Windows 7 locking up, cannot run disk defrag, no system restore points

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  1. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Professional
       #1

    Windows 7 locking up, cannot run disk defrag, no system restore points


    Long post alert. This started with one issue and has snowballed into several. The performance of my system (Dell Latitude E6410, Windows 7 Professional) has gotten bad in the last few weeks. I'll be using a browser and maybe one other application, or have a folder open, and everything locks up. I can't move the mouse or open Task Manager and Ctrl+Alt+Delete does nothing. I have waited up to 5-10 minutes and eventually just do a hard reset.

    After doing a second hard reset today, I received this message:
    Checking file system on C:
    The type of the file system is NTFS.
    One of your disks needs to be checked for consistency. You may cancel the disk check, but it is strongly recommended that you continue.
    Windows will now check the disk.

    I let it run the check and it restarted normally, so I don't think it found any issues. It did recover a few orphaned files. After that finished, I had the same issue again, so I did another hard reset and started googling. One of the troubleshooting suggestions was to start with the disk defragmenter. When I try to open that, it says "Disk Defragmenter was scheduled using another program. Disk Defragmenter is currently using customized settings created by another program. Before you can modify the schedule, you must remove the customized settings." When I click Remove settings, that box closes, but nothing else happens. I try to run it again, same message.

    So I google that problem. Another troubleshooting guide starts with run antivirus/anti-spyware program. I run my Microsoft Security Essentials full scan, and it comes back with no issues.

    Next step is check that disk free space is more than 10% - I have about 45% free.

    Next: check disk for errors, properties - tools - check now. I rebooted and it ran the check, again no errors.

    Next: open system restore and restore to a point from before the issue started happening. I open SR and I only have one restore point from 3 days ago! I know I have created more than that. I try it, but it fails due to an Adobe Reader issue.

    The next step says to find the dfrg.inf file and try reinstalling. I go to look for it, and it's not there. So I try another angle, looking at the task scheduler to see if maybe defrag is scheduled there. When I open it, I get 76 pop-ups in a row, each showing the name of a task and saying the task image is corrupt or has been tampered with.

    Amazingly, my system hasn't locked up once since I started typing this, but now I feel the need to address all of these other issues!
    1. Disk defrag not running and can't find file to reinstall
    2. Restore points not being created and/or saved
    3. All of my tasks (or task image?) being corrupt

    Where to start?
      My Computer


  2. Posts : 3,487
    Win 7 Pro x64/Win 10 Pro x64 dual boot
       #2

    I would start by downloading MalwareBytes and doing a full scan with it:

    https://www.malwarebytes.org/dl-confirm/
      My Computer


  3. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #3

    Welcome to our forum hkingbomb.

    Just some ideas off the top of my head.
    Using Malwarebytes mentioned by Mellon Head is a great idea.

    **What operating system came with this troubled computer from Dell?

    A tutorial by Brink that could be helpful. Can't hurt.

    SFC /SCANNOW Command - System File Checker

    Completing this tutorial by Golden exactly as the tutorial states could show us some information that might be helpful.

    Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image
      My Computer


  4. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #4

    Hi Mellon, I ran MalwareBytes as you recommended and it returned 9 "Potentially Unwanted Programs". 2 Registry values, 2 Registry keys, 2 Registry data, 2 folders and 1 file. Those are all removed now.

    Layback, my OS is Windows 7 Professional. I completed the tutorial and it did not find any integrity violations. That's good!

    I also just checked to see if the restore point I created the other day is in System Restore, but it's gone, as is the one from 8 days ago that I mentioned in my original post. There is only one from 3 days ago now. Also still having the issue with disk defrag saying it is in use.

    Thanks for your help so far!
      My Computer


  5. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #5

    Any suggestions for other things to try? Still having the same issues. The system locked up for about 20 minutes yesterday until I gave up and did a hard reset.
      My Computer


  6. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #6

    I did not ask what Windows 7 you have installed.
    I ask what Windows 7 did this troubled computer come with.

    I also asked for a picture using this Tutorial by Golden.


    Disk Management - Post a Screen Capture Image
      My Computer


  7. Posts : 4
    Windows 7 Professional
    Thread Starter
       #7

    Somehow missed your second link about the screen shot, but it's attached now.

    This troubled computer came with Windows 7 Professional. That's how I purchased it, I didn't install it, nor did I mention that I installed it. Sorry for any confusion.
    Attached Thumbnails Attached Thumbnails Windows 7 locking up, cannot run disk defrag, no system restore points-capture.jpg  
      My Computer


  8. Posts : 25,847
    Windows 10 Pro. 64/ version 1709 Windows 7 Pro/64
       #8

    I'm no security expert so I'm going to request your thread be moved to our security section.
    I believe that you are still infected and/or the damage done by your previously found infection is still there.

    You should get better help there with security problems.
    It would be very helpful if you could post what infections were found using Malwarebytes. I will also see if I can get a security expert to take a look.

    I know what I would do if it was my computer but it's not my computer so I will just watch how the expert handles your problem.
      My Computer


  9. Arc
    Posts : 35,373
    Microsoft Windows 10 Pro Insider Preview 64-bit
       #9

    1.1 GB System Reserved!! I never had it more than 100 MB, I knew some users got it 200 MB too.
    Moreover, 33% of it is occupied!!

    IMHO it is the right time to go for a clean install.

      My Computer


  10. Posts : 20,583
    Win-7-Pro64bit 7-H-Prem-64bit
       #10

    Hi,
    Review Jacee’s instructions to run Adwcleaner here post #7,
    Ignore the title of the thread,
    Instant Savings App
    On the BleepingComputer site use the button that looks like this,


    Did you select scan for Rootkits in malwarebytes ?
    Scan/ Custom scan/ Configure scan
    Windows 7 locking up, cannot run disk defrag, no system restore points-mbam-scan-rootkits.jpg
      My Computer


 
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