Please Help With Windows XP Lock-ups

[Bobbye]

Here are the Event Errors from 6/7/09 and the resolutions:

Event Source: Windows Search Service, Event Category: Gatherer, Event ID: 3013, Date: 6/07/2009, Time: 9:20:52 p.m.
Description: The entry <C:\DOCUMENTS AND SETTINGS\ALL USERS\START MENU\PROGRAMS\DAEMON TOOLS LITE\UNINSTALL.LNK> in the hash map cannot be updated.
Context: Application, SystemIndex Catalog, Details:A device attached to the system is not functioning. (0x8007001f)
The Error (0x8007001F) Is Generated When You Use Certain Video Capture Cards.
From Microsoft:
"This behavior occurs with video capture cards that work with video port extensions (VPE) and support video port pins instead of preview pins.
WORKAROUND
You may be able to work around this behavior by first launching AmCap, which is a tool from the DirectX SDK, and then starting Windows Media Encoder while AmCap is still running"
More here: ". http://support.microsoft.com/kb/319445"

When you try to use the search feature in Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003, the search feature returns no results. Additionally, you receive the following error messages in the gatherer logs:

Event Source: Windows Search Service, Event Category: Gatherer, Event ID: 3024, Date: 6/07/2009, Time: 10:01:58 a.m.
Description:The update cannot be started because the content sources cannot be accessed. Fix the errors and try the update again.
Context: Application, SystemIndex Catalog
From Microsoft:

"To resolve this problem, install Microsoft Office SharePoint Portal Server 2003 Service Pack 2 (SP2). After you install SharePoint Portal Server 2003 SP2, the SharePoint Portal Server Virtual Server that is running the .NET Framework 1.1 will work in the environment that has the .NET Framework 2.0 installed.

To download SharePoint Portal Server 2003 SP2, visit the following Microsoft Web site:
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a7-b4ba-4759-bd64-6b7d851a97ef&DisplayLang=en (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a7-b4ba-4759-bd64-6b7d851a97ef&DisplayLang=en) "

Event Source: Dhcp, Event ID: 1001, Date: 6/07/2009,Time: 11:57:38 a.m.
Description: Your computer was not assigned an address from the network (by the DHCP Server) for the Network Card with network address 7A7900000000. The following error occurred:
The semaphore timeout period has expired. . Your computer will continue to try and obtain an address on its own from the network address (DHCP) server.
Address was obtained.

Event Source: sptd, Event ID: 4, Date: 6/07/2009, Time: 2:55:49 p.m.
Descriptionriver detected an internal error in its data structures for .
this event was related to Deamon Tools and a security update from Microsoft. Uninstall the following update:
Microsoft Security Advisory: Update to improve kernel patch protection. Find your appropriate download number here and remove:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/914784


Regarding vsdatant.sys/True: Vector:
ZoneAlarm needs this Service to run.
First Download latest version: v9
www.zonealarm.com/zasuitedownload/

1. Backup your ZA settings (ZA overview ---> Preferences)
2. In your current ZA Uncheck "Load ZA.... at startup (ZA overview --> Preferences)
3. Reboot your machine
4. Install ZA update and when asked choose "upgrade" to keep your current ZA settings or "clean install" to start clean.

Sources: Event ID.net, Microsoft, ZoneAlarm forum.

I did not check the errors from 5/7/09 but you did have this Event:
Event Source: Service Control Manager, Event ID: 7000 Date: 5/07/2009, Time: 7:06:31 p.m.
Description:The vsdatant service failed to start due to the following error: The system cannot find the file specified.

Suggest you uninstall Daemon Tools/ Reinstall fresh to configure if wanted.

One more to add: If this is repeating, fix it.
Event Source: SescLU, Event ID: 13, Date: 5/07/2009 Time: 4:37:14 p.m.
Description: LiveUpdate returned a non-critical error. Available content updates may have failed to install.
From Event ID: " "To fix this problem we have deactivated the option "Decomposer signatures" from the policy "LiveUpdate content". You can see this option under "Security Definitions". If you activate this option, you will get this error message".

 

[LookinAround]

bassaddict,

We feel your pain! It's bad enough if someone gets repeated crashing with BSODs (but at least BSOD's can help leave more footprints/clues behind then system freezes as you have!)

