[lodestone]

Thanks for your help.

I have been having a lot of problems with my PC crashing. It crashes sometimes during boot up (while XP is starting) and sometimes just as the PC is sitting there. The frequency is 5-6 times daily if I'm using the machine (that is, if I am around to restart the PC after the crash), and there doesn't seem to be any correlation between what program I'm using and even if the PC is in idle/active. These crashes always give the Blue Screen of Death, but the error messages vary. They include BAD_POOL_CALLER and IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL, but often there is not a specific error message just a generic description telling me that I might have a malfunctioning driver.

Initially, I thought it might be a driver because the first time the problem occurred was after I installed a couple of printing-related things: 1) a driver from the Dell website for my Dell Photo All-in-One 922 Printer, 2) Zan Image Printer, and 3) PDF995. However, uninstalling these things and restoring my PC to an earlier system restore point did not help the problem.

Next, I suspected malware. The frequency of the crashes has been greatly reduced after I downloaded and ran SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware. So, I suspect that malware is the problem since getting rid of some of it helped a little. Both these programs found a lot of spyware that Ad-Aware and A-Squared had apparently missed including Vundo. Ad-Aware will not actually complete a scan anymore. It hangs reproducibly on an entry called inprocserver32. I'm not sure what else to try at this point except to ask for help. I hope there's enough information here to lead you in the right direction.

Here's the HiJackThis log. I disabled Symantec Antivirus before running it. Any help you can give me will be greatly appreciated.

-Jason

************************************

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 1:35:23 PM, on 1/15/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16762)
Boot mode: Normal

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:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\Smc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\Program Files\SanDisk\Sansa Updater\SansaDispatch.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\DVDLauncher.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\DLA\DLACTRLW.EXE
C:\Program Files\Seagate\Basics\Basics Status\MaxMenuMgrBasics.exe
C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPage15.0\Opware15.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Desktop Search\WindowsSearch.exe
C:\Program Files\a-squared Free\a2service.exe
C:\Program Files\APC\APC PowerChute Personal Edition\mainserv.exe
C:\Program Files\APC\APC PowerChute Personal Edition\apcsystray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Seagate\Basics\Service\SyncServicesBasics.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\Rtvscan.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\SmcGui.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchIndexer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
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
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://downloads.andymanchesta.com/R...Fix_ReadMe.htm
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: DriveLetterAccess - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\DLA\DLASHX_W.DLL
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTxfiHlp] CTXFIHLP.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTHelper] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SansaDispatch] C:\Program Files\SanDisk\Sansa Updater\SansaDispatch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DVDLauncher] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\DVDLauncher.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DLA] C:\WINDOWS\System32\DLA\DLACTRLW.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [basicsmssmenu] "C:\Program Files\Seagate\Basics\Basics Status\MaxMenuMgrBasics.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SSBkgdUpdate] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Scansoft Shared\SSBkgdUpdate\SSBkgdupdate.exe" -Embedding -boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Opware15] "C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPage15.0\Opware15.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OpScheduler] "C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPage15.0\OpScheduler.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PDF3 Registry Controller] "C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPage15.0\PDFConverter3\\RegistryController.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: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - Global Startup: APC UPS Status.lnk = ?
O4 - Global Startup: Windows Search.lnk = C:\Program Files\Windows Desktop Search\WindowsSearch.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Google Photos Screensa&ver - res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\GPhotos.scr/200
O8 - Extra context menu item: Open with Scansoft PDF Converter 3.0 - res://C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPage15.0\PDFConverter3\IEShellExt.dll /100
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} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
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
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/wind...?1218000892781
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...sh/swflash.cab
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: a-squared Free Service (a2free) - Emsi Software GmbH - C:\Program Files\a-squared Free\a2service.exe
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service (aawservice) - Lavasoft - C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\aawservice.exe
O23 - Service: APC UPS Service - American Power Conversion Corporation - C:\Program Files\APC\APC PowerChute Personal Edition\mainserv.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Basics Service - Seagate Technology LLC - C:\Program Files\Seagate\Basics\Service\SyncServicesBasics.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\PROSetWired\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Auto-upgrade Agent (Smcinst) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\SmcLU\Setup\smcinst.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Symantec Management Client (SmcService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\Smc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Network Access Control (SNAC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\SNAC.EXE
O23 - Service: Symantec Endpoint Protection (Symantec AntiVirus) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\Rtvscan.exe

--
End of file - 8950 bytes

[lodestone]

I still don't know if this is a malware issue or a more serious problem. Perhaps it was both? Maybe someone could point me in the right direction? I would really appreciate it.

More symptoms.
The system actually hung during the BIOS startup screen. It refused to move past that point, and I began to suspect a hardware problem. I removed 2 of my sticks of RAM (slots 1 and 2. Each slot (4) has 1GB of DDR2 RAM in it), and the machine magically booted. After that I began to suspect a problem with the RAM, so I downloaded Memtest86+, reinstalled all 4 sticks of RAM. It ran for 20 hours with no errors. After this, the machine continued to boot with all 4 sticks of RAM installed. I began to question my hard drive, so I ran chkdsk /r on my drives. It found several errors and displayed the following interesting messages that I post here in hopes someone more knowledgable can enlighten me on their meaning.

Deleting corrupt attribute from file record segment 52455
Deleting corrupt attribute from file record segment 125973
Deleting corrupt attribute from file record segment 125977
Deleting index entry mss.log in index $I30 of file 879
Deleting index entry mss0015F.log in index $I30 of file 879
Deleting index entry msstmp.log in index $I30 of file 879
Deleting index entry sessionstore.js in index $I30 of file 46734
Deleting index entry session~1.js in index $I30 of file 46734
After that it recovered some orphaned files which I don't think are important enough to type out.

I had trouble about 2 years ago with failing hard drives. I lost 2 in a couple of months on a relatively new PC, and I finally traced it back to a nonuniform line voltage to my home. Since installing a good UPS 2 years ago, I haven't had any more problems with hard drives. The UPS kicks on a few times a day when the line voltage drops below the threshold, and I've been very happy not to have to replace any more drives.

I haven't experienced a crash since I ran chkdsk ~ 2 hours ago. I'm not really optimistic enough to be jumping up and down thinking that my PC is fixed (although I might be if it is still stable tomorrow...). Some combination of what I've done seems to have helped, but I do not know what caused this problem and whether I've eliminated it. I would really appreciate it if someone could find the time to help me go through my system and make sure that whatever caused this problem is gone.

I know you're all volunteers, and I'm willing to wait as long as it takes.

Thanks,
Jason