Freeze on login

Jim Dixon wrote:

 > Working on a 2 year old computer, 256megs ram, 1200 mhz celeron, it
 > boots up
 > fine, then when I logon it freezes. I have XP with SP1, but not SP2.

This isn't enough information to give a specific diagnosis. The problem
could be caused by hardware or software. Or both. Here are general
troubleshooting steps for both aspects:

For software issues - First check for malware, as follows (links follow
step below):

1) Scan in Safe Mode with current version (not earlier than 2004)
antivirus using updated definitions.

Before you remove malware, get LSPFix (or WinSockFix for XP which you
can get from MajorGeeks) - see links below.

2) Remove spyware with Spybot Search & Destroy and Ad-aware. These
programs are free, so use them both since they complement each other.
There is a new version of CWShredder from Intermute. I would not
install the other Intermute programs, however. Alternately, there are
CoolWebSearch malware removal steps at SilentRunners.

Be sure to update these programs before running, and it is a good idea
to do virus/spyware scans in Safe Mode. Make sure you are able to see
all hidden files and extensions (View tab in Folder Options).

If the malware remains even after you used Ad-aware and Spybot, you can
scan with HijackThis. HijackThis is an excellent tool to discover and
disable hijackers, but it requires expert skill. See below for
HijackThis links, including sites where you can post your HJT logs. A
combination of HijackThis and About:Buster works well in removing the
About:Blank homepage hijacker. Again, this is an expert tool and
novices should get help with it.

3) If you are running Windows ME or XP, you should disable/enable System
Restore after the system is clean because malware will be in the
Restore Points. With ME, you must disable System Restore completely.
With XP, you can delete all but the most recent (presumably clean)
System Restore point from the More Options section of Disk Cleanup
(Run>cleanmgr).

Links to help with malware:

Software/Methods:
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.safer-networking.org" target="_blank">http://www.safer-networking.org</a> - Spybot Search & Destroy
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.lavasoftusa.com" target="_blank">http://www.lavasoftusa.com</a> - Ad-aware
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.majorgeeks.com" target="_blank">http://www.majorgeeks.com</a> - good download site
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html" target="_blank">http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html</a>
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html." target="_blank">http://www.silentrunners.org/sr_cwsremoval.html.</a> - SilentRunners
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm" target="_blank">http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm</a> - Repair Winsock 2 settings after
removing spyware
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html" target="_blank">http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html</a> - WinsockXPFix.exe

HijackThis:
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm" target="_blank">http://www.aumha.org/a/hjttutor.htm</a> - HijackThis tutorial by Jim
Eshelman
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://aumha.net" target="_blank">http://aumha.net</a> - forums
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5" target="_blank">http://spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5</a> - Spyware Warrior HijackThis
forum
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.wilderssecurity.com/" target="_blank">http://www.wilderssecurity.com/</a>
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://forums.tomcoyote.org/" target="_blank">http://forums.tomcoyote.org/</a>

General:
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://auhma.net" target="_blank">http://auhma.net</a> - look under "Security" for various forums
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm" target="_blank">http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm</a>
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm" target="_blank">http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm</a>
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm" target="_blank">http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm</a> - The Parasite Fight
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm" target="_blank">http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm</a>

Then move on to general maintenance:

1) Delete temporary and Temporary Internet Files.
2) Stop unnecessary services/programs from starting with Windows - see
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.blackviper.com" target="_blank">www.blackviper.com</a> for services info and
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm" target="_blank">www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm</a> for programs info.
3) Look in Event Viewer for clues.
4) Make sure you've visited Windows Update and applied all security
patches. Do not install driver updates from Windows Update.
5) Run a firewall.

For hardware issues -

1) Open the computer and run it open, cleaning out all dust bunnies and
observing all fans (overheating will cause system freezing). Obviously
you can't do this with a laptop, but you can hear if the fan is running
and feel if the laptop is getting too hot.

2) Test the RAM - I like Memtest86+ from <a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.memtest.org." target="_blank">www.memtest.org.</a> Obviously, you
have to get the program from a working machine. You will either
download the precompiled Windows binary to make a bootable floppy or
the .iso to make a bootable cd. If you want to use the latter, you'll
need to have third-party burning software on the machine where you
download the file - XP's built-in burning capability won't do the job.
In either case, boot with the media you made. The test will run
immediately. Let the test run for an extended period of time - unless
errors are seen immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.

3) Test the hard drive with a diagnostic utility from the mftr. Usually
you will download the file and make a bootable floppy with it. Boot
with the media and do a thorough test. If the drive has physical
errors, replace it.

4) The power supply may be going bad or be inadequate for the devices
you have in the system - this isn't applicable to a laptop, of course.

5) Test the motherboard with something like TuffTest from
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.tufftest.com." target="_blank">www.tufftest.com.</a> Sometimes this is useful, and sometimes it isn't.

Testing hardware failures often involves swapping out suspected parts
with known-good parts. If you can't do the testing yourself and/or are
uncomfortable opening your computer, take the machine to a good local
computer repair shop (not a CompUSA or Best Buy type of store).

Malke
--
MS MVP - Windows Shell/User
Elephant Boy Computers
<a rel="nofollow" style='text-decoration: none;' href="http://www.elephantboycomputers.com" target="_blank">www.elephantboycomputers.com</a>
"Don't Panic!"