Re: My computer just keeps crashing... all the time! Im going crazy

Astro_Boy12345 wrote:
Well basically, the computer runs fine for a while ( the time that i runs fine for changes all the time.) then at some unprescribed moment, the program that is running just crashes. Usually it comes up with the message - 'Program' as encountered a problem and needs to shut down' and then I have to shut it down. This happens constantly- and seems to get worse and occur more frequently the longer that the computer remains on. I just dont know what the hell im supposed to do. Any ideas? any way to fix this - or even find out what the problem is. It seems to effect all programs indiscrimantly....

In addition to Malke's advise have you done a thorough scan for malware in safe mode using a combination of programs?

For viruses, start with Trend Micro’s Sysclean and McAfee’s Stinger. Download them and the Sysclean signature file. Delete the temporary internet files, turn off system restore, boot into safe mode and run them. Boot back into normal mode and run a full AV scan with your normal AV program. Then turn system restore back on.

Trend Micro Sysclean
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp

Trend Micro Signature File
http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp

McAfee AVert Stinger Virus Removal Tool
http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/

You should also regularly run at least two of these online scans in addition to your regular up to date AV program:

Online and Downloadable Virus Scanning:

Panda ActiveScan
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/com/activescan_principal.htm

Bit Defender Online Virus Scan:
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php

Symantec Online Virus and Security Scan:
http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp

TrendMicro:
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp

McAfee Online Virus Scan:
http://www.mcafee.com/myapps/mfs/default.asp

RAV AntiVirus - Scan Online
http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/

F-Secure:
http://support.f-secure.com/enu/home/ols.shtml

Run these programs to check for spyware/malware. After installing update them, then boot into safe mode and run them. You should update and run them weekly.

Cwshredder
http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html

Ad-aware SE
http://www.lavasoftusa.com

Spybot Search and Destroy
http://www.safer-networking.org							

Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner
http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10247783.html

Pest Patrol Free Pest Scanner
http://store.ca.com/dr/v2/ec_main.entry25?page=FindOutWhosWatchingYou&client=ComputerAssociates&sid=35715

If you’re still having problems after running these then run HijackThis and post the log to one of the specialty forums, _NOT_ this one.

HijackThis
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155

Forums to Interpret HijackThis Logs:

http://www.spywareinfo.com/forums/
http://forum.aumha.org/viewforum.php?f=30
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/

After your system is clean use these programs to help keep it clean:

Spywareblaster
www.javacoolsoftware.com/sbdownload.html

Spywareguard
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/sgdownload.html

IE-SPYAD
http://www.staff.uiuc.edu/~ehowes/resource.htm

Make sure you have a firewall active at all times. If nothing else use the one built into XP, but there are a variety of free third party ones that do a better job from Sygate, Zone Alarm or Kerio.

Sygate Personal Firewall
http://smb.sygate.com/products/spf_standard.htm

Zone Alarm
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/freeDownload.jsp?lid=staticcomp_za

Kerio Personal Firewall
http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html

Good sites with info on Viruses and Parasites

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Richard Harper’s Guide to Cleaning Pests
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://www.spywareinfo.com

PC Hell Spyware and Adware Removal Help
http://www.pchell.com/support/spyware.shtml


--
Rock
MS MVP  Windows - Shell/User

.

Relevant Pages

  • Re: firewall??
    ... Boot back into normal mode and run a full AV scan with your ... Run these programs to check for spyware/malware. ... then boot into safe mode and run them. ... Sygate Personal Firewall ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
  • Re: RUNDLL
    ... To boot into safe ... until you get a menu and one choice will be safe mode. ... Bazooka Adware and Spyware Scanner ... Symantec Online Virus and Security Scan: ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
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    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.help_and_support)
  • Re: dialer, remove unwanted
    ... A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP ... Download Ad-aware SE and scan your PC for the presence of spyware: ... Protect Your PC! ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsupdate)
  • Re: PSNGive.exe
    ... A description of the Safe Mode Boot options in Windows XP ... Dealing with Unwanted Spyware and Parasites ... "Mark" wrote: ...
    (microsoft.public.windowsxp.general)
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