I have trouble with my computer freezing at the most inconvenient times. I did uninstall Java when it kept freezing in Runscape and reinstalled it. After that, I could get into Runscape. Other time it freezes during projects in Microsoft Publisher. It is very slow at boot up. I have wondered about uninstalling Internet Explorer as I thought many times it was freezing after I had been doing things on line. I have switched to Foxfire and have fewer problems. BUT still have them.
I use AVG Free addition , AdAware, and Spybot. I tried Avast but I believe I have it disabled. I also have Windows Defender but I do not seem to get it permanently off.
I have also wondered if it could be because I am low on memory for some programs I use.
I am enclosing the HiJack log after following the Prework routine. ( I ran Spy Sweeper under 2 logins. -- wondered if it might pick up anything different.
Any suggestions??

Hi Farm Girl and welcome to PCHF,

One of our security analysts will be here soon.

I had one other scan which might be helpful. I downloaded AVG Anti-spyware then did a disk cleanup. I rebooted into Safe Mode and ran CCleaner followed by AVG Anti-spyware.
I am sending that log.

log looks clean. Try this:

Please download ATF Cleaner by Atribune.
This program is for XP and Windows 2000 only

• 
  Double-click ATF-Cleaner.exe to run the program.
  Under Main choose: Select All
  Click the Empty Selected button.

If you use Firefox browser

• Click Firefox at the top and choose: Select All
  Click the Empty Selected button.
  NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

If you use Opera browser

• Click Opera at the top and choose: Select All
  Click the Empty Selected button.
  NOTE: If you would like to keep your saved passwords, please click No at the prompt.

Click Exit on the Main menu to close the program.
For Technical Support, double-click the e-mail address located at the bottom of each menu.


Then do the following:

go to start > run > eventvwr.msc. That will open an explorer like window with applications, security, and system in the left pane. Click on system and see if there are any exclamation points near to when it last froze; if so, double click on the item in the right pane, click on the two pieces of paper to copy it to your clipboard, and then come back here and paste the results. Then do the same for the applications folder; look for any exclamation marks that are near in time to when your pc is freezing.


Thanks,

v

That proved interesting even though it might not be as enlighting as I would wish because I have racked my brain and I cannot remember when it last crashed. I probably will not get back to using it regularly until the last week of the month. I will make special note of the next crash. I am sending the info from eventvwr.msc with some notations I have added. Do you think I just need to bide my time until the next freeze then come back to this?/
I really appreaciate your help -- I was seriously thinking of reformatting which I do not want to do.

regarding the second error, microsoft has an app called 'user profile hive cleanup' that sort of runs in the background and vacuums up all the junk that windows leaves behind in the profile. You can d/l it here:

|MG| Free Download - User Profile Hive Cleanup Service 1.6d

give that a crack, see if the second goes away. Do you remember how much stuff ATF found?

thanks,

v

I used the profile hive cleanup and I do believe it exits much better. But start is still slow at startup-- but with what we have done, I think it is faster. I do not remember what AFT got rid of before but I remember it being a large, large number. I just ran it again and this time from the first screen and it wiped out 12976128 bytes then I ran it in Foxfire ;which I had cleaned before and I got 65536 bytes. Does this need to be run periodically?? in both?? since I do use MSN IM and so does my grandson.

Thanks

I use atf pretty periodically on all my machines......find it helps out just to keep the clutter down.....let's see what you got starting up with your machnie:

• Open HiJackThis

• 
  
  [*] Click on the "Config..." button on the bottom right
  
  [*] Click on the tab "Misc Tools"
  
  [*] Check off the 2 boxes next to the Box that says "Generate StartupList log"
  
  [*] Click on the button "Generate StartupList log"
  
  [*] Copy and past the StartupList from the notepad into your next post
  

thanks,

v

I will remember to use AFT -- we are definitely making progress -- it responds much better . Would the Profile Hive Cleanup have done a lot too?? I am enclosing the Startup log for HiJack This.

well, you've got what appears to be at least one trojan. Go ahead, click on the prework link in my signature, follow the steps, and you'll come out the other end with 3 logs; a spysweeper log, an AVG log, and a new HJT log. Please attach them as .txt. files, and we can get to work.

thanks,

v

Here are the reports Thanks for your time. I could never have gotten this far without your help.

log looks good. How is the machine running?

v

The computer is responding well. It still boots up much more quickly than it did when I posted but more slowly than I think it should -- My next plan is to go into Spy Sweeper to see if it is scanning at startup or just trying to get me to buy. I guess the "start up problem" can be marked "solved." However, I am still unsure about the freezing. I will be giving it heavy usage during the next 2 weeks so that will be the test.

My next question would be how to keep it running as it is now. Which programs do I need to run on an ongoing basis?? I keep several computers "going" on a volunteer basis. I have been using AVG Antivirus and Spybot Search and Destroy regularly. I do a Disk Cleanup through System tools also. And also use Save Mode to run AVG and Spybot periodically. I have also used HouseCall online scan when I was frustrated at it's performance.

I had never used CCleaner or AFT or SpySpeeper or AVG AntiSpyware (You have taught me a lot). Which of these do I need to add to my routine? Are these tools I can use on Win2000 as well?< >

PS I also use AdAware. I am also considering adding more memory

I use avg antivirus, avg antispyware (scans deeper than adaware, imo), and zone alarm firewall, all free.

You can click on the 'protect my pc' link in my signature for a few really solid options in there.

I'm going to mark this as fixed, but leave it open if you have any questions regarding the applications.

glad to hear it's working good.

thanks,

v