[crdenny]

By the way, just so you know it isn't ONLY about video: Just as an afterthought, I ran a scan of another Uniblue application to see what it might turn up - "SpeedUpMyPC" - and it found virtually nothing. But after deleting some junk files it crashed, and the CPU was stuck at 100% until I managed to get the malfunctioning program to close.

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Sorry for over-replying! But I wonder if this is new information that might clarify something. Here is a list of the most recent Firefox crashes and Mozilla's diagnoses of the causes. In case you (unlike me) understand what this means and think it might point to some identifiable underlying issue(s).

FIREFOX - SUBMITTED CRASH REPORTS:

Report ID/Date & Time Submitted

bp-9041c589-4671-4fb9-8d47-51f282100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:54 PM

bp-43a4bd5b-53a9-4738-9be4-ae90e2100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:54 PM

bp-d4a74dd6-cc54-4746-9d8c-132af2100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:52 PM

bp-5e2923f4-a36c-4f66-93f8-d65212100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:51 PM

bp-4a2dfb8b-1918-42ee-af63-5de732100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:51 PM

bp-5b62d984-9b84-4a50-a813-2d4272100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:50 PM

bp-46fc2920-0127-4cc1-b4c1-a49052100501 [@ WrappedNativeMarker ] 5/1/2010 2:04 PM

bp-07ac554c-f762-4bda-a707-fbcfb2100430 [@ js_FoldConstants ] 4/30/2010 8:52 PM

bp-777ea150-ccc3-40be-b0d4-a31962100430 [@ nsINode::GetOwnerDoc] 4/30/2010 8:49 PM

bp-f8009a5f-0ca9-4cea-8d37-05c4f2100430 [@@0x0 | js_Invoke ] 4/30/2010 5:12 PM

bp-417e84a8-54c5-4d4c-b411-64bd22100430 [@ nsStyleContext::GetStyleVisibility] 4/30/2010 3:06 PM

bp-3ae74541-11e6-4837-a3e4-8d6662100427 [@ nsRunnableMethod<nsScriptLoader, void>::‘vector deleting destructor”’(unsigned int)‎]
4/27/2010 9:48 PM

bp-38f5a296-beb7-4037-ad90-ddc272100427 [@ nsRunnableMethod<nsScriptLoader, void>::‘vector deleting destructor”’(unsigned int)‎]
4/27/2010 9:48 PM

bp-00c3f563-8cbb-4862-90da-32a5a2100427 [@ nsRunnableMethod<nsScriptLoader, void>::‘vector deleting destructor”’(unsigned int)‎]
4/27/2010 9:48 PM

bp-747fb17b-a427-4ed9-b40f-512982100427 [@ nsRunnableMethod<nsScriptLoader, void>::‘vector deleting destructor”’(unsigned int)‎]
4/27/2010 9:48 PM

bp-995950b5-d24d-4d0c-bd66-083412100421 [@ js_FoldConstants ] 4/21/2010 9:43 PM

bp-3b909793-53bb-494c-9f51-4e9b62100416 [@ SetStyleSheetReference ] 4/16/2010 4:01 AM

bp-0eb742e1-1747-4a0c-b636-d1b442100413 [@ js_Interpret:1929 ] 4/14/2010 12:18 AM

bp-61af86e3-6fd9-47a3-a64e-b4dee2100413 [@ js_TraceObject ] 4/13/2010 9:18 PM

bp-4c55300d-c73b-4bb1-af3b-1b18f2100413 [@ NPSWF32.dll@0xa8d97 ] 4/13/2010 4:56 PM
Caused by a plugin: Shockwave Flash (npswf32.dll)‎

bp-18532546-1c89-4a7b-9711-9dba82100405 [@ NPSWF32.dll@0x201958 ] 4/5/2010 6:00 PM
Caused by a plugin: Shockwave Flash (npswf32.dll)‎

bp-d61b22b6-edfd-402c-be08-102612100404 [@ CycleCollector::MarkRoots(GCGraphBuilder] 4/4/2010 7:04 PM

[crdenny]

Sorry for over-replying! But I wonder if this is new information that might clarify something. Here is a list of the most recent Firefox crashes and Mozilla's diagnoses of the causes. In case you (unlike me) understand what this means and think it might point to some identifiable underlying issue(s).

