Vista keeps freezing. Have to manually reboot laptop.

Hi,

Try using Safe Mode with Networking to download and install the drivers - get BIOS and others.
Repeatedly Tap F8 as you boot - select Safe Mode with Networking.

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

You can use Safe Mode as needed to troubleshoot using these methods - particularly Clean Boot
and Process Explorer.


What antivirus/antispyware/security products do you have on machine? Include any you have EVER
had on this machine including those you uninstalled (they leave remnants behind which can cause
strange issues).

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

Do these :

Start - type this in Search Box ->  COMMAND   find at top and RIGHT CLICK  -  RUN AS ADMIN

Enter this at the prompt - sfc /scannow

How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program
generates in Windows Vista cbs.log
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228

Also run CheckDisk so we can rule out corruption as much as possible.

How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html

==========================================

After the above :

How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/929135

How to troubleshoot performance issues in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950685

Optimizing Microsoft Windows Vista Performance
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/959062

To see all that is loading bootup - wait a few minutes without doing anything - then Right Click
TaskBar - Task Manager - take a look at Appplications - Processes - Services - this is a quick
reference (if you have a little box on Lower Left - Show for All Users then check that).

How to Check and Change the Startup Programs in Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/79612-startup-programs-enable-disable.html

A quick check to see which are loading is Method 2 there - using MSCONFIG then post a list of
those here.
--------------------------------------------------------------------

Tools that should help :

Process Explorer - Free - Find out what files, registry keys and other objects processes have open,
which DLLs they have loaded, and more. This uniquely powerful utility will even show you who owns
each process.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

Autoruns - Free - See what programs are configured to startup automatically when your system boots
and you login. Autoruns also shows you the full list of Registry and file locations where applications can
configure auto-start settings.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

Process Monitor - Free - Monitor file system, Registry, process, thread and DLL activity in real-time.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

There are many excellent free tools at Sysinternals
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default.aspx

WhatsInStartUP - Free - This utility displays the list of all applications that are loaded automatically
when Windows starts up. For each application, the following information is displayed: Startup Type (Registry/Startup Folder), Command -Line String, Product Name, File Version, Company Name,
Location in the Registry or file system, and more. It allows you to easily disable or delete unwanted
programs that runs in your Windows startup.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/what_run_in_startup.html

There are many excellent free tools at NirSoft
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/index.html

Window Watcher - Free - Do you know what's running on your computer? Maybe not. The Window
Watcher tells all, reporting every window created by every running program, whether the window
is visible or not.
http://www.karenware.com/powertools/ptwinwatch.asp

Many excellent free tools and an excellent newsletter at Karenware
http://www.karenware.com/

===========================================

Vista and Windows 7 love updated drivers so here is how to update the major ones.

This is my generic how to for proper driver updates :

This utility makes it easy to see which versions are loaded :

DriverView - Free - utility displays the list of all device drivers currently loaded on your system.
For each driver in the list, additional useful information is displayed: load address of the driver,
description, version, product name, company that created the driver, and more.
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/driverview.html

For Drivers check System Maker as fallbacks and Device Maker's which are the most current.
Control Panel - Device Manager - Display Adapter - write down the make and complete model
of your video adapter - double click - Driver's tab - write down the version info. Now click UPdate
Driver (this may not do anything as MS is far behind certifying drivers) - then Right Click -
Uninstall - REBOOT this will refresh the driver stack.

Repeat that for Network - Network Card (NIC), Wifi, Sound, Mouse and Keyboard if 3rd party
with their own software and drivers and any other major device drivers you have.

Now go to System Maker's site (Dell, HP, Toshiba as examples) (as rollback) and then Device
Maker's site (Realtek, Intel, Nvidia, ATI as examples) and get their latest versions. (Look for
BIOS, Chipset and software updates at System Maker's site while there.)

Download - SAVE - go to where you put them - Right Click - RUN AD ADMIN - REBOOT after
each installation.

Always check in Device Manager - Drivers tab to be sure the version you are installing actually
shows up. This is because some drivers rollback before the latest is installed (sound drivers
particularly do this) so install a driver - reboot - check to be sure it is installed and repeat as
needed.

Repeat at Device Makers - BTW at Device Makers DO NOT RUN THEIR SCANNER - check
manually by model.

Manually look at manufacturer's sites for drivers - and Device Maker's sites.
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/driverssupport/ht/driverdlmfgr.htm

How to Install a Device Driver in Vista Device Manager
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/193584-device-manager-install-driver.html

If you update drivers manually then it is a good idea to disable Driver Installations in Windows
Updates, this leaves Windows Updates ON however it will not install drivers which will usually be
older and cause issues. If Updates suggests a new driver then HIDE it (Right Click on it) and then
go look for new ones manually if you wish.

