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System freezing when it gets into windows - Solved

DVad3r

DVad3r

Diamond Member
Hey guys my dads system is freezing when it loads windows. Everything will boot up fine, Ill get into windows, then once it starts loading all the explorer apps/icons etc it freezes. The only thing that works is task manager and from there it tells me explorer is using up 99 % of the CPU resources. I wait it out and it never goes down, and if I end task it then I can't do anything.

I think it might be my video card, it's old and finally dying, and hogs up the system when the overclocker adjusts the speed at windows boot.

So far I have dusted my case, re seated the vid card, made sure all plugs are connected, booted up in safe mode etc and even in safe mode is hangs on 99 % explorer cpu usage. I really don't want to format and lose all my files on it, is there anything else I can try? I'm borrowing a old vid card from my friend tonight to see if that's causing the problem, anything else I should try?

Also this just happened randomely, the night before, system works fine, in the morning, it doesnt.

System specs:

AMD 1700
Abit KT7-A mobo
Leadtek GF3 ti-200 128 meg vid card
640 megs pc-133 ram
80 + 20 maxtor 7200 rpm HD
 
Have you checked for spyware/virii? Also, you can end explorer with task manager, and then restart it. Go to New Task(Run), and type explorer, it should restart the shell, but I imagine it will go right back up to 99% again. I have seen explorer behave this way when there is loads of spyware. (one computer I fixed had 680 pieces in reg keys/files! :Q)
 
Try performing a system restore. Also run a full scandisk, remove any unnecessary start up items in msconfig, do a disk cleanup, default all internet explorer settings, check the event viewer for any error messages.

What OS you using?

Mo.
 
I am using win xp pro, going to try ending the task and running a new explorer one tomorow. How can I get into scandisk and msconfig my windows dies cause of explorer? I doubt it's spyware because I did not get any the day before and it was working fine, then all the sudden it just died. I got a old 8500 radeon card off my buddy today and going to throw that in tomorow, see what happens.

The good thing is, my wireless network still works even when the system is hanging on explorer. I transfered most of my stuff out onto my system for backup so if I have to format this POS I won't suffer.
 
No luck with anything. Running a new task does reopen explorer but then the 99 % usage goes to system idel resources and I can't end task that. Popped in the 8500 card today and it still hangs (so its not the vid card). My only explanation right now is that my dad did in fact get some kind of spyware or virus and won't tell me about it. Is there anything else I can try with this system at all to get it back up and running? I really don't want to resort to a format.
 
How long have you waited it out? Do you have any new LARGE files on your desktop (especially media files) ?

99% System Idle is OK. It is not a process, but tells you how much 'head-room' you have.

Can you list the processes that are running when you do get into the task manager?

It is very strange that you also see this problem in Safe Mode. Before a format, I would definitely check out the hardware.

I would strongly suggest loooking at creating a Bart's PE CD, and/or Knoppix, and booting your PC to one of those CDs to help rule out a hardware issue.

Also, try disconnecting all hardware not needed and try to boot. Disconnect everything you do not need... CD drives, extra RAM, PCI cards....

Hope this helps,
Ron
 
I have solved the issue! I was just about to install windows again over my current copy and try to keep my files, but I went into task manager once again and started playing around with assigning tasks. I forgot that I had my spybot search and destroy installed and decided to give that a run. Wells wells, a few minute later, 4 spywares detected and fixed, my explorer loaded up immidietely and my system was stable, rebooted and everything worked perfect.

I know now for a fact my dad got the spyware, he probably clicked on one of those spyware installer boxes when surfing and did not even realize what he had done. Thanks for all your support guys.
 
Good Job.
You are very lucky to have been able to clean malware that affects a system in safe mode that easily!
Ron
 
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