fry certain components. THe fact that its slowly gotten worse over time only makes this a chilling possibility. If this is the case, you may well need both a new PSU and mobo! ANd maybe even new processor, and RAM! But this is a worse case scenario. Dont give up, and try the test mentioned above. Get a reliable PSU if the HD checks in OK, and give it a go (your friend has lots of comp parts lying around, right? ;)). THen test the mobo (preferably with a newer PSU along with it). Otherwise, bring it to a PC repair shop, things might have gone to far for us to really help over a forum.