Windows Vista [Browser issues after power outage]

Hello. I have a very odd issue. I tried resolving this in the malware forum, but they directed me here since we couldn't find a solution.

A couple of days ago my my power went out and needless to say, my computer was on while it happened. Well, once the power came back on I tried to boot up my computer. It made it passed the log on screen, but I noticed the entire thing was running slow.

I tried to open up my internet browser (Firefox), and the computer froze. CTRL-ALT-DEL didn't work, so I had to reboot. Again, I try this 3 or 4 times and get the same result every time.

So, I boot into safe mode, and I try to do a system restore. This time, the computer freezes before I can even open up the browser. So I boot into safe mode with networking, and I try to use Firefox there. It still freezes. Reboot. I then try IE, and oddly enough, it works! I'm able to use the internet on Safe Mode with networking, but I can only open IE's browser.

So I thought, maybe it's an issue with Firefox. I'll uninstall firefox, then reinstall itBut after trying that, it still doesn't work. Right now, in safe mode, I'm able to go through all my files, watch videos (no audio of course), and use IE. Everything is here, all my documents and music, as well as pictures.

The only thing is I'm unable to use Firefox in Normal OR safe mode. and I'm unable to boot into normal mode without it freezing up on me. Any idea what this could mean?

 

From the title I thought you should reset your modem by turning it off for at least a minute. The modem probably also has a hardware (firmware) reset button on it, but then you would probably need to input your ISP details again.

Reading about the difference between the browsers, your file system might be damaged. Go to Help and Support and look up "Check your hard drive for errors ". Run Error Checking (CHKDSK) on your drive/s. Run it to test the disk surface of your HDD. It could take many hours, so set it up to run overnight.

Matt

 

I thought at first it was a browser issue, but now I'm not so sure. Booting into normal mode, now it freezes randomly. Whether I open firefox or not. Oddly enough though, I still can only use IE in safe mode, and not Firefox.

And thank you. I'll check that out and let you know how it goes.

 

It says:

Your device or disc was successfully scanned.

No problems were found on the device or disc.

 

You may try System File Checker. If some files are damaged or corrupted it would try to restore them.

 

Thank you.

It says, "Windows Resource Protection found corrupt files but was unable to fix some of them. Details are included in the CBS.Log windir\logs\CBS\CBS.log... "

 

Do I post the log here? And would that mean I lose all my stuff?

 

If your system is in such a bad shape, I second Arie. Its time to backup,format & reinstall.

You would loose all your stuff if you don't backup. Depending on the data you have, you can backup to DVD/USB Drive or external hard disk.

 

I'll do whatever it takes to get it working again, I just really want reinstalling to be a last resort

Is that basically where I'm at right now, or is there anything else I can try?

 

Have you tried running "System Restore" in Safe Mode?

You said you couldn't run it normally - just a thought. Neil.

 

How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program generates in Windows Vista

 

MattMan,

I believe I fixed it.

I'm trying to run every program and I'm going to leave it on for a couple of hours to see how it responds.

 

The computer boots up now in normal mode and is no longer freezing. I've had it on about 6 hours, and I've tried doing various things on it. It seems to be fine except there's one problem.

The windows security alert is on my icon tray, telling me I have no malware protection. So I checked my Avast, and it said my system wasn't secure anymore. (I'm assuming because I haven't been able to update it in a couple of days). I hit the update button, and now it says my system is fully protected again.

The problem is, the windows security alert is still there telling me it can't find an antivirus program.

I've restarted a couple of times, but it still comes up when I log in. Is this a malware issue (I just came from that forum and Broni told me it wasn't)?

 

I suppose you are using the free version of Avast, so there would be no problem uninstalling it, downloading the lastest version and installing it again.

Maybe wait a little while and see if it corrects itself. If you open Avast and it says it is working, up-to-date and there are no problems, you could hold off for the meantime, there's no reason to think the system is not secure.

I might do something like running a full scan, Windows might recognise it then.

Matt

 

Thank you! Everything is back in working order.