Vista freezes at desktop?

Hello,

I have Dell laptop with Windows Vista home premium. I started having problems about 3 months ago, not sure why, I don't think I installed any new software.
I have ran all kinds of diagnostics, it says no problems, I inserted my windows CD, found no problems. Ran CCcleaner, ran Nod32, ran in tools under my recovery disk, nothing.

What happens it will boot to desktop, and then freezes, my mouse will move but if I click on something the cursor will just spin and spin forever. Then I shut it down, and for a while it would work after the second boot, but now it won't.
It goes into safemode just fine, I ran all kinds of tests while in safe mode, but when it restarts, same thing freezes at desktop.

Is this a hardware problem or software problem? Please if anyone has had this before or knows what I can do to fix it, I sure would appreciate the help.
This is a old laptop I realize, but I would like to get it to working.
Any advice would be GREAT!!!
patti

Hi. Welcome to VirtualDr.

If the laptop boots into Safe Mode and then runs OK, chances are you have a software problem. If you boot into Safe Mode, you may want to look at the events in Event Viewer. Those might give us a clue as to what is causing the problem when you boot into normal mode.

I looked in the event viewer and it had 2 critical errors
MMC has detected an error in a snap-in and will unload it
System kernel-power event ID 41 error

A lot of warnings, but they made no sense to me....

At the top of this error is says:
The last sleep transition was unsuccessful. This error could be caused if the system stopped responding, failed, or lost power during the sleep transition..... Both of the critical errors say that at the top....

That error has several potential causes. Links with details are below.

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/2028504#method3

http://social.technet.microsoft.com/...ent-id-41.aspx

Overheating and memory issues are among the possible causes. Check the BIOS to see if the temperatures are OK, if the BIOS has this data, and make sure that any fans are functioning properly. If you have a CD/DVD drive in that laptop, you could make a bootable CD with memory test software using a working computer, and then use that CD to run a memory test.

Ultimate Boot CD:
http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/download.html

Quote:

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I have ran all kinds of diagnostics

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What specific diags did you run? Run a memory test like Memtest86+ and the hard drive manufacturer's test. Both are on UBCD, which jdc2000 mentioned.

When was the last time you cleaned out the heatsink/fan? Use some compressed air to blow it out.

I used the diagnostic tests on my windows vista CD.
I was going to clean my fan, I starting taking it apart, then I got company and had to quit.
I tried downloading Ultimate Boot, but I couldn't get it to install, my Nod32 kept popping up saying there was malware on the site. So I stopped.
I used to have one on a CD if I can find it.

I also have memtest on a CD somewhere. I just moved and I am having problems finding all my cds. lol

I will take another look at my event viewer and see if it says anything different. When I restarted after being in safe mode, it froze the first boot, and I shut it down and turned back on and it loaded and ran just fine then.
I uninstalled some software also that I thought might be the problem. I will try again after I get my fan cleaned out.

Thanks so much for all the replies, I really appreciate your help.
patti

You should really run hardware diags first. No sense wasting time on software if the hardware is bad.

Quote:

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I tried downloading Ultimate Boot, but I couldn't get it to install,

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You don't install it. You have to burn the .iso file to a CD and then boot from the CD.
http://ubcd.sourceforge.net/faq.html

Thanks for the reply. Yes I know I have to burn it, what I meant was when I tried to download it from the website, my nod32 popped up saying there was malware on the webpage.

I found a different site, so I got it downloaded going to burn it tomorrow and run it on my computer.

Thanks again for all your help.

patti

I had a death in family, going to be gone for couple of days. Just wanted you to know I am still trying to get this fixed. I will be back Sunday, then I will post again.
Thanks to all that have helped me, I will keep in touch and let you all know how that CD worked.
Thanks Again....

I am running memtest86+ currently, what do you suggest I run in order to check on my freezing problem?
Does memtest86+ take a very long time?
Again thanks...

Memtest, maybe a hour. All I use and some folks say 4 to 8 hours.

Now if errors, red show up like in this graphic, stop and let us know.

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/im.../2013/04/5.jpg

Ok will do..... so far no red. My version is memtest86+ v4.20 there were several to pick from, this is the only one that had a + beside it.

The length of time depends on the amount of ram in the system. It can take several hours to complete, like Train said. I usually let it run through a couple passes.

Sorry for your loss. :(

Thank you so much, we are leaving in the morning, won't be back until Sat night. Hoping to get this finished before I leave.
Thanks for reply....

I ran the memtest86+ 2 runs, no red showing up. No problems.
What should I run next HDD or BIOS, any other suggestions?
Computer is still hanging at desktop, has a red x on internet, but I can't click on anything,
can't restore, can't shutdown. Mouse moves but is useless....
Seems like it has got worse, it did boot the second try, but now, I have to go to safe mode to get it working.
Thanks....

Hard drive diags next. You didn't tell us the make/model of the drive.

It's possible you have a malware infection as well. What else did you run besides NOD32?

WD3200BEVT-75ZCT1; Memory 3gb

I ran malwarebytes, also ran online with House.

