Programs failing to launch after boot, followed by BSOD

[mlunberg]

Hello

Posted this on Windows support community but with no response so far, found these forums that seem to be very active so was hoping to get a little help.

Have been having trouble with my PC lately. I've searched for answers a few times already and although others have had similar problems I haven't been able to find anything particularly helpful as of yet.

About a week ago I started having a problem after booting into Windows 7. Programs wouldn't load for the first minute or so. I could click the icon in the taskbar (e.g. Chrome) and it would flash momentarily then disappear and not load up, though Task Manager would show the process was running. After a little while the problem would stop and eventually everything would load fine, though once this caused my computer to become unresponsive (though the mouse would still move and I could open the start menu) after the programs crashed and I couldn't kill the processes in task manager. On the next boot, I was prompted to run CHKDSK and did so, with no errors found.

Generally, though, after 2 minutes or so my computer operated without issue, though I did notice that it didn't seem to enter into Sleep Mode properly as normally the fans on my computer would turn off, but had stopped doing so.

This was followed by a BSOD I just got with the message:

DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

Which I understand is normally due to a driver or hardware issue. This is a fairly fresh install of Windows, I think no more than 6 months old. This was because one of the hard drives I bought with the computer failed, so I installed a fresh copy on a new drive. I haven't added and new hardware lately nor changed any of the drivers to my knowledge since. I'm not adverse to a clean install though if necessary.

I am running a full virus scan with the Microsoft Safety Scanner right now, I normally run AVG Free. Not sure what might be useful to post - there's a whole bunch of errors in Event Viewer, and a MEMORY.DMP file in my Windows folder. I'm downloading memtest86 right now and will run it tomorrow since I'm running the virus scan right now.

Should mention I'm booted into Safe Mode and the above problem with slow booting of programs didn't occur.

Thanks for any advice in advance!

An update:

Have almost finished running the 4th iteration of memtest86 and no errors found, and Microsoft Safety Scanner found no viruses on a full scan (in safe mode). Having browsed a few similar threads on this forum it seems a system restore might help which I haven't tried yet - will give that a go once memtest86 has finished its 4th pass.

Any thoughts? Would be much appreciated!

 

[UsernameIssues]

Welcome to the Seven Forums.

Run a full scan with this...
What is Windows Defender Offline?
...and let us know the results.

If there are infections, even if WDO claims to cure them. Please take note of the infection names and make a new thread here: System Security - Windows 7 Help Forums

For the BSOD issue, it is best to make a new thread here...
BSOD Help and Support - Windows 7 Help Forums
...that is where those experts hang out.
Be sure to follow the posting instructions:
http://www.sevenforums.com/bsod-help-support/96879-blue-screen-death-bsod-posting-instructions.html

Your could do a fresh install using this info...
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1649-clean-install-windows-7-a.html
...but if there is a hardware problem, then you would just be wasting your time.

 

[gregrocker]

After posting up your BSOD information as given above, while you wait for analysis you can go over WIn7 using Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7

 

[mlunberg]

Thanks for the replies both of you!

Bizarrely, my PC is behaving much better for the time being. My guess is it's temporary, but programs are loading okay and no further BSODs yet.

I actually was incorrect about something in my original post. When I ran Microsoft Security Scanner, it found VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XZ - I am now in the process of removing this with Malwarebytes. I've found a thread about it on the sevenforums elsewhere that sounds similar to my situation so if I can't get rid of it by following that I'll post a new thread about it.

I'm inclined to believe it's software, not hardware, though that's just a hunch. I've not changed the system in a while and in safe mode everything is fine.

Followed your instructions RE: the BSOD and will post in there now - edit: just realised this thread is already in that subforum so guess I'll just add it here.

Just to confirm, memtest86 found no issues in 4 passes.

Going through Windows 7 troubleshooting now, thanks gregrocker!

 

[mlunberg]

An update: I've been trying to get rid of VirTool:Win32/Obfuscator.XZ

I've so far run ESET online scanner, Malwarebytes, Roguekiller and Superantispyware none have detected it. Only Microsoft Security Scanner detects it but only as a suspicion. Is this a false positive? I've been through a couple of threads on this virus and it done basically everything they have and nothing seems to find it which leads me to think MSS might be wrong.

I'm setting up Windows Defender Tool now, will let you know the results.

 

[gregrocker]

According to this thread it may be an activator of pirated software: Infected by virtool.win32/obfuscator.XZ - Windows 7 Help Forums,

So if you have any I would uninstall it along with the torrent or other file it came in on.

If not you can get started on the solutions Jacee posted in the link. If you need further help start another thread in Security section.

 

[mlunberg]

I suspected it might be necessary, I only hesitated because I thought it wouldn't be as simple as just uninstalling the software. Have done so, am currently running the Windows Defender Offline (at least I think I am, it's just showing me a Windows logo and not a lot is happening) and will re-scan with MSS when it's done and let you know if it's problem solved.

edit: WDO didn't seem to want to work (perhaps it was the USB stick I used) so I reset and am back in normal mode and redoing a full scan with MSS. No longer getting any issue with programs not loading after startup so I hesitate to say but I think this might be solved, though god knows exactly how and why.

 

[mlunberg]

Okay, deleted the program and ran another full MSS scan and seems it's all clean. Lesson learned! Was a copy of FIFA13 - only game I've pirated in donkeys years and now I feel like a right idiot for doing it! Will be a good boy from now and stick to my Steam games. Thanks for the help gregrocker.

 

[UsernameIssues]

There are ways for infections to hide from antivirus tools (hence the various offline scanners). Sometimes WDO takes several minutes to load before you see it start scanning. Sometimes it just sits there with a Windows logo not moving; but it may eventually come around.

 

[gregrocker]

You can go over your install to check it over good using these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7.
I'd at least establish a Clean Boot, run SFC to check for damaged System files, comb the logs for repeat errors to resolve. You'll learn a lot more about your PC.

Glad you set it right.

 

[mlunberg]

what do you mean exactly by a "clean boot"? I have run SFC before with no errors found, though I imagine that wasn't with one. Just had the problem recur on my last boot, which I suspected may happen, so I guess the problem isn't solved. Will go through the troubleshooting when I have some time! Feel it may result in a format/reload though...

 

[gregrocker]

It explains "Clean Boot" in the Troubleshooting Steps which you would know if you'd even bothered to read them.

 

[mlunberg]

I did say I would go through it when I had some more time, just happens I've been very busy today. I've followed every advice you guys have given and was in the other threads regarding the virus, I'm not just looking for an easy solution. I have read a fair amount of the troubleshooting thread too before I thought my problem was solved, so there's no need to be like that.

 

[gregrocker]

Be like what? That's how I am.