That said, i'll offer the following opinions/views/to-do's

1. Zone Alarm and Daemon Tools
   As others have referred to, i'd also suggest you try running after uninstalling both Zone Alarm and Daemon Tools (you can try Comodo free firewall awhile if you need a replacement firewall while testing for the problem)
   >> Zone Alarm: as snowchick7669 noted and i can see from looking online, ZA has had freezing problem reports. May as well uninstall for awhile as is at least worth trial and error testing given our limited number of specific clues
   >> Daemon Tools: No specific clue other then i've historically seen people report various problems as well. so if you can try running with Daemon Tools also uninstalled awhile i think is just a plus
2. Motherboard options, BIOS settings, memory timings, etc.
   >> I would carefully double check all your m/b, BIOS and memory timing settings and options
   >> Check to see if any BIOS updates available for you motherboard that might apply here
   >> Also, as you say you're a gamer: ever recall making any custom tweaks? Regardless, would double check stuff per my comments above
3. Spot check your Windows Services
   As some of your event log entries referred to Windows Service Control Mangager / services...Click Start->Run, enter services.msc
   • Click on the StartupType column header so you can see all services with StartupType=Automatic listed together
   • Then scroll through the list looking at the Status column
   • For every service with StartupType=Automatic, its Status should=Started. If you see Startup is Automatic but Status=Stopped or a blank or otherwise, it can be a problem. please indicate

Will wait till you can review and report back on everyone's suggestions..before trying other things as well

 

[bassaddict]

ive uninstalled zone alarm and removed it from the regestry as stated on zone alarm fourms ive removed deamon tools and symantec.
my bios settings are mostly all set to defults because i dont know much about changing memary timings and the like so thought i might do more bad then good. the bios update occored to me last night so i tryed it and my computer decided to stop detecteing my ram??? i couldnt get in to windows at all so i reverted back to stock bios and here i am back in windows. along the lines of tweeks, i havent done much baring changing settings in ccc control center and have now reverted them all back to normal.
im running prime 95 right now same as i used to trying to make it crash but it hasnt happend(it usually took all of a minute).

within services i see ther are automatic startups that are curently blank
ATI smart
Computer Browser
system restore service

 

[bassaddict]

i dont know what Microsoft Office SharePoint is but when trying to install this here http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...a7-b4ba-4759-bd64-6b7d851a97ef&DisplayLang=en
i get the attached error

 

[LookinAround]

> btw.. i assumed you were running Zone Alarm firewall... or was it the entire internet security suite? (My underlying point: making sure you have alternate A/V and firewall products running as you now have ZA uninstalled!)

> You still unable to make it crash easily while running Prime95!? that was interesting news!

> Your info about System Restore Service Status not equal Started is particularly bothersome. I don't yet know if it's related or unrelated to your original problem but it's a condition that we need also address

Please provide a snapshot of your current Windows services
1) Download Serviwin (very handy tool for viewing and managing Windows Services and Drivers). Run it and click View->Services
2) Click Start->Programs-Accessories-Notepad to open a blank text file
3) In Serviwin's services display, click Ctrl-A to select all the Windows service display rows, Ctrl-C to copy it, Ctrl-V to paste into the notepad txt file and attach the file to next post

Pls provide another snapshot of your recent Event Log entries
Try this to capture your recent Error and Warning events in your System and Application Logs. We can see if anything else new/interesting since you say the crashes aren't as frequent

Click Start->Run, enter cmd to open a command window then copy/paste the following command into the window. Then attach the events.txt file it puts on your Desktop into your next post (use the paper clip icon to attach a file)

cscript "C:\WINDOWS\system32\eventquery.vbs" /l application /l system /r 35 /v  /fo table /fi "Type eq error OR Type eq warning" > "%userprofile%\desktop\events.txt"

 

[bassaddict]

im now running avg and just the windows firewall for now.
yes it does still crash with prime 95 but last time i ran it it took alot longer.

im thinking that i will take it in to a local guy to see if he can work it out. i suspect hardware error but i wouldnt know how to confirm

 

[Bobbye]

LookingAround, if you had read my reply in Post #26, you would have realized I've already gone through the Errors. And I suggest you're reaching over the lever of the average user with inquiry about BIOS.

This person can also use either of 2 good sites to review the necessary settings for Services without printing out the entire list of Services!

We've gone around about this before. Obviously we do not agree about piling requests for information on a user.

bassaddict, I'm sorry you are caught in this. A help thread with too many cooks rarely works. Please don't feel frustrated trying to figure out information. You are completely correct in your comment about "doing more bad than good" by going into the BIOS!

If you would like to review Service settings, here is the best reference site on the internet to do that- in my opinion:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

And one other: http://www.ss64.com/ntsyntax/services.html

The most important thing to remember when resetting Services is to always check the Dependency tab.

 

[LookinAround]

bassaddict.. Sorry for the prelude.. you can skip to the bottom of the post.. and/or skim through the body of my text to understand the importance of debugging services when facts present a reason to do so

Bobbye... i think we have our own unique talents as well as perspectives on debugging. In particular, when we address System and Windows internal issues which is exactly the problem bassaddict is having.

