Help needed with startup problems

[bernieraffe]

I'm having problems on system startup on my Win 7 i7 8gb Mesh PC, purchased 3 months ago.

There are 2 distinct types of problems, they are intermittent so they don't happen every time, but they may be related:-

1. Windows comes up, but some of the desktop icons are just the 'placeholders' rather than the proper icons. The mouse remains as an hourglass, and the PC is completely un-responsive, task manager does not come up either. It remains like this forever and the only thing for it is to switch off and on again.

2. Windows comes up and all looks fine until you try to start any software. the system then freezes for about 5 or 6 minutes, and then eventually comes up, and everything works fine.

There us nothing in the event log apart from a few timeouts.

Because of the problems, I tend to use the system 'standby' mode most of the time instead of switching off properly.

When my system is up and running, everything runs beautifully and fast too. I don't have any little yellow icons in the device manager.

Any ideas what I can do to track down the problems?

Thanks,
Bernie

 

[myzr7]

Welcome to SevenForums.
Have you tried to update graphics driver? Device manager has no conflicts but you can right click on your display adapter and select properties. Then select update driver. Good luck to you with your problem

 

[bernieraffe]

Yes, the driver is up-to-date, but thanks.

 

[Imperfect1]

A few random thoughts:

I had a similar problem when I was running Norton anti-virus software. The Norton app ran a full system scan at start-up -- which was maddening, because it took 4 - 6 minutes and until then, everything was, for all intents and purposes, frozen. Worse, I could never figure out a way to disable that scan or change it to another time of day. Could you be having a similar problem?

Another possibility -- This situation occurs when, unbeknownst to me, my IE tabs don't close properly, and too many of them remain, technically, running, As a result of this, I then have too many iexplore.exe*32 processes running in the Task Manager - Processes list. All I have to do is to end all of those processes and the problem disappears, and all Desktop functions then work properly.

 

[myzr7]

Yes, the driver is up-to-date, but thanks.

Have you tried to run the scan suggested in this tutorial? Might be a windows problem.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

 

[gregrocker]

Test your RAM using memtest86 CD for 5-6 passes or overnight to stress it: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/105647-ram-test-memtest86.html

Read HD SMART data by running Crystal Disk Info from desktop: Download Center - Crystal Dew World
If HD has problems, run the maker's diagnostics/repair CD extended scan from boot: HD Diagnostic

Complete these other troubleshooting steps: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...-lags-every-couple-seconds-2.html#post1131640

 

[bernieraffe]

Thanks everybody for your help.

I'll try out some of suggestions and report back.

The problem is not IE or Norton as I don't use them. I use AVG as my virus checker and I can tell when it's scanning.

 

[gregrocker]

We see problems caused by AVG ever since it bloated up a few years ago.

Try uninstalling it using Revo in Advanced mode, then install MSE or Avast 5 to see if it helps.

How To Use Revo Uninstaller To Completely Uninstall Programs
http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

 

[bernieraffe]

I've already disabled AVG and it made no difference.

The less software I have to download and install, the better, but thanks for all advice.

Surely if I had a memory problem, that would show up at random times, rather than when starting up?

 

[Imperfect1]

i'm getting a sense that people are trying to sell me stuff! Sorry, no offence intended.
Is there a way of diagnosing this problem without resorting to trial and error!!

Trying to SELL you stuff? Are you serious, Bernie? You've got people on this forum VOLUNTEERING to help you and you think they're trying to sell you something?

And no, there probably isn't any way to diagnose a problem without resorting to trial and error. If it's too much trouble for you, maybe you should just take your computer to a professional and pay for their services.

 

[mitchell65]

i'm getting a sense that people are trying to sell me stuff! Sorry, no offence intended.

If you had checked first you would have seen that both of the A/V's recommended are in fact free. Nobody will try to sell you anything on this Forum, we are all here to help each other, nothing more!
EDIT:
Sorry Sue, didn't just copy you, my typing is a bit slow today so we crossed

 

[bernieraffe]

Sorry, you're right I shouldn't have said that, I do apologise (and I deleted the remark).

I'm just getting frustrated at this, i'm not hugely technical and was hoping they'd be an easier way of diagnosing the problem without downloading and installing even more software.

 

[mitchell65]

I expect I may accept your apology on behalf of us all!
What we didn't want was for you to be without any A/V protection. The advice was to uninstall AVG completely then install one of the others so it was jut swopping one program for another!
I would still advise that, You still might have to do a trial and error. Remember you are sitting at your PC, we are just making suggestions!

 

[bernieraffe]

Thanks, I really do appreciate all the suggestions, and again sorry about my remark, it was uncalled for, just my frustration showing through!

I'll have a go at some of the suggestions over the next couple of days and report back.

Cheers,
Bernie

 

[gregrocker]

Probably the one time out of thousands I've posted freeware without putting the keyword "free" before them!

 

[Imperfect1]

Isn't it interesting how even the most subtle communications can make such a difference in the interpretation of what is posted. I think we can all see that you're frustrated Bernie. Hope you get your problem solved.