Computer very sluggish and freezes frequently

[bjacobsonny]

Hi,
I've been having problems with my computer for about a month and they've been getting progressively worse. Basically the computer is very sluggish and freezes frequently. I've followed the 8-steps and attached the logs. I would appreciate any help anyone can give me.

Thanks.

 

[Bobbye]

bjacobsonny, there is no malware in any of the logs, so we need to look elsewhere. Question time:

1. How much RAM do you have installed?
2. Have you checked the Event Viewer for Errors corresponding to time of a freerze?

Start> Run> type in eventvwr

Do this on each the System and the Applications logs:
[1]. Click to open the log>
[2]. Look for the Error>
[3] .Right click on the Error> Properties>
[4]. Click on Copy button, top right, below the down arrow >
[5]. Paste here (Ctrl V)
[6].NOTES

• You can ignore Warnings and Information Events.
• If you have a recurring Error with same ID#, same Source and same Description, only one copy is needed.
• You don't need to include the lines of code in the box below the Description, if any.
• Please do not copy the entire Event log.

Errors are time coded. Check the computer clock on freeze.

3. This one entry in the HijackThis log bother me a bit

[b]R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = [url]https://www.google.com/accounts/ServiceLogin?service=orkut&hl=en-US&rm=false&continue=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.orkut.com%2FRedirLogin.aspx%3Fmsg%3D0%26page%3Dhttp%253A%252F%252Fwww.orkut.com%252FHome.aspx&cd=US&passive=true&skipvpage=true&sendvemail=false[/url][/b]

Orkut appears to be a social network. Is the homepage set to Google to take you to this site? Can you break this down for me?

You have a few entries you don't need on startup- some Dell processes are probably not being used. But what I'm seeing isn't enough to slow you down noticibly-IF- there is enough RAM and it's good.

4. Both Adobe and Java need to be updated and the old versions uninstalled:

• Visit this site[Adobe Readeroften and make sure you have the most current update. Uninstall any earlier updates as they are vulnerabilities.
• Check this site often.Java Updates Stay current as most updates are for security. Uninstall any earlier versions in Add/Remove Programs.

5. Clean out the temp files:
TFC (Temp File Cleaner)

Download TFC to your desktop

• Open the file and close any other windows.
• It will close all programs itself when run, make sure to let it run uninterrupted.
• Click the Start button to begin the process. The program should not take long to finish its job
• Once its finished it should reboot your machine, if not, do this yourself to ensure a complete clean

TFC only cleans temp folders. TFC will not clean URL history, prefetch, or cookies. Depending on how often someone cleans their temp folders, their system hardware, and how many accounts are present, it can take anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or more. TFC will completely clear all temp files where other temp file cleaners may fail. TFC requires a reboot immediately after running. Be sure to save any unsaved work before running TFC.

TFC (Temp File Cleaner) will clear out all temp folders for all user accounts (temp, IE temp, java, FF, Opera, Chrome, Safari), including Administrator, All Users, LocalService, NetworkService, and any other accounts in the user folder.

 

[bjacobsonny]

Hi Bobbye,

Thanks for responding.

To answer your questions:
1. The computer has 512 MB of RAM
2. I've copied the most recent errors are copied below. I'm not sure exactly which of them caused the computer to freeze:
Applications
Log Name: Application
Source: Application Hang
Date: 10/21/2009 4:52:38 PM
Event ID: 1002
Task Category: (101)
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Debbie-PC
Description:
The program iexplore.exe version 8.0.6001.18813 stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel. Process ID: f60 Start Time: 01ca528fa411e91c Termination Time: 3313
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Application Hang" />
<EventID Qualifiers="0">1002</EventID>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>101</Task>
<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-10-21T20:52:38.000Z" />
<EventRecordID>61601</EventRecordID>
<Channel>Application</Channel>
<Computer>Debbie-PC</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data>iexplore.exe</Data>
<Data>8.0.6001.18813</Data>
<Data>f60</Data>
<Data>01ca528fa411e91c</Data>
<Data>3313</Data>
<Binary>430072006F00730073002D00700072006F00630065007300730000000000</Binary>
</EventData>
</Event>

