PC Problems Starting on Normal Mode

I am running into problems with my pc not being able to start up properly on normal mode. The symptoms seem to depend every single time I turn the pc and go into normal mode.

1) At times the PC will let me go into normal mode only to freeze or hang before anything loads up Ex: Windows Sidebar, startup applications
2) At times it will hang before putting in the user password (Only one user, Admin)
3) At times it will go into normal mode but performs extremely slow (It takes 10 minutes or more to do an operation: Like opening My Documents) Memory and computing power is not an issue with my PC.

I don't know if it's a bad driver, before this all happened my pc's sound was gone completely.

The PC works fine in safe mode, with no issues at all.

The other problem I have noticed is that when I turn on the PC sometimes it wont even show me the startup screen where you see what to press for the BIOS.

These are the things I have performed:

1. msconfig: Checked all the startup applications and disabled, but this was done on safe mode

2. Tried a system repair, but it won't work.

Lastly I don't want to format the drive as I haven't backed it up and it contains more than 6000 pictures.

 

What is the OS, (I'm guessing Vista)? What computer make?

I'd get those pictures backed-up, just to be safe.

Is it ok in safe mode?

Any yellow flags in the device manager?

Could be a driver, but also could be some program conflicts. Did this start suddenly, maybe after a program or update?
:wave:wave

 

Thanks for the fast reply!

Yes the operating system is Windows Vista Home, the computer make is a Gateway quad core.
Yes you are right I will probably have to make a backup of all the pictures.
There was a flag on the device manager with the Audio but I took that away days before the PC went down like that.

It started either with the sound getting busted or with a recent program. I have disabled the sound card and for some reason this application seems impposible to get rid off. I will check to see if I can uninstall it and let you know if it made any difference.

Also it seems in normal mode my antivirus/firewall gets disabled. I can't access it after clicking on it. (This is only when I am successful to go in normal mode but everything takes like half an hour to do)
I performed a scan on safe mode and no viruses came up!

 

Have you tried system restore prior to the time you had problems?

And have you gone to Gateway to download/update your drivers;
http://support.gateway.com/support/drivers/dlcenter.asp?cmpid=topnav

What AV and other security are you running? Have you recently changed your AV? It getting disabled in normal mode is rather suspicious. What is the recent program that you made reference to?:wave

 

Yes I have tried system restore, but it didn't help.
I haven't gone to the gateway website to download any updates or drivers, although it automatically does it, I will give this a try.

I haven't changed my AV, I don't know if I am allowed to post the name of the AV.
The program that I made refernce to was something to enable fast downloads and internet connection, it was like a trial and then you have to buy it.:confused

 

Yes, you can and should post the AV and the program you downloaded. Somebody else may have knowledge of that program.
Have you uninstalled that trial yet? If this corresponded to your problems, that would be important information!:wave

 

ok. I just didn't want to break the rules. The AV is BitDefender but it is from the previous year 2009. The trial even though I go to the add or remove programs is still there, It doesnt have a uninstall option for it.

 

You didn't say what program it was that you downloaded and started these problems.

See this for uninstalling bitdefender;
http://www.bitdefender.com/KB333-en--How-to-uninstall-BitDefender.html

Download and install cCleaner;
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=4191&file=15&evp=a12d758b021af1a4f0a6bfe45b0c7a82

Run cleaner, then click "registry" and run that, make backup when prompted after selecting "Fix all issues" and save it to your documents, name it Feb. 22 Reg, or whatever you'll remember, though I have NEVER had to use the backup.

But, again, is it ok in safe mode?

 

Hello Brandypeppy;

Thank you for your fast response and your help. I managed to fix the computer by restoring from the Gateway center. I restored the computer to factory default but with a backup.
I think there was a conflict between programs and that's what caused the problem.

Cheers.