Vista Hangs at irregular intervals

Colin · May 22, 2013

Hi folks. Just found your forum and impressed by what I have seen. I much appreciate the help available. Not sure if I'm in the right Forum, so let me know if I need to re-direct this.

My daughter's PC was giving some issues with hanging, and I couldn't resolve it. It's always kept clean (MSE always running) so I decided to re-install Windows (Vista Home Premium with ALL updates installed). I have 1 disk partitioned with all data on the C drive, so re-installing is relatively simple. Unfortunately I did not think to do any type of format or chkdsk on the C partition first.

After re-install and updates, all seemed well so I started to install some software (Office iTunes etc). Unfortunately I soon encountered hanging again. It may be mouse & IE9 related. Tried a new mouse (and tried old mouse in different PC - it seemed fine, new mouse hung).

Event Viewer showed regular (every 30 mins) occurrences of i8042prt error, and

Kernel-Processor-Power
Some processor performance power management features have been disabled due to a known firmware problem. Check with the computer manufacturer for updated firmware
Event ID 6

Errors

Both of these seem to occur at some point before a hang. Google seems to suggest
“Several support forums indicate that this problem started after installing Vista Service Pack 1 and the KB940510 and KB936330 hotfixes”

Neither seems to be installed in my case.

So I ran a chkdsk which reported a couple of errors, and I ran sfc which also reported errors (log attached as requested).

All of this would seem to point to a hardware issue, but there also seem to be plenty of Google discussions about BIOS.

That is where I start to reach my limits, and I thought I’d seek expert help

Any suggestions welcome.

Thanks in advance

Colin

Colin · May 22, 2013

Forgot to add that I also checked Graphics drivers using Device Manager. It reported that they were up to date.

Final bit of info is that iTunes seems to hang the PC every time.

Colin

usasma · May 22, 2013

What version was the reinstall media? (SP1/SP2?)
Have you replaced the hard drive since purchasing the system? (I'm wondering about an Advanced Format drive)
Try this free hard drive diagnostic procedure: Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

I'm also waiting on the CBS.log experts as I can't read them well.

niemiro · May 22, 2013

Hello, and welcome to Sysnative :)

I'm here to look at your CBS logs only - I can't analyse BSODs the way usasma and the others can!!

Fortunately, I have good news for you :) Absolutely nothing wrong in that log.

A couple of Patch Tuesdays ago, Microsoft released a slightly broken update to Windows Vista users. It caused SFC to incorrectly detect as corrupt some non-corrupt files. I've taken a look at your SFC logs, and can confirm that this is all that's going on here: despite the errors you are getting from SFC, there are actually no corrupt files, and no causes of concern.

I unfortuntely cannot fix SFC for you - the fix has to come from Microsoft and I do not work for Microsoft, but I can perhaps alleviate your worries by telling you there is nothing to be concerned about there. Just your BSOD problem, for which you are in good hands :)

Richard

Colin · May 22, 2013

niemiro said:
Fortunately, I have good news for you :) Absolutely nothing wrong in that log.

A couple of Patch Tuesdays ago, Microsoft released a slightly broken update to Windows Vista users. It caused SFC to incorrectly detect as corrupt some non-corrupt files. I've taken a look at your SFC logs, and can confirm that this is all that's going on here: despite the errors you are getting from SFC, there are actually no corrupt files, and no causes of concern.

Thanks for that fedback. Its much appreciated. You guys give a great service. Fast, helpful and very very much appreciated.

Colin

usasma · May 22, 2013

Thanks Richard!

Please address my questions in the previous post first.

As for the EventID 6 error:

Kernel-Processor-Power
Some processor performance power management features have been disabled due to a known firmware problem. Check with the computer manufacturer for updated firmware
Event ID 6

Please check for a BIOS update for your system at the manufacturer's website.

The chkdsk errors concern me. Run chkdsk again - if you get errors again, then run this free hard drive diagnostic procedure: Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

Do you use a USB or a PS2 keyboard? If using a USB keyboard, please disable the i8042prt port on the system (probably easiest to find/disable in Device Manager). If not there, be sure to check under the View menu item for Hidden Devices

Please provide this information so we can provide a complete analysis (even though it's not a BSOD issue): https://www.sysnative.com/forums/bs...d-posting-instructions-windows-8-7-vista.html

Also, please do the following:
- open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc)
- expand the Custom Views category (left click on the > next to the words "Custom Views")
- right click on Administrative Events
- select "Save all Events in Custom View as..."
- save the file as Admin.evtx
- zip up the file (right click on it, select "Send to", select "Compressed (zipped) folder")
- upload it with your next post (if it's too big, then upload it to a free file-hosting service and post a link here).

Colin · May 22, 2013

usasma said:
What version was the reinstall media? (SP1/SP2?)

