all browser freeze and leave multiple unkillable processes

I can't quite pin down when this all started happening, I think it was when i upgraded to FF5 and Flash 10. the problem is thus:

Win XP SP3

No matter what browser I use, IE8, FF 3.6, FF5, Opera, Chome, Dragon....they all stop working when i get to cerain, but not all Flash based sites. Gmail works, Linkedin Fails, Box.net fails, Facebook works but only until I click on a media link. they all eventually freeze and spin wheels. I close the program but there are still multiple processes for each browser closed. I can;t kill tge processes via IObit Process thngy nor Task Manager. They are just accumulating, eating my memory and mocking me. eventually I have to reboot. luckily EI8 lets me open up a new window to continue my work for a while until all memory is gone, then system crash or eventual needed reboot.

I have looked into this quite a bit and there seems to be a problem with Flash, some say Java. I have scanned endlessly with various recommended things, unistalled, reinstalled and rebooted probaly 30 times. no change

anyone else have this problem? when I tell a mac person they just look smug, but I hae read of a few cases of mac users having this problem.....

can anyone suggest something?
Thx

 

Check that you have the most recent chipset and network drivers installed.

 

I appologize for being dim, could you tell me what that means exactly? chipset for MB and drivers for Wifi card?
Thx

 

No, you're not being dim; from the OP, I couldn't tell if you have a desktop or laptop so I wasn't more specific.

Yes, motherboard chipset and Wifi drivers, get them from the chip makers if you can, - Intel or AMD/SIS/... for the MB and Intel/Broadcom/Atheros/... for the wireless. Some digging through your Device Manager should pinpoint who you need to visit.

 

I attempted to install Intel chipset update, it was not needed so did not do an auto reboot, just a finished notice. Realtek drivers available do not match what I have RTL8187. The available ones add a letter code at the end, not sure which ne applies, I'll continue to search.

Thx

 

updated both, no change. Thank you though

I ordered a new comp, I'll see if I can't wipe this one and start over with luck.
This one is too old anyway

 

Ok, if you're sure that you have the latest drivers, another test would be rebooting the router that you connect to - also check if there's a firmware update available for it.

You could also rule out a wireless issue (yours or router's) by connecting directly to the router with an ethernet cable.

 

I didn't know this, i'll give it a go
thx

 

nope, thanks though. has to be some junk left on the system. Is there a good process cleaner or inspector? tried iobit tools, not work so well for this

 

one weird thing is I can't update my Nvidia Quadro FX driver. when I do it fails, then on restart windows installs an old one, then It's all messed up. i need to clean the drivers and start over again but with an old driver, can't ge tthe newer ones installed.

could a card going bad cause this kind of problem, ie the drivers, the browsers etc.....?

 

If there's any hardware problem, it has to be fixed before moving on the Windows, drivers, etc.

Which Quadro FX do you have?

 

@ Satrow, FX 1800. I'm back to a previous driver that works 270.71. anything higher will not install even after driver sweep. I called Nvisia and they said the card was broken but it works fine with this driver. got to be a soft issue

 

I suppose if I could stop windows from installing the driver after reboot from sweeping I may be able to get a newer one on there but there is no opt out choice for this windows install

 

I don't know if this will help -- delete or ignore if it doesn't.

One of the super guys on here suggested I install and run Secunia PSI (download from MG). It's a wonderful program and checks is all my patches are up to date, and tells me if a program is obsolete. That type of program leaves us vulnerable.

Hope it helps.

 

unfortuanately not, thanks though, This is killing me, can't figure out....must conquer problem....getting weak....

I'll eventually wipe the system I guess since this will be my backup pc soon

 

I have this same problem. All browsers work until I go to certain sites that seem to trigger the problem.Then FF, IE, Chrome all freeze and can NOT be stopped from task manager. Shutdown takes minutes. Holding the power button is the only timely solution to a restart.

This all started one night for NO reason whatsoever. I got desparate after trying everything, including do an earlier date restore, removing and reinstalling software, anything I could think of, so I wiped the hdd and reinstalled each ap one at a time, I didn't even trust my back-up files.

Got all done, fired up FF and as soon as I went to a site it didn't like (there are many) it froze up and could not be terminated. Rebooting is the only fix.

I have tried other ports on my router, which work fine with my other 3 machines, updated drivers, you name it. The problem does NOT go away and it is only on one machine.

It is not a virus, not malware, not a bug. So, what the heck is causing this. I have spent too many hours trying to just get back to 'normal'. Yes, I even disabled the MB ethernet and installed a new NIC. It had NO effect on the problem. Arrrgh.

Everyone has a guess, does any brain out there KNOW what is causing this and what the fix is? I'll pay the ransom.

Thanks!!

 

Well, it seems I have found my problem.
After posted my rant I read more messages from here, there and everywhere.
Someone suggested running msconfig and turning all the start menu items off. I did and all browsers returned to normal.
Then I ran it again and started enabling items like anti-virus, time checker, etc. Everything was swell until, near the end, I enabled a program called IO Bit ASC (Advanced System Care). As soon as I did and rebooted the browsers went stupid again on many sites. I disabled it and everything is good again.
Now, how this got in my start menu, I'm not sure. I don't remember installing or adding this program the night problems started. It appears that one component of ASC was creating all the problems, a real time Malware Fighter. Oh, it fought malware alright, it also crippled my browsing. I removed it from the start menu and all seems well again.
While this program was starting upon boot the icon in the tooltray was cryptic and did not indicate it was part of ACS. If having real time malware protection means not being able to freely surf, then real time crap is gone!
I run MalwareBytes and other software often to find nasties. I also let AVG run in real time virus protection mode. I'll manually run a malware check from now on after I'm done browsing.
Thanks to all who scratched their heads over this. I know many others have similar browser problems and suggest they disable ALL start menu items TEMPORARILY to see if something there is the culprit!