Windows Vista Computer just stops working?

Sorry it's taken so long to update...

Since I last did an update on this problem, I've run an online virus scanner to verify that my computer was clean (as reported by my current programs) and it is.

I think I've figured out the offending program(s). If I'm right, I'll report for those having similar issues, to see if we share the same program (or program combo).

Unfortunately, if I'm right many of us use these programs...

I've deleted one program already, and since a cold reboot I have noticed an old annoying issue I had back when I bought this computer has now returned.

 

Are you now in a position not to block any programs with Zonealarm?

I don't mind Quicktime, but I don't see why it needs to run components in the background. I don't like Realplayer, I've had bad experiences with it in the past. If I find it, I ask the owner if I can uninstall it. I found it on my sister's computer the other day and the system was running like molasses, I uninstalled it and some "internet games" that I suspect carried "legitmate spyware" (it is legitimate because you agree to it's installation in their agreement <- watch that!). I left before I could see the results, but she told me it was much better.

You can disable some programs running startup components by going to their system settings. My sister had Quicktime, I opened the program and stopped it from running startup components.

Realplayer also apparently installed Google Toolbar, I uninstalled that as well.

If you want to try a replacement media player (both Quicktime and Realplayer) give VLC media player a test run, which I have started using from suggestions here at the BBS.

One rule I tell all the people who have slow or unstable systems, don't download and install "free" programs, like free games, unless they are completely "freeware" and don't have conditions to install ancillary programs.

Reading back, you also have iTunes, another program that might not like getting blocked from connecting to it's server.

If you have programs that want to connect to their server and you block them, expect problems.

Matt

 

Currently I block very little, but ...

Both are installed but not (as far as I know) starting at bootup. I am hesitant to get rid of RealPlayer because I use it to download videos I use in my business, so that I can watch them later when it's more convienent.

Does VLC have that download capability?

It has only asked when I go to use it. Sometimes I say yes, sometimes no.

I am suspecting (please note: I have no proof, and I am only reporting what appears to be happening) that ZoneAlarm and Avast! are fighting with each other and causing my problems. Last night when everything stopped, I turned them both off and the computer immediately unfroze. I have NOT removed either from the Vista machine yet, as I like both programs and want to try one or two more tests first. However, I have just installed Comodo Internet Suite on my XP MCE computer, which has been down for a year and a half (and is why I have been using the Vista computer) because I had misplaced my restore DVD (found it over the weekend). I figure I had nothing to lose testing it out on that computer. I had tried Comodo Firewall briefly when ZoneAlarm was shuting down internet access on Vista computers but just did not like it at the time.

Does anyone have any experience with CIS (firewall AND anti-virus)?

Besides WinPatrol, the only program I've deleted is SpyBot. When the computer froze, I'd check and one of the programs taking a lot of the CPU resourses was TeaTimer (although that would only last for about 1 minute or so). As others were starting to report possible SpyBot issues, I figured I'd see if that was my problem. It (apparently) wasn't.

Currently, everytime I start the computer, ZoneAlarm pops up a screen asking if I want more info about it's "Plus" version ( - I think it's ZoneAlarm Plus... it's the same pop-up that comes up during installation). Also, everytime I start iTunes I have to OK the User Agreement, plus it informs me that it is not the default player.........

 

It appears that I was partially right, but that they were also fighting more and more with driver software on the computer itself.

Reluctantly (because I liked these programs), I have deleted avast! and ZoneAlarm and replaced them with Comodo Internet Security Suite. So far, all is well... with only one semi-major issue. More on that later.

I believe that part of the problem was also some of the HP software that came on this computer and / or possibly the HP software for my Photosmart printers. HP Total Care Advisor is part of the security software built in, and when I tried to get rid of Windows Firewall, TCA threw a hissy fit! Also I noted yesterday that the print spooler was using various amounts of CPU resourses, up to 10 or 12%. This got me thinking that maybe it was the printer attached to the computer (issues started developing after installing it, but not right away... so until yesterday I hadn't even considered it as the / a possible problem) and so I "deleted" it, with no change.

So, I removed avast! (took two tries as computer locked up during the 1st attempt) and ZoneAlarm and installed Comodo and so far no more stopping and no connection / surfing problems. I also checked my iTunes this morning for issues. The User Agreement came up only once and didn't return with subsequent start-ups.

So currently I have CIS on my Vista and my newly resurected XP MCE computers. I only have one issue, which may or may not belong in this forum area.

Background info: My XP MCE computer was working when I re-installed XP a year and a half ago but not properly as I'd misplaced the driver DVD. Attached to it was my HP LaserJet 1200, and instead of moving computers & printers I left them where they were and continued to print almost everything on the LJ1200 via the network connection.

