Programs not starting up

elliot777 · 13 Dec 2011 at 21:22

So, only about a week ago my pc has started acting weird. first when it starts up is ok but then when i try to open a program such as Firefox it doesnt open. so i go into windows task manager and all of the programs i open are stuck on 104k memory usage (except the ones that start on boot). The next thing that happens is my pc then turns into windows basic then it disconnects from the internet then about after 10 mins it goes back into the normal version of windows 7 and reconnects. i did a system restore to about 5 days ago and its still happening can anyone help me please i cant even browse the internet without it crashing.

shadow_boxer · 14 Dec 2011 at 00:10

What anti-virus, firewall, internet protection programmes are you using?

What are the programmes that are loading in the task manager that look unusual?

Admiral Huddy · 14 Dec 2011 at 10:08

Just to follow on from what Shadow said, try booting into "Safe Mode with networking" and see if you get the same problem. If not, the use HiJackThis show active services and print this off if you can. Then do the same in normal mode as well.

When you've done both, highlight any differences and google each to find anything that might be causing the problem. Painstaking but often works.

Failing that run Spybot S&D.

It might not resolve the problem, but it a good place to start.

elliot777 · 14 Dec 2011 at 10:47

shadow_boxer said:
What anti-virus, firewall, internet protection programmes are you using?

What are the programmes that are loading in the task manager that look unusual?

hi there, i'm using Norton internet security i have done a full system scan and nothing turned up except some cookies. Also there doesent seem to be any programs that look unusual on task manager. the only things i have downloaded in the past few days are some updates of Steam and an update for BF3

elliot777 · 14 Dec 2011 at 15:24

Admiral Huddy said:
Just to follow on from what Shadow said, try booting into "Safe Mode with networking" and see if you get the same problem. If not, the use HiJackThis show active services and print this off if you can. Then do the same in normal mode as well.

When you've done both, highlight any differences and google each to find anything that might be causing the problem. Painstaking but often works.

Failing that run Spybot S&D.

It might not resolve the problem, but it a good place to start.

I've just started up in Safe Mode with networking, and everything is working fine So what should i now do?

Admiral Huddy · 14 Dec 2011 at 15:53

elliot777 said:
I've just started up in Safe Mode with networking, and everything is working fine So what should i now do?

I would run SpyBot S&D in that mode before doing anything.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

Run it a few times in safe mode.

If that fails to work, then download HiJackThis

Run this in both safe and normal mode and compare the differences as I said earlier

elliot777 · 14 Dec 2011 at 16:09

Admiral Huddy said:
I would run SpyBot S&D in that mode before doing anything.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

Run it a few times in safe mode.

If that fails to work, then download HiJackThis

Run this in both safe and normal mode and compare the differences as I said earlier

ok, ive downlaod Spybot S&D Nothing came up. i also installed HiJackThis And Ran it in safe mode It created a log file. then i went off safe mode and hijackthis said that itcould not acces C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts so i clicked ok then it said it could not create a log file and was asking me if i wanted to create a new one i clicked yes and nothing happend.

Admiral Huddy · 14 Dec 2011 at 16:55

Can you change the path outside the system root.. Maybe to your own directory?

Idleman · 14 Dec 2011 at 16:55

Have you tried repairing windows with your OS disc? Might be worth a try.

elliot777 · 14 Dec 2011 at 16:59

Admiral Huddy said:
Can you change the path outside the system root.. Maybe to your own directory?

Sorry i dont understand what this means :confused:

Admiral Huddy · 14 Dec 2011 at 17:00

Idleman said:
Have you tried repairing windows with your OS disc? Might be worth a try.

Yep, I agree. I think this is your next call.. Failing that a complete fresh install..

elliot777 said:
Sorry i dont understand what this means

Change the location where the file is saved. There's normally a browse to function. The application may not have access rights to that directory, being a driver directory. Change the path to "My Documents", for example. There should be an option for this in HiJackThis.

elliot777 · 14 Dec 2011 at 17:06

Admiral Huddy said:
Yep, I agree. I think this is your next call.. Failing that a complete fresh install..

Change the location where the file is saved. There's normally a browse to function. The application may not have access rights to that directory, being a driver directory. Change the path to "My Documents", for example. There should be an option for this in HiJackThis.

So should i just put the OS disk in and Re-install Windows 7 home premium?

Admiral Huddy · 14 Dec 2011 at 17:11

elliot777 said:
So should i just put the OS disk in and Re-install Windows 7 home premium?

Yes, but make sure you have backups.

Everything is in here:

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Installing-and-reinstalling-Windows-7

You could try the upgrade path which re-installs windows whilst keping your files and settings.. However, I'd be inclined to do a full install (custom - install Windows 7 using the Custom option and formatting the hard disk)

Idleman · 14 Dec 2011 at 17:30

Try the repair option first, if that fails, then do a fresh install.

topdog@OC · 14 Dec 2011 at 17:35

elliot777 said:
... then i went off safe mode and hijackthis said that itcould not acces C:\Windows\System32\drivers\etc\hosts ...

Bring up a command prompt, and type in the following:

icacls %windir%\system32\drivers\etc\hosts

What does it come back with (exactly)?