Windows 7 Locks up after login but not in safe mode

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20 Nov 2010
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Hi guys...

I am running Windows 7 64 bit with the latest updates installed.

Today i switched on my computer, logged in and after a few seconds the computer locks up. I am unable to open Task Manager or any other program. I am still able to use the mouse, but nothing opens. I tried Safe Mode and it works fine. I am in safe mode as i am typing this. I haven't installed any new software/drivers recently.

In safe mode I ran a scan with Spybot Search and Destroy. It found nothing. Currently running a scan in avast, don't think it will find anything, but i will keep you posted.

Any suggestions?

All help is appreciated
 
Thanks for the reply.

Just ran a scan with MalwareBytes and no threats were detected.

Really stumped as to what it could be.

I booted into safe mode and removed video drivers for my GTX 580 just in case those were causing problems. (They have in the past)...but to no avail.

Any more suggestions?
 
hi, have you tried removing the overclock and booting? Worth a try if you haven't. Also, in safe mode, run msconfig and untick all startup programs/services and try booting.
 
process of elimination :)

enable the first half of services and try (work out if its a service in the first half of the list or second)

then try the first quater of the half with the problem service in...

:)
 
Okay.

One more question. I CHECKED the startup items, and UNCHECKED services. It booted fine and DID NOT lock up.

So, does this mean the problem doesn't lie in the startup items and rather in the services instead? So i can slowly enable each service until the problem happens? Rather than going through both startup and service items?
 
the problem will be one of the things that you unchecked (in your case - the services), so leave everything else as it is and begin to check services until you get the problem again.
 
Enable all the services.

Check the box that says 'Hide Microsoft services', then disable the ones left.

That should narrow it down a bit.
 
Thanks for the replies.

I just enabled all services and startup items (I don't know why, I just did lol)... Rebooted.

It logged me in. No freezes. I checked msconfig to make sure i wasn't going crazy. And all items were enabled....however there was one that was unchecked.

Avast! antivirus service was unchecked...even though i checked everything.

So i'm really confused now.
 
Do you have a wireless adaptor? I have that problem with Vista. It turned out to be the WLAN Auto Config service. I found by setting it to manual and then starting the service a couple of minutes after Windows login solved the problem.

Blackvault
 
I do have a wireless adapter.

Thanks for the reply but i won't do that just yet as everything seems to working okay.

Really strange. Thanks for your help people!
 

gotta love computers :p

If it isn't the antivirus causing the problem, then my guess is that something updated but for some reason was getting stuck (not a technical term i'm afraid) after the next boot, then when you booted without the service running somehow it got unstuck, thus subsequent boots are now fine. Sometimes you gotta just except you may never know :)
 
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