Start menu freezing

[jessek]

I did a search for freezing problems, but gave up going through them after the first page (30 or so threads?).

I am having difficulty when I pull up my Start menu from the bottom left of the screen. Sometimes it freezes right away, sometimes it goes where I need it to (ie Start>Programs>Accessories>SystemTools>Defrag ) and sometimes it freezes somewhere along the way. It is not just Programs that cause it to freeze. It will freeze in the Start menu on searches, my documents, etc.

Also the freezes are unrecoverable. I can't "End Task" to get out. If I try that, I just get a white screen and then have to reboot.

This also happens on my word processor. I'll enter the program, pull down File>Open>SchoolDocuments(or any file) and it freezes right there (always). I can then see the files within "School Documents", but can't click on them or exit the program without the big freeze.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

[AnnMarie]

Hiya jessek - how about copying and pasting a new startup list for us. It might turn up something that could help. The link is here (http://www.spywareinfo.com/files/startuplist.zip). How long has this been happening?

[jessek]

Hi AnnMarie, thanks for coming to my rescue again. I seem to be having problem after problem since I installed the new hard drive on Xmas Eve. This problem seems to have started about a week and a half ago.

Here's the startup list.

StartupList report, 2/4/2003, 12:12:38 AM
StartupList version: 1.51
Started from : C:\MY DOCUMENTS\STARTUPLIST.EXE
Detected: Windows ME (Win9x 4.90.3000)
Detected: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
* Using default options
==================================================

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\GRISOFT\AVG6\AVGSERV9.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RESTORE\STMGR.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\GRISOFT\AVG6\AVGCC32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SPOOL32.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\SYMPATICO\ACCESS MANAGER\APP\ENTERNET.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\SYMPATICO\COMMUNICATOR\PROGRAM\NETSCAPE.EXE
C:\MY DOCUMENTS\STARTUPLIST.EXE

--------------------------------------------------

Listing of startup folders:

Shell folders Startup:
[C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp]
Reboot.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

ScanRegistry = C:\WINDOWS\scanregw.exe /autorun
TaskMonitor = C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
LoadPowerProfile = Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
AVG_CC = C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVG6\avgcc32.exe /STARTUP
RegisterDropHandler = C:\PROGRA~1\TEXTBR~1.0\BIN\REGIST~1.EXE
SystemTray = SysTray.Exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run Services

LoadPowerProfile = Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
SchedulingAgent = mstask.exe
*StateMgr = C:\WINDOWS\System\Restore\StateMgr.exe
Avgserv9.exe = C:\PROGRA~1\GRISOFT\AVG6\Avgserv9.exe
RegisterDropHandler = C:\PROGRA~1\TEXTBR~1.0\BIN\REGIST~1.EXE

--------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\WININIT.BAK listing:
(Created 3/2/2003, 21:57:28)

[Rename]
C:\WINDOWS\powerpnt.ini=C:\_RESTORE\EXTRACT\powerp nt.ini
C:\WINDOWS\wavemix.ini=C:\_RESTORE\EXTRACT\wavemix .ini
C:\WINDOWS\tasks\desktop.ini=C:\_RESTORE\EXTRACT\d esktop.ini
C:\WINDOWS\win.ini=C:\_RESTORE\EXTRACT\win.ini
C:\WINDOWS\system.ini=C:\_RESTORE\EXTRACT\system.i ni
C:\WINDOWS\USER.DAT=C:\_RESTORE\EXTRACT\USER.DAT
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM.DAT=C:\_RESTORE\EXTRACT\SYSTEM.D AT
C:\WINDOWS\CLASSES.DAT=C:\_RESTORE\EXTRACT\CLASSES .DAT

--------------------------------------------------

C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT listing:

SET BLASTER=A220 I7 D1 H7 P330 T6
SET SBPCI=C:\PROGRA~1\CREATIVE\AUDIO\DOSDRV
SET windir=C:\WINDOWS
SET winbootdir=C:\WINDOWS
SET COMSPEC=C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND.COM
SET PATH=C:\WINDOWS;C:\WINDOWS\COMMAND
SET PROMPT=$p$g
SET TEMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP
SET TMP=C:\WINDOWS\TEMP

--------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\WINSTART.BAT listing:

C:\WINDOWS\tmpcpyis.bat

--------------------------------------------------


Enumerating Task Scheduler jobs:

Tune-up Application Start.job
PCHealth Scheduler for Data Collection.job

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Download Program Files:

[Update Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IUCTL.DLL
CODEBASE = http://v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/CAB/x86/ansi/iuctl.CAB?37615.839537037

[sys Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\PCPITSTOP.DLL
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB

[DiskHealth Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\DOWNLOADED PROGRAM FILES\CONFLICT.2\DISKHEALTH.DLL
CODEBASE = http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/diskhealth.cab

--------------------------------------------------
End of report, 4,426 bytes
Report generated in 0.188 seconds

Command line options:
/verbose - to add additional info on each section
/complete - to include empty sections and unsuspicious data
/full - to include several rarely-important sections
/force9x - to include Win9x-only startups even if running on WinNT
/forcent - to include WinNT-only startups even if running on Win9x
/forceall - to include all Win9x and WinNT startups, regardless of platform
/history - to list version history only

[AnnMarie]

Hi jessek - System Restore may be the culprit. In IE, go to Tools > Windows Update and make sure that you download all updates for WinME. When you have done that, post back and let us know if you still have a problem.

