Random Freezing

[Norwood]

Here's my setup.

I've been facing an issue that is driving me absolutely nuts.

My computer seems to freeze/crash randomly.

I'm not quite sure it's frozen or crashed...because everything hardware wise is still running (fans, lights etc) but the mouse will not move and pressing the windows key does nothing.

Now, in my power scheme I've disabled "USB selective suspend setting", I have "Never" under all the "Sleep" options. Hard disk is set to never turn off. "Link State Power Management" under PCI express is Off. System cooling policy is enabled, as I don't quite understand what that's for. None of my hardware devices are allowed to "put the computer to sleep".

So, if it's crashing I'm not seeing anything in the Event Viewer about it other than "The previous system shutdown at 4:25:27 PM on ‎12/‎28/‎2010 was unexpected". Checking the Event Viewer at and around 4:25:27 PM shows nothing out of the ordinary - however there is one error that is in the Viewer a lot (however it is nowhere near the time that the Event Viewer claims the system crashed):

"The following fatal alert was generated: 10. The internal error state is 10." stemming from the "Schannel" source.

I've googled, googled, googled and then googled some more. There is no one answer to this.

One common theme I'm noticing is Zone Alarm being a clients of some of the people that are posting about this problem. I run it, always have. But if it's the culprit, I'll remove it.

Anyway, after more reading today, I disabled Windows Defender - there's been mention that perhaps there's a conflict with ZA.

Now, I've yet to have this happen while I've been at the computer. It's always been when I've come home from work, or been gone away for a few hours.

While typing this, I thought of setting my wallpaper to change every 5 minutes. That way if it's sleeping/freezing or something I can narrow it down. However, beyond that I am at my complete wits end.

Does anyone have any thoughts, ideas, plans? Experienced this before? I spent quite a bit of money piecing this machine together...I'd hate to take my Sawzall to its innards.

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Hello and Welcome !

First uninstall Zone Alarm completely and use the Removal Tool http://download.zonealarm.com/bin/free/support/cpes_clean.exe to wipe the left over files because this software is well known for problems. Then you could install Microsoft Security Essentials.

Then Reboot the System in Selective Startup Run Selective Startup using System Configuration

Use the Tool http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/92394-sf-diagnostic-tool-using-troubleshooting.html and run the MSINFO32, Startup Info and Event Logs and upload it here

Update the Display Driver, Sound and Network card drivers use this article for assistance Driver Troubleshooting !! « Captain Debugger

Hope this helps,
Captain

 

[Norwood]

Hi there, thanks for the quick reply.

I should have said I am fanatical about keeping drivers up to date so that shouldn't be a problem (and I just removed Zone Alarm [but used Revo Uninstaller...might do the same thing, searches the registry, deletes folders and basically wipes it as if it were never installed]).

I will also follow the instructions for selective startup and use the SF diag tool and report back.

 

[Norwood]

Ok, here are the files.

Is Revo Uninstaller acceptable? If not, I'll use the ZA remover you linked to.

 

[Norwood]

Hiya, hope I haven't been forgotten here.

Anyway, 24 hours and no freezing. Changes made were the instructions above and most importantly the removal of ZA. It's unfortunate, I love the ability ZA has to tell me the calling in and out activity of programs, but I love a stable computer just a lil more.

So, I think, think, when I stopped "Windows Defender" there was a message waiting for me to turn on "Windows Security Service". I've yet to google that to find out what it is, as I'm a bit pressed for time but I wanted to check in and touchbase - no freezing/crashing.

Does anyone know why ZA causes this? Microsoft "making it difficult" for third party applications to do what they might have a solution for?

 

[Capt.Jack Sparrow]

Hello,

Well it's just Zone Alarm it's notorious for Blue screen error and random crashes. Well I won't say it's Microsoft's fault because there are other security software that works just fine. Well in case of any issues post us back

- Captain

 

[Norwood]

I will for sure. Though I do have my suspicions...call it Stockholm Syndrome

I'd like to thank you for your help...I appreciate the time you took to look over those readouts.

While I wasn't seeing any BSODs, did you notice anything from the Even logs that raised an eyebrow?

While I'll be doing my own digging and brain-picking with co-workers, what's that Schannel error in your opinion? MS doesn't have nearly enough information on it, imo.