repeated Cutting out - complete loss (in safe mode too) + Log off hang

[andreasandrews]

There are two parts to my issues. Excuse my brevity, but I will come back and add more details soon. My issues come in two parts (maybe I should have two threads?)

1:This is an ongoing issue:
Win 7 Ultimate constantly cutting off, usually during utilisation of network resources (e.g. Speedtests)
(Ongoing for many months, several hours of trouble shooting and using tutorials/fixes found here)

2: This is immediate/semi-urgent: After a crash of sorts and an unresponsive task manager I Clicked shut down (and update computer) but when logging off (with only the 'Logging off...' words visible and no mention of updating.

So let's tackle number 2. first as that is happening right now:

I have recently been optimising the system and slowly troubleshooting Windows due to issue 1. I just happen to be keeping a log of every little thing that goes on for this reason and can look up any notable things that happened.

Sorry this is being typed in a rush! My immediate question is fairly simple, how long should I leave the computer "Logging Off" whilst the activity light is flickering following a crash where I could not do anything other than Ctrl+Alt+Del (even task manager was unresponsive - and I already terminated explorer due to potential issues there before that). Bear in mind that updates are supposed to be installing (sorry if I'm repeating myself, very rushed now and minimal sleep = waffles... ).

Things I've noticed about issue 2 (shut down hang).

The circle which normally spins... isn't spinning.
The screen timeout (around 20 mins) is still timing out, and is still waking up again (screen coming back on) if I press a key.

I've noticed the pattern on the system activity light (I'm guessing it's CPU or disk activity, but on the custom build - which I didn't build myself - there is no indicator on the case what the LED signifies) on the front of the case (which is red) is flashing, but that the patterns of flashing are changing, but seem quite rapid. Several times a second, and for varying lengths of flashes.

I've just thought and listened... I can hear what seems to be the hard drive making noises in sync with the light flashing. I guess it is disk activity after all as I would be darned (or there would be something quite terrible wrong I guess) if it was possible to hear the actual CPU activity.

Caps lock functioning? I noticed the light on my keyboard goes on and off with the turning on and off of Caps lock. Does is this controlled by windows?

I'm going to leave the system now just like this probably till tomorrow some time, and then I can hopefully either force power off (what's the correct term for holding the power button for several seconds?) or maybe there are some other things I can try.

I've tried Ctrl+Al+Del several times in the last few hours, no luck.

And finally, an excerpt of my recent activity today and going back to the last time I dated the log file I've been keeping. The notes are for internal use (regarding the recurring cut off issue 'No. 1'), but hopefully legible enough for you without editing:

"3/5/14 17:24 running for nearly 24 hours, no user input, minimal network utilisation, no cut off.

Avast scan complete *minmal PUP's (false positives etc. and exclusions) detected, no major threats.*

Dropbox opened, then exited

Comodo update

Screenshot of threats found by Avast (excluded from Avast and Malwarebytes)

17:45 using browser (checking faXcooL.exe on VirusTotal) click here for results

comodo updates have finished

17:53 restarting

Restart took around 1:45 min

“System Properties”

“Windows created a temporary paging file on your computer because of a problem that occurred with your paging file configuration when you started your computer. The total paging file size for all disk drives may be somewhat larger than the size you specified.”


Disk space is low at only 3.22 GB free out of 1.36 TB

Move files to ext. drive

Using WD 500GB USB3 in USB 3 port. (this is scratched out)

installing Glary utilities.

18:29 System unresponsive, explorer closed, task manager unresponsive

Shutting down and installing updates

19:55 hung up at logging off. Microsoft forum advice (and clean boot instructions) [link]

Memory stick was left in, taken out. No action. System activity light is flickering and computer is supposed to be applying updates so I’m going to leave it for a while."
---

Thanks for any help, it's not urgent now, and I will come back to address issue no.2 (shut down hang) first and then also no. 1 (cut off / shutting off) with more info soon and properly - any advice for updating the title or splitting this thread in two is welcomed and will be done in the next 24hrs or so

It's great to be back on Windows 7.... and using my desktop... well... kind of... if you ignore the constant cutting off and other issues... At least I can enjoy the Win 7 Forum from my win 8 Laptop. Sorry about the idle chit chat inbetween my error reporting... I not feeling (like) a machine today.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Andreas mate rather a long query and well one thing about shutting down is found in the optimising tutorial by Brink as I don't know what you are doing by what you say is optimising. See this
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html look at points 18 and 21 for start up and shut down.

The other thing I did notice is that you are using Glary products and personally I am not a fan as I am not of any but proven machine improving software.

