Laptop not sleeping, system restore not working

[jdub]

Hi,

My laptop quit sleeping a few days ago and I'm not sure what caused it. I've done like 3 things in the past few days- installed Skype 5.0, installed an Adobe Reader update, and there was a Windows critical update. I think it would have been Skype which did something that somehow screwed up the sleep function since it seemed to be pretty intrusive as to what all it wanted to do when installed, but I don't know exactly what. I did select for Skype to not start when the computer starts so I don't know what it could be doing if it is Skype.

Also, I've tried doing System Restore and it doesn't work; it says that antivirus stops it from working but I tried disabling Avast and Zone Alarm and it still doesn't work. I've got Superantispyware, spybot S&D and Spyware Blaster, but none of those scan in realtime unless I'm mistaken so I don't know what would be keeping system restore from working.

Should I try system restore in safe mode? Should I just do a recovery? Never done a recovery but I don't have a lot of programs installed on my computer so it shouldn't be that much of a pain as opposed to a full reinstall.

Thanks a bunch for any help.

 

[zigzag3143]

Hi,

My laptop quit sleeping a few days ago and I'm not sure what caused it. I've done like 3 things in the past few days, installed Skype 5.0, installed an Adobe Reader update, and there was a Windows critical update. I think it would have been Skype which did something that somehow screwed up the sleep function, but I don't know what. I did select for Skype to not start when the computer starts so I don't know what it could be doing if it is Skype.

Also, I've tried doing System Restore and it doesn't work; it says that antivirus stops it from working but I tried disabling Avast and Zone Alarm and it still doesn't work. I've got Superantispyware, spybot S&D and Spyware Blaster, but none of those scan in realtime unless I'm mistaken so I don't know what would be keeping system restore from working.

Should I try system restore in safe mode? Should I just do a recovery?

Thanks a bunch for any help.

I can tell you with all that av/malware apps it is a wonder that anything is working I would remove it all, replace it with microsoft security essentials, and use the windows firewall.

After that should it still not be working I would either restore from a backup, do a repair install or reinstall.

You can also run a system file check
start>search>cmd>right click and run as admin>sfc /scannow


Ken J

 

[Bugsy]

WOW jdub you know something we dont? quite an arsenel you have there my friend

 

[jdub]

lol, is that a bunch? I don't even think I've used them since I got my computer; I just had a scare or two with malware on my old XP desktop system so I figured I'd stock up on stuff in case I ever needed it. I would have Ad-aware too but it wouldn't work on my system! I mainly just update Spyware Blaster and Spybot S&D every once in a while to immunize from going to malicious websites.

It's funny, I never thought Microsoft would have good AV, ie microsoft security essentials. I always kind of imagined anything Microsoft would have as being kind of stock and/or easily hackable, you know? Like stock car stereo systems that you upgrade to aftermarket alternatives to?

I did the scannow and it came back clean, I guess I'll do a recovery. I just wish I knew what caused it to stop going to sleep?

Thanks a bunch for the help.

 

[Bugsy]

MSE has a not a bad reputation search this forum to look up on it Microsoft Security Essentials | Protect against viruses, spyware, and other malware

I was actually asking about this earlier, and err yeah you do have a lot of unnecessary security software installed

 

[Bugsy]

Anyway did you get it sorted?

FREE SECURITY SOFTWARE - http://www.techmixer.com/best-2010-free-anti-virus-software/

 

[jdub]

Get what sorted? I guess I'll do a recovery since I can't figure out what's causing the sleep problem. Even if there's redundant AV stuff, AFAIK none of the 'extras' scan in real time, so I don't see what problems they would be causing with the system restore. Like if they don't scan in real time, how can they be turned off? I guess I just need to check and see. BTW, how can you see what restore dates are available?

I'm just kind of peeved and would rather figure out either the sleep problem or the system restore problem as this HP laptop is kind of confusing due to having two control panels, etc., and I kind of customized it when I got it as far as turning off various processes, uninstalling crapware, etc. and I'm not looking forward to doing it again. I just don't like messing with control panel stuff anymore due to the various HP/Microsoft control panels; I wish it were all in one place and not here, there, everywhere.

But yeah, I guess my opinion of MSE are probably due more to a non-aggressive Microsoft PR thing than anything else, I just don't hear that much about it. If they had some sort of sexy ad campaign (even internet ads) where they explained it a little bit probably lots more people would use it.

 

[Bugsy]

control panel - system security - under action centre - system restore - will show the date and times you can restore to.

 

[jdub]

Thanks for the help, but I can't see any restore dates.

I'd really like to be able to figure out why it's not sleeping and/or what's keeping it from doing system restore, doing a recovery seems like pain over such a quirky thing!

Thanks again.

 

[Bugsy]

Have you tried to do a repair using win7DVD or using a win7repair cd?

 

[Bugsy]

Double check your power option settings this article will guide you through it, also there is a small download on this page that just might fix the problem- http://support.microsoft.com/kb/976877

 

[jdub]

I did the scannow that the other poster suggested and it came back ok; I'm not sure if anything broke, it just seems like either Skype or Adobe Reader switched some preference or something and I can't figure out what. Either that or the Windows critical update, but if that was it it seems like a lot of people would be complaining. Maybe I just have some virus or something that's keeping it from sleeping. I haven't noticed any weird processes or lag, so I dunno. Also if only Avast and Zone Alarm are doing any realtime scanning and none of the other stuff is and Avast and Zone Alarm are turned off, what's keeping system restore from working?

I did mess with the power option settings, the screen goes off but it never goes to sleep. Thanks for that link to Microsoft website, I tried everything there but no luck.

 

[Bugsy]

Well from i can see if you have tried all the above and still no luck, double check everything carefully again,

2 run a repair using your Win 7 DVD or repair DVD

if that fails;

3 Clean install!!

and dont get putting all that artillery back on, good free anti virus program and a good free firewall even windows firewall is ok.. keep me posted

 

[jdub]

Thanks for the help guys; I did a system restore from safe mode and now all is quiet on the western front!