Windows XP freeze problems

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Geoff Ogden

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Hi All

I have a laptop at our offices which is going into a freeze mode quite frequently.

We are running Bitdefender anti virus protection and this picked up a Trojan which was successfully removed fron the PC, however the PC is still going into 'freeze' and the only way to get the PC off is by holding the power button down for the full 8 secs. The start/shutdown operation starts and simply does not continue. In this state no programs will run and Task Manager also does not respond.

I ran a program called Avira AntiVir and it has picked up the following error:

SPR/Tool.Hardoff.A I think this is what is causing the 'freeze' on the PC.

Has anyone experienced a similar problem and if so how was the problem solved?

All help is going to be greatly appreciated as I would hate to have to re-format this PC.
 
Easiest, and quickest way, would be to purchase an USB enclosure, put said laptop's HDD in it, and scan it from another PC with a full and up-to-date antivirus.

Once the trojan/virus is removed, you should scan for rootkits on the same HDD/laptop.
 
Look for Tuneup Utilities 2007 it has a host of tools that can be used - primarily I like the registry cleaner that gets rid of all unwanted crap. It also helps to speed up your laptop.
 
If this is a business computer: it has been compromised and the safest option is to format and re-install.

However, if security isn't an issue and you don't have access to either a USB drive enclosure or a notebook to standard IDE HDD adapter you can try SuperAntiSpyware.

http://www.superantispyware.com/

I use this with problem infections that won't clean up properly and security isn't an issue. The trial version is good for 30 days (full feature) and then limited features thereafter.
 
Good luck Geoff!

If I may be so bold as to make a suggestion? I use Acronis True Image for backing up and it has bailed me out of some serious spots in the past. What I've taken to doing is setting up the computer just the way I like it and then creating an image file. I then set Acronis TI to do daily backups of my data. If I install new software, download updates etc, I create a new image. I know it can get to be a real PIA but when it means your downtime is only 2 hours instead of days getting things back the way you like them, it is worth the effort.

When I build a new system for a client, I create an image of the drive before it leaves the workshop and I file it. It also saves time when the pcs come back trashed and full of bugs. Unless the customer is willing to purchase Acronis TI I do not supply the image with the computer.
 
Hi PCTech

Afraid I have to admit that I do not have enough knowledge for the image thingy :sick:

I think you must mean an ISO of the hard disk, which I would do if I knew how, but would that not also in this instance backup whatever is wrong with the machine and download it again with the restore?
 
P.S.

Sounds like we need to get Acronis True Image. Any idea of the cost and where to purchase. Also how user friendly is it to use. Laptop in question is the boss's and he would need to run the backup daily (maybe every 10 mins in his case):-)
 
Geoff Ogden said:
Laptop in question is the boss's and he would need to run the backup daily
Click to expand...
The suggested software is not intended as a daily backup solution. TrueImage is used once after everything is installed. Next time the PC is stuffed, you reload the image made so that you don't have to reinstall everything.

For daily backups you need different software.
 
LOL I purchased it online at:

http://eu.acronis.com/

They have many options available for the corporate environment. You will need to check out what suits your requirements best.

I found it extremely easy to use. It has a nice GUI and wizards for just about everything.

@HavocXphere: It isn't intended for daily backups but can be set to do incremental image files or just data. I use it for creating the original image files and then backing up my data daily. I like the schedule because I forget to backup. This way it is done automatically at the same time each day :D

Geoff, check out their website and see which package will best suit your needs. There are trial versions of most of their stuff so that you can try it out before you buy it.

Did you come right with the infected pc?
 
PCTECH said:
@HavocXphere: It isn't intended for daily backups but can be set to do incremental image files or just data. I use it for creating the original image files and then backing up my data daily. I like the schedule because I forget to backup. This way it is done automatically at the same time each day
Click to expand...
You're right. I forgot about the incremental thingy. I just rushed through it last time to make an image ASAP, but I'll check it out more carefully next time.

Geoff Ogden said:
found 13 threats and this one
Click to expand...
Sounds like a format candidate.
 
:D Never underestimate the old stuff ... LOL glad you found a solution.
 
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