Unfortunately it was an original Vista (Upgrade) disk. I then had to do SP1 & SP2 installs (followed by compcln). I then used Windows Update to apply all later updates. Took a long time!

usasma said:
Have you replaced the hard drive since purchasing the system?

I cannot recall for certain, but the system was built by mself from components. I may have changed the disk at some time in the past (It is quite a few years old - but perfect for browsing, music and email). However if I have changed the disk, it was some time ago, and the system has worked fine until recently.

Incidentally I noticed that in niemiro's reply that he mentioned a BSOD. I should have made it clearer. I'm not actually getting a Blue Screen. The system just hangs completely, and the only resolution is to remove the power cable. I have tried leaving it for a coupe of hours just in case, but no joy.

I'm now away to read your article on the HDD diagnostics, and wiill report back later.

Colin · May 22, 2013

Please check for a BIOS update for your system at the manufacturer's website.

There was a BIOS update available. I've run that. Not sure it's gone perfectly as system hung at "LOGGING OFF" after the BIOS UPDATE. It seems to boot fine tho and reports the new BIOS version number

The chkdsk errors concern me. Run chkdsk again - if you get errors again, then run this free hard drive diagnostic procedure: Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure

I ran it once without the /F and it reported file errors only. Will run the /F shortly.

Do you use a USB or a PS2 keyboard? If using a USB keyboard, please disable the i8042prt port on the system (probably easiest to find/disable in Device Manager). If not there, be sure to check under the View menu item for Hidden Devices

I do use USB for both Mouse and keyboard. I did not have a i8042prt entry but I did have a PS2 entry for both, each with the yellow exclamation mark. As a result, I couldn't disable, but I've uninstalled for now. Will check shortly if they are re-found, and if I can disable.

Please provide this information so we can provide a complete analysis (even though it's not a BSOD issue): https://www.sysnative.com/forums/bsod...8-7-vista.html

Also, please do the following:
- open Event Viewer (eventvwr.msc)
- expand the Custom Views category (left click on the > next to the words "Custom Views")
- right click on Administrative Events
- select "Save all Events in Custom View as..."
- save the file as Admin.evtx
- zip up the file (right click on it, select "Send to", select "Compressed (zipped) folder")
- upload it with your next post (if it's too big, then upload it to a free file-hosting service and post a link here).

Next task for me. WIll report back shortly

usasma · May 22, 2013

We still would like the BSOD reports ( https://www.sysnative.com/forums/bs...d-posting-instructions-windows-8-7-vista.html ) as they contain other reports with info we can use to help diagnose this.

Please keep us updated on the PS2 items that had !'s
Sometimes you can disable the item when it comes back as "Unknown"

Colin · May 22, 2013

BIOS seems to be working fine. I got 1 CMOS error on re-booting, but that seems to be from the improper shut-down. Entered set-up and re-booted and its fine since. It is hanging every time I exit Windows now, but I will deal with that later.

Chkdsk ran clean, so I have not run the Hard Drive Diagnostic Procedure.

I was able to disable the PS2 keyboard and mouse entries. I assume these are the i8042 entries you meant.

Admin.zip is attached as requested.

Really appreciate all the help!

usasma · May 22, 2013

Still having Event ID 6 errors as of 10:23 am on 22 May - it depends on when you installed the BIOS update as to if these are significant or not.

Disabling the PS2 entries is fine - it's just a caution (and a hunch)on my part.
I
I still need this info (even though you're not having BSOD's) in order to dig a bit deeper into the OS: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/bs...d-posting-instructions-windows-8-7-vista.html

Colin · May 22, 2013

usasma said:
Still having Event ID 6 errors as of 10:23 am on 22 May - it depends on when you installed the BIOS update as to if these are significant or not.

Unfortunately, they have continued after the BIOS update!

usasma said:
I still need this info (even though you're not having BSOD's) in order to dig a bit deeper into the OS: https://www.sysnative.com/forums/bs...d-posting-instructions-windows-8-7-vista.html

Apologies, I mis-read the earlier message. Attached now as requested

Thanks

Colin

usasma · May 22, 2013

Only 166 Windows Updates installed. Most systems have 350 or more. Please visit Windows Update and get ALL available updates (it may take several trips to get them all).

I've noticed that the drivers for most of the storage controllers ( and a lot of the other devices ) are from 2006. Please visit the PC manufacturer's website and update ALL drivers from there. Please also provide the exact make and model of the system so we can look at the drivers that you're installing (to see if there are even more updated versions that the PC manufacturer doesn't list).

Colin · May 23, 2013

Thanks for feedback again. Will be at least b24 hrs before I can look at this as out all day. Back later.

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Vista Hangs at irregular intervals

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