Member Avatar for ShadowScripter

Hi,

I can't really understand what the problem is with my work computer.
Below I will give a full description, and a summation at the bottom.

I installed an apache server, php, mysql and mozilla, the usual.
Installed Dreamweaver CS5, GIMP, SQL Server Management (accessing MSSQL databases in the system), and started working on a web interface.

The next day I logged in, I opened Microsoft Outlook and Dreamweaver CS5 and Mozilla to continue my work.

After a couple of minutes, I tried to open up IE (cross browser testing), only, it didn't start. I thought, 'hmm, thats odd', so I decided to open up task manager. Hmm, didn't start either, what the frock? Alright, opened the start menu and clicked documents, to see if I could open a text document. My documents opened, I clicked an item and the window froze, as in, (Not Responding), couldn't shut it down, even by force. Opened up control panel, 'that still works' I thought, tried to go to action center, and the window froze up. Shit.

Now my documents responded again, decided to click another item in the documents window, and it froze up again. Sigh. Open up my computer, clicked a bunch of items, seemed to work fine. Returning to the start of My Computer, with all the harddrive listings, it froze up.

'I'll just restart', thought I, and it seemed to shut down, but it never did.
So I had to do a cold shutdown (hold power button for 3 secs). This went on for a couple of restarts, and at a point it started working again, but then it came back. Opened up in Safe Mode, no such problem ever occurred, so obviously something that I've done has caused this.

I've run virus, spyware and defrag scans, I've even re-installed Windows and re-installed the aforementioned programs. The problem returned after I reinstalled my programs.

I should also mention, that, if I wait a sufficient amount of time (ranging from 5-15 minutes) this problem never occur.

  • Start menu responds
  • My documents can be opened, but once an item is clicked, the window stops responding, only a couple of minutes later it responds and does the same thing.
  • Can't open any executables
  • Can't shut down computer
  • Problem never occur after 5-15 minutes of waiting after log in
  • It is NOT a virus or spyware, I've made sure of that

Has anyone experienced anything like this?
Is it solvable?
What am I doing wrong?
What should I do?

Computer specs
DELL OPTIPLEX 760
Intel Core 2 Quad CPU Q8300 2.5 GHz
RAM 2.00 GB

64-bit Windows 7 Enterprise Service Pack 1

Drive Listing:
ST380815AS ATA - Diskdrive
DVD +- RW TS-L633C ATA - DVD/CD rom drive

Graphics:
Intel 4 Series Internal Chipset

Sound:
SoundMAX Integrated Digital High Definition Audio

Network:
Intel 82567LM-3 Gigabit Network Connection

/wall of text

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  • Latest Post Latest Post by benmar

Dani AI

Generated

Short diagnosis and next steps (based on the symptoms you described and the replies above). Because the machine is fine in Safe Mode and the problem eases after 5–15 minutes, this very strongly points to a third‑party service/driver, a shell extension or a network resource timing out during normal startup — not a core Windows corruption alone. A repeat reinstall that brought the problem back after programs were added also supports that. (support.microsoft.com)

Do an isolated, methodical clean‑boot test (don’t reinstall yet): hide Microsoft services, disable all non‑Microsoft services, disable startup items, reboot and verify the problem is gone. If it is, re‑enable services/startup items in halves (binary search) until the culprit is found. Microsoft’s clean‑boot procedure explains the sequence to follow. (support.microsoft.com)

If Explorer hangs when you click files, check shell extensions and network mappings next. Third‑party context‑menu/shell extensions (compressors, cloud sync, printer/driver plugins, etc.) frequently freeze Explorer; use NirSoft’s ShellExView (or ShellMenuView) to hide Microsoft entries and disable non‑Microsoft handlers, then test. Also disconnect/unmap any persistent network drives (or clear “Reconnect at logon”) — inaccessible mapped shares commonly cause long Explorer/Save dialogs to hang until a timeout. (shellfix.nirsoft.net)

Capture the fault if it persists: run Procmon (Sysinternals) and filter on explorer.exe (or the process you click) while reproducing the freeze to see the file/registry/IRP causing the delay. Run the System File Checker and a full chkdsk (from an elevated prompt) to rule out system‑file or filesystem problems:

sfc /scannow

chkdsk C: /f /r

Also export Application/System events from Event Viewer (filter for “Application Hang” or explorer.exe errors) — those logs often show the module that timed out. If hardware noise continues, test RAM (as suggested) and try another SATA cable/port or a Live USB boot to isolate the drive. (learn.microsoft.com)

If these steps don’t isolate it, report the Procmon capture plus the recent Event Viewer errors and the exact startup items you re‑enabled; that data usually identifies the offending extension/service quickly.

Recommended Answers

All 5 Replies

Member Avatar for Rik_

Do you have any disk utility software to check the condition of the hard drive with?
If not, try SeaTools from the SeaGate website.

Member Avatar for Secrum

Which anti-virus/anti-spyware software are you running? Did you tried stopping it and then trying everything once again? Have you checked the Event Viewer if there is appearing something odd that might cause this kind of behaviour.

Member Avatar for ShadowScripter

Do you have any disk utility software to check the condition of the hard drive with?
If not, try SeaTools from the SeaGate website.

Think the harddrive is damaged? That's what I was thinking.
I'll add that, on occassion, you can hear a rasping noise from the computer at startup, not sure where it originates from though.

I did the tests using SeaTools from SeaGate:

  • S.M.A.R.T: Pass
  • Short DST: Pass
  • Short Generic: Pass
  • Long Generic: Pass

So, either I missed an important test, or it seems there is nothing wrong with the harddrive.

Which anti-virus/anti-spyware software are you running? Did you tried stopping it and then trying everything once again? Have you checked the Event Viewer if there is appearing something odd that might cause this kind of behaviour.

I'm using McAfee, but if the problem were to derive from the anti-virus software, shouldn't the problem be occurring even before I reinstall all of the programs?

In any case, I did a re-installation of Windows 7, turned off McAfee (on startup) and reinstalled all the programs, and the problem persists.

Member Avatar for Rik_

Hmm, what about testing the ram with memtest?!?

Member Avatar for benmar

try to run utility tool like tune up utilies 2011 hope it works..

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