[Resolved] Freezing Up

[Cheryl]

We are using Windows 98 / Internet Explorer / Outlook Express. Just recently we have noticed freezing up on desk top, outlook express, playing solitaire, and trying to shut down. What is causing this?

When we hit Ctl/Alt/Dlt - it said something was running in the background, but nothing was on the task bar below. It asked for shut down or end task. After clicking on end task (we were finally allowed to use our pointer) absolutely nothing happened after waiting for awhile. So then we went to start to close down and then it froze again.

Then went back to Ctl/Alt/Dlt - and it unfroze and then it started it's shutdown process and then froze halfway through it so the only way we could shut down was to manually shut it off.

How can I rectify this problem? Please help!!!!

 

[Dan O]

Here's a link to a very good site with lot of things to try to fix your problems: http://www.aumha.org/a/shtdwnse.htm

Let us know what it took.

 

[Cheryl]

I was checking other threads - and decided I should tell you what I have on start-up. You answered me so soon I didn't have time to try what you recommended. Here is my list

MSMSGS Registry (Per-User Run) C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe /background
AIM Registry (Per-User Run) C:\PROGRAM FILES\AIM95\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
ScanRegistry Registry (Machine Run) c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
SystemTray Registry (Machine Run) SysTray.Exe
RealTray Registry (Machine Run) C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\realplay.exe SYSTEMBOOTHIDEPLAYER
TimeSink Ad Client Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\TimeSink\AdGateway\TSADBOT.EXE"
LoadQM Registry (Machine Run) loadqm.exe
MCAgentExe Registry (Machine Run) C:\program files\mcafee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe
MCUpdateExe Registry (Machine Run) C:\program files\mcafee.com\Agent\mcupdate.exe /embedding
mgavrtclexe Registry (Machine Run) c:\windows\MCBin\AV\Rt\mgavrtcl.exe
Encompass_ENCMONTR Registry (Machine Service) C:\Program Files\Easy Internet\ENCMONTR.EXE
mgavrtclexe Registry (Machine Service) c:\windows\MCBin\AV\Rt\mgavrte.exe

 

[beach51]

Hi Cheryl,you have a nasty piece of spyware on your computer called Timesink.First thing to do is go to Start>Run>type in Msconfig,click ok,click on startup tab>take the check mark out next to timesink,click apply then ok,let the computer re-boot.Next go to add and remove programs in control panel and remove it there.Reboot.Next go and download a program called Ad-aware5.6(its free)This will scan your computer for any other spyware that you might have.When you download the program,also dowaload the ref file while your there.

Let us know how you make out

 

[beach51]

Sorry heres the link for Ad-aware

http://www.lavasoftusa.com

 

[Cheryl]

I will do what you instructed. Thanks so much! But I'm curious - what is spyware and how did it get on my laptop?

 

[Bryan]

Beach, LavaSoft's USA site has been up and down the last few days. Here's a European link that appears to be still working.

http://www.lavasoft.de/aaw/

Click on the Yellow folder next to “Ad-aware 5.6 Final” to download AAW.exe. Once you've downloaded it, double left click on it to install it. Then look for the AdAware folder in Start>Programs and execute the program. Once it launches, on the Left side of the screen, be sure to select ScanRegistry(DeepScan), ScanMemory and Scan Fixed C: Drive from the directory tree on the Left side and then click on “Scan”. When it's done scanning, click on Continue and then select everything it lists and continue on to delete and clean it up.

 

[beach51]

Hi Cheryl,heres a link for you to go to.It will explain what spyware is and how you get it on your computer,and also the removeal instructions.


www.cexx.org

Let us know how you make out .

 

[beach51]

Hi Bryan,thanks for the info.I saw it was down yesterday,throught maybe it was up today.Will keep using this link you posted until lavasoftusa is up again.Thanks for explaining to Cheryl how to use Adaware.

 

[beach51]

Hi Cheryl,just did some checking and it seems like your going to have to do some more work to get rid of timesink(Tsadbot),altogether.Go to this site and read about this trojan horse.

http://cexx.org/tsadkill.htm

 

[Cheryl]

I went into msconfig. and unchecked the box like you said. Then I rebooted. I then went into control panel - add/remove and it was not there to uninstall. I went back into msconfig and it had remained unchecked.

Why wouldn't it be in the control panel - add/remove?

 

[beach51]

Cherly,sometimes there not in add and remove programs,i always add that just to make sure.Did you follow up with what that page said to do?Does the computer seem more stable now that you stoped it from startup?

 

[Bryan]

Beach, don't mean to jump in here but I'm pretty sure AdAware removes Tsadbot for you. And if I'm not mistaken, it will also get rid of the pieces of Tsadbot as that article suggested you do. Just removing it from Startup will leave the stuff behind which isn't the end of the world but I'd suggest running AdAware to clean it up. Has she run AdAware yet?

Also, Tsadbot won't be listed under Add/RemovePrograms. It's installed as part of other free software. She may have gotten it with AIM which appears to have been downloaded from CNET rather than directly from AOL, but that's just a guess. Good luck ....

 

[beach51]

Hi Bryan,thanks again for the info.I wasnt sure if Ad-aware would remove all the stuff tsadbot leaves behind.Thats good to know that it does,makes it alot easier.I agree,thats probably where she got it from.As far as knowing if she download and ran ad-aware am not sure am waiting for a replyThanks again for your help and information Bryan,its much appreciated.

 

[Cheryl]

You guys are FANTASTIC. I got up early this morning and downloaded and installed Ad-ware. It detected 31 files/programs and I deleted all of them. When I continued it left behind one and after restarting I went back and deleted the remaining one. It was labeled "comet", etc.

It did take it off. Thanks so much for all your help. I worked on computers for 20+ years at GE - and I just sat down and worked on it. I was never responsible for the "maintenance" of the machine.

I sure am learning a lot from you guys and girls and I never knew there was so much "maintenance" to keep the machine operating correctly.

THANKS AGAIN and you all have a wonderful day!