Programs crashing and not responding properly

King_Yoshi · June 16, 2009, 06:35:59 PM

Then I will ask again.. What is the best way of going about wiping my hard drive and reinstalling from the Windows Backup File on my external drive.

winchester73 · June 16, 2009, 07:02:56 PM

Quote from: King_Yoshi on June 16, 2009, 02:59:55 AM

I decided that this route is the best and safest route to follow, considering I seem to be using a greatly compromised computer!

After reading this thread twice, I don't see how you arrived at the "greatly compromised" conclusion. Why do you insist that you have a rootkit? None of the scans have uncovered anything.

King_Yoshi · June 16, 2009, 11:12:59 PM

I am not insisting I have a rootkit, I am insisting that there is something VERY wrong with the computer. (and don't want to take any more risks) I have used this computer for a long time, have upgraded it along the way, dealt with various viruses trojans, etc., I have even wiped and restarted it before.

What I understand is...

1. The computer continuously disconnects randomly from the internet (On more then one program that uses the internet)
2. The programs I am using freeze up and crash constantly
3. I scanned the computer with multiple rootkit detectors, anti virus and anti-malware programs (as stated previously in this thread)
3. I have checked the hardware, and run diagnostics and there seems to be nothing wrong with it
4. These problems only just started last week, and from previous experiences these symptoms mean that something is very wrong
5. I never said specifically there was a rootkit, it was suggested by Corrine based on a previouse problem that she had helped me with.
(http://www.landzdown.com/index.php?topic=31606.msg100824#msg100824)
6. I have all data on the computer backed up, so I find it would be faster and more efficient to just do a wipe and reinstall (It's worked wonders for me in the past)
7. I was planning to do a wipe of the computer at the end of this year, anyway, so a the wipe would just com a bit earlier then originally planned
8. I also want to just know, in general, the best and most secure way of going about wiping a computer

King_Yoshi · June 16, 2009, 11:22:10 PM

I almost forgot this very important fact:

9. When starting and running the computer in safe mode, all of these problems seem to dissapear.

winchester73 · June 17, 2009, 12:09:06 AM

I cannot tell a lie ... it is not a trivial task to reinstall an operating system. In my experience, there are lots of ways to fix PC problems before resorting to a wipe/reinstall, so my bias is to view a fresh install as the absolute last resort.

Since you have already made up your mind, I have found this to be a good way to wipe/reinstall: http://www.cyberwalker.com/article/454#reinstallxp

Aaron Hulett · June 17, 2009, 12:16:49 AM

Did you do a full backup, a partial backup, ??? - was this NTBackup (Start | All Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Backup)? Do you have an Automated System Recovery (ASR) floppy?

Some links I provided in a separate thread - these describe using ASR if that's the backup you did:

What's ASR in Windows XP/2003?
http://www.petri.co.il/whats_asr_in_windows_xp_2003.htm

Automated System Recovery (ASR) Overview
http://www.tech-faq.com/understanding-asr.shtml

//A

This information is provided "AS IS" without warranty, and confers no rights. The links I provided are only as a courtesy and do not indicate any endoresement by Microsoft. Microsoft is a registered trademark or trademark of Microsoft Corporation in the United States and/or other countries.

King_Yoshi · June 17, 2009, 01:26:39 AM

Yes my backup was created through the ASR wizard. And I saved it on an external hard drive which is always kept completely separate from this computer.

The only information that was backup up recently were files that music, bank information. (Which was not previously removed) and tons of Text files. (No applications or programs were backup up recently. I will be reinstalling thsoe from scratch.)

King_Yoshi · June 17, 2009, 01:57:11 AM

I just have 1 question. What do I do if I don't have a "ASR floppy disk" from step 3 in the ASR recover yous system Directions? I never knew I had to make one, I thought I would just be able to run the ASR backup directly from the external during the recovery process.

"3. You will then be prompted to insert the ASR floppy disk. Do so. You have for a few seconds still the time to abort the ASR process by pressing ESC."

Aaron Hulett · June 17, 2009, 04:01:00 AM

Microsoft Knowledge Base Article 299526
How To Re-Create a Missing Automated System Recovery Floppy Disk in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=299526

Or this might work... don't quote me on this as I'm not sure if it will work. Format and install Windows XP from your installatoin CD and then run the recovery using your backup (restoring on top of your current installation) and reboot.

//A

This information is provided "AS IS" without warranty, and confers no rights.

Corrine · June 18, 2009, 01:28:47 AM

Quote5. I never said specifically there was a rootkit, it was suggested by Corrine based on a previouse problem that she had helped me with.
(http://www.landzdown.com/index.php?topic=31606.msg100824#msg100824)

Just to clarify, you were the one who diagnosed a rootkit. There was no indication of a rootkit in your previous thread.

Quote from: King_Yoshi on March 11, 2009, 01:50:50 AM
It seems that combo fix did the trick, it was a rootkit that was causing the trouble.

Temmu · June 18, 2009, 12:54:56 PM

having started reading this thread then being absent, then reading only page 3...

hast thou considered hardware problems?

1. overheating anything
---- caution, hot! touch components, anything hot? prolly bad...
2. memory <--- boot off a linux live cd and choose "mem86 test"
--- if more than one stick, remove all but one. by process of elimination, find the bad ram (if any)
3. funky hard drive
---- run chkdsk c: /f /r
---- download and run the hd checker from your hd mfg's site
4. funky power supply
---- try unplugging the modem card, cd-rom, dvd, floppy and any thing else besides video, ram & hd.
(if the system becomes stable, perhaps something is drawing too much current or the ps is shot.)

stable only in safe mode

usually indicates poorly designed or inappropriate drivers or poorly tested free or share ware or even some for-pay software.

Aaron Hulett · June 18, 2009, 06:57:25 PM

I'll chime in with this as most people aren't aware we offer this.

Windows Memory Diagnostic
The Windows Memory Diagnostic tests the Random Access Memory (RAM) on your computer for errors. The diagnostic includes a comprehensive set of memory tests. If you are experiencing problems while running Windows, you can use the diagnostic to determine whether the problems are caused by failing hardware, such as RAM or the memory system of your motherboard. Windows Memory Diagnostic is designed to be easy and fast. On most configurations, you can download the diagnostic, read the documentation, run the test and complete the first test pass in less than 30 minutes.
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp

I used it on an office computer that someone was having problems with and was planning to return to IT for decomissioning. After I found the bad RAM stick, I took it out and swapped out one of the older machines in my office with it. I used the ISO option, burning it to disc and then booting off it - test started automatically, although I hit the option to run the more in-depth testing once in there.

//Aaron

This information is provided "AS IS" without warranty, and confers no rights.