PC Freezes shortly after start-up.

[Rootman88]

Hello and thanks for reading my problem post, i will tell you firstly my computer specs, then move onto the problem and the methods i have used to try and fix it.

 

Computer specification:

 

Fujitsu Siemens - Scaleo P

 

AMD Athlon 64 X2 duel core processor 3800+

ATI Radeon X1300/X1550 series [CY765]

2.01 ghz

2.00 GB RAM

200 GB Hard drive

 

 

The Problem:

 

Ok this problem started about 2 months ago and it is starting to become more frequent, when i switch on my computer it loads fine all the way up to the desktop screen, then a 3rd of the time ( 1 in three times approx) it will freeze before it has finished loading essential programs. However sometimes it works fine.

 

My solutions:

 

I tried taking off the case of my computer and cleaning out the muck

I ran a free registry cleaner (from PC World website)

I disabled some applications from the startup

 

 

Note:

 

Before this started happening my computer worked fine, and i tried to update my ATI graphics drivers from the website which i think went a bit wrong, but it didnt start happening straight after that, but i'm not sure if it had any impact.

 

 

Thanks a bunch to anyone who reads/comments on this thread

 

Thanks

 

Rootman

 

(I apologise for any typos!)

Edited April 7, 2008 by Rootman88

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Hello Rootman

 

Welcome to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help

 

Before we offer advice on possible malware corruption to your system can we ask just what items you disabled in the Startup please?

[Rootman88]

Not any important ones.

 

I removed Sm56 hlpr which was giving an annoying message everytime i started up.

 

QTTask

 

msmsgs

 

only programs which are not essential (or what i know arn't essential)

[Rootman88]

Malware

 

The only way i can think of getting malware on my computer would be through chatting to my girlfriends brother Via MSN. He has an MSN worm but i have never traded files with him, only Instant messaging.

 

If i have malware do you know any programs i can use to get rid of it? (free if possible)

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Your computer could be infected with Malware.

 

Malware is the term used to describe computer infections such as Adware, Spyware, Viruses, and Trojan Horses.

You will need to run at least two malware scanners as well as an Antivirus scanner that are listed in the following instructions.

Anti-Malware and Anti-Virus scanners perform different tasks.

The reason to run multiple scanners is to ensure that no single scanner is missing something.

 

The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection.

Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 30 and 90 minutes.

The Eset online scan should take between 1 and 3 hours.

In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer.

 

For best results print the following instructions and bookmark this Web page

To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents below.

From your browser select File - Print and in the printer dialog box under "Print range"

click the Selection choice to print out these instructions for removal of malware.

 

http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/printer-selection.gif

 

 

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• Follow these instructions carefully.
  
• Download ATF-Cleaner from Snapfiles.com to remove "junk" files from your computer that may contain malware.
  
• You can also download it from Majorgeeks.com
  
• When you run ATF-Cleaner, check the items as shown below for Main.
  
• For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab on top and check the items as shown below for FireFox
  
• NOTE: If you don't have FireFox or Opera installed then they will be grayed out and can be ignored
  
• Then click on "Empty Selected".

http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/atf-cleaner01.gif . http://kixhelp.com/wr/images-freepchelp/atf-cleaner02.gif

 

 

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• Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from SUPERAntiSpyware.com - AntiAdware, AntiSpyware, AntiMalware!
  • Accept any prompts to allow SUPERAntiSpyware to install the latest rules and infection definition files.
    
  • You do not have to send them your e-mail address, just click next.
    
  • You can leave the automated check for updates on.
    
  • You can uncheck "Send a diagnostic report to research center" if you don't want to send the information.
    
  • DO NOT allow SUPERAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings.
    
  • On the Top Left select the Scan your computer button.
    
  • Make sure there is a CHECK MARK on all Fixed Drives.
    
  • Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" and reboot the computer when prompted to do so.

  ----------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

• Install and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from this link.
  
• Malwarebytes - click to directly download the application
  
• Accept all defaults for the installer and then click on the Quick Scan and click Next.
  
• If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer.

• Disable your internet security by right clicking on its icon (usually located in the system tray next to the time display) and choosing "Exit", "Disable", or "Shut Down".
  
• Run an online scan with Eset from Free Virus Scan: Use ESET's Online Antivirus Scanner
  
• You must use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan.
  
• Accept the terms and click "Start".
  
• Once the scanner is ready, check "Remove found threats" AND "Scan unwanted applications".
  
• Click "Start" to begin the scan.
  
• When completed restart your computer

Make sure your internet security is enabled, and then please return to Extreme Tech Support - Free PC Help and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.

At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list if warranted.

[Rootman88]

Thanks

 

Thanks at the moment i'm running the windows malicious software removal tool (Deep scan mode).

 

When this is done, if it doesnt find anything i will try all three messages listed above. If it does i will get them moved and see how things go.

 

Thanks.

[Guest Wolfeymole]

When this is done, if it doesnt find anything i will try all three messages listed above.

 

Please do Rootman and get back to us.

[Rootman88]

This worked for a while

 

This worked for a while and i had no problems for a couple of weeks, now it has returned. However i found out that someone on my PC had contact over MSN a guy that has an MSN worm which mqay have caused me to catch malware (again). However when i run Malwarebytes it isnt finding anything. Is there anyother good free malware programs?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Did you run all the programs suggested in our Anti Malware post Rootman?

 

I ran Malwarebytes on my daughters pc the other day and found over 4500 instances of malware.

[Rootman88]

reply:

 

Well i only tried malwarebytes when it started to crash again, however i am currently running the online scan along with malware bytes (again). I havent de-activated my internet security (mcafee) because it hasnt prompted me to, Shall i de-activate my firewall and restart the scan?

[Guest Wolfeymole]

Yes and run each program separately.