Log Name: Application
Source: VSS
Date: 10/20/2009 10:58:44 PM
Event ID: 8194
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Debbie-PC
Description:
Volume Shadow Copy Service error: Unexpected error querying for the IVssWriterCallback interface. hr = 0x80070005. This is often caused by incorrect security settings in either the writer or requestor process.
Operation:
Gathering Writer Data
Context:
Writer Class Id: {e8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220}
Writer Name: System Writer
Writer Instance ID: {723e9663-a409-43b0-9412-900a7e586b52}
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="VSS" />
<EventID Qualifiers="0">8194</EventID>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-10-21T02:58:44.000Z" />
<EventRecordID>61541</EventRecordID>
<Channel>Application</Channel>
<Computer>Debbie-PC</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data>0x80070005</Data>
<Data>
Operation:
Gathering Writer Data
Context:
Writer Class Id: {e8132975-6f93-4464-a53e-1050253ae220}
Writer Name: System Writer
Writer Instance ID: {723e9663-a409-43b0-9412-900a7e586b52}</Data>
<Binary>2D20436F64653A20575254575254494330303030313038382D2043616C6C3A20575254575254494330303030313035362D205049443A202030303030313434382D205449443A202030303030323333362D20434D443A2020433A5C57696E646F77735C73797374656D33325C737663686F73742E657865202D6B204E6574776F726B53657276696365202020202020202D20557365723A204E5420415554484F524954595C4E4554574F524B2053455256494345202020202D205369643A2020532D312D352D3230</Binary>
</EventData>
</Event>

Log Name: Application
Source: Application Hang
Date: 10/20/2009 9:00:44 PM
Event ID: 1002
Task Category: (101)
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Debbie-PC
Description:
The program Explorer.EXE version 6.0.6002.18005 stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel. Process ID: a58 Start Time: 01ca51e86fe6682c Termination Time: 5953
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Application Hang" />
<EventID Qualifiers="0">1002</EventID>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>101</Task>
<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-10-21T01:00:44.000Z" />
<EventRecordID>61499</EventRecordID>
<Channel>Application</Channel>
<Computer>Debbie-PC</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data>Explorer.EXE</Data>
<Data>6.0.6002.18005</Data>
<Data>a58</Data>
<Data>01ca51e86fe6682c</Data>
<Data>5953</Data>
<Binary>430072006F00730073002D0074006800720065006100640000000000</Binary>
</EventData>
</Event>


Systems
Log Name: System
Source: Service Control Manager
Date: 10/24/2009 8:41:12 PM
Event ID: 7000
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Debbie-PC
Description:
The avast! Web Scanner service failed to start due to the following error:
The service did not respond to the start or control request in a timely fashion.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Service Control Manager" Guid="{555908D1-A6D7-4695-8E1E-26931D2012F4}" EventSourceName="Service Control Manager" />
<EventID Qualifiers="49152">7000</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-10-25T00:41:12.000Z" />
<EventRecordID>252273</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="0" ThreadID="0" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Debbie-PC</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="param1">avast! Web Scanner</Data>
<Data Name="param2">%%1053</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

Log Name: System
Source: Service Control Manager
Date: 10/24/2009 8:41:11 PM
Event ID: 7009
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Debbie-PC
Description:
A timeout was reached (30000 milliseconds) while waiting for the avast! Web Scanner service to connect.
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Service Control Manager" Guid="{555908D1-A6D7-4695-8E1E-26931D2012F4}" EventSourceName="Service Control Manager" />
<EventID Qualifiers="49152">7009</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-10-25T00:41:11.000Z" />
<EventRecordID>252272</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="0" ThreadID="0" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Debbie-PC</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="param1">30000</Data>
<Data Name="param2">avast! Web Scanner</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

Log Name: System
Source: R300
Date: 10/24/2009 8:38:45 PM
Event ID: 43015
Task Category: DAL
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Debbie-PC
Description:
I2c return failed
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="R300" />
<EventID Qualifiers="49152">43015</EventID>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>42</Task>
<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-10-25T00:38:45.875Z" />
<EventRecordID>252195</EventRecordID>
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Debbie-PC</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data>
</Data>
<Binary>00000000010000002A00000007A800C0000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000</Binary>
</EventData>
</Event>

