I have had lots of issues recently with my system. Apologies for the long winded post....

Firstly NERO started to fail to complete burns, no error messages it just minimized and did nothing else. Spoke to NERO for about a month and we got nowhere with it - apart from them saying it is nothing to do with NERO.

Then I tried DVDFlick, and the same things happened - no burn completion, and my system actually froze up the last time I tried to burn (had the following message in event viewer:- the IMAPI CD-Burning COM Service service entered the stopped state)

I have also had scenarios where my PC will freeze or crash when I play games, and even when I am just surfing the internet.

I have looked at the Event Viewer and seen the same messages listed time and time again:-

DCOM got error "The service cannot be started, either because it is disabled or because it has no enabled devices associated with it. ""
attempting to start the service usnjsvc with arguments "" in order to run the server:
{98AC533-EE18-BE25-3B16EE8F75F1}

TCP/IP has reached the security limit imposed on the number of concurrent TCP connect attempts.

Driver detected an internal error in its data structures for .
(source: sptd)

The following boot-start or system-start driver(s) failed to load:
atitray
sptd
So after seeing the above messages/issues and far too many BLUE SCREEN OF DEATHS for my liking, I have seriously considered giving up on trying to carry on and just formatting the C drive where all my programs are.

Here are my PC specs from Belarc:-




Processor a Main Circuit Board b 2.40 gigahertz AMD Athlon 64
128 kilobyte primary memory cache
1024 kilobyte secondary memory cache Board: K8M800-8237
Bus Clock: 199 megahertz
BIOS: Phoenix Technologies, LTD 6.00 PG 09/29/2005
Memory Modules c,d 2048 Megabytes Installed Memory

Slot 'A0' has 1024 MB
Slot 'A1' has 1024 MB
Local Drive Volumes


c: (NTFS on drive 0) 81.95 GB 42.79 GB free e: (NTFS on drive 1) 41.10 GB 40.93 GB free f: (NTFS on drive 2) 320.07 GB 272.35 GB free
Network Drives None detected
Printers

HP PSC 1400 series on USB001
Display Radeon X1600/X1650 Series [Display adapter]
Radeon X1600/X1650 Series Secondary [Display adapter]
CMO CMC 17" AD [Monitor] (17.1"vis, May 2003)
Multimedia MPU-401 Compatible MIDI Device
Realtek AC'97 Audio for VIA (R) Audio Controller
Standard Game Port
Other Devices HID-compliant consumer control device
HID-compliant device
USB Human Interface Device (3x)
HP PSC 1400
HID Keyboard Device
HID-compliant mouse
HP PSC 1400 series (DOT4USB)
USB Composite Device (2x)
USB Mass Storage Device
USB Printing Support
USB Root Hub (5x)
So is this situation salvageable or do you think a swift format (which I'm incredibly scared of doing) is the way forward?

Any help is much, much, much appreciated - as all I want to do is burn some films to disc, play some games and just generally not worry whether my PC will say to me "tonight, I shall not work for you".

Cheers!

Hi again, thanks for the advice. I have followed your instructions, although for some reason pressing f8 didn't work when I started up the PC so I did it through msconfig/boot.

Here are the log files (AVG in 2 parts because it stopped for some reason)....

AVG
---------------------------------------------------------
AVG Anti-Spyware - Scan Report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created at: 08:43:11 13/04/2008

+ Scan result:



HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Softomate.IEToolbar -> Adware.CoolWebSearch : No action taken.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Softomate.IEToolbar.1 -> Adware.CoolWebSearch : No action taken.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Softomate.IEToolbar\CLSID -> Adware.CoolWebSearch : No action taken.
HKLM\SOFTWARE\Classes\Softomate.IEToolbar\CurVer -> Adware.CoolWebSearch : No action taken.


::Report end
---------------------------------------------------------
AVG Anti-Spyware - Scan Report
---------------------------------------------------------

+ Created at: 10:12:56 13/04/2008

+ Scan result:



C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\My Documents\setup.exe -> Adware.Dudu : No action taken.
:mozilla.272:F:\IMPORTANT after format file\xphn1tgg.default\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.247realmedia : No action taken.
:mozilla.273:F:\IMPORTANT after format file\xphn1tgg.default\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.247realmedia : No action taken.
:mozilla.343:C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xphn1tgg.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.247realmedia : No action taken.
:mozilla.344:C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Application Data\Mozilla\Firefox\Profiles\xphn1tgg.default\coo kies.txt -> TrackingCookie.247realmedia : No action taken.
:mozilla.234:F:\IMPORTANT after format file\xphn1tgg.default\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.2o7 : No action taken.
:mozilla.235:F:\IMPORTANT after format file\xphn1tgg.default\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.2o7 : No action taken.
:mozilla.236:F:\IMPORTANT after format file\xphn1tgg.default\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.2o7 : No action taken.
:mozilla.237:F:\IMPORTANT after format file\xphn1tgg.default\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.2o7 : No action taken.
:mozilla.238:F:\IMPORTANT after format file\xphn1tgg.default\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.2o7 : No action taken.
:mozilla.257:F:\IMPORTANT after format file\xphn1tgg.default\cookies.txt -> TrackingCookie.2o7 : No action taken.

SuperAntiSpyware
SUPERAntiSpyware Scan Log
SUPERAntiSpyware.com - AntiAdware, AntiSpyware, AntiMalware!

