Startup Showing Wallpaper and nothing else 1

[PaultheITGuy]

Hello,

I wonder if you can help - I have Windows XP pro, and recently (since I got broadband/wireless router and Norton IS) I have been having a strange problem.

When starting up everything goes fine, until Windows actually opens - The wallpaper comes up, and then nothing - even if I leave it for hours (tried overnight) - that is as far as it gets. I can get the task manage and see that only half the usual processes are running.

Now the even weirder part - if I log out (using task manager) and log back in instantly, everything is fixed, the icons appear, the various services kick in and all the processes are there.

Any ideas what's going on?

Paul C

 

[captaincrunch00]

Is any certain process in task manager taking 99% of the CPU Usage?

In task manager, try going to File->New Task and then type "explorer.exe" without the quotes, and hit OK.
Does the desktop come up now?

 

[linney]

Any clues in your Event Viewer? How is it from Safe Mode, or as a different user in Normal Mode?

See these similar stories.

Desktop missing!
thread779-613953

windows xp, no desktop
thread779-625179

 

[PaultheITGuy]

Going mad with this - tried most of the suggeastions on the threads mentioned and nothing.

Here is my hijackthis log from when the machine starts up properly - can anyone see anything untoward???

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 17:20:35, on 23/03/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16414)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AppCore\AppSvc32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\MsPMSPSv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NvMixer\NVMixerTray.exe
C:\Program Files\ABIT\ABIT uGuru\uGuru.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Distillr\Acrotray.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2ZS\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2ZS\DVDAudio\CTDVDDet.EXE
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\DragToDisc\DrgToDsc.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\RxMon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_S4I0S2.EXE
C:\Program Files\Mindjet\MindManager 6\MMReminderService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\Playlist.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\RemoteControl\RcMan.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\BitTorrent\bittorrent.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Silicon Image\SiISATARaid\SATARaid.exe
C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\usnsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
D:\My Documents\Programs\hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =

http://www.google.co.uk/

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL =

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =

http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by Orange UK
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {1E8A6170-7264-4D0F-BEAE-D42A53123C75} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\coShared\Browser\1.0\NppBho.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: CmjBrowserHelperObject Object - {AC41D38F-B56D-40AD-94E0-B493D130C959} - C:\Program Files\Mindjet\MindManager 6\Mm6InternetExplorer.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Conversion Toolbar Helper - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Show Norton Toolbar - {90222687-F593-4738-B738-FBEE9C7B26DF} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\coShared\Browser\1.0\UIBHO.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NVMixerTray] "C:\Program Files\NVIDIA Corporation\NvMixer\NVMixerTray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ABIT uGuru] C:\Program Files\ABIT\ABIT uGuru\uGuru.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acrobat Assistant 7.0] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Distillr\Acrotray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTSysVol] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2ZS\Surround Mixer\CTSysVol.exe /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTDVDDET] C:\Program Files\Creative\SBAudigy2ZS\DVDAudio\CTDVDDet.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SBDrvDet] C:\Program Files\Creative\SB Drive Det\SBDrvDet.exe /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdReg] C:\WINDOWS\UpdReg.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioEngineUtility] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\System\EngUtil.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioDragToDisc] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\DragToDisc\DrgToDsc.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RoxioAudioCentral] "C:\Program Files\Roxio\Easy CD Creator 6\AudioCentral\RxMon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus C66 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_S4I0S2.EXE /P23 "EPSON Stylus C66 Series" /O6 "USB001" /M "Stylus C66"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MMReminderService] C:\Program Files\Mindjet\MindManager 6\MMReminderService.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTHelper] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [osCheck] "C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\osCheck.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WinampAgent] C:\Program Files\Winamp\winampa.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RemoteCenter] C:\Program Files\Creative\MediaSource\RemoteControl\RcMan.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BitTorrent] "C:\Program Files\BitTorrent\bittorrent.exe" --force_start_minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - Startup: Adobe Gamma.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Acrobat Speed Launcher.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: SATARaid.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert link target to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECaptureSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selected links to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppendSelLinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert selection to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to Adobe PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIECapture.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Convert to existing PDF - res://C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll/AcroIEAppend.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_11\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to Mindjet MindManager - {531B9DC0-D8EE-4c76-A6EE-6C1E50569655} - C:\Program Files\Mindjet\MindManager 6\Mm6InternetExplorer.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O11 - Options group: [INTERNATIONAL] International*
O16 - DPF: {1239CC52-59EF-4DFA-8C61-90FFA846DF7E} -

