[GeekNeeder]

Hello everyone!

I found this website somewhere yesterday (hmm... I don't remember where...) and I said this is what I need!

I thought that you could help me with my problem.

My PC crashes, or freezes, when the CPU is 100%. I do not think that this is supposed to happen. At least it did not happen before. This problem began long ago (maybe even a year - not really sure). When I tried to do something that requires a lot of RAM (if I'm right with the names...) the PC stopped working. The mouse cannot move and the screen is frozen. At first, I was not even allowed to use Task Manager, as it said that it was disabled by my administrator. As far as I know, I am the only one using this computer... and I know that I am the administrator! I figured out a way, through googling to disable the "Disable the Task Manager" option (http://www.windowsne...sXPHomePro.html)

This is when I knew from the taskbar that the CPU is 100%. Then I encountered this wonderful website. I went to somewhere that said "....Trojan Issues..." or something like that. From there I downloaded the Temp Cleaner and the Ad-Aware SE. I cleaned the temp and then used Ad-Aware SE. It said it found 124 files and it was still searching. As it seems, the CPU was 100% when it was searching and it crashed once more. The only thing I could do after that was to keep the power button of the computer pressed until it turned off. I then turned it on again and I found my windows theme changed! It is now set to Windows Classic with the classic taskbar and windows. I can do nothing about that because when I go to properties>appearance(tab) it does not have the Windows XP in the "Windows and Buttons" option. It only has Classic. If I try to change the theme, the windows and buttons and taskbar stay the same while the only thing that changes is the background. I downloaded a theme manager but could not install it because my PC would crash. This topped everything and this is what made me come here and tell you about this. I do not want my PC to crash when it reaches 100% at CPU.

I am not really willing to format my PC.

Thank you for reading through my problem(ssss!),

Angelos

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Try booting into safemode and running your scans...
But run the scans one at a time to ensure you don't crash the computer.
Then report back with the ad removal logs

Good Luck

[TogTogTogTog]

Try booting into safemode and running your scans...
But run the scans one at a time to ensure you don't crash the computer.
Then report back with the ad removal logs

Good Luck

[Jack123]

How long have you been having problem? did I see - "about a year"-
How old is your PC?
Do you have any Firewall installed on PC?

You can click on your POST to read & then scroll down to bottom of page to SIMILAR THREADS

Read them . . . . especially Constant Crashing

see if any of the issues relate to you

Add an updated post - to your own posting only - (don't mix problems)

Just trying to determine root of poblem: Virus - Hardware - Both

Waiting for your post
Jack123

[GeekNeeder]

I sure do have this problem for about a year!
My PC is about 2-3 years old. I think from 2003. However I did install windows again. I bought it with Windows XP Home edtion, but it had some problems (nothing like now... that was heaven!) and I formatted. Then I got the Windows XP Pro. I do have a firewall: Sygate Personal Firewall.

For the virus part, it could be, but PC-cillin says that it doesn't find any viruses. However, I'm sure it's spyware, or adware, or something like that (sorry for my terminology). Hardware, again could be, but it is a fairly new computer.

I will look at the other threads and see if I can do something.

TogTogTogTog > what do you mean by booting into safemode?

I did run one scan at a time - still crashed!

Thank you for your help!

[GeekNeeder]

I tried the malware forum just like before. I skipped the Ad-aware step because, as I said before, my computer would crash. Anyway, I went up to Spybot and downloaded. When I run it and try to update it, there is an error message saying:
"[Title]Error
[Msg] Error retrieving update info file!

Socket Error # 10060
Connection timed out.

[Cmnd] OK"

What should I do? I'm hopeless, but at least not helpless

[Jack123]

I believe your problem is HEAT!

Your CPU when at 100% is generating lots of heat - - -
Thats OK it is designed to work this way

However if you have a lot of dust build up in your case - - -this causes problems

Your CPU has a heat sink which is dissipating the heat & there is a fan on top to force cool air down thru the fins & out the sides

But if your heat sink has collected dust in the fins - - - it is clogup & cool air is not passing thru to cool down heat sink & dissipating any heat

CPU circuitry will shut down the CPU to SAVE it. . . .Thus you see freeze - no mouse - no keyboard

You need to reset & reboot...

Now this problem starts slowly & you can live with for a time
gradually it keeps getting slower & TAKES LONGER TO TRNSFER DATA & OPEN WEB PAGES. . . Sound familiar?

You load a game into computer & it appears that your Video card slow or need a driver update or you start believing your driver is corrupted

So you blame the game program & uninstall it . . .but computer never really gets back to being as fast as it used to be . . . .Sound familiar???

Now you think you may have a virus or something . . .
You now SCAN YOUR Computer . . . but you cannot complete a full scan without freezing . . . .Sound familiar???

Now if you have a good Firewall . . . 1 thats blocks all ports from receiving junk & also prevents your data from leaving . . .

and you have an antivirus that scans your E-mail & whatever. . . .You should be pretty safe

This is why I suspect HEAT Problem. . . also your computer is about the right age & you have been fighting this problem just about the right time also..

Shut down . . . .Open & inspect . . . Check CPU fan . . .if you have a dust build up on the fan blades . . . then your fins are probably clogged pretty good . . . . also make sure all of fans are operating . . .

You can use "Cleaning Duster" . . .just follow the directions on can .. .
DO NOT SHAKE or INVERT CAN . . .

Turn computer around if you must, but do not turn can....

High pressure air will turn to liquid.>.> BIGGER PROBLEM!!

Take a good look inside befor you touch anything . . .just look for bad / loose connectors & gereral layout so you can inspect before closing up

Just be sure that you do not bump or snag any connections loose when inside. . . .just be careful . . . .

Do a re-inspection to make sure it looks better than you found it. . .making sure all fans are connected . . .all drives are connected . .
all the single wire & 2/4 pin headers are connected

Then when you turn back on . . . make sure all fans are turning . . Shut quickly if not....

I do not want to scare you . . . .but usually 1 item gets fixec but a new problem is made by bumping a a connection that was not securly fastened . . .

Goog Luck
Jack123

[GeekNeeder]

Wow. Thanks for your calming reply!

I really hope that it is not malware and that it is heat that is causing this. At least it is something that can be fixed with hands and not virus scanners!

I don't really know a lot of things about the insides of a computer. All I know is about programming etc. I'm kinda afraid to open the computer and mess it up I mean... I'm not familiar with that place of the computer

Can I give it to a specialist with such things so it can be fixed?

...but again... what if that is not the problem... Ad-aware found some suspicious files. The scan was not finished so I do not know if those really did something...

[Jack123]

That's Fine . ..

You can stop at COMP USA & talk about a repair estimate . . .give the tech some of the details of frequent freezing

Ask if they can clean & check computer. . . .

You want to know cost & how long

Have any computer whizes at work place?? Talk about it

Try "Googleing" : "CPU heat problems caused by dust in heat sink"
visit those websites

Google : "CPU Cooling problems" or "Dust in Computers"

>> This will get you in contact with more Forums on line>>>

Look in Yellow pages for computer repairs . . . .Just get Cost & time estimates first . . .

Any computer clubs in your area??? Toss in your problem

Visit Library and check some computer repair/upgrade books . . .

Go to newsstand - - -browse thru computer magazines . . .buy one that addresses your problem

Take an Adult Computer night course on Upgrading/repair

There is a lot of help out here . . . .

Again good Luck
Jack123