Windows eventually freezes

Ok Lee. For the past 6 hours or so (!!) I've been doing some testing as you advised with the services etc. My conclusion is a fascinating one (to me anyway).

Before disabling any non-Microsoft services, I found that when I initiated a search in explorer it would very quickly cause problems. Buttons would blank out; opening another explorer window showed blank entries until you clicked on them, when they would appear; ctrl/alt/delete displayed a blank error window…time for a reboot.

I booted in Safe Mode, repeated the same search many times with no problems.

I then disabled ALL non-MS services in ordinary mode and during the search, the system still froze up.

Mmm…I couldn't stop completely Avira from running so I uninstalled it and tested again. The search (and I had 4 explorer windows searching at the same time) completed OK, again & again.

I re-installed Avira and tested again. The system froze up. I unistalled it and tested again : no problems.

I've now installed Microsoft Security Essentials and the same 'searching' tests went OK.

Here's the outputs you asked for Belarc & Unknown devices resp

file:///C:/Program%20Files/Belarc/Advisor/System/tmp/%28lenovo-6d4b0bb5%29.html

Sorry Lee, I don't know how to send you that Belarc link.

Sounds like we are finally progressing Miss Jones

Freezing problems can be a bucket full of various problems.
Here is a list of the main causes and within them are a multitude of possibilities.

Low memory
Low disk space
Fragmented disk
Too many programs open simultaneously
Low CPU speed
Corrupt files
Software bugs
Overheating - random lockups that start several minutes after you start up the PC are often the result of the processor cooling fan not working properly ,
Memory chip problems
Virus infection
Generally, it will be because of one of the following scenarios: the RAM has been used to maximum extent or the CPU is at 100 percent. In other words, the processor or memory is working so hard that nothing else can work. Other causes include a badly written driver for an accessory, outdated or inappropriate drivers or a disruptive program.
A seriously out of date Bios can also be a problem (unless your PC manufacturer has an automated Bios updater, you definitely don't want ot go there)..


You have to 'save' the Balarc result (desktop for easy reference is fine).

It will have a Windows IE8 link for you to reference it. No reason the link won't work for me if pasted. It is a VERY handy report that will tell me a lot of things you might not notice.

Very interesting about the Avira situation.
Microsoft Security Essentials is a VERY good program. Stick with it and give Avira the flick. I run the same firewall as you do and I also had problems with Avira which is no longer on my PC. It can be a bit 'precious'. Often, security apps. just do not get on well together. It's a fine line.

I was sure in the end that the key to all this drama was lurking in the 'services' tab due to your 'no problems' in safe mode. Not a pleasant task disabling / enabling but better than a freezing PC.

Could you please download and run "unknown devices Identifier 7.00" from: http://www.zhangduo.com/udi.html .Those entries have me bothered.

Cheers,
Lee

PS Edit:
If things are even slightly a bit peachy now, I would really like you to have another go art running:
Start / Run and type in sfc /scannow Not in safe mode. There is no reason that it shouldn't run fine. If it freaks out, we still have a problem.

Miss Jones, Lee will be giving you some guidelines before you post information from Belarc. Please wait until you read Lee's guidelines before posting Belarc. Best Regards

I attached the unknown devices output in my previous post. But I'll attach it again.

Sorry if I appear thick, but that Belarc report is only on my desktop (as an html file) and not the internet. There are no links re. IE8 that I can see on the page. I can attach it as a text file but that might not be very helpful. What I've done is uploaded lenovo-6d4b0bb5.bci but renamed it to .txt ('cos I'm not allowed to upload a .bci). If you rename it back to .bci, then I guess you can open it in your browser. (rather contrived all this)

You have to 'save' the Balarc result (desktop for easy reference is fine).

It will have a Windows IE8 link for you to reference it. No reason the link won't work for me if pasted. It is a VERY handy report that will tell me a lot of things you might not notice.

I forgot to add Miss Jones,

Please edit out if shown in results these personal items, or do not supply the URL if you cannot do this.
MS Product Key
MS Office Product Key
Other Product Keys ?

IP and Mac Addresses - maybe, unless behind router.

Cheers,
Lee

PS Edit. I think we posted at the same time so I never saw your post. Lets leave the Balac Advisor report that would contain personal info. as I think you would not be able to edit it anyway.

I have to deal with this in the morning as it is late here in OZ. and we have a few late visitors that need attention as they are now leaving. Could you PLEASE run the "unknown devices Identifier 7.00".

Copy/Paste Belarc report into "NotePad" Then perform the editing that Lee has recommended. NotePad saves in ".txt" file format, which you will be able to upload to this Forum. Best Regards

I attached the unknown devices output in my previous post. But I'll attach it again.

Sorry if I appear thick, but that Belarc report is only on my desktop (as an html file) and not the internet. There are no links re. IE8 that I can see on the page. I can attach it as a text file but that might not be very helpful. What I've done is uploaded lenovo-6d4b0bb5.bci but renamed it to .txt ('cos I'm not allowed to upload a .bci). If you rename it back to .bci, then I guess you can open it in your browser. (rather contrived all this)

Don't worry about the Balarc Adviser Summary upload.
It is easy to save as a text file, but on checking my own Summary that I was going to upload as an example, there are just too many security vulnerable entries. If you miss any that you haven't replaced with xxxxxxx , then I'd feel very responsible. So we won't go there. For your own personnel use, it can be a very good thing to have.

I was hoping that the 'Unknown Devices" utility would have identified the (three only) unknown devices, but it hasn't at all. It seems to have everything in there EXCEPT the three unknown devices

How is you PC going now since removing Avira?
Hopefully the freezing issue is now fixed and you have correctly identified the culprit.

It would still be a good idea to run the sfc /scannow test, just to make sure your Windows files are in good order. There is no reason that it should not run without causing problems.

Cheers,
Lee

Blimey. Got up this morning & PC hadn't froze.

Ran sfc - and for the first time since I posted - it ran till the end. (Dunno what files it replaced - if any - cos it didn't say). A RESULT NEVERTHELESS !!

Looks like we may have sorted it…fingers crossed.

So it looks like it was Avira srewing things up + I replaced the rundll32.exe from the system disk (not sure if the latter helped but I believe so 'cos it stopped those other pop-up windows).

I'll post back in a few days to let you know it's stable or as soon as it freezes again - hopefully the former.

Thanks again Lee for all your help - I really do appreciate it. I hope that's bought me more time & saved me a trip down the computer shop to purchase Windows 7 !!

Looks like your good to go When adding new programs, try not to let them add themselves to the start menu. Like your Desktop, It's a valuable piece of Real Estate and everything tries to get a piece of it Cheers, Lee.

Yes. Looks like I'm fine now. As a footnote - it looks like Avira is aware of this problem :-

http://www.h-online.com/security/news/item…ak-1140478.html

Thanks again Lee.

Hi Miss Jones, I think Avira's latest versions have taken a step backward. They can certainly be too aggressive, problematic and a bit Techy ( i have reverted to an older version that I will not allow to be updated). The big problem with deciding what anti-virus to use is tests that show Avira on top. What they don't explain is how these tests are done. What they do is throw infections at these Anti-virus programs like endless chunks of meat. Heaps of it and often all at once. Total overfeed and overkill that never happens in the real world. What to look for in a good anti-virus is non-aggressive behavior and ease of use or complexity (user friendly) It must also get on with any other installed security software and not have a huge footprint (Norton's, Zone Alarm etc). My top recommendation for the average Joe or Jane is Windows Security Essentials. It does it's job in the real world very well indeed with only a discreet footprint. Stick with it, it will keep you safe. Cheers, Lee