System crash at random

I have a XP home comp that crashes at random. It started after a full system scan using avast! home was started and left running over night.


The system will boot into windows and reboot. Its random how fast the system reboots. Some times it will stay in windows for 15sec some times up to 3 or 4 minutes.

It does not give a blue screen that I have seen just reboots the system. I pulled out the crash dump to try and figure out why it was crashing and came up with nothing. The log of the dump is attached.

I have run Memtest and a HDD scan to make sure those are not the cause, both checked out fine.

I am going to run a sypware/malware/AV sweep of the system to see if that fixes the issue as well as booting to windows with only windows services started.

I can boot into safe mode and work all day just fine. Right now im backing up my data just in case.


If anyone can tell me something from the crash dump would be great. Thanks!

 

Hi snipe', im not much help with those log files, but my first step in this situation would be to uninstall Avast and see what happens then [i would physicaly disconnect from the web when doing so]
And if that doesnt fix it, try system restore to a point before the scan, if you havn't already.

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I have tried doing a system restore but can not since the system shows no restore points where set. I set a restore point about once a month so I know for a fact that there should be one to go.


I can not uninstall avast as I can not uninstall it while booted into safe mode. It say something about the system can not start the uninstaller service while booted into safe mode.

 

WARNING!!! If you edit the registry incorrectly, you might cause serious problems that might require you to reinstall your operating system. Use the registry editor at your own risk. Keep a backup of registry before editing.

 

I was unable to uninstall Avast! and it seems to be stable again. since it had been installed for several months I didnt think it was the cause of the issue.


A new issue has come up. When I boot to windows and try to install Super Anti-spyware it comes up with a popup saying


"The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if you are running Windows in safe mode, or if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed." ect...


Any help on how to reinstall/fix the service?



The issue just popped up again. any ideas on what to try next?

 

I think it is too much of a coincidence it happened when you left the scan running. i think something has gotten corrupted, and remving and later reinstalling is a good step.

Didi you do the reg tweak i posted?

If so use the registry back up i advised you to make, and go back to square one.

If you are able to boot into windows normally, i still advise you to remove the AV and run ccleaner then set a chkdsk scan, but other than that, if you have backed all data up go for a repair install if you have the disk.

 

I do agree that the scan was just coincidence that this all happened during a scan.

As for a repair install its an HP so it has the install files on the local HDD. I'm not a fan of this system but I think I will have to end up doing that.


The system still is unstable in windows. I thought I had it figured out by stopping the getPlus(R) Helper service. I also got Avast to uninstall. It still crashes after about 10min.



Is there any other ideas on things to try before I complete reinstall?

 

Try uninstalling every none essential item that is running on start up, or even just uniinstall everything [except ccleaner]



If you have any trouble removing programs.......

[now this is a very crude way to uninstall things....but is quite effective]

Go to......

C:\program files

&

C\:douments and settings\*your user name*\application data


And delete all the file related to programs you want to delete, the run ccleaners "cleaner" & "registry cleaner" a few times until nothing is found.

 

I should be give more detail next time sorry. I did try stripping down all the things that did't need to be on the system. This included Java, python, desktop theme's, 3rd party browsers, ect... I also removed the modem, sound card, and extra USB card from the system.



The system seems to be doomed as nothing but safe mode is stable. I oppted to do a "pc recovery" as HP calls it and shoot for a windows repair install see if that does the trick. If not I will be onto a full reformat.

 

Yeah if it is not to much hassle a reinstall is probably best, i hate those stupid recovery partitions, you cant beat a proper Xp disc can ya.

Q

edit: BTW did you get chkdsk to run?

 

Ok I have attempted a system repair install and the system still fails as before. Is it possible its a hardware issue?

 

I suppose it is possible but highly doubtful with it running pefect in safemode.

 

I'm going to run last hardware test of what I can before a reinstall of everything. Is there any recommendations on software for testing it out? I used memtest 86+ on the RAM and Maxtor's thing for the HDD anything for the mobo?


last thing I used was PC-Doctor Service Center 4, but not long have access to it as it was stolen :cry

 

Try this...
http://majorgeeks.com/download273.html

I havnt used it before so i cant vouch for anything! but it is on geeks so....

 

I did a battery of hardware tests and got a few random errors. 1 of the USB ports tested bad and I confirmed when trying to boot to a USB with bootable OS on it via that port. I'm not sure if that could cause windows to crash at random?



Also I get random Gfx crashes as well. Most of the time stripped screen or screen freeze with random gfx artifacts. Is it possible the Gfx card is bad? If so anyway of testing an on board gfx card? Its an ATI gfx base.

 

I think you have hit the nail on the head with the gfx card there mate. Try UBCD
UBCD http://majorgeeks.com/Ultimate_Boot_CD_d4981.html

edit: although if you could borrow and fit a new card would be a good way to go.

 

Any help with how to use UBcd? I have it downloaded and burned but I don't see a gfx card test am I just missing it?

 

Im in the middle of allsorts of things right now so i cant boot it myself, but i dont think it is a gfx card specific test but rather a general diagnostic that i am sure includes the gfx card.

If you have any more trouble ill be of more help tomorow/later on.
[it's 2:40am GMT for me]


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