Shutdown, SFC, and Volume Shadow Copy freeze

Charybdes · 18 Oct 2013

Hi,

I'm running Windows 7 Home Ultimate 64 bit.
My problems started few weeks ago, supposedly after I have installed the latest version of my antivirus (AVG 2014). I have uninstalled it, but the problems stay.

Here are the problems :

- Volume Shadow Copy hangs. When I run 'vssadmin list writers' just ater the boot, everything is ok. But when I run some application using Volume Shadow Copy (like Macrium Refect, or other backup software ...), it hangs and the same 'vssadmin list writers' shows many writers in error (timed out).

- windows won't shut down : the session closes well, but then it hangs on shutdown (I've waited for more that 12h !) and I have to power it off.

- SFC hangs : It hangs from the very begining - not even a single line stating it has started (no use asking me sfc logs : there is no log !). When I run the "resolve problems" mode (at boot time) and try to run sfc then, it starts and then immediately tells the system repair needs shutdown to complete - but as the computer can't shut down, I'm stuck .

I have run chkdsk. First it hanged too. I then ran it successfully in the "Resolve problems" mode and (for now) it's ok.

Any suggestion would be greatly appreciated.

Arc · 19 Oct 2013

AVG always leaves leftover files (some drivers) which are as problematic as the program itself.

And, after the uninstallation, it is difficult to find out the leftovers, but we may have a try. You upload your MSINFO32.nfo file.

Click on the start button
Type "msinfo32" (without quotes) in the search bar of the start menu, click the resulting link. It will open the System Information window.
File>Save. In the "File Name" filed, put "MSINFO32" (without Quote), give the save location to desktop, and click the "save" button.
Give the time for processing, it will save a .nfo file on your desktop.
Zip it, and upload it following the instruction.

Charybdes · 19 Oct 2013

Hi,

Thank you for your answer.

Here is the requested file.

(P.S. : I'm not sure AVG is the root cause - it's just that's the only significant change I see just before problems happen, but there might be others like automatic Windows update maybe.)

Arc · 20 Oct 2013

Its good that there is no stress of AVG in the system.

Daemon Tools, Alcohol 120% and Power Archiver Pro uses SCSI Pass Through Direct (SPTD), which is a well known BSOD causer. Uninstall the program at first. Then download SPTD standalone installer from Disk-Tools.com, and execute the downloaded file as guided below :

Double click to open it.
Click this button only:
If it is grayed out, as in the picture, there is no more SPTD in your system, and you just close the window.

Free up the startup. Windows does not need any other program to auto start with it, but the auto start programs often conflicts and causes various problems including BSODs.

Click on the Start button
Type “msconfig (without quotes), click the resulting link. It will open the System Configuration window.
Select the “Startup” tab.
Deselect all items other than the antivirus.
Apply > OK
Accept then restart.

And, is RAID any must for you? It is problematic by its own virtue.

Charybdes · 20 Oct 2013

Hi,

Thanks for your answer.

I have uninstalled Daemon Tool. I don't have the two other applications.
I've run SPDT tool. The button was not grayed out, and I pressed it to uninstall what was left. But, as the message box stated it was successful, it also asked for a reboot - which is precisely what I cannot do ... I tried nonetheless, but after the expected freeze and the power off/on, when I run SPDT Tool again, it is still not grayed out.

When I try to reboot the PC, the session closes (well, sometime even that hangs ...), and I have a message stating "Windows configuration is in progress. Do not shut down the computer". Then, after a good while (~1 hour !), the message changes to the standard "Shutting Down" ... and freezes then.

I also cleaned up the startup as much as possible.
However, I have the problem even in Fail Safe Mode, so I fear the problem is not from a program launched at start up ... (by the way, the problem is not a BSOD).
And RAID is must for me, as all my data are on RAID disks.

Arc · 21 Oct 2013

Actually there is nothing necessary at startup. We just keep the antivieus; and sometimes the customizations like rocketdock or rainmeter.

Let us know how the computer is running ....

Charybdes · 22 Oct 2013

Well, the computer runs fine ... except that it can't stop ...

Charybdes · 26 Oct 2013

Any Idea ?
My computer still can't stop nor run Volume Shadow Copyn nor SFC !

Thanks for your help ! :)

Layback Bear · 26 Oct 2013

Charybdes it would be helpful if we new your system specs.
Using this tutorial will help you get started.

By Brink:
System Info - See Your System Specs

Make sure you list the exact Windows 7 you are using.
Look at My System Specs in the lower left corner of this post it should help you understand things that are needed.

Reading this should help.

From post #1
When I run 'vssadmin list writers'

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/l.../cc785468.aspx

Are you trying all this as a administrator?

Charybdes · 27 Oct 2013

Thanks for your answer.
My system info are updated as required.

Are you trying all this as a administrator?

Of course, vssadmin and SFC are run as administrator ! :)