Weird problems with my PC

[CaptainWafflos]

1. For some reason, occasionally whenever I restart, my computer locks up on the MSI BIOS loading screen and does nothing. It only does this when restarting. My temps are currently 46C CPU and 41 NB.

2. Some basic programs like Paint and Notepad won't open.

3. MSConfig won't open.

4. Applications take unusually long to start up after passing the login screen (about 1 minute). The strange thing is, some programs start up quickly, while some take an unusually long time. I've tried disabling all of my startup applications (save a couple necessary ones), but to no avail.

 

[Rzeractor]

you could have spyware, download adaware or spyware doctor and run it.

Also try a BIOS flash, that might fix your boot up problems.

 

[CaptainWafflos]

I run Spybot every few days and I've flashed my BIOS twice since I got my computer.

 

[mechBgon]

Here are some anti-spyware and antivirus goodies:

• Lavasoft AdAware
• Spybot Search & Destroy 1.3
• Norton Antivirus 2005 free 15-day trialware

I was helping a co-worker get some nasty spyware off his home PC and was surprised to find that Norton Antivirus 2005 will find some spyware/adware that even AdAware and Spybot don't pick up.

If you're not sure of your system's security level, also try Microsoft Baseline Security Analyzer to see if your system has some vulnerabilities that are beyond the scope of Windows Update to detect, like weak/blank passwords and lack of firewall protection.

If there is adware/spyware, then you may want to create Limited accounts for the other users of the computer so they can't install the *$^& stuff. Password-protect the Administrator-level accounts. Good luck

 

[CaptainWafflos]

I have TrendMicro PC-Cillin for anit-virus software and I run Spybot frequently. However, some of the adware I found with Spybot comes back after I remove it for whatever reason.

The interesting thing is that #1 and #4 have been happening to me since I got this PC. #1 obviously has nothing to do with my OS.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: CaptainWafflos
I have TrendMicro PC-Cillin for anit-virus software and I run Spybot frequently. However, some of the adware I found with Spybot comes back after I remove it for whatever reason.

The interesting thing is that #1 and #4 have been happening to me since I got this PC. #1 obviously has nothing to do with my OS.

How new is your PC-Cillin's scan engine? The co-worker I'm talking about had Norton Corporate Antivirus with up-to-date definitions, but an old 2002 scan engine that doesn't look for adware/spyware no matter if the definitions are up-to-date or not. So take Norton 2005 for a spin, it's free (for 15 days, I mean) and it has their latest scan engine. Nothing to lose...

My co-worker's adware/spyware was the kind that comes back too. It appears to be reinstalled by a Windows service. If you cannot get it off with Norton 2005, then post a screenshot of your Services panel for us to look at them. Also (duh) look in Add/Remove Programs for anything out-of-place.

 

[Anubis]

when did you install windows?

simmilar thing happened to me on a reinstall when i had a stick of ram start to go bad, everything installed fine but certian things didnt work, it corrupted teh windows install but not to the point of not working at all

run memtest

 

[Machine350]

I would run Memtest86 and Prime95 to rule out hardware. If your hardware is fine, sounds like you might have a virus. In my experience, the only sure way to rid your computer of spyware and viruses is to format and reinstall windows. Good luck.

 

[CraigRT]

sounds like a HDD issue, possibly not detecting the drive properly, taking a long time or not booting past the BIOS screen at all..

It could be a number of things, but that's my first hunch.

 

[CaptainWafflos]

Originally posted by: CraigRT
sounds like a HDD issue, possibly not detecting the drive properly, taking a long time or not booting past the BIOS screen at all..

It could be a number of things, but that's my first hunch.

You may be right. It won't detect my DVD drive, but even after disconnecting it, the problem still persists.

I used to get some system tray message about properly removing and adding drives, but that went away. Did I do something wrong? =P

 

[Hawaiian2002]

If you crash before the point that you are beginning to load Windows then you do not have a Windows issue. It would be strictly hardware or a bios issue. Try removing all devices (printers, scanners, etc) except your monitor, keyboard and mouse. If you're still having a problem you have to look at whatever hardware is left and try to isolate one by one.