Odd issue, seems like a bug to me.

[robertjo24]

I have an odd issue with my computer, I hope you can provide some insight.
I am running XP Media Center, and have been using the MS Firewall protection. I also routinely run Spyware Doctor and AVG Antivirus.
Several weeks back, I started noticing slowing performance, and issues with shutting down. I ran Spyware doctor several times. It usually finds some issues and deals with them, but the problems with the computer persist.
Then, we started getting alerts that there were issues starting “myftp.com” after the cumpter ran for a while.
For a while now, the computer will not shut all the way down. I select shut down, all the programs seem to close, then the computer hangs on the final shut down blue screen. It will sit this way forever if I do not force it down. I also noticed that the firewall is disabled, even though I set it to always be on. I re-enable it, and then find it disabled the next day or so.

I run Spyware Doctor, the issue persist. I run the AVG virus scan, it finds nothing and the issue persist. I run Registry Mechanic, it finds no issues and the problems persist.

I update all MS and other programs regularly, and have been conducting scans on a routine basis.

I realize the symptoms seem a little non-descript, but have you heard of anything that would cause this?

Is there a scan tool I can use that is more affective at finding skewed settings or odd bugs?

 

[NickCat11]

Rob,

Sounds like a virus to me of some sort. Try some online virus scans for basically a second opinion.

http://www.trendmicro.com/hc_intro/default.asp

http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/ActiveScan.htm

I think the key thing is that the firewall keeps disabling itself. There is most likely a third party application running in the backround that is causing this. Go into msconfig (start...run...type msconfig) and then go to the startup tab and see if you see anything suspicious in there. If you're not sure, reply to this thread with the names of them. You can also check the processes that are currently running in the background while your cpu is running. Let us know what you come up with. Hope this helps.

Nick

 

[robertjo24]

NickCat11
Thanks for the post.
I will look for a malicious porogram.

I am hesitant to downloand any other scan programs as I seem to be running some of the better programs now. i will try the ActiveScan and see what develops.

It would also help if I locked my kids out of the computer...as if thet were possible HA HA.

I agree that it sounds like a virus. The AVG seems to have worked well to date. It has detected and isolated various threats. I will look into another virus scan tool to augment the arsenal.

 

[BadBigBen]

Resources to help troubleshoot shutdown problems in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308029/en-us

Your Computer May Stop Responding When You Shut Down and Use Only the 802.1x Protocol for User Authentication

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/311787/en-us

Computer Hangs if USB Selective Suspend Option of USB Mouse Is On

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/317673/en-us

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."