Messages

1

General Computer Support / How dumb can one be?

« on: April 04, 2015, 01:35:25 pm »

I am 67 years old.  That being said, I am technically proficient...I've forgotten more than these young "whippersnappers" have learned.  <Ha!> 

I have just had an incident (an old man incident) that embarrasses me (!) regarding earphones.  I, three times in as many days, plugged my earphones into the improper jack.  Dadgummit!  I could hear something but it wasn't near loud enough.  The microphone jack does have audio, as I've found out.  It's just not normal volume.   

Were all my problems as simple to solve....  <YeeHah!>

Jack

2

General Computer Support / Re: ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics

« on: September 15, 2014, 10:51:00 am »

Checked for CCC and there was nothing found.  Hmm?  Anyway, I downloaded the newest CCC and now my driver is Version 8.970.100.1100.  So far, no problems.  (knock on wood!)

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General Computer Support / Re: ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics

« on: September 15, 2014, 07:24:49 am »

Howdy, Boggin!  Thanks for replying so fast.  Yes, I do have Power Options set to set to High Performance and never to dim.  It's one of the things I check on prior to posting to the blog. 

I never run on battery, only AC.

Thanks for the tip on CCC and the control center.  I'll definitely check that today.

 

4

General Computer Support / ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics

« on: September 13, 2014, 03:05:34 pm »

This is version: 8.632.1.2000 of ATI software.

INFO:  ACER Aspire 5517; Windows 7, X64, Enterprise (no surprise!); No other problems that are observable.  4GB RAM and 250 GB HDD (25%);

Symptom:  Screen randomly goes dark (becoming more prevalent);  Takes many multiple clicks of the Fn and F6 keys (back-light) to restore the back-light;  Using the ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics driver (8.632.1.2000);  Using built-in properties and their website, I have latest driver; 

Is this a software problem or a driver problem?  Hopefully, that's all it is!  Is it hardware (I doubt it, due to the ability to restore via keyboard (Fn/F6);  Again, I have the latest driver edition. 

Have you all any idea???? what might be causing these outages of screen presentation from ATI Radeon HD 3200 Graphics?  I've done my on-line research and have found nothing commensurate. 

I'm very nervous about this and have NO backup computer. 

Thank you for your interest and assistance from an old retired engineer.

5

General Computer Support / Re: Display going DARK, repeatedly, for no reason...

« on: June 06, 2014, 11:36:21 am »

Judging by the description I found: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Rootkit, I am fortunate to have had such an easy fix. 

I can not give enough cudo's to ComboFix!!!  Even though it deleted the infected files without asking to isolate them, I am thankful for its capabilities and actions!!!!!!

I use Panda Cloud A/V and Malwarebytes, as backup.  I use Windows Firewall. 

I just wish I knew from where this RootKit came. 

Have a wondeful Father's Day, Shane.  You deserve it!!!!!!!!!!!!

6

General Computer Support / Re: Display going DARK, repeatedly, for no reason...

« on: June 06, 2014, 06:37:00 am »

This condition has, seemingly, solved itself.  No more Dark Screen unless I press Fn/F6.  Maybe it was a part of the Network RootKit that ComboFix found and deleted?  Anyway, good news.  I hope I haven't jinxed it by bragging.... ~ha~!

7

General Computer Support / Re: SOLVED on page 3! svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: June 03, 2014, 07:12:18 am »

Yes!  If I'd have known that the files were deleted, I'd have "isolated 'em" and sent them to you.  I am very impressed with the capabilities of ComboFix, though.  Windows 7 x64 Enterprise booted under 2 minutes, this morning!! 

I have no idea from where I got this infection.  Gmail, Hotmail, MajorGeeks, Breitbart, DrudgeReport, Chron.com, WND.com, Statesman.com, youtube.com, ....  and the various links from each of those. 

I use CCleaner.  This is the "downside" to cleaning the system, isn't it?

I placed VirusTotal.com in my Bookmarks!!! 

8

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 31, 2014, 02:35:31 pm »

It deleted these files

C:\setup.exe
c:\windows\SysWow64\Packet.dll
c:\windows\SysWow64\pthreadVC.dll
c:\windows\SysWow64\wpcap.dll

Those dll files attach to the network, so you did have something hooked to it that was causing it. it doesnt tell me what rootkit or virus it was, just the files names

Shane

This morning, Boot time was under 2 minutes for Windows 7 x64!!!  Still have the DARK screen during and after Boot (just now, in fact!!  ~Ha~!)  I can live with that.  To recover the screen, I double-click Fn/F6 combination.  It is wonderful to have a responsive computer, again. 

