Vista Freezes after booting up

Vista Home Premium
Gateway MX8738 Notebook
Intel Processor T2080@ 1.73Ghz
RAM 1014 MB
(If I haven't included some necessary info its because I didn't know how to find it)

I'm a complete novice when it comes to computers even though I have taken one apart with good instruction. Please write out commonly abbreviated computer terms as I may not know them.

Here is the issue: After booting up the computer the desktop freezes immediately. If it doesn't freeze up immediately I'll have some functionality, but minimal. I'll no longer have access to the internet (no network adapter present), can't run programs (they fail to open) or can't install programs/updates. I have even gotten a couple of Blue screen error messages such as: IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL and DRIVER_IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL.

In safe mode with networking I do have access to the internet. When I try to download updates in safe mode I can't because Install shield will not work, or some other excuse. There are no restore points to restore to. There was a Windows Framework update on August 7th. I tried to uninstall it, but apparently it was never installed properly. No blue screens while in Safe Mode.

I've been trying to problem solve this on my own, but with my limited computer repair skills I'm scared to try things. Any help or advice would be greatly appreciated.

Most post-startup issues (namely unresponsiveness) is usually a matter of the computer having too many programs to load on startup. When you say that the network adapter isn't present and that you ran into some BSODs (blue screen), that's already a different issue (problematic drivers/hardware).

For slow/unresponsive startup:
Boot in safe mode if necessary.
Press Win+R, type msconfig and press enter. Go to the Startup tab.
Uncheck whatever you can. If you're not sure - it's safe to uncheck everything and anything (that's actually what safe mode does). You can always go back and check/uncheck them again or each one individually. The computer must restart for these changes to take effect.

As for BSOD and network adapter issues:
My first guess is that your network adapter driver is not installed properly, (bad drivers are the number one cause for crashes). So I suggest reinstalling the network adapter driver (I like installing drivers in safe mode, without networking, just in case).

Keep this thread updated, especially with so many helpful people on this forum!

Can you upload the .dmp files from the BSOD/STOP errors? They should be in C:\Windows or C:\Minidump. Look for a file with the extension .dmp, then zip them up and upload them.

VaguelyRapt said:

Most post-startup issues (namely unresponsiveness) is usually a matter of the computer having too many programs to load on startup. When you say that the network adapter isn't present and that you ran into some BSODs (blue screen), that's already a different issue (problematic drivers/hardware).

For slow/unresponsive startup:
Boot in safe mode if necessary.
Press Win+R, type msconfig and press enter. Go to the Startup tab.
Uncheck whatever you can. If you're not sure - it's safe to uncheck everything and anything (that's actually what safe mode does). You can always go back and check/uncheck them again or each one individually. The computer must restart for these changes to take effect.

As for BSOD and network adapter issues:
My first guess is that your network adapter driver is not installed properly, (bad drivers are the number one cause for crashes). So I suggest reinstalling the network adapter driver (I like installing drivers in safe mode, without networking, just in case).

Keep this thread updated, especially with so many helpful people on this forum!

Click to expand...

The easiest way to control which programs run on system startup is by using Revo Uninstaller.

Ojaser6 said:

VaguelyRapt said:

Most post-startup issues (namely unresponsiveness) is usually a matter of the computer having too many programs to load on startup. When you say that the network adapter isn't present and that you ran into some BSODs (blue screen), that's already a different issue (problematic drivers/hardware).

For slow/unresponsive startup:
Boot in safe mode if necessary.
Press Win+R, type msconfig and press enter. Go to the Startup tab.
Uncheck whatever you can. If you're not sure - it's safe to uncheck everything and anything (that's actually what safe mode does). You can always go back and check/uncheck them again or each one individually. The computer must restart for these changes to take effect.

As for BSOD and network adapter issues:
My first guess is that your network adapter driver is not installed properly, (bad drivers are the number one cause for crashes). So I suggest reinstalling the network adapter driver (I like installing drivers in safe mode, without networking, just in case).

Keep this thread updated, especially with so many helpful people on this forum!

Click to expand...

The easiest way to control which programs run on system startup is by using Revo Uninstaller.

Click to expand...

Autoruns if you want a more comprehensive viewpoint. If it isn't listed it most likely doesn't run:

technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902.aspx

VaguelyRapt said:

Most post-startup issues (namely unresponsiveness) is usually a matter of the computer having too many programs to load on startup. When you say that the network adapter isn't present and that you ran into some BSODs (blue screen), that's already a different issue (problematic drivers/hardware).

For slow/unresponsive startup:
Boot in safe mode if necessary.
Press Win+R, type msconfig and press enter. Go to the Startup tab.
Uncheck whatever you can. If you're not sure - it's safe to uncheck everything and anything (that's actually what safe mode does). You can always go back and check/uncheck them again or each one individually. The computer must restart for these changes to take effect.

As for BSOD and network adapter issues:
My first guess is that your network adapter driver is not installed properly, (bad drivers are the number one cause for crashes). So I suggest reinstalling the network adapter driver (I like installing drivers in safe mode, without networking, just in case).

Keep this thread updated, especially with so many helpful people on this forum!

Click to expand...

Thank you for your response. I'm very thankful.

Ok, as suggested I unchecked everything in Startup Tab. I did this while in normal mode. I didn't stick around long enough to determine if the computer would freeze again, because I wanted to come to reply to your post. But I'll monitor this and see if this continue to works. Interestingly enough, when I went to restart the computer to get to safe mode with networking (to be able to get to the internet and post a reply) my blue screen come back. (I'll post the details of the blue screen in a reply to another post.)

