Problem with Win 7 locking up

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Hi all
I’ve got a problem with my boys Win 7 32-bit OS. It’s been running fine for a year, and in the last two days has developed a nasty problem.
The problem is the machine boots OK, I can log in and then 3 minutes later it completely locks up – Ctrl-Alt-Delete doesn’t work and even wiggling the mouse doesn’t move.

– I don’t think it’s a virus
[INDENT] – they log in as restricted users, and don’t have my administrator password
– I run Nortons 2011 as have it automatically updated
[/INDENT] – There’s no new programs installed in the last few days.
– If I start if safe mode it doesn’t lock up.
– If I F8 boot menu into ‘low-res mode (640×480)’, it doesn’t lock up. Even if I then change the resolution to 1280×1024 (but it does lock up on next boot)
– Action Centre had a note (3 months old) about the NVidia graphics driver causing problems. Device manager said the driver was up to date, but NVidia’s web site said otherwise. I installed the new (2 weeks old) driver from NVidia’s web site, to no avail.

It seems to be something to do with the graphics driver, but I’m not sure what to try next. Any ideas or suggestions will be most welcome.

Thanks
Peter

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eventvwr.msc
Check the event viewer logs for flagged errors.
If you suspect the GPU, shut down your computer, open case and reseat GPU ensuring
everything is attached correctly with no loose cables.
Check to ensure your son isn’t overclocking the GPU without your knowledge.

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In addition to Clint’s suggestion, try starting the task manager as soon as you boot the system. Sort the process on CPU usage. Then see if something is consuming most/all of the CPU when the system hangs.

Joe

--Joe

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Thanks Joe and Clint.
Turns out to be a virus after all.
I still don’t know how it got in, but a Nortons Full Scann revelaed Rootkit.Win32.TDSS in the Java cache.
I don’t know why a full scan found it, but that Norton didn’t stop it getting in.
Just doing the virus removal now.
I run secunia once a month, so all my programs were up to date.
I use OpenDNS, so that should have stopped malicious sites.
I’m the only one who knows the administrator password – everyone else runs as restricted users.
I suspect an IE ‘zero day’ exploit, but can’t be sure.
It’s a rootkit, so I know it’s worse than a ‘normal’ virus.
Any ideas how it may have got in? Does Nortons not stop all viruses from getting in?
Peter

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Thanks Joe and Clint.
Turns out to be a virus after all.
I still don’t know how it got in, but a Nortons Full Scann revelaed Rootkit.Win32.TDSS in the Java cache.
I don’t know why a full scan found it, but that Norton didn’t stop it getting in.
Just doing the virus removal now.
I run secunia once a month, so all my programs were up to date.
I use OpenDNS, so that should have stopped malicious sites.
I’m the only one who knows the administrator password – everyone else runs as restricted users.
I suspect an IE ‘zero day’ exploit, but can’t be sure.
It’s a rootkit, so I know it’s worse than a ‘normal’ virus.
Any ideas how it may have got in? Does Nortons not stop all viruses from getting in?
Peter

You might want to check this out.
Go and check out how major companys have done in real test. Last time I looked Microsoft Security Essentials beat everyone execpt Outpost Security Suite.
VirusBulletin’s VB100 and Matousec.com Proactive Security Challenge, both widely-acknowledged centers of excellence for PC security.

January 26, 2011: The Internet security experts at Agnitum, developers of the Outpost range of security software, are delighted to announce that Outpost Security Suite Pro 7.0 has passed Anti-Malware.ru’s tests under Windows 7 (x64) with flying colors to achieve the Gold Award for Self-Protection.
In total, 20 personal antivirus and security suite products were tested. Outpost posted one of the best results by resisting 92% of attacks (30.5 points out of 33), proving once again the accuracy and efficiency of its anti-deactivation tools. Many competing solutions, including such industry leaders as PC Tools Internet Security 2011 and Eset Smart Security 4.2 (both at 59%) and Microsoft Security Essentials 1.0 (test failed at 30%), fell far behind, delivering only mediocre results in response to the attacks.
Outpost 7 also achieved almost-perfect scores in the system level, process termination, process modification, and driver protection tests under Windows 7 by providing full support for 64-bit systems, taking into account the specific architecture and security requirements of these systems.

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No one piece of security software will catch every piece of malware. Also, the best security app will change as time marches on. Real time protection also does not catch as many items as a full scan as you discovered. That why all security apps recommend doing a fill scan periodically.

Jerry

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