[tool_time]

Hi. I'm running on Win XP SP3 and have been using IE8 as default browser.

In the last 4 months my system has intermittently blue screened (memory dump) with no discernible error code when starting IE8.

This was a minor inconvenience, I have not installed any other new hardware.

In the last five days the system has started blue screening every time I start IE8. It does not blue screen with any other application. I have switched to using Google Chrome which works perfectly.

I have tried re-installing IE8 but the problem persists. It works okay in XP safe mode.

The only reason I want to fix IE8 is because I need it for specific functions.

Thank you in advance for any advice.

[Phantom010]

Please click here to download and install version 2.0.2 of the HijackThis Installer.

Run it and select Do a system scan and save a logfile.

The log will be saved in Notepad. Copy and paste the log in your next post.

Do not fix anything

[tool_time]

Thanks for the quick reply - here you go...

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 20:56:21, on 10/01/2010
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cisvc.exe
C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\ekrn.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Dantz\Retrospect 7.0\retrorun.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Application Virtualization Client\sftvsa.exe
c:\Program Files\Microsoft SQL Server\90\Shared\sqlwriter.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\PAStiSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\TomTom HOME 2\TomTomHOMEService.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Application Virtualization Client\sftlist.exe
C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\PaperPort\pptd40nt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchIndexer.exe
C:\Program Files\USB2.0 2MP UVC Camera\Monitor.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\CTHELPER.EXE
C:\Program Files\Brother\Brmfcmon\BrMfcWnd.exe
C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\egui.exe
C:\Program Files\Brother\ControlCenter3\brccMCtl.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Brother\Brmfcmon\BrMfimon.exe
C:\Program Files\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Virtualization Handler\CVHSVC.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Contacts\wlcomm.exe
C:\Program Files\Skype\Plugin Manager\SkypePM.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\OUTLOOK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cidaemon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\cidaemon.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\SearchProtocolHost.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Daddy\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.co.uk/
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEToolbarHelper Class - {AE7CD045-E861-484f-8273-0445EE161910} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.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
O3 - Toolbar: Adobe PDF - {47833539-D0C5-4125-9FA8-0819E2EAAC93} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Acrobat\AcroIEFavClient.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Windows Live Toolbar - {21FA44EF-376D-4D53-9B0F-8A89D3229068} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: DAEMON Tools Toolbar - {32099AAC-C132-4136-9E9A-4E364A424E17} - C:\Program Files\DAEMON Tools Toolbar\DTToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PaperPort PTD] "C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\PaperPort\pptd40nt.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IndexSearch] "C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\PaperPort\IndexSearch.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PPort11reminder] "C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\PaperPort\Ereg\Ereg.exe" -r "C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\ScanSoft\PaperPort\11\Config\Ereg\Ereg.ini
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CAMONITOR] C:\Program Files\USB2.0 2MP UVC Camera\Monitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTHelper] CTHELPER.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTxfiHlp] CTXFIHLP.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BrMfcWnd] C:\Program Files\Brother\Brmfcmon\BrMfcWnd.exe /AUTORUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ControlCenter3] C:\Program Files\Brother\ControlCenter3\brctrcen.exe /autorun
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [egui] "C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\egui.exe" /hide /waitservice
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Skype] "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /nosplash /minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [uTorrent] "C:\Program Files\uTorrent\uTorrent.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [Shockwave Updater] C:\WINDOWS\system32\Adobe\SHOCKW~1\SWHELP~2.EXE -Update -1103471 -"Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 8.0; Windows NT 5.1; Trident/4.0; SIMBAR=0; .NET CLR 1.1.4322; .NET CLR 2.0.50727; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.30; .NET CLR 3.0.04506.648; OfficeLiveConnector.1.3; OfficeLivePatch.0.0; .NET CLR 3.0.4506.2152; .NET CLR 3.5.30729; InfoPath.2)" -"http://www.miniclip.com/games/alien-abduction/en/"
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
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: {1E54D648-B804-468d-BC78-4AFFED8E262E} (System Requirements Lab) - http://www.nvidia.com/content/Driver...sysreqlab3.cab
O16 - DPF: {238F6F83-B8B4-11CF-8771-00A024541EE3} (Citrix ICA Client) - https://wow.wiltshire.gov.uk/dana/do...nloadCitrixCab
O16 - DPF: {4C39376E-FA9D-4349-BACC-D305C1750EF3} (EPUImageControl Class) - http://tools.ebayimg.com/eps/wl/acti..._v1-0-3-36.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsu...?1185093442203
O16 - DPF: {6C269571-C6D7-4818-BCA4-32A035E8C884} (Creative Software AutoUpdate) - http://ccfiles.creative.com/Web/soft...01/CTSUEng.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/micr...?1255594139765
O16 - DPF: {8100D56A-5661-482C-BEE8-AFECE305D968} (Facebook Photo Uploader 5 Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/...Uploader55.cab
O16 - DPF: {89242969-422B-46BF-B0D5-6A7B7DC4D0E0} (NAS Finder Helper) - file://E:\html\nafcom.cab
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/ge...sh/swflash.cab
O16 - DPF: {D821DC4A-0814-435E-9820-661C543A4679} (CRLDownloadWrapper Class) - http://drmlicense.one.microsoft.com/.../en/crlocx.ocx
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {F6ACF75C-C32C-447B-9BEF-46B766368D29} (Creative Software AutoUpdate Support Package) - http://ccfiles.creative.com/Web/soft...5108/CTPID.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O23 - Service: Lavasoft Ad-Aware Service (aawservice) - - (no file)
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: ESET HTTP Server (EhttpSrv) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\EHttpSrv.exe
O23 - Service: ESET Service (ekrn) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET Smart Security\ekrn.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.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: Kodak Camera Connection Software (KodakCCS) - Eastman Kodak Company - C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: PinnacleUpdate Service (PinnacleUpdateSvc) - KALiNKOsoft - C:\Program Files\KALiNKOsoft\Pinnacle Game Profiler\pinnacle_updater.exe
O23 - Service: Retrospect Launcher (RetroLauncher) - EMC Dantz - C:\Program Files\Dantz\Retrospect 7.0\retrorun.exe
O23 - Service: STI Simulator - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\PAStiSvc.exe
O23 - Service: TomTomHOMEService - TomTom - C:\Program Files\TomTom HOME 2\TomTomHOMEService.exe