I respect your talents in a/v and malware troubleshooting but i think we all have much more to learn from one another when it comes to troubleshooting System related issues and Windows internals (let alone possible hardware). Some of my comments embedded in yours as well as more at the very end
/* EDIT */ and btw bobbye, troubleshooting system issues/hardware/freezes is very different then removing a/v and malware software The event log can augment your clues.. but you don't singularly rely on the logs!
> You're no longer responding to A/V and malware issues. The approaches now are different then simply relying on logfiles

LookingAround, if you had read my reply in Post #26, you would have realized I've already gone through the Errors. And I suggest you're
Regardless of a debate on whether you're selling the average user short by never wanting to mention BIOS (and seems our OP had already thought to look there even before i suggested it, so it seems you're particularly wrong in this case). i'll go even further: When someone is having system freezes (and who knows if BSODs) IMHO it's absolute and blatant neglect NOT to try and point them towards BIOS issues when their facts include it as a very possible suspect to be addressed. Oh. And since OP indicated they changed things and things (initially) looked different, issue was looking at NEW events in their log since you looked last!

This person can also use either of 2 good sites to review the necessary settings for Services without printing out the entire list of Services!
You need to re-read my posts (and this thread). And understand the issue is NOT tweaking services. Rather, the issue is DEBUGGING services. In particular, and in this case, you need to understand that a service with StartupType=Automatic gets started automatically when Windows starts. That means when you check (as i had the OP do) to find Automatic services which show a Status=Stopped you got problem. And a potential fundamental and possibly BIG problem if its their System Restore Service AND its STOPPED and its set to AUTOMATIC! Then you really need to understand and know why!

We've gone around about this before. Obviously we do not agree about piling requests for information on a user.
I respect your opinion and also your personal approach to troubleshooting issues. But once upon a time i was writing micro-code for Intel's model 4004 chip (a 4-bit processor which pre-dates their 8080 and even came before the famous intel 8086 chip! And, btw, i was writing code and developing system for those chips as well in the day) and i've been developing/testing system internals, doing systems development along with user apps for decades. My only point being i happen to have a very different perspective in understanding system issues and troubleshooting. If you'd like to open a new thread for further discussion we can do that as well...

bassaddict, I'm sorry you are caught in this. A help thread with too many cooks rarely works. Please don't feel frustrated trying to figure out information. You are completely correct in your comment about "doing more bad than good" by going into the BIOS!

If you would like to review Service settings, here is the best reference site on the internet to do that- in my opinion:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

And one other: http://www.ss64.com/ntsyntax/services.html

The most important thing to remember when resetting Services is to always check the Dependency tab.

And to bassaddict

Bobbye and i can continue our debate in Private Message or another thread. I don't want to divert anymore "bandwidth" here from your problem. As for your Windows services: Browser and ATI Smart and System Restore
I'm not concerned with Browser being stopped (it's a network related service not important to your bigger problem here) I don't yet know for sure about ATI Smart yet tho. It's part of ATI graphics so don't know if it might mean nothing or might be a clue to an underlying issue with your graphics - as to causing this Automatic Service to be stopped. But i will be reporting back about your System Restore as i see that as a potential issue

In any case, you don't have a simple problem to debug here. So just let us know if you're taking it to someone else to look at or need further help in investigating.

 

[LookinAround]

bassaddict,

some additional quick notes..

While I recall you mentioning earlier you ran Memtest, i did a quick look at ASUS website for your motherboard specs/downloads/bios/hardware compatibility
> Asus lists both a P5Q3 and P5Q3 Deluxe/WiFi-AP for mb models (to double check your specifics.. in case the diff is significant)
> What actual BIOS version are you now running (as i eyeballed those listed on ASUS's site and now curious to know)
> I also recall you mentioning having run Memtest OK but memory/bios/hardware problems rank high with your symptoms. I also notice
===> I don't believe your Corsair memory spec is included in Asus's compatibility list (if you want to comply)
===> And when i look at Corsair Mem Configurator with the Asus mb it tells me a different memory spec (but i did this quick so do double check and tell us the results yourself)

You might also find it worthwhile to post on Corsair's support site (click here if you haven't done so already for help in checking your specific mem specs against the ASUS mb

 

[bassaddict]

im running the p5q3 not the deluxe i think when i downgraded to the one off the cd it was really old like a version 603 compared with the new 706 i tryed
and i looked up in the MOBO book abou the ram and my corsair was included
but ive taken it to a tech now so will know the problem soon hopefuly and will post if your intrested.
thanks to everyone for the help

 

[LookinAround]

oh yep. very interested to find out what happens....

Always curious to learn more. So let us know!

 

[LookinAround]

Re: your System Restore Service

It's not clear (based on data at hand) if the issue with this service being Stopped might be due to the same or a different problem as your bigger system freezing problem

So last follow-on comment since your computer is now at the repair shop: When you get it back immediately check your services again to see System Restore
> It should still be set to automatic startup
> BUT if its Status still not equal Started, then there's still a problem to be looked at
AS this means you're not assured System Restore function is working correctly and your system critical info on your hard drive is getting checkpointed when it should