FIREFOX - SUBMITTED CRASH REPORTS:

Report ID/Date & Time Submitted

bp-9041c589-4671-4fb9-8d47-51f282100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:54 PM

bp-43a4bd5b-53a9-4738-9be4-ae90e2100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:54 PM

bp-d4a74dd6-cc54-4746-9d8c-132af2100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:52 PM

bp-5e2923f4-a36c-4f66-93f8-d65212100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:51 PM

bp-4a2dfb8b-1918-42ee-af63-5de732100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:51 PM

bp-5b62d984-9b84-4a50-a813-2d4272100501 [@ fill_input_buffer ] 5/1/2010 11:50 PM

bp-46fc2920-0127-4cc1-b4c1-a49052100501 [@ WrappedNativeMarker ] 5/1/2010 2:04 PM

bp-07ac554c-f762-4bda-a707-fbcfb2100430 [@ js_FoldConstants ] 4/30/2010 8:52 PM

bp-777ea150-ccc3-40be-b0d4-a31962100430 [@ nsINode::GetOwnerDoc] 4/30/2010 8:49 PM

bp-f8009a5f-0ca9-4cea-8d37-05c4f2100430 [@@0x0 | js_Invoke ] 4/30/2010 5:12 PM

bp-417e84a8-54c5-4d4c-b411-64bd22100430 [@ nsStyleContext::GetStyleVisibility] 4/30/2010 3:06 PM

bp-3ae74541-11e6-4837-a3e4-8d6662100427 [@ nsRunnableMethod<nsScriptLoader, void>::‘vector deleting destructor”’(unsigned int)‎]
4/27/2010 9:48 PM

bp-38f5a296-beb7-4037-ad90-ddc272100427 [@ nsRunnableMethod<nsScriptLoader, void>::‘vector deleting destructor”’(unsigned int)‎]
4/27/2010 9:48 PM

bp-00c3f563-8cbb-4862-90da-32a5a2100427 [@ nsRunnableMethod<nsScriptLoader, void>::‘vector deleting destructor”’(unsigned int)‎]
4/27/2010 9:48 PM

bp-747fb17b-a427-4ed9-b40f-512982100427 [@ nsRunnableMethod<nsScriptLoader, void>::‘vector deleting destructor”’(unsigned int)‎]
4/27/2010 9:48 PM

bp-995950b5-d24d-4d0c-bd66-083412100421 [@ js_FoldConstants ] 4/21/2010 9:43 PM

bp-3b909793-53bb-494c-9f51-4e9b62100416 [@ SetStyleSheetReference ] 4/16/2010 4:01 AM

bp-0eb742e1-1747-4a0c-b636-d1b442100413 [@ js_Interpret:1929 ] 4/14/2010 12:18 AM

bp-61af86e3-6fd9-47a3-a64e-b4dee2100413 [@ js_TraceObject ] 4/13/2010 9:18 PM

bp-4c55300d-c73b-4bb1-af3b-1b18f2100413 [@ NPSWF32.dll@0xa8d97 ] 4/13/2010 4:56 PM
Caused by a plugin: Shockwave Flash (npswf32.dll)‎

bp-18532546-1c89-4a7b-9711-9dba82100405 [@ NPSWF32.dll@0x201958 ] 4/5/2010 6:00 PM
Caused by a plugin: Shockwave Flash (npswf32.dll)‎

bp-d61b22b6-edfd-402c-be08-102612100404 [@ CycleCollector::MarkRoots(GCGraphBuilder] 4/4/2010 7:04 PM

[mpascal]

022 SharedTaskScheduler entries

Those entries are fine, they're from Microsoft Windows Operating System Shell Browser UI Library.

but so was the driver for the ALi M5229 PCI Bus Master IDE Controller

Could definitely be the problem. Do you have an additional port to plug in your monitor on the back of your PC? It would be on the upper half of the back of the PC.

As for the Firefox crash, is it happening on any other webpages? Are you using the newest version? If not, update it and see if you still get crashes.

Edited by mpascal, 02 May 2010 - 07:46 AM.

[crdenny]

Thanks for clearing up the HJT question. Maybe it's not going to be too useful for me to use that tool anymore - too bad there aren't "automatic analyzers" for OTL!

I'm not sure if I understood your question properly, but on this computer, which is a SONY VAIO laptop (PCG-FRV28), there is one external monitor port in the back which I have used in the past. My ancient, rarely-used desktop - a true antique, a 400 MHz Gateway Pentium 2 still running W98, still functional for basic purposes like email, surfing and even complex music notation (Finale)! - has a big, bulky monitor which I successfully used with my laptop for awhile when the laptop's backlight burned out. (And I don't think this is what you were asking - sorry for being dense - but the old desktop has just the one monitor input on the back of the tower.)

The Firefox crashes, as far as I can recall, have been unrelated to the webpages I've been on. They've happened day and night, as you can see, whether I was on a graphic-heavy page or a text-heavy one. And yes, I'm using the latest version of Firefox. (I'm a dedicated updater in general.) Just as I was using the latest version of Chrome when it crashed so dramatically the other day. In fact, most all of the Firefox crashes have happened SINCE I updated Firefox the last time - I've been wondering if 3.6.3 is simply more bug-ridden than previous versions.