--
End of file - 11812 bytes

[Phantom010]

You should uninstall Windows Search 4.0 from your Add or Remove programs. It's a system resource hog.

You have too many Startup applications loading with Windows and too many processes running in the background. This can significantly increase your Startup time and affect overall performance.

You should definitely trim down your Startup list. Other than your security software, very few applications need to load with Windows at Startup.

Click on Start > Run > and type msconfig.

Under the Startup tab, uncheck all unnecessary applications.

For more detailed information, you can also download Autoruns.

Run Autoruns and select the Logon tab.

Under HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run, you'll see all the applications running at Startup. Simply uncheck the items you don't need.

Use these three websites to help you decide which items to uncheck:

Simply copy and paste the .exe files you see at the end of your HijackThis log's 04 (Startup) entries one by one. Ignore any 04 entries with HKUS or RunOnce. They won't show in msconfig. RunOnce entries will show in Autoruns though.

1- System Lookup (my favorite - for this one, you can paste the whole 04 entry)

2- PC Review - Startup Files Database

3- Startup Applications List

Remember, a lot of applications can be started manually when needed.

A list of names and files will appear. At the end of each entry, you'll notice a symbol:

Y = Normally leave to run at start-up

N = Not required - often infrequently used tasks that can be started manually, if necessary

U = User's choice - depends whether a user deems it necessary

X = Malware, spyware, adware, or other potentially unwanted items

? = Currently unknown status

Make sure to choose the correct information in the list, relating to the actual programs installed on your computer. Do not be alarmed by red "Xs" pointing to malware, especially if I haven't seen any in your HijackThis log. I do check before recommending this trimming.

Example:

Copy the following entry from your HijackThis log:

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime

Paste it in this website: 1- System Lookup

Now here is what you get. On line #7, you'll see the Name (QuickTime Task), the Filename (Qttask.exe), the Description and at the end of the line, you'll see a N, meaning Not required - often infrequently used tasks that can be started manually, if necessary. So, you can without a doubt uncheck it from your Startup list.

After rebooting, when the small System Configuration Utility window appears, ignore the message. Put a check mark in that window, then click OK.


Some Services may also be disabled.

Simply paste your HijackThis log's 023 (Services) entries in the following website:

System Lookup

Then, after deciding which Services to disable,

click on Start > Run > type services.msc

Scroll down to the chosen service and double-click on it. Change the Startup type from Automatic to Manual.

[Phantom010]

If no luck, try a Clean Boot to isolate a culprit among your non-Windows apps.

[tool_time]

Thank you very much for your comprehensive response and advice!

I have gone through my start-up and cut it right back. Although this improves start-up considerably, it did not solve the problem with IE8 Blue Screens.

I then went on to clean boot and the same thing happened. I saved a Hijack This Log and compared it to the log from a Safe-Mode boot when IE8 did not cause a blue screen. The logs were identical, so do I assume the problem lies with a driver?

If so, any tips on which drivers usually cause problems? I am guessing display drivers are a key cause?

Many thanks again.

[Phantom010]

Could you please post a few of your latest minidump files? They are located in C:\WINDOWS\Minidump. ZIP them and attach them to your next post.

[tool_time]

Thanks and here you go...

[Phantom010]

Your minidump files give us useless generic errors.

You could download and run Autoruns. You'll be able to disable Startup apps and drivers to narrow it down to a culprit. Be careful not to disable mouse or keyboard drivers though before rebooting...