Have you tried these yet if not so so and if there are problems in chkdsk then got to Option 2 where there are fixes.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html

 

[andreasandrews]

Hey, thanks for the reply John

Yes indeed I'm a many of many words as has been said (also sleep deprivation means I don't edit my words quite as efficiently ) When I said "excuse my brevity" I realise the irony of that ha ha when it was anything but brief.

It's interesting to hear you're not a fan of Glary, I too have no proof that it improves systems but it has a very handy disk space analyser which I'm using to see what is taking up the most space and where. I'll surely remove it when further cleaning out the junk as with many other bloatish unnecessary things.

But other issues are impending on my system!

Yes I had already ran the sfc -scannow as recommended on here and it repaired lots of errors or corruptions etc. I have a huge log file from the scan and repair which I read a bit of but couldn't fully understand (e.g. which files were problematic, what repairs have been made etc.) and then I ran the scan a second time and found no more issues.

One of the things in my notes was that a dsk chk was initiated automatically one time (at boot I think) and I'm very familiar with running that, but now you've highlighted the importance of doing so I will be sure to do that again as a priority. (I'm just freeing up some space on the very full 1.5TB drive - I have only around 600 GB of free space on ext. backup drives to back things up from the internal MDT drive that came with my system. Obviously backing any non-backed up files is a priority now so I'll do that as soon as I can as well - and once that's done I can look at re-installing Windows if all else fails to see if it stops cutting out.

Thanks again for your help dude!

 

[andreasandrews]

Oh, and further to that I came back to my system after leaving it 'shutting down' and found that it was off. It started up with 'safe mode' options which probably means it didn't shut down properly. I'm reinstalling updates now which seem to have failed at the time. Hopefully this is all moving in the right direction, but I'll be diagnosing potential hardware issues. Maybe replacing the internal HD at some stage (as I need more storage for photo/video production) but without a budget at the moment I'm stuck with software based solutions to my issue.

Also - thanks for the first link to optimising the system. I did the entire list a while back and tweaked as much as I'd like to be tweaked - the system runs great and very optimally - the shut down hang up is hopefully an isolated incident so it's really just the power cutting off that I'm going to put 100% into trouble shooting. I'll be sure to update my progress in terms of solid improvements for anyone else that finds the thread.

So far I've noticed that the system will run without any user input for at least 24hrs without cutting off usually, but when the network/internet is being utilised (especially with Speedtests) then it can cut off.

I previously discovered a wi-fi dongle (and the software/drivers) caused an issue so I removed that and got a refund - I'm not sure how thorough I was at the time with checking there were no drivers still on the system that may be interfering.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep I know what you mean by sleep deprivation I often stay up much longer than I should and get carried away doing computing especially.

Now you might be interested in this as it is my bible and it just is just the ducks guts
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

If you want something for backing up stuff too I use Macrium and have my main machines set to do the backup on a regular (weekly) basis to an external and this is a good tutorial for that too as you can do little adjustments of your own

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/73828-imaging-free-macrium.html

I say I am not a fan of Glary but to be honest I am not a fan of any of the software's that promise to speed things up find drivers etc the latter I prefer to get from the manufacturer rather than the less than useful I find) Windows feature. For clean up I use like a lot of us do the free CCleaner
CCleaner - Download < download from piriform.
If you are not sure of the exact device brand and model etc HW Info is very useful - see my pic for an example. HWiNFO, HWiNFO32/64 - Download < just make sure you get the right bit version.

 

[andreasandrews]

Yeah absolutely man, like I said I used that tutorial quite religiously myself doing everything that I could on there. It really is the bee's knees I agree, and great to learn a bit of Ozzie slang from you though! he he

Indeed, I did some research on backing up before and opted for Macrium (reflect) on my laptop to create an image on top of the backups just as a triple fail safe one time before hardware changes but these days I have Crashplan (free) installed on my laptop for automatic backing up to ext. drives. I like that I can backup over the network/internet so will be good for off-site backups. Maybe if I'm feeling flush one day I'll get a subscription for cloud based storage with Crashplan, but Macrium serves it's purpose. I believe I once used Acronis for backing up or imaging (or maybe recovery solutions) I can't quite remember but I do like to consider all options. Crashplan has some annoyances though, I've found myself needing to disable the service due to unnecessary disk activity which interferes with video editing - but other than than it's fairly customisable to suit my needs and multiple machines (I like the email reporting features and warnings if backups fail or selected files/folders are not backed up).

Yeah I can't stand the some of the programs that offer solutions for drivers with scans that tell you of 'issues' and out of date drivers etc. I tend to (like you said) just install drivers individually (but in the past through Windows automatically) and from the manufacturer as well, but in my case I want to start removing drivers. I'm not sure that is the solution though, as I've noticed the cutting out issue occurs even when in safe mode (without networking) which I found surprising and led me to put more resources into looking at potential hardware based issues. I believed I checked my RAM for issues previously (I think I removed one, then the other and scanned them etc. etc.) so my quest continues...