Reach brings me to the second part of your instructions. Prior to posting my issue I did attempt to install the network adapter driver. I did the install in normal mode. The install didn't finish. I got a message saying that there was no network adapter present. Which I'm thinking doesn't make sense as I'm assuming I wouldn't be able to access the internet in safe mode if this was the case.

Frostmourne said:

Can you upload the .dmp files from the BSOD/STOP errors? They should be in C:\Windows or C:\Minidump. Look for a file with the extension .dmp, then zip them up and upload them.

Click to expand...

I don't know how to zip files, sorry.

But here is what the latest blue screen said:

A problem has been detected and Windows has been shut down to prevent damage to your computer.

IRQL_NOT_LESS_OR_EQUAL

If this is the first time you have seen this stop error screen, restart your computer. If this screen appears again, follow these steps:

Check to make sure any new hardware or software is properly installed. If this is a new installation, ask hardware or software manufacturer for any window updates you might need.

If the problem continues, disable or remove any newly installed hardware or software. Disable BIOS memory options such as caching or shadowing. If you need to use safe mode to remove or disable components, restart your computer and press F8 to select advanced start up options, and then select safe mode.

Technical information: *** STOP: 0x00000000A (0x00000016, 0x0000001B, 0x00000000, 0x81c28768)

Collecting data for crash dump... etc.

Here is some additional info that may be helpful:
Problem signature:
Problem Event Name: BlueScreen
OS Version: 6.0.6000.2.0.0.768.3
Locale ID: 1033

Additional information about the problem:
BCCode: a
BCP1: 00000016
BCP2: 0000001B
BCP3: 00000000
BCP4: 81C28768
OS Version: 6_0_6000
Service Pack: 0_0
Product: 768_1

I've also attached a file. Thanks!

If your OS version is still at build 6000 update!

Here is the link to Vista SP1:

x86 - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...6D-5EBB-413B-89C9-CB3D06D12674&displaylang=en

x64 - Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for x64-based Systems (KB936330)

Here is the link to SP2:

x86 - Download details: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone (KB948465)

x64 - Download details: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone for x64-based systems (KB948465)

After you update, install the newest drivers for your hardware. As to the dump files, browse to the folders listed in a previous post, then copy and paste them to your desktop, accepting any UAC prompt, and then click on the link to "send them to compressed (zipped) folder.

Start in "safe-mode" with internet ...
Down load these ...and run complete system scan for malwares ..

SUPERAntiSpyware.com - Downloads

Malwarebytes.org

Frostmourne said:

If your OS version is still at build 6000 update!

Here is the link to Vista SP1:

x86 - http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...6D-5EBB-413B-89C9-CB3D06D12674&displaylang=en

x64 - Download details: Windows Vista Service Pack 1 Five Language Standalone for x64-based Systems (KB936330)

Here is the link to SP2:

x86 - Download details: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone (KB948465)


x64 - Download details: Windows Server 2008 Service Pack 2 and Windows Vista Service Pack 2 - Five Language Standalone for x64-based systems (KB948465)

After you update, install the newest drivers for your hardware. As to the dump files, browse to the folders listed in a previous post, then copy and paste them to your desktop, accepting any UAC prompt, and then click on the link to "send them to compressed (zipped) folder.

Click to expand...

How do I determine if my build is a 6000 update? Anyway, I assumed it was and downloaded SP1. I'm not sure if the update worked because the computer kept on crashing during the installation. The last message I got was that the service pack was unable to install and was removing itself (or something like that).

Any thoughts...?

tek101 said:

Start in "safe-mode" with internet ...
Down load these ...and run complete system scan for malwares ..

SUPERAntiSpyware.com - Downloads

Malwarebytes.org

Click to expand...

I've run Malwarebytes prior to my post. I'll give Superantispyware a try. Thanks!

Ojaser6 said:

VaguelyRapt said:

Most post-startup issues (namely unresponsiveness) is usually a matter of the computer having too many programs to load on startup. When you say that the network adapter isn't present and that you ran into some BSODs (blue screen), that's already a different issue (problematic drivers/hardware).

For slow/unresponsive startup:
Boot in safe mode if necessary.
Press Win+R, type msconfig and press enter. Go to the Startup tab.
Uncheck whatever you can. If you're not sure - it's safe to uncheck everything and anything (that's actually what safe mode does). You can always go back and check/uncheck them again or each one individually. The computer must restart for these changes to take effect.

As for BSOD and network adapter issues:
My first guess is that your network adapter driver is not installed properly, (bad drivers are the number one cause for crashes). So I suggest reinstalling the network adapter driver (I like installing drivers in safe mode, without networking, just in case).

Keep this thread updated, especially with so many helpful people on this forum!

Click to expand...

The easiest way to control which programs run on system startup is by using Revo Uninstaller.

Click to expand...

There is an easier way. Using msconfig which is built in.

Ken

tek101 said:

Start in "safe-mode" with internet ...
Down load these ...and run complete system scan for malwares ..

SUPERAntiSpyware.com - Downloads

Malwarebytes.org

Click to expand...

I downloaded and ran SAS. Rootkitcloaked/Service-Gen showed up as a threat on my first and second scan. I've done some research on this and it appears to be pretty nasty. Makes me wonder if this is the root (no pun intended) of all my problems. Any other thoughts or suggestions...?