Browser lock up issue

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Cougernz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#36169 21-Jun-2009 10:39

Hi,
New member looking for help.

I have 3 browsers on my Vista machine, Firefox ,Chrome and IE8
They all have the same problem in that after a period they will lock up
Sometimes I will get a hour of use before they lock up, sometimes less.
If I have a working seasion and then I leave my computer for a half a hour
I will find it locked up when I return
I notice that my email prpgram and Google Earth still work

The only way to fix this is though a restart, sometimes the restart happens straight away, other times the computer hangs for a considable time before restarting.

My inclination is that this is a problem caused by Flash as it often happens but not allways after veiwing videos.
I have delected Flash and reinstalled it, delected and reinstalled browsers but problem is still there
I have updated Avarst antvirus and SuperAntiSpyware and they do not detect any malware issues

Any ideas what is happening here ?

Thanks

freitasm

BDFL - Memuneh
79263 posts

Uber Geek

Administrator

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Trusted

Geekzone

Lifetime subscriber

#227107 21-Jun-2009 10:55

Really hard to say. If it was just one browser I'd point at add-ons and toolbars. But since this is spread I'd check proxy configurations, and do a full antispyware scan again...

Cougernz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#227131 21-Jun-2009 13:25

Hi Freitasm.

Just done another scan with SuperAntiSpyware which is as I understand a good spyware catcher.
Nothing found but the usual tracking cookies.

When you say check Proxy Configs ,what am I looking for ?

z2k

320 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#227132 21-Jun-2009 13:29

How about uninstalling flash and then test browsing for about half an hour?

Just remember that IE has a different flash add-on to Firefox and Chrome so make sure you remove both.

This would tell you if its flash causing the problem.

wellyg33k

71 posts

Master Geek

#227350 22-Jun-2009 13:06

This sounds harsh but... reinstall Vista?

I've had countless problems with Vista and I've just moved all my computers back to Ubuntu and XP for my Windows needs/gaming.

If it's a home PC and a recently new/fresh install of your operating system, I wouldn't think it would have anything to do with Proxy settings.

:)

z2k

320 posts

Ultimate Geek

Trusted

#227369 22-Jun-2009 13:55

Or take advantage of it and install windows 7 RC

Adamal

544 posts

Ultimate Geek

#228017 24-Jun-2009 16:42

Sounds like the TCP stack may be having issues handling anything through port 80, which is the one most of your standard web browsing stuff goes through.

It may have been buggered up by some sort of software that impliments itself into it. Some virus scanners do, as well as a lot of malware/spyware.

Here's instructions on how to reset it, taken from here: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/299357

1. To open a command prompt, click Start and then click Run. Copy and paste (or type) the following command in the Open box and then press ENTER:
cmd
2. At the command prompt, copy and paste (or type) the following command and then press ENTER:
netsh int ip reset c:\resetlog.txt
Note If you do not want to specify a directory path for the log file, use the following command:
netsh int ip reset resetlog.txt
3. Reboot the computer.

Hopefully that sorts you out!

Cougernz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#228889 28-Jun-2009 09:03

Sorry for not providing feedback recently

Up to yesterday morning non of the suggestions were working for me

However Adamals suggestion about virus scanners etc caused me to have a look at my protection software.
Turned off SUPERAntispy and it still locked up, turned off ZoneAlarm (turned on Windows firewall of cause), still locked up
Last was Avast Anti Virus.
That is built around modules , I found one called Web, deactivated that
Problem has gone away !
However not wanting to have to use a anti virus service that is partly deactivated I have now replaced it with AVG

Avast worked well for me when I had XP, dont know if Avast has changed how it works or if is a issue with
the way Vista works

Thanks for the help guys

Quic Broadband

Move to New Zealand's best fibre broadband service (affiliate link). Note that to use Quic Broadband you must be comfortable with configuring your own router.

geeksonwheels

16 posts

Geek

#233765 10-Jul-2009 16:24

Try Malwarebytes

www.malwarebytes.org run a full scan.

Is it only when you use a browser that the PC freezes? Have you tried running it in safe mode?

Cougernz

4 posts

Wannabe Geek

#233998 11-Jul-2009 11:19

geeksonwheels

Thanks ,but it was browsers locking up, not my pc

Problem have been solved for the last 2 weeks if you read my last message
I have done checks with malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware
All they find are the normal cookies

Since deactivating the web module in Avast problem has gone away