Hangs/Freezes when using Add/Remove Programs

[crate]

Hi All.

I have had some different kind of problems lately, one of them was a BSOD, so many system checks already have been donem including all the basic ones. (See other post: http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/112798-bsod-windows-7-bccode-50-a.html)

Most of them solved, but I still cannot use the Add/Remove programs in a normal boot.
In Safe Mode I have no problems at all.

Every time I open Add/Remove programs, and the list is being called and generated, the system just hangs right there, not listing all the programs I have installed.

I am using Windows 7 Ultimate 32 bit build 7600.

 

[richc46]

OK Im Back


Lets diagnose
Try in safe mode, if it works properly follow the clean boot procedure to find the cause.
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows

 

[crate]

Hello again Richard

Ok. You are really suspecting this to be a hardware issue?
I have no other problems but this at the moment.

 

[crate]

Oh sorry - I thought it was a link for another process of Clean Boot.

Well, I will perform the troubleshooting in the link as soon as I get home.

Thank you so far.

 

[richc46]

The fact that it works in safe mode, would indicate not hardware. Try the clean boot, that will tell us a lot.

 

[karlsnooks]

A quick check for a possible suspect: Disable 100% all of your anti-virus, anti-spyware, super duper firewall.

Now how are things running?

 

[richc46]

The clean boot will give the results if it is Anti Virus

 

[karlsnooks]

Actually, not against all av type of software. Sometime perform a "clean" boot and then run Autoruns and you will be surprised at what is still running.

I do agree 100% that trying a clean boot would be my second choice, that is right behind simply disabling the av type of software. My experience that AV type software is responsible for many, many slow downs. My third choice if the first two fail, is then to have him run malware bytes and if problem still persists to have him investigate a couple of the areas revealed by autoruns.

 

[crate]

And hello to Karlsnooks too..

Well, my AV is currently MSE and I really do not suspect that because I had these problems before it was installed.

I will do the clean boot, and from there run Autoruns and then I post what I see.

Give me a couple of hours, as I am still not home yet.

 

[richc46]

That clean boot has solved many similar problems.

 

[crate]

I have now performed the clean boot and the problem persists.
MalwareBytes did not find anything.

Autoruns shows the following services still running:
MsMpSvc
odserv
ode
WinDefend
WMPNetworkSvc

I want to let you know that I have tried the cmd-tool WMIC, to call the installed programs list, and the system did not hang not freeze. (While in normal boot)

 

[richc46]

Bottom line:
No problem in safe mode, but the problem still occurs in clean boot?

 

[crate]

Yes, you are correct Richard.

 

[richc46]

Did the problem just start?
If so, have you added or changed anything that may relate to the problem.

 

[crate]

The problem started when troubleshooting the problems in the thread referred to in 1st post.

The first time I had a problem with the add/remove programs, I was heading to remove Panda Cloud Antivirus.
When I found Panda in the list, I clicked on it, at then it just hang, I could move my mouse around, but nothing responded. Then I Ctrl+Alt+del and clicked the Task Manager, then it showed the desktop while the mouse icon was showing a blue ring, which circles around, for 1 sec and then froze. Stopped.

After removing Panda it seems that I can load add/remove programs just fine, but if I stay more than 3 seconds it acts as the first time. And it seem to happen a lot earlier if I scroll down. (Do not even reach the bottom)

I have checked the system clock and the Logs, nothing to notice when it happens.

 

[richc46]

This is what I think. The major difference between clean boot and safe mode, is that SM loads only minimum drivers, all none Microsoft drivers are not installed.
Since you work fine in SM but not clean boot, I tend to think that it is a driver problem.

To a lesser extent, I think that it is registry problems.

Solution. A system restore would solve the problem, but then you will go back to the time that you had the BSOD problems, which I hope are resolved now.

In lieu of the above, try an SFC scan.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html Run three times if errors are found
If not sucessful
Try a repair install. Back up your stuff, just in case.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html?ltr=R

 

[karlsnooks]

Is following correct:
Safe Mode works,
MalwareBytes full scan gave you a clean bill of health,
MSE full scan gave you a clean bill of health.

If and only if all of above are true, then
Go to ASUS website and make 100% sure you have the latest bios firmware installed.

And although I don't think following will solve your problem, but it certainly won't hurt:
Download, install and run CCLEANER and also run the registry clean portion thereof.
CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

If you still have problems, then try following:
Go to the website of your graphics card, and fetch and install the very latest Win 7 driver for the graphics card.

Graphic card drivers are probably the most troublesome drivers.

Still got problems, then zip up your minidump file and include same in your next post.

There are some real experts here at correctly reading a minidump.

 

[crate]

Ok, sorry for this late post, I have been away from home.

As I already have tried the SFC /SCANNOW command several times, and I rather not set my system back in time, I went with the Repair Install.

This happened, both with the CD and with a bootable USB. (I know I have to run it inside a normal boot of windows with a admin account, and I did)

I started the installation, next, next, and came to the screen where the choice between an Upgrade or a Custom Install is presented.
I chose upgrade, and next thing is the setup wizard will check for compatibility. In this process it hangs and acts exactly as it does when I use the Add/Remove program tool. Only thing to do -> Power button.

Safe Mode works, both MSE and MalwareBytes full scan gives me clean sheets.

The latest BIOS firmware is installed (1201).

CCleaner has been used many times doing the last weeks and every day during the past days.

I see my Graphic card drivers are from 08-03-2010 and ATI already came with a new one 09-15-2010.
I will try that one and let you know.

@Karlsnooks - You want minidump files created by BSODs?
I think these problems are gone, thanks to richc46, but if you want them I will shure give in next post.

Thank you both so far!

 

[crate]

Well, either it just hang or else it just shows different numbers when looking at the driver page, and checking in the Catalyst Control Center.

The recent zipped minidump files package can be downloaded in first post here -> http://www.sevenforums.com/crashes-debugging/112798-bsod-windows-7-bccode-50-a.html

Thanks

 

[Jonathan_King]

Good going Rich.

crate: do I understand that Rich solved the problem, or do you still have troubles?