How To Disable Automatic Driver Installation In Windows Vista - Drivers
http://www.addictivetips.com/windows-tips/how-to-disable-automatic-driver-installation-in-windows-vista/
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/cc730606(WS.10).aspx

===========================================

Refer to these threads for many more excellent tips however be sure to check your antivirus
programs, update major drivers and BIOS, and also troubleshoot with the cleanboot method
first.

Problems with overall system speed and performance
http://support.microsoft.com/gp/slow_windows_performance/en-us

Performance and Maintenance tips
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7performance/thread/19e5d6c3-bf07-49ac-a2fa-6718c988f125

Windows Explorer has stopped working
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/w7performance/thread/6ab02526-5071-4dcc-895f-d90202bad8b3

Hope these help and Happy Holidays!

---

Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Thanks for your quick response.  I'll get started on updating the drivers in safe mode 1st.  I use Kaspersky Internet security 2010.  Kaspersky is the only one I've ever used on this machine.

I'll get started on your list right away.  Thanks again SpiritX.  Will let you know how it goes.

Hi,

Frankly Kaspersky is probably implicated in the issue, it seems to be causing a lot of issues lately.

Kaspersky could easily be the problem. Merely disabling it will not stop it from loading pieces of
itself so its best to uninstall it. Uninstall then run the Removal Tool and/or special instructions to
prevent remnants being left which can cause strange issues. Below recommendations to use while
testing, even better permanently.

Kaspersky - Removal Tool
http://support.kasperskyamericas.com/knowledge-base-article/1464

List of anti-malware program cleanup/uninstall tools
http://social.answers.microsoft.com/Forums/en-US/msestart/thread/407bf6da-c05d-4546-8788-0aa4c25a1f91/

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

Here is what I use and recommend : (These are all Free versions and very effective.) 

Avast and Prevx have proven extremely reliable and compatible with everything I have
thrown at them. Microsoft Security Essentials and Prevx have also proven to be very
reliable and compatible. Use MSE and Prevx or Avast and Prevx however not all 3.

Avast Home Free - stop any shields you do not need except leave Standard, Web, and
Network running.

Prevx - Home - Free

Windows Firewall

Windows Defender (not needed if using MSE)

IE - Protected Mode

IE 8 - SmartScreen Filter ON  (IE 7 Phishing Filter)

I also have IE to always start with InPrivate Filter active if IE 8.
(You occasionally have to turn it temporarily off with the little Icon on LEFT of the + bottom
right of IE)

Two versions of Avast are available 5.x and 4.8x

Avast 5.x - Home - Free - Stop the Shields you do not use (except File, Web, Network, &
Behavior) - double click the Orange Icon in Notification Area - Real Time Shields - click the
Shield you want to stop - STOP. To stop the Orange Icon from showing an error indicator -
click the Orange Icon - Upper Right - Settings - click Status Bar - uncheck the Shields you
disabled - click OK
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

Avast 4.8x - Home - Free - stop any shields you do not need except leave Standard, Web,
and Network running. (Double Click Blue icon - details next to OK. - upper left Shields -
Terminate those you do not use.)
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download#tab4

Or use Microsoft Security Essentials - Free
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

Prevx works well along side Avast or MSE

Prevx - Home - Free small, fast, exceptional CLOUD protection, works with other security
programs. This is a scanner only, VERY EFFECTIVE, if it finds something come back here
or use Google to see how to remove. 
http://www.prevx.com/   <-- information
http://info.prevx.com/downloadcsi.asp  <-- download

PCmag - Prevx - Editor'a Choice
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2346862,00.asp

Also get Malwarebytes - free - use as scanner only. If you ever suspect malware, and that
would be unsual with Avast and Prevx running except for an occasional low level cookie
(no big deal), UPDATE it and then run it as a scanner. I have many scanners and they
never find anything of note since I started using this setup.

http://www.malwarebytes.org/

Hope this helps and Happy Holidays!

---

Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Just got done with the Windows Resource Checker.  It found corrupt files but could not fix some of them.  I am having trouble locating the details though.  Every time I type "findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt " nothing happens.   I can't locate the text file on my computer.  Going to start the Checkdisk now.  Seems like I have a real problem.

Also, Toshiba wants to charge me 30 bucks for the drivers!  I thought that stuff was free/ included in my original purchase.  I've never heard of other people paying to update drivers.  I mean, I wouldn't really know but from what i've heard and read it seemed free.

Hi,

Check with Toshiba Support, their on-line drivers (to update or re-install), and their forums.

Toshiba - Forums
http://laptopforums.toshiba.com/

Toshiba - Contacts
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/navShell.jsp?cf=su_contact

Toshiba - Drivers - navigate to your model - downloads are free
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/home.jsp?nav=Download

Toshiba - Support
http://www.csd.toshiba.com/cgi-bin/tais/support/jsp/home.jsp

====================================================

Many of the files sfc can't fix are not important.