http://www.musicnotes.com/download/mnviewer.cab

O16 - DPF: {5D6F45B3-9043-443D-A792-115447494D24} (UnoCtrl Class) -

http://messenger.zone.msn.com/EN-US/a-UNO1/GAME_UNO1.cab

O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) -

http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1164653009059

O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) -

http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1164652982434

O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) -

http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MessengerStatsClient.cab31267.cab

O16 - DPF: {A8F2B9BD-A6A0-486A-9744-18920D898429} -

http://www.sibelius.com/download/software/win/ActiveXPlugin.cab

O18 - Protocol: livecall - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\MSGRAP~1.DLL
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\MSGRAP~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O21 - SSODL: WPDShServiceObj - {AAA288BA-9A4C-45B0-95D7-94D524869DB5} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\WPDShServiceObj.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h ccCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h ccCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: Symantec Lic NetConnect service (CLTNetCnService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe" /h ccCommon (file missing)
O23 - Service: COM Host (comHost) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\VAScanner\comHost.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec IS Password Validation (ISPwdSvc) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\isPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AppCore Service (SymAppCore) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\AppCore\AppSvc32.exe

 

[linney]

Nothing in that log that stands out, do you know what this Process is, C:\Program Files\Mindjet\MindManager 6\MMReminderService.exe?


Some general things to try.

See if System Restore will get you back to a restore point before your problem with Explorer.

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

If they don't work you could try repairing windows by running it over itself. You will lose all your windows updates but your files will be untouched.

How to Perform an In-Place Upgrade (Reinstallation) of Windows XP (Q315341)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q315/3/41.asp

 

[BadBigBen]

Resources for troubleshooting startup problems in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=308041

As Linney mentioned, mostlikely it is a DRIVER issue, that causes Explorer to hang (test by killing the Explorer.exe process using Taskmanager while it hangs), usual culprits are Virtual CD drivers and especially unsigned drivers...

so do check your EVENT VIEWER, as mentioned...

the following should be fixed with HiJackThis, they are leftovers from installations, though they are not the cause of your problem:

O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)


Ben

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

 

[Rick998]

Sorry but I'm afraid I have to disagree with the advice to delete the following 2 entries:-

O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - %windir%\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe (file missing)

The entries are IE7's links to the Network Diagnostics tool (Tools > Diagnose Connection Problems...).

If you delete them you will immediately lose access to the Network Diagnostics tool from within IE7 (although you can still run C:\Windows\network diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe manually).

If you've already deleted them then unfortunately using HijackThis's 'Backup' utility to restore them doesn't work.

Hope this helps...

 

[Rick998]

I did some more testing and, if you do want to restore IE7's menu link to Network Diagnostics, you can use this:

Copy/paste the following into Notepad and save it as something like 'restore-netdiag.reg'. It doesn't really matter what it's called as long as it ends in .reg.

Windows Registry Editor Version 5.00

[HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Extensions\{e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583}]
"CLSID"="{1FBA04EE-3024-11d2-8F1F-0000F87ABD16}"
"MenuText"="@xpsp3res.dll,-20001"
"Exec"="%windir%\\Network Diagnostic\\xpnetdiag.exe"

Once you've saved it, just double-click on the file. You'll see a prompt "Are you sure you want to add the information to the registry". Click on the 'Yes' then 'OK' buttons to merge it back into the registry.

The change is dynamic, i.e. you don't need to reboot for the change to take effect. If IE7 is open, just close and re-open it and you'll see that 'Diagnose Connection Problems...' has been restored to IE7's 'Tools' menu.

Hope this info helps...

 

[linney]

Rick998,

Why would the log say the files are missing? Perhaps it is a known issue (bug) in Hijack This?

