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Windows 7 stops responding when PC is booted

1838 Views 5 Replies 3 Participants Last post by  Champ721
Hey, guys! Anyway, I'm having a rather annoying issue that started a few days ago. What happens is that when I boot up the computer, it works fine until I get to the desktop, in which case I see that loading circle by my mouse and then Windows 7 stops responding. All my desktop icons and the taskbar disappear and all I can see is my desktop background. Sometimes the screen turns black and I can't use Ctrl+Alt+Del or anything. My mouse still moves around, though. I don't remember the exact wording, but the error basically says that Windows 7 has stopped responding but may return in a few minutes (which it doesn't unless I have to wait an obscenely long time). I have to manually shut off the computer and restart it, and then it works fine after I "Start Windows Normally" from the black screen that comes up when you don't properly shut off your PC. So long as the OS doesn't crash on startup, my computer works just fine.

I think I know what the culprit is. I downloaded the free version of AVG and used that PC tuneup thing they have that deletes junk files and fixes registry errors and what not, and the next time I booted my computer after I did that is when this started happening. The thing is that I already tried doing a system restore right before I even installed AVG and the problem still hasn't been fixed.

I also tried verifying that all my Windows files were there with cmd.exe and everything was apparently there. I haven't downloaded any new drivers for anything in a long time, so that's not the problem. I looked in administrative events in event viewer and saw nothing relevant to the issue in today's date. I have MalwareByte's Anti Malware, avast!, and recently AVG, all up to date, and none of them detect anything (which admittedly I find somewhat suspicious as nothing as been found in a long, long time). I really have no idea what the problem is, so any help would be appreciated. Thank you in advance!

Also, here are my specs in case they're useful for whatever reason. Let me know if any other information is needed, though I think I covered everything. I hope. :)
  • ASUS M4N98TD EVO AM3 NVIDIA nForce 980a SLI ATX AMD Motherboard
  • GIGABYTE GV-N460OC-1GI GeForce GTX 460 (Fermi) x2 SLI
  • AMD Phenom II X4 965 Black Edition Deneb 3.4GHz 4 x 512KB L2 Cache 6MB L3 Cache Socket AM3 125W Quad-Core Processor
  • G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 4GB (2 x 2GB) 240-Pin DDR3 SDRAM DDR3 1600 (PC3 12800) Desktop Memory Model
  • Corsair TX750W 750-Watt Power Supply
  • Western Digital Caviar Black WD5001AALS 500GB 7200 RPM 32MB Cache SATA HDD
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Hi Champ721

I need a few things in order to help you.

First as you have 2 anti-virus programs running, you will have to remove one otherwise that will cause system conflicts. I'd keep Avast and remove AVG using the AVG Removal Tool make sure to choose the correct one when following the link. You will either want the 32bit or 64bit remover depending on your OS. Reboot will be required after removing. The PC Tuneup that comes with AVG will do more harm than good.

Can you download and install Autoruns and run it. Let it generate all the information (shouldn't take long) then go File>Save and save the AutoRuns.arn file to the desktop. Zip it (right click on the .arn file and select 'send to' and choose 'Compressed zipped folder) and attach it back. Basically want to have a look and see if we can figure out what may be interfering.

Also, once the above has been done, do: Window Key+R and type MSCONFIG and hit OK.
Under 'Services tab', tick 'Hide all Microsoft Services' and then uncheck the remaining programs and 'Apply'
Then under 'Startup tab' - Uncheck anything not Microsoft related then 'Apply' and OK

Then reboot and see if that helps. Trying to see if a program or something else may be interfering. (probably AVG, but want to be sure)
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Alright, I removed AVG (probably kind of a stupid idea to get it in the first place when I already had avast!, but I was just paranoid that avast! wasn't detecting stuff but I digress...) and disabled a ton of programs in MSconfig. Thankfully, both times I restarted, the computer booted normally, so my problem might already be fixed and it was just AVG running abreast with avast! but I also have the AutoRun file you asked for and have attached it with this post. Thank you very much, by the way.

Attachments

If you want extra protection, you can install Malwarebytes It works well with most if not all antivirus programs and picks up where they leave off. It's especially good against the rogue program type of infection. The free version is great, but you have to update and run it manually. The paid version ($29.95 for lifetime) runs resident, updates automatically on a schedule you set and can run a scheduled scan. Much better than running two antiviruses.
Hi Champ721,

Can you go to your add/remove programs via Start>Control Panel>Add/ Remove Programs and uninstall 'Search Toolbar'

Make sure that your Malwarebytes is also up to date.

Can you also remove McAfee (there seem to be traces of it probably bundled with the computer or a program you downloaded) using the McAfee Removal Tool (Reboot will be required)

Once the above have been done, you can re-enable any programs that are unchecked in msconfig if you wish (not actually required) But make sure that Avast is checked so that it does start with the computer.
My computer doesn't seem to be having any problems anymore. Thanks, man, you rule.
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