Generated 04/13/2008 at 11:06 AM

Application Version : 4.0.1154

Core Rules Database Version : 3431
Trace Rules Database Version: 1404

Scan type : Complete Scan
Total Scan Time : 00:51:42

Memory items scanned : 215
Memory threats detected : 0
Registry items scanned : 6209
Registry threats detected : 0
File items scanned : 21931
File threats detected : 24

Adware.Tracking Cookie
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@ads.aol.co[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@aoluk.122.2o7[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@aoleusearch.122.2o7[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@adbrite[2].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@msnportal.112.2o7[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@ads.adbrite[2].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@atdmt[2].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@doubleclick[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@www.googleadservices[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@tradedoubler[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@www.googleadservices[4].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@ads.pointroll[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@www.googleadservices[3].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@bs.serving-sys[2].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@mediaplex[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@revsci[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@statcounter[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@questionmarket[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@advertising[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@casalemedia[2].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@as1.falkag[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@serving-sys[1].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@ads.educanuair[2].txt
C:\Documents and Settings\Jon\Cookies\jon@www.googleadservices[5].txt

HiJackThis
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 11:20:43, on 13/04/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16640)
Boot mode: Safe mode

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\savedump.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Live Search
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = MSN.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = Live Search
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Live Search
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = MSN.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) = AOL Search results for "%s"
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Ask Search Assistant BHO - {9CB65201-89C4-402c-BA80-02D8C59F9B1D} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll
O2 - BHO: Ask Toolbar BHO - {FE063DB1-4EC0-403e-8DD8-394C54984B2C} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: Ask Toolbar - {FE063DB9-4EC0-403e-8DD8-394C54984B2C} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: Windows Live Toolbar - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live Toolbar\msntb.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMan] SOUNDMAN.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002ASync] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002A] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /IMEName
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSPY2002] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\PINTLGNT\ImScInst.exe /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATICCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\CLIStart.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [!AVG Anti-Spyware] "C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe" /minimized
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BgMonitor_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA}] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe " -t (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [DWQueuedReporting] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\MICROS~1\DW\dwtrig20.exe " -t (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: AOL 9.0 Tray Icon.lnk = C:\Program Files\AOL 9.0\aoltray.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\npjpi160_02.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\npjpi160_02.dll
O9 - Extra button: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: AOL Toolbar - {4982D40A-C53B-4615-B15B-B5B5E98D167C} - C:\Program Files\AOL Toolbar\toolbar.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Researcher - {9455301C-CF6B-11D3-A266-00C04F689C50} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Reference 2001\EROProj.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {02BF25D5-8C17-4B23-BC80-D3488ABDDC6B} (QuickTime Object) - http://a1540.g.akamai.net/7/1540/52/...x/qtplugin.cab
O16 - DPF: {0742B9EF-8C83-41CA-BFBA-830A59E23533} (Microsoft Data Collection Control) - https://support.microsoft.com/OAS/ActiveX/MSDcode.cab
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {20B845BF-450F-4C1E-AF60-3CC380CDE328} (get_atlcom Class) - http://apps.corel.com/nos_dl_manager...luginNOSSO.ocx
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (YInstStarter Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: {4A3CF76B-EC7A-405D-A67D-8DC6B52AB35B} (QDiagAOLCCUpdateObj Class) - http://aolcc.aolsvc.aol.co.uk/comput...up/qdiagcc.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsof...?1157560128312
O16 - DPF: {9BF607E0-4CC1-4099-9A07-362C9E4FB090} (WStarter Control) - http://live.pdbox.co.kr:8057/WStarter.cab
O16 - DPF: {A90A5822-F108-45AD-8482-9BC8B12DD539} (Crucial cpcScan) - http://www.crucial.com/controls/cpcScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {C5E28B9D-0A68-4B50-94E9-E8F6B4697516} (NsvPlayX Control) - http://www.nullsoft.com/nsv/embed/nsvplayx_vp6_mp3.cab
O16 - DPF: {C946EF6D-296D-4907-A6E1-ED0E8E5AF024} (LycosMail Upload Control) - http://mail.lycos.com/hanmail-ax/AttachMail.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...nt/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {E8F628B5-259A-4734-97EE-BA914D7BE941} (Driver Agent ActiveX Control) - http://www.driveragent.com/files/driveragent.cab
O16 - DPF: {FEE1002D-90A5-4A5D-AABE-01803FFBCF7A} - http://ps.itv.mop.com/dn/files/pCast....94_signed.cab
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Anti-Spyware Guard - GRISOFT s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe

--
End of file - 8452 bytes

Forgot to say, I also get a message from AVG about not being able to update - can't remember exactly what it was again, but I will post here next time it appears.

Perhaps it is indeed some kind of virus that is hampering AVG as well? Strange.

Hi, any news on this?

I have had to reinstall my AVG as it wouldn't update properly. To be honest I'm getting that desperate that I'm seriously getting close to just formatting my hard-drive - as I really need to start burning again!

Ok my system has now crashed (blue screen of death) 4 times just this evening. I am at my wits end. the scenario is becoming worse by the day, and I don't know what to do.

Is there anything I can do to avert this?

If it continues I fear I must wipe my hard-drive completely and start again, as I need to resolve it somehow.