Start - type in Search box ->  CMD   find at top - Right Click on - RUN AS ADMIN

put the command from below (copy and paste it) into that box and then hit enter.

findstr /c:"[SR]" %windir%\logs\cbs\cbs.log >sfcdetails.txt

that creates the sfcdetails.txt file in the folder you are in when you run it.

So if you are in C:\Windows\System32>    then you will need to look in that folder for the file.

How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program
generates in Windows Vista
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228

That creates sfcdetails.txt  in C:\Windows\System32   find it and you can post the errors into a message
here. NOTE : there probably are duplicates so please only post each section of errors once.

You can read the log/txt files easier if you right click on Notepad or Wordpad then RUN AS ADMIN - then
you can navigate to sfcdetails.txt ( in C:\Windows\System32 ) or cbs.log ( in C:\Windows\Logs ) as needed.
(You may need to search for sfcdetails.txt if it was not created in the default folders.)

Hope this helps and Happy Holidays.

---

Rob Brown - MS MVP - Windows Desktop Experience : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Thanks again SpiritX.  Performed the Check disk.  It was going well, repaired a files clusted (something to do with Mozilla Firefox profiles) and then my computer froze at the end.  sigh.  Halfway through stage 5 free space clusters it just stopped.  I let it sit there for 30 minutes before I powered down.  So I guess this means I have a hardware problem, right?

Hi,

Hard drive and/or hardware issues relating to the hard drive.

Disk issues can get serious very quickly so I would thoroughly check the drive now and be sure to keep
redundant backups of your important data (use several methods).

Inside Windows - Regular or Safe Mode (repeatedly tap F8 as you boot).

Run checkdisk - schedule it to run at next start and then Apply OK your way out then restart.

How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html

Start - type in Search box -  COMMAND   find at top of list -  RIGHT CLICK  -  RUN AS ADMIN

sfc /scannow

How to analyze the log file entries that the Microsoft Windows Resource Checker (SFC.exe) program
generates in Windows Vista cbs.log
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/928228


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

These are much more efficient methods to check the disk.

From the Command Prompt of the Recovery Console (if you have one) or from a Vista disk - if you do not
have a Vista disk you can borrow a friend's (it needs to be same 32 or 64 bit and they are not copy protected)
or make one. Also your System maker will sell the physical disks cheap since you already own Windows.

chkdsk /f /r

REBOOT

Space after k and before /  and after f and before /

sfc /scannow

REBOOT

Space after c and before /

This tells you how to access the System Recovery Options and/or from a Vista DVD
http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/Help/326b756b-1601-435e-99d0-1585439470351033.mspx

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

If you need to make repair disks - these help repair Windows not re-install.

How to Make a Bootable Disk in Vista
http://www.brighthub.com/computing/windows-platform/articles/7050.aspx

Download: Windows Vista 32 bit (x86) Recovery Disc and Windows 7
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

Download: Windows Vista x64 Recovery Disc and Windows 7
http://neosmart.net/blog/2008/download-windows-vista-x64-recovery-disc/

How to Make a Windows Vista Repair Disk If You Don’t Have One
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/how-to-make-a-windows-vista-repair-disk-if-you-dont-have-one/

=====================================

If CheckDisk fails to complete as above :

(The old 302602 links is not valid now for the diagnostic links.)

Diagnostic Utilities By Manufacturer - run the one for your hard drive
http://www.techsupportforum.com/hardware-support/hard-drive-support/462298-no-ide-device-found.html

Corrected list as of 6-09-2010

Fujitsu Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.fujitsu.com/emea/products/hdd/

Hitachi Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.hitachigst.com/support/downloads/

IBM Hard Drives: Use Hitachi Utilities*

Toshiba Hard Drives: Use Hitachi or Maxtor Utilities

Maxtor Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here (now SeaGate)
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/

Quantum Hard Drives: Use Maxtor Utilities

Seagate Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.seagate.com/www/en-us/support/downloads

Conner Hard Drives: Use Seagate Utilities

Samsung Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://www.samsung.com/global/business/hdd/

Western Digital Hard Drives: Diagnostic Utilities Here
http://support.wdc.com/product/download.asp?lang=en

The trial versions of one of these "might" help.

SpeedFan
http://www.almico.com/sfdownload.php

HD Tune
http://www.hdtune.com/

==============================

If needed these tell you how to enable and disable it :

How to Fix Chkdsk will Not Run at Startup in Vista
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/130824-chkdsk-will-not-run-startup-vista.html

Disable or Stop Auto CHKDSK During Windows Startup - scroll down to it.
http://rahuldpatel.wordpress.com/2008/11/22/

How Do I Prevent CHKDSK From Running Every Time My PC Starts?
http://www.ocmodshop.com/ocmodshop.aspx?a=874

How to Run Check Disk at Startup in Vista - check methods 3 and 4
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/67612-check-disk-chkdsk.html

Video: Stop Check Disk from constantly running when Windows Vista starts
http://blogs.techrepublic.com.com/itdojo/?p=193

ChkDsk Runs On Every StartUp in Windows.
http://www.winvistaclub.com/t20.html

Hope this helps and Happy Holidays!

