Solved Running downloaded .exe files causes laptop to freeze/crash

[LiliumSnow]

This started happening I think maybe a week or 2 ago? Whenever I download .exe files from any browsers (I mainly use Chrome, but I've also tried Firefox and Internet Explorer) and open them, it either:

a) does absolutely nothing and I have to pull up the Task Manager to end the process,

b) causes my entire laptop to freeze, leaving me no choice but to force my laptop to shut down by hold down the power button (which I feel isn't going to help my poor laptop).

Now every other .exe file that I've downloaded/installed before this can run fine on my laptop, and I can also download images, music, and gaming-mod files from Chrome without issue. It's just the .exe files that I download that's causing me issues. And the .exe files I try to download I know work, because I've download them in the past without issue (example is CCleaner; I tried to reinstall it recently and attempting to do so caused my laptop to crash).

Also I noticed that when I try to run .exe files, I can hear a faint but distinct ticking/grinding (it's hard to describe) from my laptop that sounds like, "Tch, tchtchtch tch, tch ... Tch, tchtchtch tch, tch ...". I'm not sure what that means, but I think I should bring that up.

I've had Norton run a full scan, but it didn't find anything (and don't suggest I try a different anti-virus tool, because it won't work because of said issue), and I tried doing a Disk Clean Up and Disk Defragment just to see if maybe it might help, but it doesn't. I even tried clearing up space on my laptop (not that I used up a lot to begin with) by uninstalling any video games that I haven't played for a long time.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well Lillium in spite of you not wanting to run any AV scans I am going to suggest you run these - personally I think Norton is carp but that's your choice

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html < if necessary include the /f and /r in the command line as per Option2
Run these in safe mode and the sfc often best run for two to three runs

at very least those two because they are the basic scans you should have run already - if no fix then these

SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
Malwarebytes | Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
AdwCleaner Download
ADW download from bleeping computer delete any rubbish found with the malware scans
(NB If you are running Kaspersky as the main AV then it might need disabling it when trying ADW because it does not like it at times)

 

[LiliumSnow]

Well Lillium in spite of you not wanting to run any AV scans I am going to suggest you run these - personally I think Norton is carp but that's your choice

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html < if necessary include the /f and /r in the command line as per Option2
Run these in safe mode and the sfc often best run for two to three runs

at very least those two because they are the basic scans you should have run already - if no fix then these

SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
Malwarebytes | Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
AdwCleaner Download
ADW download from bleeping computer delete any rubbish found with the malware scans
(NB If you are running Kaspersky as the main AV then it might need disabling it when trying ADW because it does not like it at times)

How am I supposed to get some of these to work, exactly? My entire problem is that I can't get downloaded programs/.exe files to work because it makes my computer crash.

 

[mitchell65]

Have you got a restore point to a date before this started to happen? If so do a system restore but do it in Safe mode or disable Norton if doing it in standard mode! You should be able to disbale Norton for 15 mins OK.

 

[LiliumSnow]

Have you got a restore point to a date before this started to happen? If so do a system restore but do it in Safe mode or disable Norton if doing it in standard mode! You should be able to disbale Norton for 15 mins OK.

My last restore point was made on July 12th, which is around when my issues started to occure I'm afraid. :c

 

[mitchell65]

Still could be worth try though. You could always use Macrium Reflect to create a backup image of your system as it is now just in case the system restore goes wrong.

 

[LiliumSnow]

Well Lillium in spite of you not wanting to run any AV scans I am going to suggest you run these - personally I think Norton is carp but that's your choice

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/433-disk-check.html < if necessary include the /f and /r in the command line as per Option2
Run these in safe mode and the sfc often best run for two to three runs

at very least those two because they are the basic scans you should have run already - if no fix then these

SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!
Malwarebytes | Malwarebytes Anti-Malware Premium
AdwCleaner Download
ADW download from bleeping computer delete any rubbish found with the malware scans
(NB If you are running Kaspersky as the main AV then it might need disabling it when trying ADW because it does not like it at times)

Well I did sfc and and the disk check scans, and it seems to have fixed the issue. I managed to download and install CCleaner without any issue, but I'll test it out tomorrow to make sure everything is in order.

Thank you for your advice. :3

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Well at least it is fixed hopefully.

Now the CCleaner when you used it after the Analyse > go to Options > Cookies and any that you use for your passworded sites - save them to the right hand column because if you delete them you will have to login again to those sites and it gets very boring - see pic for simple example.


This will you will find clear a lot of temp files and crap and you will see how much rubbish it finds after you run Analyse at the top of the main panel.

Before you do anything with sorting the registry just ask.

 

[Eric3742]

I don't think your problem had gone away yet.

Some virus could hide in some files.
This may not be the .exe files programs, if it is, then your Norton did not do a good job.

Also recommend this SUPERAntiSpyware which it did a good job for me.

It is quite acceptable to do a force shutdown &or power off without using Shutdown.
It would not matter, as when it boot it will give you options.

The sound may due to your files are break into pieces, all over the hard disk.
If you can, do a disk defrag, as it may help to access the .exe file on a single location grouped.
Hence avoid waiting for the process to complete and hand it to the .exe to run.

 

[LiliumSnow]

Well it seems like everything is in order. Thank you everyone. :3

 

[mitchell65]

That's good to hear!