Thank you!  Social Security on Tuesday!!!! YeeHah!!


"Only a life lived for others is a life worthwhile"
Honor & Respect is all that matters.  AMEN!

9

General Computer Support / Re: Computer slow to boot and generally slow.

« on: May 31, 2014, 01:20:08 pm »

The Windows Repair is for fixing windows, doesnt do anything to speed it up.

Instead try my other program
http://www.tweaking.com/content/page/simple_system_tweaker.html

Also make sure you open msconfig and disable any startup items and non Microsoft services you dont need, that will help a lot.

Also install my free version of my CleanMem tool, that will help keep memory from being pushed to the page file which will slow the system down a lot.
http://www.pcwintech.com/cleanmem

I also confirm that CleanMem tool works well.  I've got 4 GB RAM and it used to be little used by Windows 7.  Much faster operations now...

Shane

10

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 31, 2014, 01:16:34 pm »

It deleted these files

C:\setup.exe
c:\windows\SysWow64\Packet.dll
c:\windows\SysWow64\pthreadVC.dll
c:\windows\SysWow64\wpcap.dll

Those dll files attach to the network, so you did have something hooked to it that was causing it. it doesnt tell me what rootkit or virus it was, just the files names

Shane

Boy, Howdy!  Powerful program in ComboFix!!  If you do get an interview, I want to be a fly on the wall...!  ~Ha~!

11

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 31, 2014, 01:11:29 pm »

Hi,
        Is combofix a root kit killer program or combined malware, trojan removal tool.

Jraju, looks to me like it's a "root killer".  I performed many A/V scans, multiple sources,with no "catches" or "snags". 

12

General Computer Support / Re: Display going DARK, repeatedly, for no reason...

« on: May 31, 2014, 06:47:07 am »

Hi, How could system event viewer be empty. It should have entries on applications, alerts, failures etc for some days.

Don't know; just is!  Hmmm?

13

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 31, 2014, 06:45:12 am »

It deleted these files

C:\setup.exe
c:\windows\SysWow64\Packet.dll
c:\windows\SysWow64\pthreadVC.dll
c:\windows\SysWow64\wpcap.dll

Those dll files attach to the network, so you did have something hooked to it that was causing it. it doesnt tell me what rootkit or virus it was, just the files names

Shane

This morning, Boot time was under 2 minutes for Windows 7 x64!!!  Still have the DARK screen during and after Boot (just now, in fact!!  ~Ha~!)  I can live with that.  To recover the screen, I double-click Fn/F6 combination.  It is wonderful to have a responsive computer, again. 

Thank you!  Social Security on Tuesday!!!! YeeHah!!

14

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 30, 2014, 04:45:15 pm »

The log file is normally on the root of the C: drive

Shane

Here's a Zip File of what was under the heading on C:/

If this isn't the correct file, please let me know.  I want to help as many people as I can.

Re-booted.  Less than 2.5 minutes!!!!!!!!   Before, it was 4.5 to 5.5 minutes!   No SVCHOST.EXE hogging the CPU.  I hope that the zip file I sent will help everyone, from now on. 

What a relief and weight off my shoulders.  If the ZIP file didn't have the info that is needed, please let me know.  I'll search and find it and post it for everyone. 

15

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 30, 2014, 04:22:23 pm »

The log file is normally on the root of the C: drive

Shane

Here's a Zip File of what was under the heading on C:/

If this isn't the correct file, please let me know.  I want to help as many people as I can. 

16

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 30, 2014, 03:30:34 pm »

Good to hear it is fixed

The it was a rootkit or infection that was doing it and once again combofix was the only one to find it, man I would love to talk to the fellow programmer of that tool lol

Shane

I'd be a fly-on-the-wall...

Combofix downloaded to the desktop.  Couldn't find any logs or files, since it wasn't installed, per se.  I need to post the files that were causing the consternation!?!?  As I recall, there were three.  Maybe, four?!?  They disappeared quickly, as it were. 

Where would these deleted files (remnants ?) be located so that I can post them for other users?

