Computer freezes!

November 16, 2007 1:44 PM

Computer semi-freezes one in every three startups. What's going on?

This problem with my computer has been going on for a while not, and it's reached the point where I'm totally over it. I think it started about 6 months ago. I would turn on my computer and every so often certain programs wouldn't open, specifically internet programs such as Firefox and IE. Some programs, however, would open fine (such as Word, Notepad, Windows Explorer). After a while I worked out that If I unplug the internet cable before turning the computer on, let it load, open the desired internet programs (i.e. Firefox), THEN plug the internet cable into my computer, it would work fine.

I was able to do this until I changed internet providers. Now, no matter whether I unplug the internet cable before or after startup, one in every three or four times the computer won't let Firefox or IE load. The programs simply don't open, and then the computer totally freezes.

I've done some testing with it, such as using a new virus scanning program, but it still happens. And according to the two virus scanning programs that I've used there are no viruses.

Also, the internet cable that I used BEFORE the current ISP was a regular big blue cable that goes into the "bigger" slot (I hope that's understandable!) - and the internet would automatically start. However, the current internet connection uses a USB connection to the modem, and I actually have to log in to my internet every time I turn on my computer. I had to install special software as well and it always tries to connect to the modem, even if the cable's not plugged in.

My last resort will be to reformat the computer, but I really don't want to do that. If you can offer any suggestions it would be much appreciated.

posted by Jase_B to computers & internet (5 comments total)

You mentioned anti-virus. Have you run an anti-spyware tool like AdAware or Spybot S&D?
posted by knave at 2:03 PM on November 16, 2007

Get this.

Best computer guide ever. Seriously. If you have a windows-based box, you need this.

Start with the section on PC Security, then Cleaning Windows, then Regular Maintenance, and then check out the Windows Errors section.

I'm sure he mentions it in the guide, but windows installations tend to 'deteriorate' (for lack of a better word) over time. They gets slow and buggy, even with proper cleaning and maintenance. My windows installation needs reformatted and rebuilt from scratch every year or so. Someone who messes with their system less may get 2-5 years.
posted by sisquoc15 at 2:19 PM on November 16, 2007 [1 favorite]

It doesn't sound like a virus problem to me; it sounds like a driver problem. Freezes, especially on startup, are generally down to corrupted or obsolete DLL files.

What probably happened was you installed something and later upgraded or deleted it, and the old DLL is still in there somewhere, but it can't talk to what it expects to find, and the computer hangs (because Windows is not particularly robust in these things).

There are a number of approaches, but one is to use start|run|msconfig to view all the stuff that your computer is running from third parties, and selectively edit until you find a config that doesn't cause problems.
posted by dhartung at 4:50 PM on November 16, 2007

First off, do an anti-malware check - more than just checking for viruses. If you don't want to download a program to do that, at least do the online scan at Trend Micro.

Reading your description, it's possible that it has something to do with the drivers for your network card (although I'm not sure if that would make your web browsers not run at all...)

To test out the theory of a driver messing you up, try starting your computer in Safe Mode by hitting F8 as Windows is starting. First try just plain Safe Mode. If that continues to freeze you up, you can be fairly certain that it's something else than just a driver issue.
If that basic Safe Mode configuration is running fine, though, restart and try again using Safe Mode with Networking, which will load the drivers for your network card (the interface card where your "big blue" cable was plugged in before) as well. If it hangs here like it has been, it might be a problem with your internal network card. If so, report back and we can tell you how to fix it. At least that will probably help you narrow things down a bit.

If the Safe Mode exercise doesn't give you a clue on what's going on, perhaps you have something starting up in the background when you turn on the computer that is making it lock up. Do what dhartung said and go start:run, type msconfig and hit enter. Go to the "Startup" tab. All the checked boxes are programs starting when your computer starts. Use the file path of the program, or Google the names of each program item (the names that go "*.exe"), to determine if you really need them. You can also check Black Viper's site for more info on these types of extra programs. Uncheck the boxes to force the programs not to load on startup, and restart. See if that helps any.
posted by gemmy at 9:54 PM on November 16, 2007

Thanks for your answers everyone.
posted by Jase_B at 1:26 AM on November 17, 2007