What went wrong?

Hey whats up I was wondering if it was possible to have a a virus which makes your computer freeze. Because my computer has always worked well, but all of a sudden something happens and now it always freezes. And sometimes it even freezes at start. Is there a way that I can stop this? What causes a freeze and how can I fix it.

Im pretty sure you guys are going to tell me to reformat, but is there any other alternative options? I would say my computer is pretty secure, Im running Windows XP, Pro edition.

Please any help would be greatly appreciated.

Have you run any up2date antivirus scans?

Any recent software or hardware install that may have caused this?

Have you looked at your system logs to see what might be causing the problem?

Yea, I run up to date virsus preotection daily. As for the system logs, I checked it and it said something about the service marnager or sometghing like that. Do you know what that is, and why it would cause this problem? It sucks becuase sometimes it will freeze and I can't even restart my computer, it would reach compac then stop.

But thanx for your help.
Keep it comming.

Anythin in your logs with a Red Triangle?

Can you copy the logs here?

Have you scanned your compuer for ad-ware?

Cheyenne is absolutely right, a build up of adware/spyware can cause this to happen. Because they are not written with eachother in mind, they are liable to conflict, and create a "deadly embrace".

I would take a long hard look at what starts automatically on your machine and what scheduled tasks you have running. WinPatrol from BillP Studios is a handy tool for doing this. It also lets you suspend and restart items, so you can hunt the culprit down.

Another thing you might try is to turn off all power saving options and screensaver. In particular, get rid of snooze.

Try running in safe mode for a while to see if the same thing happens.

Are you overclocking anything..........video card for example?

What are you doing when it happens, or is it random?

Good luck

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Originally posted here by blue_wolf
Hey whats up I was wondering if it was possible to have a a virus which makes your computer freeze. Because my computer has always worked well, but all of a sudden something happens and now it always freezes. And sometimes it even freezes at start. Is there a way that I can stop this? What causes a freeze and how can I fix it.

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Could be a virus and/or adware/spyware. But another common failure is fans not spinning. So check to make sure all your fans are spinning. Your system might be overheating.

Firstly do you have ad-aware or any other anti spam program and how often do you update?

What anti-virus program is running & do you update virus definitions etc often?

Might sound like a silly question, but are you using a firewall and if so what one is it?

What O/S do you have and when was the last time you updated it?

Are you saying that sometimes your PC doesn't even manage to start booting your O/S (eg windows)? As suggested above, what id do is;

Boot up your PC in safe mode, (Safe Mode is a special way for Windows to load when there is a system-critical problem that interferes with the normal operation of Windows. The purpose of Safe Mode is to allow you to troubleshoot the O/S and try to determine what is causing it to not function correctly). Enter your O/S and run virus checks and spyware/adware checks on your PC. Delete and update as appropriate. Now you have done this, restart your PC and boot again normaly. If the problem pursists try hitting CTRL + ALT + DEL when O/S boots and see what process's are using the CPU, maybe one of the process's has been hijacked by a spyware program and is using the process to disguise its workings, or maybe there are conflicts or programs are causing errors on start up? give me some feedback i may be able to help more....

Also, after you have updated all of your virus definitions, before you begin trying to clear up, your PC in safe mode, unplug your modem.

Lastly there are lots good sites for online screening of virus's etc which might be worth checking out. One i like to use is http://www.computerassociates.com

good luck

can u send ur hijackthis log?

Alright I will get back to you on all of that information. Right now im am trying to start my computer, it last for a few seconds then it freezes.
I am using my roomates labtop right now which is why I am able to reply.
I apoligize for not getting back to you guys last night.
By tonight I will send all of the information.

[quick solution] Install Linux [/quick solution]

FYI, the services manager is accessed by going to Start>>Run, and typing "services.msc". this is where you control which Windows services start manually, automatically, or are disabled.

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[quick solution] Install Linux [/quick solution]

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And if its a hardware related issue? Uhhh yeah whatever... ya ****ing dumbass piece ah' ****.

Thats the problem with alot of users...

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Oh hey, look... im to ****ing stupid to handel ah' god damned ****ing OS which a ****ing five year old child could own, operate, maintain, and update. XP sp2... its so ****ing dumbed down that it has settings displayed on bootup and advises users to stop being such stupid mother ****ers. Windows almost points and clicks for you.

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MS made me stupid. DuhuuR!!

