Multiple Problems

Hi, I'm new to the Forum, and I"m hoping you all can help. After 15 sessions with Norton Live Chat and four with Gateway Remote Assistance, I'm about to pull out what's left of my hair. This is going to be long, so bear with me.

This started when I was not able to run a Full System Scan (FSS) using Norton. The system would freeze during the scan of Active Program and Startup files, after scanning 300-700 files. Nothing would work and I had to do a hard reboot. I could manually scan the entire contents of C: and D:. It only happened during the FSS while scanning the Active Program and Startup files.

Norton Live Chat had me try several things: running LiveUpdate, running the FSS after restarting in Safe Mode, unchecking the "Scan within compressed folders" box, going into msconfig and starting the computer with only Windows and Symantec Services running, running chkdsk, defragging the HDD, etc. Nothing helped. Then they had me run a virus scan from the Norton website. It took all night, but it finally completed and found no viruses. They eventually decided that I must have a corrupt file and that I should re-install windows.

Since this is a Gateway (I know, don't make fun), it shipped with no media. I did create my own restoration DVD using the Gateway tool. When I tried to reinstall Windows using the restore DVD (insert dvd, shut down, disconnect all h/w except mouse & keyboard, boot to dvd), I got a message saying "No operating system installed or partition corrupted. Press "R" to perform a Full System Recovery. Note: This option will install a recovery partition first, then restore the user partition." I do not want to do a Full System Recovery because I have a lot of photos and home movies of the family that I have yet to back up.

I contacted Gateway Remote Assistance for help. After describing the problem I encountered trying to restore from the DVD, they sent me instructions for doing a medialess restoration from the HDD. When I tried, I got the blue screen that said, "A problem has been detected and Windows has been shutdown to prevent damage to your computer." It said to check for viruses and to run chkdsk /f. The Check Disk found no errors, and neither NAV nor AVG found a virus. Then Gateway suggested I run the Windows Repair (c:\windows\i386\winnt32). When I did, it asked for my CD Key. The one that came with the computer was "invalid." He gave me a key that worked. When I rebooted, a screen came up asking which OS I wanted to start, XP Pro (which I do not have) or Media Center (which I am running). After about 10 seconds, it defaulted to XP Pro. I got another blue screen with the "A problem has been detected..." warning, only this time it also said "PROCESS1_INITIALIZATION_FAILED". It does this every time I don't select Media Center in time. If I pick Media Center, it boots up fine, but when I restart, I have to choose an OS again. When I asked Gateway what the problem is, they said that I'm caught in a loop, and that a Full System Restore is the only way to fix it.

Now, I'm prepared to back up my personal files and run the Full System Restore if necessary, but I'd rather not. The problems I have, in order of immediate need are:
1. Fix the "Dual Boot" problem
2. Reload Windows without wiping my HDD and, (if this doesn't help with my NAV problem),
3. Fix Norton so I can run a FSS

The attachments are my HijackThis log and my current system configuration. I hope this is enough info because I'm losing feeling in my fingers after typing all of this.

Thanks,
Jeff

 

I noticed in your HJT log that you have GoBack installed on the computer? It is a program included with Norton SystemWorks. Try the steps below when you boot the system.

1. Restart your computer, and then press the SPACEBAR when you receive the GoBack "Press SPACEBAR to repair problems or see other boot options" message.

2. On the GoBack Boot menu, click Disable GoBack, and then click Continue.

3. Click Yes to disable GoBack.

4. After you disable GoBack, click OK, and then click Continue.

Steve

 

Just noticed, you also have AVG and NAV installed. Did you install AVG before some of this started?

You only need one anti-virus running.

Steve

 

OK, I removed Norton and ran CC Cleaner.

When I went to clicked "Check All Boot Paths" on the BOOT.INI tab in the system configuration utility, it said "It appears that all BOOT.INI lines for Microsoft operating systems are OK. Here is what it says:

[Boot Loader]
Timeout=5
Default=C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT\BOOTSECT.DAT
[Operating Systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Windows XP Media Center Edition" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
C:\$WIN_NT$.~BT/BOOTSECT.DAT="Microsoft Windows XP Professional Setup"

Again, "Check All Boot Paths" says everything is okay, but obviously it's not. Does the last line need to be removed? If so, is it as simple as highlighting the item and pressing "Delete", or do I need to actually edit the BOOT.INI file?

Thanks,
Jeff

By the way, prior to removing Norton, I disabled GoBack per the following post. AVG is installed and updated.

 

OK, now I have two new problems.

Again, I've removed Norton using the tool provided above, and I ran CCleaner. The dual boot problem was still present. I eventually booted up one time and missed changing the OS selection from XP Pro to Media Center, only this time I did not get the error message. It ran through the Windows Repair with no issues.

My first new problem is that, intermittently, I'll see a box appear on the taskbar just long enough to get my attention, suggesting that an app has started, then it disappears. The box has no wording of any kind. When I'm running an app or playing a game in Full Screen mode (GolfKing, The Godfather, etc.), the app suddenly minimizes and my Windows Desktop is displayed. The game will still be running in the background and, when I maximize the screen, I can resume with no problem. This really bothers me.

The second problem is that, if left unused for a period of time, the system will sometimes freeze up. It will do that sometimes after the screensaver has turned on, sometimes before the screensaver comes on, and sometimes when I'm at the Windows Login screen. When it does this, it will wait until I click something, then freeze up. As soons as the button responds to a mouse click, the system hangs. Everything except mouse motion. I can still move cursor around the screen, but no mouse click or keyboard functions work, including Ctrl-Alt-Del to bring up the Task Manager.

I'm guessing these problems could be related. Anyone got any advice? My system configuration is attached to my initial post in the thread and my latest HijackThis log is attached to this post.

Thanks again,
Jeff