Problems with login - nothing responds, nothing can be opened.

Harsalan · 26 May 2012

I started having this problem today, though for a couple of weeks now I have been seeing a problem where everything stops responding, then recovers after about a minute.

This happens on all accounts. I start up the computer, and everything goes fine.
There is a brief blank screen before the login screen comes up, but that's not a problem.

I enter my password, and it begins to log in. Sometimes it stops here, stuck on the Welcome screen, though it usually continues.

It progresses to a completely black screen with nothing except the cursor visible. Again, sometimes it gets stuck here, but usually after about half a minute, it continues to the desktop.

AIM is set to open on login, and it does. Everything appears to be going fine. However, the moment I try to open any other program, or even interact with AIM, it stops responding, the desktop begins to fade, and I can't do anything. The task manager doesn't open with either shortcut, I can't open the start menu, or really do anything except move the mouse around.

It sounds like a problem with explorer.exe, but how do I fix that? Can I do anything short of reinstalling?

The problem doesn't occur on safe mode; I am typing this on Safe Mode with Networking. System Restore doesn't help. I have a Windows 7 installation disc here. Can I run a repair install from safe mode?

I am using Windows 7 Home Premium on a roughly year and a half old PC which has never really given me major problems before.

EDIT: I should point out that I don't see BSODs at all with this problem.

karlsnooks · 26 May 2012

Harsalon,

Welcome to SevenForums.

Since AIM is where you system hangs, let's stop starting AIM.

While in SafeMode without networking:

WIN | type MSCONFIG | ENTER | STARTUP tab |
uncheck ALL

Reboot!

Don't worry. you simply told Win 7 to not run those programs at startup time. Later you can come back and recheck some of those items.

WIN=key with the Microsoft logo on top.

Let me know if the system is now usable. The next steps will go smoother and easier if you do not need to use Safe Mode.

Harsalan · 26 May 2012

Thank you for your welcome and swift response.

I did as you said, and unchecked all of the boxes in safe mode with networking. I saw only a black screen when I tried to log on in normal mode. I checked again in regular safe mode, and everything was still disabled. Once again, I booted in normal mode, and I only saw the black screen. So, it seems I am stuck with safe mode (with networking) for now.

karlsnooks · 26 May 2012

Pity.

Ok. Then SafeMode with Networking it will be.

Carry out following for me please:

Install CCleaner:
CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

list of STARTUP PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Windows tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept Startup.txt as file name | SAVE button

list of SCHEDULED TASKS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Startup button | Scheduled Tasks tab |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
enter Scheduled Tasks as File name | Save button

List of INSTALLED PROGRAMS

CCleaner | Tools icon | Uninstall button |
click on Save to text file button (bottom right side) |
accept install.txt as File name | Save button

UPLOAD the startup.txt file
UPLOAD the Scheduled Tasks.txt file
UPLOAD the install.txt file.

HOW TO UPLOAD
Post a File or Screenshot in Seven Forums
====================================================
====================================================

Now using SPECCY (link in my sig), carry out following:
Update your SevenForums System Specs
User CP (located on the top menu bar) |
Your Profile | Edit System Spec (left-hand column)

To gather info, use Speccy (my favorite) or SIW or System Info

Add the word laptop or desktop or netbook to the
“system manufacturer” block, for example,
Toshiba Satellite L305D notebook.

Provide full windows version info, for example:
MS Windows 7 Ultimate SP1 64-bit

Use the “Other Info” block for Optical Reader,
Mouse, touchpad, wifi adapter, speakers, monitor, etc

Scroll down and click on SAVE CHANGES.
====================================================
====================================================
thanks,
karl

Harsalan · 26 May 2012

I attach the CCleaner information, and I'll get to work on the control panel.

Harsalan · 26 May 2012

Speccy wasn't working, so I had to use System Info, which doesn't have enough information to fill out the page. However, I believe that the important stuff is there (display, hard disk, motherboard, etc)

karlsnooks · 26 May 2012

It's a wonder that computer even runs.

Following program must be UNINSTALLED:

Code:

Ad-Aware    Lavasoft    06/02/2011        
Ad-Aware    Lavasoft Limited    08/06/2011    33.2 MB    9.0.6
avast! Free Antivirus    AVAST Software    29/04/2012        7.0.1426.0
BIT.TRIP RUNNER    Gaijin Games    13/12/2011        
BitTorrent        12/12/2010        7.2.0
Bonjour    Apple Inc.    26/02/2011    1.75 MB    2.0.4.0
Download Updater (AOL LLC)        17/02/2011        
FileZilla Client 3.3.5.1        19/01/2011        3.3.5.1
Futuremark SystemInfo    Futuremark Corporation    28/01/2011        3.54.1.1
Java(TM) 6 Update 25 (64-bit)    Oracle    07/05/2011    91.4 MB    6.0.250
Java(TM) 6 Update 29    Oracle    03/01/2012    95.0 MB    6.0.290
Java(TM) 6 Update 32    Oracle    05/05/2012    95.7 MB    6.0.320
Java(TM) 7 Update 3 (64-bit)    Oracle    19/03/2012    93.7 MB    7.0.30
Java(TM) SE Development Kit 6 Update 25 (64-bit)    Oracle    07/05/2011    146.8 MB    1.6.0.250
Java(TM) SE Development Kit 7 Update 3 (64-bit)    Oracle    19/03/2012    141.6 MB    1.7.0.30
JavaFX 2.0.3 (64-bit)    Oracle Corporation    19/03/2012    20.9 MB    2.0.3
JavaFX 2.0.3 SDK (64-bit)    Oracle Corporation    19/03/2012    66.8 MB    2.0.3
Spybot - Search & Destroy    Safer Networking Limited    24/09/2011        1.6.2
VVVVVV        07/08/2011        
µTorrent        24/09/2011        1.8.2

REBOOT!

If any of your programs really need Java, then the first time you try to run them you will be prompted to download. For security purposes, deletion of all of your Java is necessary. Any new downloaded version will be more secure.

You know which of those programs that you have installed that you don't really need. I rather recommend deleting them.

Since you have evidently been using Torrent, then we need to go thru the time-consuming ordeal of running WDO over your entire computer. One of my suspicions has been malware and you haven't done anything to disperse that suspicion.

REMOVAL OF P2P PROGRAMS

There are signs of one or more P2P (Peer to Peer) File Sharing Programs on your computer.

As long as you are using any form of P2P networking to download files, you can anticipate malware infestations.

References citing the risk of using P2P programs:
How cyber criminals infect victims via P2P with pirated software on Vimeo
Malware: Help prevent the Infection
Perils of P2P File Sharing
How to Prevent the Online Invasion of Spyware and Adware

I strongly recommend that you uninstall:
µTorrent
BitTorrent
Vuze
=========================================================
=========================================================

After the uninstall, generate the 3 TXT files and upload again.

thanks,
karl

Harsalan · 27 May 2012

It took a while, but I think the problem is fixed.

I uninstalled most of the programs you told me to uninstall, and ran a full Security Essentials scan, which came up with nothing. A Malwarebytes scan managed to find something, but I'm not sure how serious it was.

I rebooted, and it logged in faster than it has in months, and a few hours later, it still seems to be working fine. I think it was Java causing the problem, or possibly Avast, but I'm not sure. Maybe it was that one security threat.

Thanks for your help. I'll mark this as solved.