[jessek]

Last week I updated all the Windows files. The only ones I skipped were all the foreign language updates. Do I really need them?

[AnnMarie]

Nope. Try disabling System Restore and see if you still have a problem. Right-click on the My Computer and select Properties and click on the Performance Tab. Click on File System and click on the Troubleshooting Tab. Uncheck System Restore and click Apply and maybe OK then reboot.

[jessek]

The computer freezes when I try to get to "Performance". At least it lets me "end task" to get back out though. Any other way of getting in there?

[jessek]

While trying to find other ways into the Performance area, I froze up entirely and had to reboot. After rebooting, I was then able to go into Performance and change the setting to Disable Restore (I hope to change this setting back soon, because I've relied on the System Restore feature many, many times).

Another point to mention is that when I freeze up, and then reboot, I have no trouble getting into the files I originally tried to access. It seems that once I've been on the computer a short while, usually on the internet, and then try to use the start menu or word processing files, or it now seems the Performance tab, things seize up. Also I have a lot of trouble trying to shut down the system in the evening. I tried the troubleshooting section on Microsoft's website, and after creating an exit sound, it seemed to shut down properly again. Until two days ago that is. Now I freeze again at the start menu, and no window comes up to choose Shut Down, Restart etc. I have to reboot (ending the program just takes me to a white screen) and then the Shut Down works fine right after a reboot.

Also, about 75% of the time I try to access My Computer, it says it is empty and I can't get to my drives for information or get to the Control Panel to change settings or Add/Remove programs.

These problems all seem related, and they're EXTREMELY IRKSOME!!!!!

Please help me, AnnMarie!

[jessek]

Since I know you're still asleep, a world away, I've been trying to help myself in the meanwhile.

I went to PCPitstop and ran a complete test. My tests in the past, (even a week or two ago), always said I had a great system with no problems.

Today however, it says I have a yellow flag (not as serious as red, lol) because of programs running in the background. Apparently my CPU load is at 100%. When I go to see the list of programs running, all but three are deemed "necessary". PC Pitstop colours the programs as "necessary", "virus", "spyware", "no data", etc. The three programs running, that are not "necessary", are categorized as "no data" and are as follows.

C:\Progra~1\grisoft\AVG6\AVGcc32.exe
C:\Progra~1\grisoft\AVG6\AVGSERV9.exe
C:\Progra~1\Sympat~1\Access\APP\enternet.exe

I hope this will help you with your diagnosis, doctor.

Thanks again.

[AnnMarie]

Hi again jessek - if disabling System Restore made no difference, it will do no harm to re-enable it again. Just follow the steps posted to disable it and this time, check it and reboot.

Those files identified are your AV executables (AVG) and your ISP's Connection Manager. That's if you are with Sympatico.

On rare occasions, AVG has caused problems, try uninstalling it then reboot and see if it helps.

[jessek]

This is really starting to get me down. I do hope we can rid my machine of these annoying problems!

I've uninstalled AVG, but when I ran the PCPitstop check again, it says my CPU load is still at 100%.

Do you think this overloaded CPU could be causing the other problems? And why would it be showing this as a problem now? I was definitely given a clean bill of health since the new hard drive was installed.

And why does IE take so long to load now? It always used to come up immediately. Now it takes about 30 seconds while it is "detecting proxy settings". I didn't even realize I had "Proxy Settings". Since I don't use IE very often, I don't mind the wait, but could these "Proxy Settings" be causing the other problems and the overloaded CPU?

[AnnMarie]

Hi Jessek - is your PC still freezing after uninstalling AVG?

[jessek]

Yes. No change there. I guess it would be safe to download AVG again.

I was considering restoring my system right back to day one (Dec 24) but because we disabled it earlier in this thread, it no longer has any save points listed prior to this evening. Can I not restore to an earlier time now?

[AnnMarie]

Hi Jessek - yep it will be OK to reinstall AVG. I also had another look at your Startups and I would doubt that anything there is causing your problem.

