Weird Issues with PC

What happens now when you try to run something? Can you give an example of what you've tried to run?

And, does the mouse pointer appear "busy" even when you mouse over the start menu?

Also, will task manager run? (does ctrl alt del work?)

 

just for future reference, you can use a program called wxCheckSums, located here: http://wxchecksums.sourceforge.net/mainpage_en.html to check to see if a file's md5 hash matches up to another file. sometimes the filesize alone of the file isn't proof enough. and even md5 hashes can match up exactly the same but still be different from what i've read

 

Here's what happens:

Logon Screen - OK - Desktop, Taskbar & Icons appear - moving the mouse around looks normal - click on a folder or program and the busy circle appears - move the mouse down to the Taskbar and the circle disappears - click on Start globe (or anything in the Taskbar) and the mouse becomes busy in the taskbar too...
Pressing CTRL-ALT-DEL doesnt bring up the Task Manager (or the option window) instead I get a nice warning box that tells me it is unable to display the security/task option and if the system doesnt respond then turn it off manually.

FWIW, here are the Startup Items:

• Microsoft Windows Mobile Device Center - wmdc.exe
• Realtek HD Audio Manager - RtHDVCpl.exe -s
• Nikon Message Center 2 - NkMC2.exe -s
• Driver Autorun - StartAutorun.exe KMConfig.exe (Keyboard driver)
• Axentra QuickConnect - HipServAgent.exe (Network Drive - not running at present)
• GrooveMonitor Utility - GrooveMonitor.exe
• avast Antivirus - avastUI.exe /nogui
• Ad-Aware Tray Application - AAWTray.exe
• Microsoft Windows Operating System - ehTray.exe
• Microsoft Windows Operating System - D:\Setup.exe (I have no idea why this is here?)

Given that the system is working ok in Safe Mode, is there something here that could be causing issues?

 

Do you still have your windows 7 install cd in the dvd rom drive?

Yes, software that loads in normal mode but not safe mode. Next time you're in safe mode. Open up msconfig (start > run > msconfig)

left click on theStartup tab, select DISABLE ALL
left click on the Services tab, place a checkmark in "Hide all Microsoft services" (It's very important that you place the checkmark in Hide all Microsoft Services before hand), and then select DISABLE ALL.

Click ok. Restart PC in normal mode. See if you have the same issues.

 

Yes the CD was still in the drive - removed it now!

Right... followed your instructions for the Services & Startup Items:

Booted into Normal Mode, desktop, icons, taskbar & mouse all ok. I'm now able to open folders and run programs as per normal.
You are a genius!

Noticed that Windows was downloading an update, checked what it was and it was Windows SP1!!! I've unchecked that item...

I've currently got no antivirus running on this though

So, it appears that there's a conflict somewhere in the Services or Startup?
What do you suggest now...

BTW: You'r a Star

 

What you can do is turn on 1 item from startup at a time, or 1 service on at a time from msconfig. reboot pc and see if it starts acting up again. Do it one at a time each time after a reboot so you can pinpoint which entry is causing a conflict at startup.

You can also view the event log for errors, a lot of time they will show you which process hanged at startup.

 

You sure you have no anti virus? One of your entries says you have Avast!. It may be a corrupt install though, I'm not sure. Are you sure it's still not on your system? When was the last time you used Avast?

If you don't use it anymore. That could be your entire issue. A lot of anti virus programs slow the pc down dramatically once they expire/require renewal.

There is a avast uninstall tool you can use to clean up the residual files left behind from that avast install.

it can be downloaded from here directly: http://files.avast.com/files/eng/aswclear5.exe

source: http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

 

Ok, do you think it's best to start with Startup or Services first?

 

It's still there, but I think it's been stopped in the services tab - it says that the shields are not found...

 

Startup first

 

Yes, this is because you disabled all the services. Most likely the program won't even run if the service is turned off. One exception is norton antivirus, that AV is annoying...

 

Ok - it's 3:30am and I've been trying to sort this since 11am yesterday non-stop!