 

[Rick998]

Hi Linney,

Sorry but I just don't know why the HijackThis v1.99 log mis-identified the 'xpnetdiag.exe' executable as missing (which it isn't, in my tests). (I haven't tested Trend Micro's HijackThis v2.00 Beta.)

Nor do I know why HijackThis' "Backup" utility doesn't restore the deletion of these entries.

I guess we could try asking Merijn (

http://www.merijn.org/)

but, since the sale of HijackThis to Trend Micros, I guess there's a chance we may have to wait for a response.

Hope this helps...

 

[linney]

Food for thought", I'll leave it at that.

 

[Rick998]

Linney,

I've sent the following to what I believe to be Merijn's current email address:

"Merijn,

A question has arisen in a Tek-Tips forum (

http://www.tek-tips.com/viewthread.cfm?qid=1342751&page=1)

regarding the use of HijackThis v1.99 against IE7.

My own tests of HijackThis v1.99 have shown that there may be a mistake in HJT's analysis, i.e. that the "xpnetdiag.exe" file does exist but that HJT does not recognise this.

A further concern is that HJT v1.99's 'restore' doesn't actually restore functionality if the entries in question are removed.

I appreciate you may be very busy and have sold HJT to Trend Micro but I would be very grateful if you could reply to this concern.

Regards,

Rick"

Hope this helps...

 

[BadBigBen]

Thnx for the info... since I don not use IE7, I missed that...


Ben

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

 

[Rick998]

Hi Ben,

I must admit I have to agree with you about not using IE7 yet... it's a big change and I'm not yet convinced that all the inevitable initial bugs have been shaken out.

Unfortunately I have now been forced to support it at work so am having to fast-track my learning about IE7's idiosyncrasies.

Rick

 

[linney]

That tool is freely available for download, does the version of browser even matter, see this article?

Network Diagnostics for Windows XP is available to help identify and fix network connection problems

http://support.microsoft.com/KB/KB914440#appliesto

 

[Rick998]

Paul C,

I've seen the same symptoms with a damaged profile. Can you confirm that you tried Linney's suggestion of logging in using a different account. Do you still get the same hang?

Is either 'C:\Windows\Temp' or 'C:\Documents and Settings\<logged on user account>\Local Settings\Temp' full of temporary files? If so, what happens if you clear them or run 'Disk Cleanup'?

What happens if you use msconfig or something like Mike Lin's excellent Startup Control Panel (

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml)

to temporarily disable the global launchers and auto-running apps (i.e. the 04 entries from the HijackThis log)?

What happens if you un-install Windows Defender? (in case it's clashing with Norton IS).

Hope this helps...

 

[PaultheITGuy]

I'll give all these a try and let you know the progress.

Thanks for the interest in this post everyone!

Paul C

 

[SQLScholar]

I have helped many People with issues similar to the below. Alot of the time Norton can cause a real headache. It might be worth uninstalling it - see if it helps. Then either way (it does or doesnt help) then put it back on.

Not long ago i had a PC i was working on ages trying to sort a really slow internet connection for months. Uninstalled Norton - all worked fine. Re-installed norton - all still fine (and yes i did check to make sure it wasnt trying to update). Sometimes it just seems to really kill a PC.

McAfee antifishing i have also seen manage to kill IE.

----------------------------------------
Be who you are and say what you feel, because those who mind don't matter and those who matter don't mind - Dr. Seuss

Computer Science is no more about computers than astronomy is about telescopes - EW Dijkstra
----------------------------------------

 

[Rick998]

Just to keep the thread up-to-date, Merijn replied to me to say he had forwarded my concerns to Trend Micro. I also had a reply from a George Moore at Trend Micro verifying my concerns and letting me know that he had submitted them to the bug tracking system. I've just checked and HijackThis is still at version 2.0.0 (Beta) so I'll keep an eye out for an update.

Hope this info helps...

 

[PaultheITGuy]

Just thought I'd let you all know what fixed it...

Removing Norton IS 2007 and putting on the full version of zonealarm instead.

Thanks for all your suggestions.