---

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

Okay, I was able to find the sfc details.  This was the error message:

2010-12-22 18:22:42, Info                  CSI    00000158 [SR] Beginning Verify and Repair transaction
2010-12-22 18:22:43, Info                  CSI    0000015a [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:24{12}]"settings.ini" of Microsoft-Windows-Sidebar, Version = 6.0.6001.18000, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_INTEL (0), Culture neutral, VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral in the store, hash mismatch

2010-12-22 18:22:58, Info                  CSI    0000015c [SR] Cannot repair member file [l:24{12}]"settings.ini" of Microsoft-Windows-Sidebar, Version = 6.0.6001.18000, pA = PROCESSOR_ARCHITECTURE_INTEL (0), Culture neutral, VersionScope = 1 nonSxS, PublicKeyToken = {l:8 b:31bf3856ad364e35}, Type neutral, TypeName neutral, PublicKey neutral in the store, hash mismatch

2010-12-22 18:22:58, Info                  CSI    0000015d [SR] This component was referenced by [l:158{79}]"Package_20_for_KB936330~31bf3856ad364e35~x86~~6.0.1.18000.936330-33_neutral_GDR"

2010-12-22 18:22:58, Info                  CSI    00000160 [SR] Could not reproject corrupted file [ml:520{260},l:72{36}]"\??\C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar"\[l:24{12}]"settings.ini"; source file in store is also corrupted

2010-12-22 18:22:59, Info                  CSI    00000162 [SR] Verify complete

I don't have any repair disks and don't know anyone who has Vista.  I will use the links you provided and create repair disks.  It would be pretty cool if I could fix my owm computer.  I really appreciate your help.  And happy holidays to you too!

Hi,

Those errors only are in the settings.ini for the Sidebar and are not a serious issue by any means.

Close the Sidebar to do this.

Something else for the settings.ini - run AutoRuns and look at SideBar Gadget entries - are there any
that point to no longer existing files such as temp ones or uninstalled or not running gadgets? Usually
those will have "Yellow Icons" on the left side and the folder/files will not exist. If so right click on them
and Delete - Reboot. This may fix the errors you are seeing.

Autoruns - Free - See what programs are configured to startup automatically when your system boots
and you login. Autoruns also shows you the full list of Registry and file locations where applications can
configure auto-start settings.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

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

Another process to try is removing all but one gadget - whatever you think is the simplest you use -
maybe the Calendar. Then REBOOT - use another simple gadget and remove the first one used
- REBOOT again. See if that helps.

That error rarely causes significant issue with the Sidebar and does not affect the System in general.

The SFC.exe command reports Settings.ini file errors in the CBS.log file after you add gadgets to
the Windows Vista Sidebar by using the Sysprep tool and an Autounattend.xml file.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/947595

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

Another method to try with the SideBar not running is to copy Settings.ini to another folder and then
delete it - then start the SideBar.

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

You could also try restoring it from any copy of a Vista DVD (same 32 or 64 bit though).

Access Files On Your Vista Install DVD
http://www.vistax64.com/tutorials/86959-access-vista-install-dvd-files.html

How to extract missing system files from the DVD of Windows 7/Vista.
http://blog.nirsoft.net/2009/09/17/how-to-extract-missing-system-files-from-the-dvd-of-windows-7vista/

Hope this helps and Happy Holidays!

---

Rob Brown - Microsoft MVP <- profile - Windows Expert - Consumer : Bicycle - Mark Twain said it right.

After digging around in old boxes I found the box my laptop came in and found 2 discs labelled "Toshiba Recovery Media ".  It says the software on the discs was pre-installed on my hard drive at the factory and may be used for backup and recovery of my sytem.  In an earlier post SpiritX wrote:

These are much more efficient methods to check the disk.

From the Command Prompt of the Recovery Console (if you have one) or from a Vista disk - if you do not
have a Vista disk you can borrow a friend's (it needs to be same 32 or 64 bit and they are not copy protected)
or make one. Also your System maker will sell the physical disks cheap since you already own Windows.

chkdsk /f /r

REBOOT

Space after k and before /  and after f and before /

sfc /scannow

REBOOT

Space after c and before /

 

These are the disks i assume.  I had already downloaded the "repair disk" from Neosmart (as suggested above) and I saw the file was named Vista Recovery disk on my hard drive.  Sorry if this is a stupid question, (as I type this I know its a stupid question but I want to be sure before I do something wrong) I should go forward with Check Disk using the disks I found?  This noob appreciates your help.