I'm going to get some sleep, happy in the knowledge that for the moment at least I dont have to do a clean install!

Then tomorrow I can start to work my way through the startup and services...

...really appreciate all the help that I've got on here so far!

Although it has been tempting to just give in and re-install, I really do want to try to find a solution to the BSOD issue, if only to give others an idea of what they can do to resolve it too.

I'll keep you updated how I get on tomorrow

 

Do you have onboard video? Can you take out both cards and remove software (if possible) and enable onboard video? You would have to do that in proper order. It 'sounds' like it could be a NVIDeo issue. :confused

Do you have another older video card you could try?

 

Hi Rocktot - Thanks for the suggestions, the system is currently working and stable (thanks to Thisisu) and I'm working through reloading Startup and Service items to identify any issues... appreciate the feedback though.

 

Right, had a break away from the PC for a while to get my head back together.

Glad to report that the system is still booting and running as per normal and is nice and stable.

I'm working through the Startup Items and Service today to identify any issues and will post here if anything pops up.

I'd like to know answers for the following Startup Items please if possible:

• 
  [*]Nikon Message Center - unrequired - already uninstalled program - how do I remove this entry from the list?
  [*]TQ56608 D:\setup.exe - do I need to enable this item or can it be removed, there is no disc in the drive. I'm not sure where this entry has come from...

All the other Startup items have been enabled and the system is stable

 

I've found out how to remove the Nikon Message Center entry from the Startup List

Now just need to know if it's ok to remove the "TQ56608 D:\setup.exe" as well?

 

Ah ha... maybe isolated the issue?

Right, this is interesting...

Enabled ALL the Startup Items (apart from the TQ56608 one) and the system is working nice and stable. The enabled items are as follows:

• Ad-Aware
• Avast
• EHTray
• Groovemonitor
• Axentra
• Driver Autorun
• Realtek HD Audio
• WM Device Center

Now in Services, thought I'd start with Avast to get the anti-virus back up & running...
Bang, straight back to the BSOD!

I enabled the Avast service in Safe Mode to make sure, then when it loaded into Normal Mode the BSOD returned...

Should I remove avast and re-install it, or is there something else I can check first (like a log file) to see wth is going on?

 

I'm not sure what TQ56608 is related to tbh.

I would imagine it's safe to turn off though. looks like it's something in another cd-rom drive perhaps?

I would uninstall and reinstall avast.

use the removal tool i posted earlier after uninstalling from add/remove programs.

 

OK...
Uninstalled & cleaned avast... re-installed ok and ran a quick scan first (nothing found) and then a complete scan (2 files found - both from 2009! - removed ok)

Rebooted with avast service running and it's all ok!

I'm now going to start the other services and hopefully they will all enable ok.
I'm also going to remove the TQ566808 entry in Startup too.

 

you can use CCleaner to remove the entry from startup if you wish. It does more than msconfig, which is Disable.

Not surprising that avast was the root of your problem, i typically want to uninstall it asap when i see it on a customer's computer.

 

(As another question - what graphics cards would you recommend to upgrade from dual nVidia 1024mb 8500gt's?)

I'm working through re-installing the Services - there are some there that I don't seem to need so I'm presuming it's ok to not re-enable them?

With regard to AV programs - I've not had any problems with avast in the past and it's ok on my other desktop and laptop - but I'd be interested to know what you'd recommend instead?

 

Not sure, this is kind of a personal choice. I use an ATi Radeon HD 4850. Not even sure if you can get it from newegg.com anymore. It's what I consider to be a "best bang for you buck" type of graphics card. I don't play many games though, only left 4 dead 2 and quake live on occasion.

yes, I typically turn off services such as Yahoo Updater, Google updater, Windows cardspace.

You can also customize these a bit more through services.msc (Start > run > services.msc) I like to set most things to "Manual", except driver/printer related components.

Another personal choice, use whatever works for you.

I personally use and like MSE (Microsoft Security Essentials) - it's free @ microsoft.com
NOD32 is also one I'd recommend, but it's not free.