Ok going to run HDD diag now.

Thanks again....

Well it found nothing wrong on HDD.
I just ran SuperAntispyware Pro, it found 63 tracking items, nothing critical.

Any other things I can run to find my problem? What about overheating, how do I check on that?

I don't know what else to try. It did boot up first time this morning, I am going to check it again to see if it hangs.

Thanks for all the help.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by patti686

What about overheating, how do I check on that?

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HWMonitor - (Click the "1.22 setup, english" over on the right of that page to start the download)

BTW, when setting up the installation, make sure you deselect (uncheck) all of the items that you probably do not want installed, such as an Ask Toolbar etc.

I am not sure about the heating, there is a value, min, max. The value stays at the same or lower of the max.
I haven't seen any of them go over the max. Is there something else I should watch for?

It booted up first time again this morning, but last night when I tried a reboot it hung again. But the second time it loaded ok.
This is crazy, I can't find the problem. So what do you think, is this a software problem or hardware?
Are there anymore tests I should run?
Thanks so much to all of you for sticking with me....

What was that max temperature?

Dell THM 58*c
Intel core #0 57 *c
Intel core #1 58 *c
WDC 37*c
Nvidia 58*c

Are those temps while the laptop is just sitting. If yes it definitely needs cleaned of dust and the like. In other words you are not getting that temp while watching a video or the like.

Yes those temps are just sitting

temps while playing video
THM 79
core0 78
core1 77
hdd 43
nvidia 255

Is that bad?

Those temps are a bit high, even for a laptop. Get some compressed air and blow out the main heatsink/fan area. If you laptop has a separate fan for the video card, clean that too.

ok will do thanks so much for replying.....

Quote:

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Originally Posted by patti686

temps while playing video
THM 79
core0 78
core1 77
hdd 43
nvidia 255

Is that bad?

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Really depends on the CPU you're running. HWMonitor should show you, like this:

http://www.SpywareDrGuide.com/Virtua...00K_HWM_01.jpg

Let us know which one your running ...

--- edit --- Oops, looks I was a bit late in hitting the Submit Reply button.

I was going to copy mine, but I can't figure out how to do that, so I will just type the answer.

INTEL MOBILE CORE 2 DUO T5850

What you think?

Minimum/Maximum operating temperature ? 0°C - 100°C per this:
http://www.cpu-world.com/CPUs/Core_2...37GF0482M.html

But at 67C the cpu can flip bits which is why you want to keep the temps under 60C if at all possible.
And the flipped bits can cause you to do a clean install.
Get it cleaned and it should be OK.

Intel Intel Core 2 Duo T5850 / 2.16 GHz processor specs ( mobile )

Quote:

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85 °C

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Maximum.

SLA4C (Intel Core 2 Duo T5850)

Quote:

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If your CPU is consistently running at temperatures close to the maximum, or periodically shuts down by itself, use the following methods to rectify the problem:

• Verify that there is unrestricted airflow to and from the CPU's heatsink and fan.
  
  
• Move the computer away from other sources of heat, or to colder place.
  
  
• Clean the CPU's heatsink and fan. Also clean other fans that are usually attached to your computer case.
  
  
• Make sure that you use thermal paste when you install the CPU's heatsink.
  
  
• Replace CPU's heatsink/fan with a more powerful one.
  
  
• Add more fans to your case.
  
  
• Replace the computer case with a case, that provides better airflow and more extensive cooling capabilities.

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Tip: Restricting any of the laptop's vents, (such as when using it on soft surfaces like blankets or pillows), can cause it to overheat and shutdown ... so that it doesn't start a fire.

It's a good idea to run a laptop on one of these (with fans).

http://www.tigerdirect.com/applicati...0cooling%20pad

Here are a few examples of what I frequently find when disassembling a laptop that is shutting down because of overheating:

https://discussions.virtualdr.com/im.../2013/04/1.jpg

As you can see, it's often hard to tell how dirty the fan(s)/vents really are from the outside of a laptop.

And, a blast of compressed air from the outside in, will probably NOT completely solve the problem.

The solution? Disassemble, clean, reassemble.

I use a cooler pad, but it only has one fan, and I don't plug it in all the time. It is probably dirty, I have never cleaned
it, because it is a laptop, not sure how to take it apart. I found the manual, so I will open it up and clean it. I have done lots
repairs and replacements on my desktop. I replaced a mobo and heatsink fan, also processor.
I guess I will learn how to take a laptop apart now.

Thanks to all of you for the help, I really appreciate all the time you spent helping me.

I will let you know when I get it cleaned.....

Make sure to keep track of which screw goes where. If anything, you could get a piece of printer paper and tape the screws in their corresponding location. Some screws may be the same thread size, but different lengths.

Thanks to all that helped me. I got it cleaned out, it was dirty. So far it is booting up everytime, so I am sure overheating was the problem.
I appreciate all the help and the time that was spent helping.
I wanted to let you all know, you solved my problem.....

Excellent news! Thanks for letting us know. :)