I've assumed - but I'm out of my depth here - that the ALi M5229 PCI Bus Master IDE Controller driver was for the processor and/or motherboard itself, so my concern has been that I could wind up with a totally dead computer if the update goes awry. Still, I find that one website says that, due to manifold possible conflicts it can cause if outdated, it's important to check for updates to that driver monthly(!), while another webpage says never to touch it at all unless absolutely necessary. If you think it's worth the risk, I think I'll go for it. I'll just back up everything I can first. :/

[mpascal]

Sorry, I thought this was a desktop.

I would say back up all important data, and try updating the drivers for your PCI Bus. If something goes wrong, there are ways to fix it so don't worry about that. Never a bad to back up data just in case though.

[crdenny]

After a series of data backups, I successfully updated the ALi M5229 PCI Bus Master IDE Controller driver and also, on a hunch, found that the driver for my iLok (a USB dongle used for piracy protection by Avid and other video/sound technology companies) was not current - I wonder why DriverScanner didn't pick that up? - so I updated that too.

Now, DriverScanner 2009 (I haven't bought 2010) says all my drivers are up-to-date. RegistryBooster 2009 says I have no registry errors. Uniblue's SpeedUpMyPC says my system is optimized and I have no "tweaks" to apply. SFC seemed to indicate no problems. CHKDSK also ran smoothly. And you've cleared up my question about those phantom HJT entries.

So I tried iTunes, and... no change. CPU at 100%, etc.

Any further thoughts? If it's definitely not something removable like malware, do I just give up on fixing this, assume the processor's just burned out, and wait 'till I can afford to buy a brand-new computer?

(I'm out of ideas at this point. You?)

[mpascal]

I'm also out of ideas at this point, but there are more people on the forum that can definitely help you out (ie. the techies in the tech forums). I suggest maybe you start a new topic in the Hardware, Components & Peripherals forum, let them know that I sent you there with a link to this topic, and I'm sure one of the techies will be able to help you out. They are much better with these sort of problems than I am.

[crdenny]

I will do as you suggest and start a new thread in the hardware, etc., forum in the next couple of days. But first I need to thank you for all your incredible dedication and work. I never expected any volunteer to try this hard, for this long, to help... The unknown affliction aside, this computer has never been scrubbed this thoroughly for malware in all the years I've had it.

The current state of NY showbiz being what it is, I can't really afford to do much, but a tiny shred of a token of a PayPal thank-you will be coming your way. I know it's pathetically small, but just as a gesture...

Unless you tell me not to, I think I'll download and install the latest Avast AV - enough with the resource hog that is McAfee! - and suppose I should find another firewall rather than just using the XP one. And I assume I should disable/re-enable System Restore, on general principles - unless you think that should wait for some reason until I consult one of the tech guys you recommended.

Thanks again for everything!

[mpascal]

Thank you very much for the donation, I really appreciate it. I'm glad I was able to help you out thus far, and sorry I wasn't able to get this fully resolved for you. As for the tech staff helping you out, let me know when you've created the new topic by posting back here and I'll ask one of them to take a look at it as soon as possible. For now, I'll get you to uninstall the tools we have used and I'll give you instructions to clear restore points and make a new one.

STEP 1 - Clear Restore Points

Run OTL

• Under the Custom Scans/Fixes box at the bottom, paste in the following
  
  

  :Commands
  [CLEARALLRESTOREPOINTS]
  [CREATERESTOREPOINT]

• Then click the Run Fix button at the top.

STEP 2 - Uninstall ComboFix

• Rename the Combo-Fix file on your desktop to Uninstall.
• Double click on Uninstall to uninstall the program.

STEP 3 - Remove Tools

Run OTL

• Click Clean Up in the upper right corner.
• This will remove most if not all the tools we used while we were fixing your computer. Feel free to delete any others it leaves behind.

[crdenny]

Hi again,

I just wanted to let you know that I've started a new thread in the Hardware/Peripherals forum at http://www.geekstogo...rs-t276206.html.

If you're able to speak with someone there for me, I'd certainly appreciate it.

By the way, I'm much happier with avast! plus Comodo firewall than I was with gargantuan McAfee. Everything seems to run better - except of course that the old specific problems continue to persist. But I'm very glad you had me finally uninstall McAfee!

All the best,

crdenny

[mpascal]

Hi there,

I've asked if someone on the tech staff could take a look at your problem, so hopefully someone will be able to help you out soon. Best of luck!

[mpascal]

Since this issue appears to be resolved ... this Topic has been closed. Glad we could help.

If you're the topic starter, and need this topic reopened, please contact a staff member with the address of the thread.

Everyone else please begin a New Topic.