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If something goes wrong cause im a stupid mother ****er and windows is to tough & complex for me... its ok because I can always go *.nix and do things randomly and pretend I know some ****. Maybe write a few piece of **** tutorials like Gore over here and look smart cause I can install and run things. YeeeHaaa!!!

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Damn If people think they have malware and they are just going to ****ing bitch about it on AO, you'd think that one of the first things they'd just post is not comments, nothing, just nothing but a hijackthis report and give it a few seconds for a response here. Hell why don't the majority of folks who post here just send thier computers through the god damned mail to me while your at it.

Heh. Still negging people for their opinons. Hasn't changed much I see. That's ok. Apparently, TheSpecialist, you are above all of us and are therefore a genious and what you say is correct. That's cool too, by all means, go right ahead.

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Originally posted here by TheSpecialist
And if its a hardware related issue? Uhhh yeah whatever... ya ****ing dumbass piece ah' ****.

Thats the problem with alot of users...

Damn If people think they have malware and they are just going to ****ing bitch about it on AO, you'd think that one of the first things they'd just post is not comments, nothing, just nothing but a hijackthis report and give it a few seconds for a response here. Hell why don't the majority of folks who post here just send thier computers through the god damned mail to me while your at it.

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Next tutorial from gore:

How to **** slap Specialist ;) Batter up big boy. I'll make you a REAL punk ;) You know you love me slut.

well i am a bit with specialist and a bit with gore. specialist IS RIGHT every now and then there us some one who comes to AO without doing his home work (AV and adware scans) and just starts asking question just for the sake of asking. do your home work and then ask it up at AO if it doesn't work .

but no even if the slightest thing goes wrong they come running to AO.

not that this is wrong but may be if they did some before doing the posting it would be really help ful .

specialist is right , but the languge he uses is real bad .Red_Asphalt was quick in giving his quick tip but in the process he did not realise all the real reason for the slow down and as specialist said "And if its a hardware related issue" .

well all i suggest is to check for any virus ,runan adware scanner or may be even hijack ,give the log here and well wait for your reply

"PEACE"

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How to **** slap Specialist Batter up big boy. I'll make you a REAL punk You know you love me slut.

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http://www.lightspeedgalleries.com/fg/ct/p009/04.jpg Yeah...

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the languge he uses is real bad

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Thats because im a very bad person, you futher muck.

Now, now....................conduct yourselves please gentlemen................

blue_wolf:

1. Please read my earlier post and answer my questions.
2. Go into set-up and kill all power saving options.
3. Tell me if you can boot into safe mode.

Also, when it freezes, does hitting Ctrl+Alt+Delete bring up the Task Manager? If so in the Applications section what is "running" and what is "stopped"?

I somehow get the impression from your posts that the situation is getting worse............is this true?

In his last post he said:

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Alright I will get back to you on all of that information. Right now im am trying to start my computer, it last for a few seconds then it freezes.

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Not that easy to run HijackThis!, AdAware, Spybot S&D, AV or whatever in that situation? :eek:

Blue_wolf:

Can you get the machine to boot and remain stable from the Windows XP CD? If you can, you might try running the "repair" option. NOTE: you may have to go into set-up first and change your boot option sequence so it looks for the CD before the hard drive.

If it will not boot and remain stable from the CD, then that would indicate that you have a hardware problem. The situation getting progressively worse would also suggest that.

Basically there are three possible causes:

1. Malware
2. Hardware
3. Software

We need your answers to begin eliminating the possibilities.

Thanx for all of the information guys it was very helpful. I think I may have the situation under control now.

I just now have to do some research to figure out how to get rid of whatever is on my computer.

Again Thanx a bunch.

there is always the alternative......linux. however if ur a windows person, i could suggest win2k which i never had virus problems with. but most viruses these days i notice are win32 worms etc. and linux is getting to be as "user-friendly" as windows so maybe give it a try if its your comp and you have nothing to lose. my personal opinion. id recommend mandrake or a distro of rehat, they are both decent to me, tho i prefer mandrake.

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Not that easy to run HijackThis!, AdAware, Spybot S&D, AV or whatever in that situation?

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Yes it is, I call it booting from safe-mode.

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Yes it is, I call it booting from safe-mode.

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Safe Mode has been mentioned to him three times already. He has not come back with any indication of whether the system will boot into it and remain stable. We are still no wiser as to whether this is a hardware or a software issue.

Apart from a rather enigmatic:

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I just now have to do some research to figure out how to get rid of whatever is on my computer.

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We haven't really had any feedback at all?