Very Slow Bootup and Freeze

Hi,

I am suffering from a very slow boot up and a computer freeze for well over a minute, nearly two, when I can do nothing except wait until it finishes doing whatever it is doing. This happens EVERY TIME time I boot up, even if I boot up, wait until it unfreezes and then do an immediate restart. This all started a few weeks ago.

During the freeze I also get a message from Windows saying my firewall is switched off. When I get my computer back I check the security centre and the firewall is always on.

I have run virus checks and scans to no avail.

I have Windows XP SP3, Avast Home Edition and I am using the XP Firewall. I have had this set up for a few years with no problems.

Any assistance would be appreciated.

axelb

 

Hello axelbrora,

Welcome to Major Geeks!

Please follow the instructions in the below link and attach the requested logs when you finish these instructions.

• READ & RUN ME FIRST. Malware Removal Guide

• If something does not run, write down the info to explain to us later but keep on going.

• Do not assume that because one step does not work that they all will not.

Notes:

1. If you run into problems trying to run theREAD & RUN ME or any of the scans in normal boot mode. You can running steps in safe boot mode but make sure you tell us what you did later when you post logs. See the below if you do not know how to boot in safe mode:
   
   • Starting your computer in Safe mode
2. If you have problems downloading on the problem PC, download the tools on another PC and burn to a CD. Then copy them to the problem PC. You will have to skip getting updates if (and only if) your internet connection does not work. Yes you could use a flash drive too but flash drives are writeable and infections can spread to them.

 

Hi,

I have gone through the steps listed and now have a problem. I got as far MSCONFIG. I changed to normal start up but when my computer tried to restart I got a message about a lost or corrupted file. Windows cannot find Windows root>\system32\hal.dll

I tried rebooting from the recovery disk that came with my PC about 2 years ago and it started to reinstall Windows. When it reached the part about the product code I got stuck as I do not have one. The computer came with Windows XP pre-installed and I cannot remember ever getting the product code. I am now using my neighbour's computer to send this message.

Can I simply extract a copy of this file from the CD Rom and install it from the Dos Prompt? Any assistance in doing this or any other suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

Axel

 

Hello axelbrora,

Was there also a "Repair" option you could choose to run instead of a reinstall of the operating system?

Most brand name PC's will have the serial number written on a sticker somewhere on the PC in question. I would take a look at the back of it, the bottom of the case, just about everywhere and see if there is one listed.

This might be an option as well, we'll come back to it if both of the above do not work out.