CCleaner is a must have on any machine I work with! I regularly use it for cleaning, reg. fixes/backups. I a huge fan of Piriform's offerings. Recuva has worked wonders for me too over the years.

I recently found HWinfo (probably from Seven Forums) but I couldn't get much more info on the hardware that I found to be of any use so far without extensive research into model numbers etc. but it's good to know I can quickly find out everything there is to know with that handy tool I will try and find out if the MDT drive is either a Western Digital refurbished drive or perhaps a Seagate refurb. I'm annoyed to even found out the component is potentially a refurb as are all (or most) MDT (Magnetic Data Technologies) drives apparently but that's not to say that I'm not happy with my super keenly priced custom built machine. I'd love to spend some time building one up myself in future with better components, but this just breezes through most video editing and animation/rendering projects that are system intensive - whist I'm on a budget with limited time to spend on IT.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well seems like I am preaching to the converted LOL!! As for the Oz slang it was one of my son's sayings just like my brother used to say the dog's b******s LOL!!

I am an expat Sussex person in reality having been out here since 1978 - best move I / we ever made.

For the building I am now getting ready for my fifth build for my new partner and then one for her grandsons as I already have five machines to call on my main being an Ivy Bridge but am going AMD the next two as I have got disillusioned with Intel especially the way they have treated us with pricing and availability.
Now I shall assume you know re the drive test software from various sources such as Seatools etc but many are not really familiar with the surface test - actual physical one from Partition Wizard that I find really good with old drives or one I suspect are damaged literally on the disk surface ot the read arm heads. Best Free Partition Manager Freeware and free partition magic for Windows 7, Windows 8, Windows Vista and Windows XP 32 bit & 64 bit. MiniTool Free Partition Manager Software Home Edition. see my pic for an example.
When you are ready to do a build then I would go for a SSD for a boot drive as they are not only quick but I have found much less trouble than a spinner. I use 120GB ones in all my machines for that and a 240GB Samsung EVO in the Ivy which is also enough for what I do anyway as I don't game or do much graphical stuff at all very much - am not clever enough for that stuff.
John

 

[andreasandrews]

Ahhh fantastic, well it never hurts to hear yet another expert opinion praising a piece of software they give a heavily weighted recommendation for. I've learnt not to just trust every single recommendation, but when something is vouched for time and time again it really sticks

Ahhhh no way I thought I was potentially flinging some new slang across the globe back at you. I've only ever heard of great stories from friends/contacts moving down under, but not heard much in the way of the reverse ha ha... well there are some Ozzies over here who other than being hugely friendly also have no qualms taking the piss out of Britain - which just confirms a few things I believe: A. They have a wicked sense of humour and B. They cut the crap and just tell it like it is! I hope to one day visit, but maybe I'll wait until I have no commitments at home as you never know if it'll end up being a 1 way trip ha ha!

Back on topic:

That's really useful for me re: hard drive diagnostics as that is where I'm currently up too! Using the Seagate tool will be great actually as it might even be a Seagate refurb. that I'm using. Also the WD tools seem to only like to work for systems where the primary drive is in fact WD. I usually always buy WD when I have a choice myself, but yes I can't wait to make the jump to SSD. It's been a long time coming, just seems something else is always more important - however prices are always dropping. I can't even imagine how much it'll speed up video editing, as I can store the media cache on a second internal drive and use an external for project files for super optimisation.

My main machine (the one in question here) is in fact an AMD! It's a Bulldozer, quad-core (FX 4100 if I remember correctly) with an Asus motherboard. Not gotten around to over-clocking it yet but that's not something I'm rushing into (if at all) as it runs super snappy with all my mad multi-tasking and intensive use.

Really great to hear all your thoughts!

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yep well you have it in two so to speak yes they do tell it how it is and yes they do take the piss out of us Poms even though I became naturalised in '82 and one has to take it in the manner it is given and it is easy to tell when they mean it and when it is in jest.

I have a Australian partner now and she is not slow at coming forward females out here are really quite different in a lot of respects to English women - although when I was over there last May visiting my brother in Chippenham I came across a lot of quite unpleasant women. I now find when I am over there it is so claustrophobic and to be honest Australia is home to me although I shall always be an Englishman.

Well if you have a profession my friend you do a lot worse than come out here money is good if you put your mind to it an work hard I certainly have done far better here than I would if I had stayed in the old country. I am a registered nurse by profession and just on retirement now and mate there is so much to do and see plus trips abroad.
I would if I were you look at Melbourne rather than Sydney or even Perth Queensland is too hot and humid although I live in country NSW and it can get real hot here but it is a dry heat which is easier to take.
But just keep in mind my young friend if you never try it you will never find out eh?

