Computer Locksup/Freezes when I'm not doing anything

[phantomID]

This is very strange to me, it just started to happen the other day. I went to download this "free" DVD player thing, it's called "cliprex" or something - my advice don't download it. Anyway, Norton and all my anti-spware programs starting going crazy, telling me that this program was no good (unfortunatley after I had installed it.) So since then I THINK I have removed all the possible spware and or adware that exists on this machine.

Anyway, the problem is essentially at NO time NONE I tell you does this machine ever freeze, not while I'm doing anything will it ever lock up. The ONLY time is when I walk away from the thing and the following happens, the screen saver comes on - and then at somepoint the monitor will go into standby - and I am then not able to do anything, the keyboard is completely unresponsive and I do not have any image. This scenario will even occur when the PC is sitting at the logon screen (XP PRO on a Domain). I'm very confused, as although I would think it was this program that did it, it might be something unrelated. Any help would be awesome.

Video Card ATI X800PRO (which part of me thinks is unhappy but I might be wrong, I just re-updated the drivers.) I don't belive this is a pure hardware issue because the system over the last couple formats has never had a problem like this at all it's strange to me.

 

[BadBigBen]

Two Suggestions:

1.) Download HiJackThis from here:

http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/files/hijackthis_sfx.exe

Do a scan and Log, paste the Log here:

http://WWW.HiJackThis.de/en

for analysis and fix everything that it deems as NASTY...

2.) Download EWIDO from HERE:

http://www.ewido.net/en/

and run a SCAN...

do both in SAFETYMODE, turn off System RESTORE and delete all Restore Points to date, clean out all TEMP and TIF (Temporary Internet) Files, before you do this...

good Hunting...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[linney]

Before you remove any Restore Points consider they may be useful in fixing this problem if it is not Spyware related?

You also have Driver Roll Back features.

How To Use the Roll Back Driver Feature in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;283657&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

HOW TO: Use the Driver Roll Back Feature to Restore a Previous Version of a Device Driver in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;306546&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

A device does not work after you try to update the driver by using Windows Update

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;836922&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

xp freeze troubleshooting
thread779-935320

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Microsoft (GIANT Antispyware) Beta available
Thread779-979113


Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Explorer.

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[phantomID]

Ok, as always thank you all for your help, without it I would be lost.

So, hijack this, resulted in nothing eventful, with these exceptions:

O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = mydomain.net
O17 - HKLM\Software\..\Telephony: DomainName = mydomain.net
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = mydomain.net
O17 - HKLM\System\CS2\Services\Tcpip\Parameters: Domain = mydomain.net
O20 - Winlogon Notify: NavLogon - C:\WINDOWS\system32\NavLogon.dll

O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [InstallShieldSetup] C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\Driver\7\INTEL3~1\IDriver.exe /reboot{56E005A4-2921-4C77-A4EB-9FF21C1438B5} /z

Now the my domain, IS my domain and my network IS on a domain but I figured I would post that here as JUST in the even that it's not good that it is there. And the last one, "IDriver.exe", When I updated some ATI stuff, I had to run the setup as an Admin on network, and that was a file chained off the original (however I did reboot after it, so im wondering why it's still there.

Second - for the driver verification thing: Most are from the printer drivers which are hosted on the print server, although, I'm going to try to update them too, but the following ones confuse me:

asacpi.sys File Version 1043.2.15.37
atapi.sys File Version None
a3d.dll File Version None (I moved this one to a folder elsewhere cause I didn't like it, upon rebooting I'll see if any programs complain.

For the adware/spyware sense:
I have run, and fixed all problems I found using:
A. Norton Corp 10
B. Microsoft Anti-Spyware
C. XsoftSpy
D. NoAdware
E. AdAware (Personal)
and
F. Spybot

So HOPEFULLY, if none of them found anything *note they did find some stuff, like registry keys from long ago, that I deleted* but now the system is "theoretically" clean now.

ALAS - the problem still occurs, and I tell YOU literally, literally when I'm not PHYSICALLY even AT the machine. Like I started a download, walked away, came back, wondered why it wasn't done, and was like - IT FROZE WHY!? What am I doing wrong? or better; What am I NOT doing right?

If this new data sheds anylight to the actual cause, any info is ALWAYS GREATly appreciated. If not, I think I will indeed "repair windows" that way I'll be sure some silly program doesn't exist within my system folder. I would reformat, but every time I do that, I have to call Microsoft and read a 200 digit code to GET a 500 digit code, and that's more troble then it's worth sometimes. But maybe that's the better course of action here, although I would love to do it.

Also ONE note - the freezes seem to happen less, when I'm not logged on with administrative credentials, but do happen overall and like I said even on the "Log on" screen.

 

[phantomID]

I meant to say, that "I would love to AVOID reformatting at all costs, but if necessary, I'll do so.

 

[BadBigBen]

Hola,

Download RockXP from

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4138.html

there you will be able to save the WPA.DBL file (which is the Activation File for your System only (this file will not work on other PC hardware)) to a floppy or another partition... after you can do a clean install, put this file back into the System32 folder, reboot, and no Activation calls to MS or over the Internet... ps: should be done in SafeMode...


Try a REPAIR Install first...

if this does not bring the required results then I would do a complete new and clean install (see Above for activating Tip)...




Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[linney]

From my machine -

Atapi.sys file version 5.1.2600.2180 size 93.1 KB (95,360 bytes) location Windows/System32/Drivers.

A3d.dll file version 4.12.01.2008 size 704 KB (720,896 bytes) location Windows/System32.

No record of asacpi.sys

From my earlier post I recommend -

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).


Are you getting any help from the Event Viewer?

 

[BadBigBen]

Hi there,

asacpi.sys is part of ASUS's AIBOOSTER, according to what I've found on the net, and is not dangerous...

the others have the same versions as those that Linney mentioned...

SFC /Scannow as Linney mentioned, is a good start...


Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[Jump1ng]

What kind of screen saver are you using?

If you are using some fancy 3d it could be that your some of your gfx drivers has got something wrong with them.

Try downloading a new cat package from ATI and see if it helps you.

Its also handy if you need to do a Windows repair or fresh install to have all the drivers ready for the "new" windows.

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Make the best use of what is in your power, and take the rest as it happens.