This started at 12:30am today: I installed aim, then opened the program, left it open for a bit while using chrome. I then opened aim and logged it, it opened some windows, then my comp froze. Nothing could unfreeze it, I had to reboot.
Long story short: I went into safe mode multiple times, and my comp works, I deleted a bunch of files that were used recently before the crash, my computer still freezes. I used the event log and deleted a bunch of files. I can't uninstall programs from safe mode for some reason. Everytime I start normally, the login screen is fine. I left it there for 20 mins, it didn't freeze. About 30 seconds after I login, the computer freezes.

Any ideas on how to fix it?

Comp specs:
WIndows 7 64x
i7 1.6ghz
4gb DDR3
Nvidia Geforce gts 360m (1gb gddr5)
150gb HDD avaiable

A possibility is that your computer is overheating. Clean out the dust and get a laptop cooler.
Another is you have spyware? Run it through Ad-aware or something.

It's not overheating, and I have an external laptop fan. I used "Microsoft security essentials" to scan my comp; nothing bad has infected my files.

Try going into safe mode and cleaning things out of your startup folder. Also, when you go into safe mode what are you logging in as?

I'm logging in as my normal login. Unlike XP, I didn't see any "administrator" account or anything, just my normal one. I'll go try clearing my startup folder, ty.

It shouldn't be overheating, most computers will completely turn off in the event of processor temperature running over it's max TJ temp.

Try checking your event log to see if there is anything system related (IE, corrupted files) that is causing the freeze.

Np, also if that doesn't work, you might have to do a system restore and restore your computer to the most recent restore point (possibly one automatically created for you when you installed AIM). You can do this in Windows 7 by just typing "System Restore" into the search box of the start menu.

*Note*
You must have System Restore on for this to work (It was probably on by default).

On a side note, I think there is a way in Windows 7 to login as the administrator in safe mode, I just don't remember how

yeah.. I kinda didn't turn on sys restore... stupid me
Almost done cleaning out everything I possibly can... If it still doesn't work, ill prolly have to reinstall my os..

"The maximum file size for session "ReadyBoot" has been reached. As a result, events might be lost (not logged) to file "C:\Windows\Prefetch\ReadyBoot\ReadyBoot.etl". The maximum files size is currently set to 20971520 bytes."

"Failed extract of third-party root list from auto update cab at: <http://www.download.windowsupdate.com/msdownload/update/v3/static/trustedr/en/authrootstl.cab> with error: A required certificate is not within its validity period when verifying against the current system clock or the timestamp in the signed file.
"

Possibly. One more thing you could do is try to do a system recovery off of the disc if you have it. Either way turn System Restore on lol.

All safe mode does is disable some drivers. Safe mode does not in any way prevent malicious software from running on startup.

Similarly, system restore only messes with windows settings and drivers. Malicious programs that got on your computer before the restore will remain after the restore.

Slave the drive to another computer and do a scan with Kaspersky (download the 30-day trial for Kaspersky internet security). Tell us what happens then.

Scanning with microsoft security essentials. It's 90% done... been going for an hour now.

Found 9 errors. few trojans, and security exploits..

1) That is dead wrong. Safe Mode loads only what it needs to in order to actually run Windows. Very few malicious programs will actually run in Safe Mode. I've found maybe 3 that would.

2) Yes, malicious programs that were already on there before the restore will remain on the computer. Hence why you turn it off when you are disinfecting a computer (malicious programs can recreate themselves from a restore). System Restore will also remove programs there were installed after the restore point, not just drivers and settings. It will not, however, mess with your personal files in any way (i.e. if you delete a document, you cannot get it back by using System Restore).

3) Avast! 5 Free edition > Kaspersky, and you don't have to mess with a trial that is going to expire. On a side note though, MalwareByte's Anti-malware is about the best program I have found to actually remove virus' from a computer that has been infected, as most AV programs do a better job at prevention and removal (i.e. Avast, AVG, etc).

I do this type of stuff on a daily basis ftr... it's my job

getting MalwareByte's Anti-malware now.
It didn't work, my comp still froze...
also, how do I install stuff in safe mode? It says it can't start the windows installer service in safe mode (this also affects uninstalling progarms)

dark, what's the best free, and non-free anti virus in your professional opinion?

Best free AV imo is Avast when it comes to PREVENTION, but when it comes to REMOVAL, the free version of MalwareBytes is my favorite. As for non-free, McAfee is SUPPOSEDLY the best, but more of a business oriented program. If you were looking for a non-free AV to use at home I would still probably say Avast (although, there is no need for anything but the free version), and still MalwareByte's paid version is pretty sweet too, it has a few extra features that you can't do in the free version, although I don't remember what they are. I use MB all the time at work to get rid of malicious stuff, and Avast on my Windows partition at home.

Another thing you can do to prevent getting virus' is to get the browser add-on called WOT (stands for Web of Trust), which is a free add-on for just about every browser (I use it on Firefox and Chrome mostly, but it is available for Safari, IE, and I think Opera as well).

As for installing/uninstalling things in safe mode...
http://www.nirmaltv.com/2008/02/13/windows-xp-tips-installuninstall-applications-in-safe-mode/

Lemme know if this stuff helps

Malware bites found 32 infections and counting. Much better than Microsoft security essentials. I've installed avast as well.
The uninstalling safe mode thing didn't work.

Mhm... well the uninstallation isn't important, as I don't really think you need to uninstall anything.

On a side note, if you must use AIM, at least use Trillian in its place (it allows you to use AIM, MSN, Yahoo!, etc all in one program). It is much lighter on your system.

Ok.. I just made a new account; it works. Idk what was wrong with my original account, but I'm just gonna transfer everything over.

This is why I like to have a backup and a copy of my operating system. Also note that you can delete files just fine, then reinstall them, uninstall them later.

Your account on the computer was corrupted? Or AIM?

Great... So everything works, but now I can't uninstall this one program: wd smartware. All the files and regestry files are gone, but it's still on my program list.
When I try to uninstall it, it give me: "There is a problem with this windows installer package. A program required for this install to complete could not be run. Contact your support personnel or package vendor."
When I try installing, it gives me: "The application has encountered an unexpected error and is now exiting."

Edit: I was transferring some files from my old account to my new, and the new one froze also. I tried the original one, thinking maybe I moved the problem to the new account, but it was on both accounts... I deleted both of them (all all my game save data D: ) and made a third account. Hasn't froze yet.. hopefully it won't again.
Still have the problem above.

Post has been edited 1 time(s), last time on Aug 18 2010, 10:19 pm by fat_flying_pigs.