Log Name: System
Source: Microsoft-Windows-DistributedCOM
Date: 10/24/2009 7:59:58 PM
Event ID: 10005
Task Category: None
Level: Error
Keywords: Classic
User: N/A
Computer: Debbie-PC
Description:
DCOM got error "1053" attempting to start the service WSearch with arguments "" in order to run the server:
{7D096C5F-AC08-4F1F-BEB7-5C22C517CE39}
Event Xml:
<Event xmlns="http://schemas.microsoft.com/win/2004/08/events/event">
<System>
<Provider Name="Microsoft-Windows-DistributedCOM" Guid="{1B562E86-B7AA-4131-BADC-B6F3A001407E}" EventSourceName="DCOM" />
<EventID Qualifiers="49152">10005</EventID>
<Version>0</Version>
<Level>2</Level>
<Task>0</Task>
<Opcode>0</Opcode>
<Keywords>0x80000000000000</Keywords>
<TimeCreated SystemTime="2009-10-24T23:59:58.000Z" />
<EventRecordID>252157</EventRecordID>
<Correlation />
<Execution ProcessID="0" ThreadID="0" />
<Channel>System</Channel>
<Computer>Debbie-PC</Computer>
<Security />
</System>
<EventData>
<Data Name="param1">1053</Data>
<Data Name="param2">WSearch</Data>
<Data Name="param3">
</Data>
<Data Name="param4">{7D096C5F-AC08-4F1F-BEB7-5C22C517CE39}</Data>
</EventData>
</Event>

3. Orkut is a social networking site owned by Google. The homepage takes me to the logon page for the site.

4. Adobe Reader and Java have both been updated.

5. Temp files have been cleaned out.

 

[Bobbye]

Thank you. Good job on the Events- a TIP for next time: you can usually omit all the lines of code following the Description.

Here's your main problem: 512MB of RAM of okay for Windows XP, but not for Vista. The minimum RAM for Vista is 2 GB. You are trying to run it with on 1/4 of the minimum.

When the available RAM has been 'used', the system will freeze, requiring you to reboot. When you reboot, you free up some of the RAM, but you also start the cycle all over again.

Take everything off of Startup except the bare minimum which is antivirus- Avast, touchpad for laptop- Synaptics. Uncheck all the Dell processes- unless you use them extensively, I recommend you uninstall ALL of the Dell junk in Add/Remove Programs.

To do this: Click on Start> Run> type in msconfig> enter> Selective Startup> Startup tab> UNCHECK all but the exceptions above And I think Vista requires you keep some processes..

When finished, click in Apply> OK then Reboot> NOTE: you will get a nag message that you can ignore and close after checking 'don't show this message again.' Stay in Selective Startup.

This is not a fix. It may give you a bit longer before it freezes again. I went through all of the events and they are related to the RAM problem- except possibly Avast..

If you have Avast set to scan on startup, you can stop that. Continue to have it running in the background for security.

 

[momok]

As this problem appears to be non-malware related, i'm moving it to the appropriate forum.

 

[Tmagic650]

So bjacobsonny,
Did you add more memory? Was this computer running XP before you switched to Vista? What are this computers specs? Make and model

 

[Bobbye]

Did you read Post #5 Tmagic?

 

[Tmagic650]

Yes "As this problem appears to be non-malware related, i'm moving it to the appropriate forum"... Right Bobbye?... So what is your point?

 

[bjacobsonny]

Bobbye,
Thanks for your help. I've taken everything you suggested off of startup and the computer seems to be a little more stable. I was not aware of the RAM requirements for Vista, so that's good to know. Is the Windows 7 minimum any lower?

Tmagic,
The computer in question is not mine (I'm just trying to help out a friend by improving its performance), so I haven't added any memory, though I will recommend to the owner that she should. I also don't know the history of the computer regarding the OS. The computer is a Dell Inspiron 1501.

 

[Tmagic650]

2GB is maximum for your laptops memory. Windows 7 may run better on lesser computers than Vista, but for right now the memory minimum for Vista and Windows 7 is 2GB