 

[andreasandrews]

Naturalised LOL! POMS LOL again .... all new phrases to me... I plead ignorance. I feel warmer just thinking about the lovely dry heat... honestly, I'm half Greek and whilst going back there to visit family is like walking out of a metal tube into the fiery depths of an oven (containing lots of lovely food) I actually quite like the heat.

Whilst I love my new found home of Manchester... it does all sound very tempting! I was considering doing some TEFL (teaching English) abroad.. either Malaysia, Japan etc... but never actually completed the online course... photography has eaten my life up (in a good way)... and as I said once on my artists statement 'I eat photography for breakfast' but maybe the idea to go out and save up some cash abroad in the sun sometime and clear my mind and chase my dreams isn't such a bad one... it's always at the back of my mind... anyways... whilst I'm still here in a bedsit in Whalley Range (which is my actual situation and funnily enough also a Morrissey lyric... (never was a fan but love the irony, and the rest of The Smiths who I actually know through a shoot I did per chance... right... I'm waffling!!! Maybe I should open another thread in the chillout room I feel like I've crossed a line though when I'm coming to what for me is a tech support forum to 'chill out' ha ha ha...

... my desktop!

I thought after 9 hours uptime I had 'cured' it, but I can report the following my notes so far since the last time I pasted them here. Also extremely tired again! Nice to come back here and find your message though whilst searching for more solutions

So my notes:

19:55 hung up at logging off. Microsoft forum advice (and clean boot instructions) [link]

Memory stick was left in, taken out. No action. System activity light is flickering and computer is supposed to be applying updates so I’m going to leave it for a while.

5/5/14 14:28 returned home to find computer was off.

Safe mode prompt upon starting (indicating it wasn’t shut down properly)

Started normally (Malwarebytes started up with windows which it isn’t supposed to)

notification that windows updates are available:

18 important / 41 optional updates - 17 important updates selected, 94.9 MB

Updates were installed 1/5/2014 at 18:00 (Failed).

History: (last 3 items) 1/5/14 update for win 7 for x64-based Systems failed (KB2852386)
“” “” failed (KB2882822)
3/5/14 Definition update for Win Defender successful

14:34: downloading & installing 21 updates

reply to thread on Seven Forums: http://www.sevenforums.com/general-...s-safe-mode-too-log-off-hang.html#post2766616

15:10 moved 6GB of files from Downloads > Samsung 3TB

15:12 updates installed

15:15 1 important updated selected and installing. (.NET framework)

update failed

moving another 6GB of files from downloads to 3TB drive

7.56 GB free

Started Google auto backup running

19:34 still running, no cut off.

6/5/14 23:54 still running no cut off, uptime 0:09:26:04 (over 9 hours)

00:11: cut off! After starting dropbox and exiting Google+ auto backup, whist using Synergy to open a (suspect) file within Comodo sandbox the computer (whilst the UAC dialogue was left unanswered) cut off.

New updates were installed

Mouse took longer than usual to work (USB intellimouse) and Microsoft Keyboard & Mouse centre (itype and ipoint processes) started up at same time as mouse coming back to life.

Checking installed updates: Adobe Reader X 10.1.7 installed itself (note earlier update settings were changed from download and choose, to recommended automatic settings)

Disabling services in msconfig.exe System configuration (services tab) (MS services hidden)
Adobe Acrobat Update Service
“” Flash Player Update Service
AMD External Events Utility
MAD FUEL Service
Apple Mobile Device
Bonjour Serivce
Chrome Remote Desktop SErvice
Google update service (gupdate)
“” “” (dupdatem)
IntallerDriver Table manager | Macrovision
iPod Service
LMIGuardianSvc | LogMeIn
Logmein Mainenance service
MBAMScheduler
Mozzilla Maintenance Service
Macrium Reflect Image Mounting
SiSoftware Deployment Agent
Skype Updater
Steam Client Service
Switchboard | Adobe
Teamviewer

---

From the above services only the following are currently running (all others are stopped [status])

Adobe Acrobat Update Service
AMD External Events Utility
AMD FUEL
Bonjour
Chrome Remote … …
LMIGaurdianSvc
MBAMscheduler
Macrium…
Synergy (enabled)

---

Security (Action Centre)
stating that Avast is turned off, but Avast is running “Everything is Good”
---
Restart time till login sound: 1:55 min
---
Comodo took at tad longer to appear than usual, but cistray.exe was running (but not cis.exe). Mouse was hovering in notification area and jumped erratically into middle of screen (this is new behaviour)

00:42 started disk check on local disk (C

1.5TB disk scanned pretty quickly? (only 7 or 8GB free)

00:52 No problems found on device or disk.

​