So, when I re-installed all the driver software on to the XP MCE, I also had to re-install the printer(s) and update XP to SP3. The 1200 works on the XP but I can no longer print from my Vista on to the 1200. I've deleted and re-installed (even using newer software for the Vista than was available 1.5 years ago) and it just won't work. Both computers print to a WIFI network connected HP Photosmart printer and the Vista computer also has another Photosmart printer re-connected to it with no problems.

Any thoughts / ideas on the LaserJet / Vista issue?

 

<sigh>

The only real difference now is that the computer will come out of it's "freeze" and there appears to be fewer of them.

I just stopped Comodo from doing a scheduled scan... after 18 hours! It had obviously become stuck, and when I tried to close it it wouldn't at first, and then it said it was due to "insufficient memory "....

Early this morning my wife had everything stop on her, to the point where she couldn't shut down any program. If it would have happened to me, I'd just have turned off the computer.

As I type this computer has been on for over 24 hours and obviously it seems OK but that is not what was going on last night and early this morning.

What do I do now???

 

When there is a "freeze" watch the HDD LED. Does it stay on?

Do your hard disk checks, CHKDSK and run a defragmentation.

Can you check the system temperatures? If not, after a freeze, restart and go into the BIOS and check the temperatures. Compare those to a cold start.

Go into Task Manager -> Performance and check the amount of physical memory available. Compare a cold start up to after a freeze.

Has anyone mentioned Event Viewer? Read about it in Open Event Viewer in Help and Support.

Are you running any programs that may not be very well written? I also wonder because you were so reluctant to stop blocking programs with Zonealarm.

Matt

 

Usually but not always.

CHKDSK won't run

No, so I'll give it a try from BIOS but it'll have to be tomorrow as the computer's already been on for hours...

Yes... Although I don't know what to do with it. Information overload (as in there is just so much being reported and I don't know what any of it means).

That being said... Under "Audit Failure" everything points to Windows Firewall.

Either:

Or:

guard32 is a COMODO file, and Windows Firewall is turned off, yet it keeps showing up....

Just Windows programs.

I just don't / didn't like the idea of some programs "reporting in" whenever they wanted to. I think there were only 2 programs I outright said "NO" to, most everything was set to "ask" that wasn't something that I knew had to have access.

 

A sure sign that there is some problem in your file system.

Try fsutil dirty set c: <Enter> at command prompt. Now chkdsk should run at next boot.

 

When you type a command in the Command Prompt, it tends to work.

No problems found running CHKDSK.

 

Did you run just chkdsk or chkdsk /f ?

Have a look in Event Manager for problems reported during chkdsk.

 

Solution found (I hope, anyway!) and how I found it...

The computer is an HP. Connected to it is an HP Photsmart printer. Connected via Wi-Fi to my home network is another HP Photosmart printer. Connected to a different computer (XP MCE) is an HP LaserJet printer (and is my "main" printer).

So...... any guesses what the problem was?

It appears that when I installed one of the printers on the Vista computer, something didn't work right. Possibly because of something in the Registry that became messed-up. It appears that the possible Registry problem also masked the printer install problem.

Little things had started pointing toward a Registry issue, and so I started looking for something with more cleaning power than CCleaner. I kept finding programs that would find issues (upward of 1000 or more ) but then they wanted $$$ (which, temporarily, I don't have any extra). Finally I found a free one, which did too much and totally messed the computer up big time! THANKFULLY a system restore got everything running as it was again...

So... I then found a different one (AML Registry Cleaner), and it didn't blow up the computer after "fixing" the Registry. However...

Upon the first reboot after running AML, I got Installation pop-ups for TrayApp, which is an HP program for installing printers.

TWO DAYS and multiple "chats" with HP later, I was finally was able to get rid of TrayApp trying to install printer(s) from a bad install.

Now.... the computer appears to be working correctly, and after re-installing them I now have access to all 3 printers.

I am going to leave COMODO on both computers I've installed it on, mainly because it's working and I'm tired of deleting and installing programs for a while. Also, COMODO seems to "talk" to my Vista machine, so Vista isn't constantly reporting to me every time I reboot that there may be a security issue because there is no firewall.......

However, I already miss avast! speaking to me every time that the "virus database has been updated!" So far COMODO updates several times a day but only pops up a little white balloon to tell me it's done.

SO... for everyone who has helped we with this issue... THANK YOU!

And hopefully, for those of you who seem to have similar problems, it will save you a ton of time, effort and aggravation!

Donations may be sent to .....

 

Thanks for letting us know how it went. Be careful with "fixing" the registry (as you found out). From memory, HP have a driver and software uninstaller at their website. You might want to look for it if it happens again.

 

You mean like tonight?

Yep... TrayApp is back again.

I noticed the computer was slowing down again... NOT stopping, just sluggish.

(BTW - CCleaner runs VERY SLOW... anybody else having this problem?)

So I ran the cleaners and rebooted.

Any ideas where to look next?

 

I reversed the Registry cleaning I'd just done... no change.

I then re-ran the installation file for the HP 4180 (downloaded from HP) and un-installed the printer.

Problem solved