Re: WON'T BOOT UP

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

Ran Malwarebytes last night, but not in safe mode. Will do that tonight.
See my response to Rich Barry RE: event viewer errors. Thanks for help.
Also :
OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600
OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation
System Name PETER-23ADC86BF
System Manufacturer System manufacturer
System Model P5K PRO
System Type X86-based PC
Processor x86 Family 6 Model 15 Stepping 11 GenuineIntel ~2405 Mhz
BIOS Version/Date American Megatrends Inc. 0806, 2/12/2008
SMBIOS Version 2.4
Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS
System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32
Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2
Locale United States
Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)"
User Name PETER-23ADC86BF\Peter
Time Zone Mountain Daylight Time
Total Physical Memory 4,096.00 MB
Available Physical Memory 2.44 GB
Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB
Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB
Page File Space 4.84 GB
Page File C:\pagefile.sys


"Daave" wrote:

Thanks for the new info, including your specs.

We can now rule out a hardware problem. There is at least one program
(or process) that is normally configured to automatically run each time
you boot up your PC that is the culrpit. Could be malware. Could be a
legit program. Could very well be Norton (perhaps there is some
conflict). You can systematically re-enable every one of these items
until the behavior returns and therefore determine which one of these
programs/processes is the responsible culprit. One way is re-enable half
and respond accordingly. If you would like a little help, post back with
the names of all the programs and processes you have temporarily
disabled.

Yes, any onboard protection (like Norton) is probably gone for the time
being. To be as safe as possible, physically disconnect your PC from the
Internet when you are not reading or writing posts here.

This is a diagnostic mode. If you keep everything disabled, you will
lose some functionality (depending on what was disabled). But you will
also learn which programs and processes are not needed whatsoever. To
learn more, read here:

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.php#THE_PROGRAMS

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/

http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm

Make sure you don't click on any advertisement links (for instance, the
first one has a "recommended free scan")! :-)

Also, for good measure, I would download the *free* version of
MalwareBytes' Anti-Malware (MBAM), install it, update it, and run it in
Safe Mode. Here is the link:

http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Again, with the above, don't click on any ads! Only download the actual
installation file, which should be called:

mbam-setup.exe




PETERFST wrote:
OK, now I'm in a "clean boot" mode. It works very well an fast. Is
there any reason why I can't leave my computer in this boot up mode?
I don't use the icons on my taskbar tray much anyway. Is my Norton
antivirus gone?

"Daave" wrote:

PETERFST wrote:
Often, now, my XP won't boot up all of the way. Looks completly
normal with desktop and tray icons, but it will not do anything,
open anything, or work anything. Most of the time I start with F8
and choose start with last known good configuration. System restore
does not work. Have run virus scan, chkdsk, and defragged yielding
no help. How about re-installing WIN XP OP system with the disk?
Will that help? Coincidentally, I recentely downloaded and
installed SP3. When it boots up completely, computer runs normally.
Any suggestions? Peterfst in SLC.............thanks.

Did the poblems occur before or after installing SP3?

Programs like Norton and McAfee interfere with System Restore. There
are ways around that, but it doesn't matter at this point since
System Restore won't solve your particular problem.

What is your performance like in Safe Mode? If it improves, that's
useful information. The next qusetion then would be what's your
peformance like after having configured a Clean Boot? Instructions
are here:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310353

Although there's a possibility you are experiencing a hardware
problem, my first guess is a malware infection. Before I give you
any other feedback, kindly answer the following questions:

1. What is the make and model of your PC?

2. Do you have access to the appropriate Windows XP installation CD?

3. Are you running XP Home, Pro, or Media Center Edition?

4. How much RAM do you have?

5. How large is the hard drive and how much free space is on there?

6. Do you have access to another PC to download files and burn CDs?

Finally, please bookmark the following page:

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

If you do have malware, I will be referring to it later.



.

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