constant screen refresh

[johrichpea]

Accessing a new window or scrolling nearly always involves refreshing the screen. The refresh is very quick but it seems to be a preliminary to the system freezing e.g. trying to open a document from a file shows a momentary movement in that direction and then back to the file. Likewise with browsing, I cannot escape the homepage into another link nor indeed to one within that homepage. Restarting the computer does not solve the refreshment problem but does allow movement from files and Internet pages for a while.

[BeeCeeBee]

Welcome j........!:) too many letters to remember.

 

We may need to know a bit more about what you are experiencing and a bit more about your system as well. However some of what you say seems to indicate that you may be having malware problems. (Browsing issues in particular)

 

I suggest you follow the procedure set forth below and get back to us with the results. If the problem remains we can then look into other causes, etc.

 

Your computer could be infected with Malware.

 

• Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent.
  It is a combination of the words malicious and software.
  The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.
  

 

• Required Cleanup Steps
  
  1. Disable the Spybot Search & Destroy TEA TIMER if you use it and if it is enabled
     
  2. Run a Temporary file and cache cleaner (ATF)
     
  3. Run 2 Anti-Malware scanners (Listed Below)
     
  4. Run an Online Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware Scanner (Listed Below)
     
  5. Clear out old System Restore points
     
  6. If continued Malware type activity is present you may be asked to post a TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Log file, do not do so unless requested.
     

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 speed.

Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 10 to 90 minutes.

The ESET online scan should take between 1 to 3 hours.

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

Heavily infected systems or slower PCs can take much longer to scan and clean.

 

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://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/printer-selection.gif

 

____________________________________________

STEP 1

• Disable Spybot Search & Destroys' TEA TIMER: (if installed, if not go to Step 2)
  
  
  1. Run Spybot-S&D in Advanced Mode.
     
     
  2. If it is not already set to do this Go to the Mode menu select "Advanced Mode"
     
     
  3. On the left hand side, Click on Tools
     
     
  4. Then click on the Resident Icon in the List
     
     
  5. Uncheck "Resident TeaTimer" and OK any prompts.
     
     
  6. Restart your computer.
     
     

__________________________________________________

STEP 2

• Follow these instructions carefully.
  
  
• Download ATF-Cleaner from
  SCANWITH.com
  to remove un-needed temporary files from your computer that may contain malware.
  
  
• 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://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner01.gif

.

http://i306.photobucket.com/albums/nn266/FPCH/Malware%20Guide/atf-cleaner02.gif

__________________________________________________

STEP 3

• Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from
  SUPERAntiSpyware.com
  
  
  • 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" to Repair issues found and reboot the computer when prompted to do so.
    
    

__________________________________________________

STEP 4

• Install and run
  Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware
  from
  Malwarebytes - (direct download)
  
  
  • Accept all defaults for the installer
    
    
  • Allow the program to update the definitions
    
    
  • Click on the
    Quick Scan
    and click Next.
    
    
  • If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer.
    
    

__________________________________________________

STEP 5

• 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.
    
    
  • If your computer is running Window's Vista, then you
    must first
    start Internet Explorer as an Administrator. To do so, right-click on the
    Internet Explorer
    icon in the Start Menu and select "
    Run as administrator
    " from the popup context menu.
    
    
   
  • 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 firewall 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.

 

If required this is the download link for TrendMicro™ HijackThis™

Unless instructed to by the Technician helping you then do not download this tool.

 

Once you and the Technician agree that your system appears to be clean then you should delete all your System Restore points and recreate a new one.

Please follow the instructions here

How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows XP

How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows Vista

[Dalo Harkin]

It does sound like the refresh rate is set far too high -

right click on the dektop and select properties then settings tab - then advanced - then the monitor tab and in the middle is the Refresh rate

[johrichpea]

Success!

 

Thank you for your advice beeceebee. I went through your series immediately and the result has been most satisfactory -- no freezing since then. However, I wonder whether you have any thoughts about the frequent refreshing when I attempt to move down or up a page? If not, then I can live with it…. but as you are so good, I just wonder. Thanks again

[johrichpea]

Thankyou Dalo. I checked the refresh rate which is set at 60 Hz i.e. the lowest one in the list. Any other thoughts?

[Tootech]

It sounds as though your video driver is faulty or not installed.

 

If it is setup correctly you wouldn't see any refresh.

 

Have you reinstalled Windows at any time?

 

If you can, download the latest driver for your video card, install it and reboot.

 

If you are not sure how to do that, let us know your PC make and model and we will be able to talk you through it.

[johrichpea]

Refreshing problem

 

Thanks Tootech. Installed Wndws few years back but refresh prob. is recent. My comp. is a Medion AWRDACPI or (!) PCMT6. I'd be very grateful 4 yr help.