Laptop is acting up! Sometimes won't boot up fully, etc.

Jack5000 · Joined: Jan 15, 2009 Posts: 4

HELLO! Thanks for reading this! My laptop is acting up!

- It doesn't always boot fully: It will boot up but "hang" on the Windows Loading screen, or the main Windows screen w/icons will load but clicking does nothing.
- Internet Explorer won't load - double clicking on it's icon does nothing.

I own a Dell Inspiron E1705 laptop. I have had issues in the past with Malware, etc.
I am familiar with posting Hijackthis logs, running Malwarebytes's Anti-Malware, etc.
I have run Adaware, Spybot, Malwarebytes Anti-Malware BUT they haven't fixed this issue.

I think something is lurking within my PC. I used to use a different site - but I lost the link (it's in IE and not under my Mozilla Firefox which I'm using now).

Would someone be willing to help me out here? I am an idiot. THANKS!!!!

goretsky · Posted: Thu Jan 15, 2009 11:30 pm Post subject:

Hello,

Which version of Microsoft Windows are you running on the Dell Inspiron E1705 notebook computer?

Have you tried perform a disk check on the computer? If so, what were the results?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

Jack5000 · Joined: Jan 15, 2009 Posts: 4

Hi - Thanks for the reply -

I'm running Windows XP.

I can't run a disk check - when I try I get an error "Windows was unable to complete the disk check" and it boots me out of the window. Lame.

I think I have a virus on here somewhere but all my attempts so far haven't fixed this.

Arg! Help!

zlim · Joined: Mar 11, 2005 Posts: 2636

If you think you have malware scan the hd using Malwarebytes.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

If you can't get the laptop to boot into windows, remove the hd, attach it to another computer through the USB port with an adapter and scan it from the other computer.

example of an adapter:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.aspx?Item=N82E16822999161
(you need to be sure it takes 2.5" drives, which is the size of a laptop hd) All adapters accept 3.5" drives but you need to be sure it says 3.5" and 2.5" drives.

goretsky · Posted: Mon Jan 19, 2009 3:41 am Post subject:

Hello,

Try opening a Command Prompt (filename: CMD.EXE) and issuing a "CHKDSK C: /F /R" command to scan the C: disk volume for errors the next time the computer is rebooted.

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

Jack5000 · Joined: Jan 15, 2009 Posts: 4

Thanks- I tried a command prompt scan but it says the "volume is in use by another process" and asks if I want to "schedule" a scan for a later time.

This is messed up. I can use Firefox, and it seems to boot up OK now. Internet Explorer won't load, and my C: drive won't let me scan it.

I've run Malwarebytes a number of times, including a detailed scan, and that hasn't helped. It's a laptop, so I can't unconnect the hard drive and re-plug it in per the previous poster.

Jack5000 · Joined: Jan 15, 2009 Posts: 4

I ran combofix and IT took care of my problems. Awesome program. Highly recommended. THANKS for all your help, guys!!!!

drwho07 · Joined: Nov 29, 2007 Posts: 1546 Location: Central FL, USA

Jack,

Regardless of what some folks may tell you.....there is NO one program that gets everything. That's why tech's like myself carry a whole CD of programs to debug a computer. What works great on one PC, won't necessarily work on the next one.

But as for your statement that you can't connect a laptop PC to a desktop computer..................OH YES YOU CAN! I do it at least once a week.

All you need is an external, USB, enclosure for your 2.5" drive,,,,,OR.....
a laptop IDE to desktop IDE adapter. I have several of those myself. Wink

Every tech does, or should, at least. Rolling Eyes

We've discussed this topic many times, right here in this very forum.
And it's discussed in other forums around the world every day.

I have fixed more HD's than I can recount, that would not boot, by slaving them to a working PC and then running chkdsk /f on them.

Also, you can run your own scanning software on the slaved drive, since it's not running the computer and none of its files are open. It's a great troubleshooting tool.

Just a suggestion.

Doc Cool