Re System Restore, yes I am sorry but you will not be able to use it :( When I read your early posts I got the impression that your problems had started from day1 with your new drive so I didnt think that System Restore would be of any help. We can use scanreg /restore though but I am not sure how far back it will go.

Jessek, have you looked in Device Manager to see if there are any conflicts?

[jessek]

My system seemed to be working fine for several days after installing the new drive. Not much longer.

I've checked the devices and it has a yellow question mark beside PCI Communication device and says it is not installed. I had a really, really difficult time installing my ISP's software, both when I went high speed about a year ago, and when I had to install for the new hard drive. I am extremely loathe to touch anything related to the ethernet card for fear I will lose connectivity entirely and not even be able to post for help. If I do go ahead and ask it to install the device, and things go wrong, will a system restore take back the changes? Will I be the same as I am now?

Once again, I really appreciate all your help.

[AnnMarie]

Hi jessek - as you have a restore point created, System Restore should be able to restore your PC to the state it is currently in however sometimes it does fail so I cannot be 100% certain.

A PCI Communication device is frequently a modem but almost anything with a Universal Asynchronous Receiver/Transmitter (UART) will show up as a communications device, so it may not be. It has to be your call whether or not you will try to fix it.

If you decide to go ahead, boot into Safe Mode and delete it. While you are there, also look for any duplicated devices and delete those too. When you reboot, the system will take you through driver setup upon boot and you may find out what it is at that point. Just make sure that you have all your CD's handy just in case they are required.

[jessek]

The yellow question mark under the PCI communication device leads to a screen that says that "The drivers for this device are not installed. Would you like to reinstall them?" When I clicked yes, it took me to the screen that always started the problems when I've installed my ISP's software in the past. I really didn't want to go there again.

Also, at the bottom, there is an option to "disable this from the hardware profile", or something to that effect. If you think disabling the profile would be safe, I will.

Thanks again.

[jessek]

A major Windows error occurred this morning and I had to reinstall Windows ME with the recovery disk.

Now, I'll wait to see if my Start Menu freezes are still happening. Hopefully, this Windows failure (and subsequent reinstallation) may have been a blessing in disguise, lol.

I'll keep you posted.

[AnnMarie]

Awww, oh well, sometimes its better to start again. I hope your problems are over Jessek :D

[jessek]

Bizarre end to my problems.

I had resolved myself to only being able to access "My Computer" 50 % of the time. I had given up on shutting down without having to do so 4 or 5 times before succeeding. I had almost gotten used to searching for my word documents via the search function in the start menu (because it froze less often that Word Perfect). I had given up on emptying my "Recycle Bin" because it "didn't exist" half the time.

Guess what?

Last week, my 12 year old son decided to set up a new user. It's listed under his name (the original is in mine) and has the exact same icons, wallpaper etc., but nothing freezes under his user file!!!!!

So now we only use his and everything works perfectly!!!

I'm not even going to erase mine, for fear that his will move up and take it's place and the problems will resurface. Just to make sure things didn't somehow resolve themselves out of the blue, I did go back to my user file once and the troubles were all still there waiting for me.

Thought this additional post may help someone with similar problems if they come across my post via a search.

[AnnMarie]

Hi Jessek - thanks for updating us. It sounds as though your User profile is corrupted. I can understand your concerns about deleting it however a scanreg /fix might solve the problem.

If you want to try it, go to Start > Run and type:

scanreg /fix (note the space after scanreg and /)

and follow the prompts. Reboot when asked and try your profile again.

[jessek]

Thanks for the suggestion, but I really don't want to tough ANYTHING at this point, since all is flowing so smoothly. If my son wants to create another user ID for himself, we'll make a third.

It took me a long time to respond to your kind suggestion, because I don't visit this site very much anymore.

I used to visit daily, but now that's it's become inaccessible to Netscape 4.79 users, it is harder to remember to come over and see what's new. I have Netscape 7.00 (which I'm using now), but don't use it very often because my ISP doesn't support it yet and won't give me any details on how to set up my email account here.

Also, each time I try to post in Netscape 7, I'm asked for my user ID and password. I then have to request the details, have the password emailed to me and THEN post my thoughts.

My cookie settings have not changed with Netscape 7 (just checked), so I don't know why I'm now being asked to identify myself with each and every visit. I have written down the password this time (didn't think I'd need to before), so hopefully I won't have so much trouble next time. Not being able to visit with Netscape 4.79 is a major bummer though.:(

[AnnMarie]

Hi Jessek, yep I can well understand why you dont want to try any suggestions at this point. If you have any more problems though, its a simple fix and should be effective.

Re your password problems visiting our site. Its possible that you have a corrupted cookie Jessek. Try deleting the CTH cookie. After doing this, you will be asked for your username and password again but hopefully all will be well the next time that you visit.