Computer is dieing on me for unknown reason

[musicmasteria]

Hello, thank you for taking a look at this. I hope you know what's going on because I can't figure it out...

Here's what's going on:

My Vista SP1 laptop was running smoothly on Thursday when I packed it up to go to Kansas on a road trip. Then later, I tried to use my laptop to play a game. (CODWaW) It would start up but then get stuck in the loading process. I would get a black screen and a loading icon on my mouse but the opening video to the game wouldn't come. So I thought, that's wierd... I Ctrl+Alt+Del 'ed, tried to open Task Manager but it did not open. Only a icon for it showed up on the task bar but it wouldn't respond to any left/right clicks so it's pretty much worthless. So there I am, stuck on the road with a failing computer . We arrive in Kansas and I set up my computer there. Same problems still... So I try to Reboot the computer, well it doesn't want to do that now either. It get's stuck on the "Logging off..." screen and even after leaving it there over night it remains stuck. So I hard restart it... then I happen to try the Control Panel... oh great, it takes forever to load... on top of that, any time I try and right click the desktop, it gives me a loading icon on the mouse forever, eventually crashing "Windows Explorer".

So now I think it could be a virus doing all this... well, NOD32's scan finds nothing... tried MalwareBytes.. quick scan found nothing but full scan found a trojan.downloader. That was deleted and another full scan reveals no results so should be fixed right? wrong. Nothing has changed. NOD32 + MalwareBytes find nothing, system still doesn't work right.
~Log removed~
Does anyone know what's going on with my computer?

[ronjor]

Since we don't process HijackThis logs here, a list of forums that do is located in this post.

[musicmasteria]

Originally Posted by ronjor

Since we don't process HijackThis logs here, a list of forums that do is located in this post.

Oh sorry about that. I just thought it would be helpful for anyone trying to help me as all other logs are virtually bare and would give little help.

[musicmasteria]

Um... sorry to double post but does anyone have a clue what is happening to my comp?

If not, maybe a path I might follow to find out?

I was thinking about running a good online virus scanner, could someone tell me a really good one of those.

Like I said, MalwareBytes and Nod32 don't find anything but there is still obviously a problem with my comp.

Thanks,
Musicmasteria

Originally Posted by musicmasteria

Um... sorry to double post but does anyone have a clue what is happening to my comp?

If not, maybe a path I might follow to find out?

I was thinking about running a good online virus scanner, could someone tell me a really good one of those.

Like I said, MalwareBytes and Nod32 don't find anything but there is still obviously a problem with my comp.

Thanks,
Musicmasteria

Here is a link to a list. http://www.techsupportalert.com/cont...list-world.htm A little ways down the page you will see online scanners listed.

[WayneP]

Hello musicmasteria,

This honestly doesn't sound like a virus issue. You should probably try running a chkdsk scan to see if there are some errors on the hard drive. Since this is a laptop, I have to ask if maybe it has been bumped or dropped shortly before this started happening? Viruses and malware usually have different symptoms than what you are experiencing.

[musicmasteria]

Originally Posted by WayneP

Hello musicmasteria,

This honestly doesn't sound like a virus issue. You should probably try running a chkdsk scan to see if there are some errors on the hard drive. Since this is a laptop, I have to ask if maybe it has been bumped or dropped shortly before this started happening? Viruses and malware usually have different symptoms than what you are experiencing.

Thanks for the idea Wayne. I ran chkdsk but nothing has changed, everything still acts the same. *Actually, I can right click the desktop now but that was before the scan anyway.

As for dropping it, no, I am very careful with my laptop and it is usually sitting on a desk so very little chance that it will be dropped.

And I agree, it doesn't really behave like a virus except that the things that are broken are key elements of the OS (task manager, Control Panel, Shutting Down the comp).

[WayneP]

Originally Posted by musicmasteria

And I agree, it doesn't really behave like a virus except that the things that are broken are key elements of the OS (task manager, Control Panel, Shutting Down the comp).

The fact that it takes forever to load Control Panel instead of just erroring out instantly is another indication that a virus is not involved. You should try running a scan in Safe Mode and see if anything is found that way. I'm pretty sure that if NOD32 and MalwareBytes didn't find anything, then you are probably looking at a hardware issue.

[e36]

Originally Posted by WayneP

The fact that it takes forever to load Control Panel instead of just erroring out instantly is another indication that a virus is not involved. You should try running a scan in Safe Mode and see if anything is found that way. I'm pretty sure that if NOD32 and MalwareBytes didn't find anything, then you are probably looking at a hardware issue.

...x2

[musicmasteria]

Originally Posted by WayneP

The fact that it takes forever to load Control Panel instead of just erroring out instantly is another indication that a virus is not involved. You should try running a scan in Safe Mode and see if anything is found that way. I'm pretty sure that if NOD32 and MalwareBytes didn't find anything, then you are probably looking at a hardware issue.

Hmm :\

Well I guess it could be a hardware issue...

What could I use to test for which hardware(s) is failing?
(I know this is a Antivirus forum but surely someone knows of something I could use)

As for booting in safe mode, it turns out safe mode doesn't load up anything but the background screen. All desktop icons, task bar, etc. are missing. Basicly, safe mode is worthless. (However I can open up the Ctr+Alt+Del screen but task manager is still broken in there as well)

[Nerimash]

Hi musicmasteria.
IF you have some hardware issues you can try ~Link to unknown program removed.~ utility to scan your laptop.
But, as far as I know, some sort of malware can block "Safe mode" and loads system very intensively. In any case you can provide Gmer log for me.

[Meriadoc]

Originally Posted by Nerimash

Hi musicmasteria.
IF you have some hardware issues you can try this utility to scan your laptop.
But, as far as I know, some sort of malware can block "Safe mode" and loads system very intensively. In any case you can provide Gmer log for me.

Hi Nerimash, as that the link to the utility is direct, what is it?

[Nerimash]

yes it is. This is the direct link to S&M utility.

[ThunderZ]

Originally Posted by Nerimash

yes it is. This is the direct link to S&M utility.

A link to the home page would be appreciated. Direct links are frowned upon.

(surprised a Mod has not edited the post.)

[Meriadoc]

I presume its this cpu and memory utility.

screenshot

[musicmasteria]

It looks like some luck is on my side.

I ran Seatools for DOS, short and long scans, and both said my harddrive passed so there shouldn't be a problem with it.

I also decided to open up the cover and take a quick look at it but I never disconected it.

I then closed everything up and started the computer and surprisingly, everything runs like normal now.

I'm afraid to restart the comp and chance everything breaking again... The main thing is that I don't know what ended up fixing the problem. The Seatools for DOS didn't say it fixed anything and I was under the impression that it was only suposed to check the status of the hard drive and not fix it if there was a problem. As for when I opened up the hard drive cover, I doubt I did anything to it that would fix it but I guess it's possible as I have no other explanation.

Nerimash, I am reluctant to use the program you suggested because the whole site and the program itself (as seen in Meriadoc's screenshot) are not in english. Are you sure I should use it or is there another program that is just as good in english?

Thanks
Musicmasteria