Vista - Possible Service Pack 2 Issue. Need Help.

The most suspicious

CA Internet Security Suite ->I recommend completely uninstall this software.

(I'll later edit this post)

Ya man, I figured that the CA security software could be the cause of the improper start up. I haven't tried uninstalling it, but I will try that soon after a clean reboot and see if that shows any results. My client claimed he downloaded and installed the software through a pop up link, but have read that the CA security software is a legitimate antivirus software used by many people. However, I also know that some people have been having issues with some of the filters that slow the computer down, so it could be that this software is also improperly booting the system.

I will post back the results of the clean boot, then the uninstall of the CA security software at a later time. Thanks Flavius. Let me know what else you find and thank you so much for helping me out.

You didn't let me finish my previous post and I had no time before ..

Independly from results in clean boot I still recommend uninstal completely CA Internet Security - I don't be surprised if even in clean boot some process of CA still work.Pernamently disabling 3p modern firewall is almost impossible.Below example from forum where firewall cheated clean boot (read all):
Windows Command Processor problem

Since this time I met many this kind of cases

Why even in clean boot some 3p firewals processes still working? I don't know exactlly but I suspect some firewals drivers service don't depends directly from own services only from system services,besides security software modify Winsock -yes this strickly system driver service but 3p security software hang under this service own modules and then modify it.

I suspect firewall from CA responsible for trouble in icon tray and running some processess too,it adds to tray full icon

A lot icons in tray or too agressive firewal may cause issue with loading someones
yes there is method to reset icon tray Notification Icons - Reset
But if you have really issue with it then you have to repeat it from time to time.To prevent this the best way to limit icons in tray.CA add too much icons to tray even as full security software.Besides in my opinison systems like Vista ,Windows 7 don't need good firewall.Turned on UAC which separate admin & limited user rights ensure perfect protection against viruses which don't give any firewall,besides 3p firewall may cause many problems for example:

-slower bootup (almost always it heppen)

and some times:

- trouble with running some programs
-trouble with WU
-trouble with running programs which required admin previlliges (conflict with UAC)
-blockade of internet
-blockade of shared folders

and other

So 3p firewall is unnesessary weight for system.
I can see you are using UAC
And of course it is very good.


I reccommend replace it any good antivirus -not any full security internet software or 3p firewall! (the best way with already build-in antispyware module)

for example
AVG
AVG Free - Pobierz bezpłatny Anti-Virus i Anti-Spyware dla systemów Windows 7, Vista i·XP

RISING Antivirus
Rising - Antivirus,Firewall,Virus,Trojan,Worm Protection,Free Download

or the new one:
Microsoft Security Essentials
http://www.microsoft.com/Security_Essentials/

If you want special good and commercial version don't deter you I recommend
Kaspersky Antivirus:
Anti-Virus Software with Anti-Spyware Protection - Kaspersky Lab United States

and firewall enable in your router .

Besides romeve some orphans and unnessary things:

Run again OTL and in Custum Scans/Fixes paste following text

Click on "RunFix" apply +restart

Hi Flavius,

I wanted to report to you that after finally getting the passwords to uninstall the CA security software, I was able to successfully uninstall the software and now the computer boots flawlessly! It's really amazing how slow the computer booted with the software installed. Now that it's gone, it feels like a fresh, new computer. Haha.

Thanks for all the help and if ever I need help with anything, I'll be sure to come to you. Thanks again. And as an extra note, I noticed that when the computer had the problem booting, I let it sit idle for about 15-20 minutes, and then all the processes would boot normally and then I could use the computer just fine. So it probably just meant that the computer was still starting all services, but you could actually see the desktop. However, you couldn't use the computer properly until you waited 15-20 when all the processes were finally done starting.

For those of you who ever come across CA Internet Security, BE WARNED that it may slow your entire system down. If you have it in your computer already, be prepared to have your account info, your Administrator Parental Controls info, and your security code on hand if you are considering uninstalling the software because that's how difficult it is to uninstall this lame software.

As a result, I have installed the newly updated AVG 9 Free Edition and it works great!

Remember, CA Internet Security= Ultra slow computer boot times.

My latest 'windows update' says I need to update to SP2... I'm thinking of holding off on updating.

You shouldn't. Get Windows 7 instead.

Ok, give me a copy, then... Not planning on buying 7 anytime soon. my pc is only a year and a half old.

That's the price of technology. 7 is vastly better than Vista, and I'm paying retail for the full version of Ultimate. If not, get SP2, Windows always needs to be updated fully.

I agree with Frostmourne. Windows should always have the newest updates so that you have the newest fixes and patches that Microsoft may have missed. It turns out that the Service Pack 2 for Vista was not the cause of the error. In fact, it was the CA Internet Security Suite software which I personally do not recommend.

The computer is currently using Service Pack 2 and is working flawlessly. So, for once, this issue was not caused by Vista. Just make sure to backup really important files before updating just in case your restore point doesn't work.

On the Windows 7 note, I would highly recommend upgrading to it if you have Vista and have a computer only a year and a half old. The reason being that you pretty much get what Vista was supposed to be like when it came out. It's polished, it's faster, and it's leaner which are definitely good things from an OS.

Well I updated, and it still works.