17

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 30, 2014, 01:59:35 pm »

Have you done combofix yet? There have been a TON of times where combofix was the only thing that found and cleaned anything. Just make sure to do a registry backup first

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/

Shane

I will do this!  Tweaking.com's  Windows Repair has a wonderful Registry Backup service!  Thank you, Shane!!!


WOW! WOW!! WOW!!!  ComboFix did it!!!!  It did give about a 5 minute fuss over "AutoRun Eater", however.  ~~~Ha~~~!  BUT, the boot time was back to normal and the SVCHOST.EXE was so short I didn't even see it using CPU time.  I did not have the chance to write down the programs/.exe that ComboFix deleted, but I'm going to find them (log?) and post them for y'all. 

Wow.  Whew.  Golly, geewhiz.  I am so thankful.  Oh, and not a flicker from the DARK Screen on this re-boot.  What fun and what relief. 

18

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 30, 2014, 01:26:42 pm »

Have you done combofix yet? There have been a TON of times where combofix was the only thing that found and cleaned anything. Just make sure to do a registry backup first

http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/combofix/

Shane

I will do this!  Tweaking.com's  Windows Repair has a wonderful Registry Backup service!  Thank you, Shane!!!

19

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 30, 2014, 01:21:56 pm »

According to info from "Super User" the soft/hard-ware from Broadcom is (more) than a bit buggy. Some users complain about the software using too much memory & resources.

Ah, so!!!  Recourse? 

20

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 30, 2014, 11:52:11 am »

Ran the Old MacDonald/Auto-Run and MalwareBytes.  Re-booted.  No found objects (except for Nirsoft - Ha!!) 

 

21

General Computer Support / Re: Display going DARK, repeatedly, for no reason...

« on: May 30, 2014, 11:45:43 am »

I will re-boot and then check Event Viewer, copy/paste.  I checked just now and it is empty. 

22

General Computer Support / Re: Display going DARK, repeatedly, for no reason...

« on: May 30, 2014, 07:32:14 am »

Running on Power Supply, only!  Battery is at half-life...  but I don't use it.  Only AC Power. 

The "DARK" screen happens during boot (sign-in, et al)  then doesn't present itself after a period of normal operation.  The laptop is not dust encrusted.  Filters are clean. 

The Fn/F6 alternate action for On/Off of screen back-light works dependably and never fails to function. 

SVCHOST.EXE still has an unusually long boot cycle then quits and is quiet afterward, unless I change the wireless connection;  then SVCHOST.EXE goes into high gear, again.  The Wireless Driver has been reverted to the earliest one I had available on the system.

Ran the Simple System Tweaker.

This problem is not debilitating but is of concern to me.  I simply want a smooth dependable computer.  I am active in updates and maintenance.

23

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 29, 2014, 11:55:39 am »

Before I read your last missive (Simple System Tweaking), I did a Safe Mode SFC /scannow.  It found no faults.  However, on that next re-boot, the SVCHOST.EXE ran at near 100% for only ~30-45 seconds.  The DARK Screen issue did not appear. 

Well?   I'll run the Simple System Tweaking, as I've done prior;  However, I'm gonna' wait until after the next boot to see IF the problems re-appear.  It's good to see some daylight, ahead!!   ....  or maybe it's headlights....~ha~!

24

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 29, 2014, 10:05:18 am »

Have you done all of the Windows updates yet? and I mean all of them until the point it says there is no more updates?

Shane

YES!  I keep updates updated!!!  ~ha~!

25

General Computer Support / Re: svchost.exe (during boot, especially)

« on: May 29, 2014, 09:46:08 am »

Did the Power Reset.  Still exhibiting the unexpected Dark Screen.  Also the near 100% SVCHOST.EXE CPU cycles during and after each re-boot.  I also "rolled back" the Wireless Driver - to an even EARLIER number than you provided.  ~Ha~! 

I expected BETTER operation from my laptop after installing Windows 7 x64 Enterprise. 

Here's the strange thing I've noticed:  After about 30 to 45 minutes of use, the DARK Screen and SVCHOST.EXE problems disappear until the next Boot.  Hmmm? 

System Explorer still gives the same data about the svchost.exe variant.  Wow!  I'll have learned some good stuff about Windows when this gets solved!!!!!!!!!!!