Windows Vista not responding

[zachl3]

Hello all! I am new to the forum...I am having an issue that I first noticed a few days ago when I went to save a document I was typing in Word 2007. Whenever I would click open, save, save as...anything along those lines, the program would immediately go to "not responding." This would also happen when I would choose "open file" from an internet browser or when using applications such as notepad or wordpad. Any help is greatly appreciated. Thanks

[Broni]

Try System Restore.

[programming_pat]

let us know how you go with that

[contrex]

let us know how you go with that

Useless unnecessary post.

[zachl3]

Ok I tried to do a system restore back to a point before I noticed the problem and the system restore fails to complete. It has no details on the error..just says that it was unable to complete and that no changes were made. Any suggestions? Thank you

[Broni]

Windows updates, security check up to date?
What tools do you use for security purposes?
Did you make any changes to your computer right before the problem started?

[zachl3]

The windows updates and security updates should be up to date, I have automatic update enabled. For security I use windows defender, avg free, and norton virus scan. As far as I can remember, I didn't make any changes before the problem started to happen. I can download hijackthis and post a log if that might help. Thanks

[Broni]

I can download hijackthis and post a log if that might help.

Please, do so.

[zachl3]

I have attached the log. Thank you

[getting space - attachment deleted by admin]

[Broni]

I'll take a look...

avg free, and norton virus scan

Are you running TWO antivirus programs at the same time?

[Broni]

First of all, I don't see any firewall running. Do you have your Vista firewall on?

1. Print this post out, since you won't have an access to it, at some point.

2. Download, and install Spybot (if you don't have it) from here: http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

3. Close all windows, except for HJT.

4. Put a checkmark next to following HJT entries:

- O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PLFSet] rundll32.exe C:\Windows\PLFSet.dll,PLFDefSetting

- O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Launcher] %WINDIR%\SMINST\launcher.exe


5. Click on "Fix It" button.

6. Restart your computer in Safe Mode (F8)

7. Run Spybot (click on updates, first), and fix whatever it asks you to fix.

8. Open Windows Explorer. Go Tools>Folder Options, put a checkmark next to "Show hidden files, and folders".

9. Delete following files (if they still exist):

- PLFSet.dll from C:\Windows\

- launcher.exe from C:\Windows\SMINST

10. Turn off System Restore.

11. Restart in Normal Mode.

12. Turn System Restore on.

13. Run HJT again, and post back its log back here.

[zachl3]

Here is my second log, I have windows firewall running...I didnt know what you meant by "turn system restore off" then turn it on again

[getting space - attachment deleted by admin]

[Broni]

I'll take a look...

As for turning System Restore on/off:

1/ Click the Start Button

2/ From the Start menu click Control panel

3/ In Control Panel click the System Icon

4/ On the Left of the System properties window you will see a list of Tasks, click on the System protection link

5/ In the System Protection window remove the 'Tick' mark from beside the drive you want to disable system restore on

6/ A message will now appear asking: 'Are you sure you want to turn System restore off'

7/ Press the Turn System restore Off button

8/ System Restore will now be turned off permanently on that particular drive

9/ To re-enable system restore just click your mouse in the box next to the drive you require system restore to monitor ( a tick will appear in the box), the click the Apply button and system restore will resume monitoring the drive.

[Broni]

Cool ...Your HJT log is clean!!!

How are you doing with your original issue, now?

[zachl3]

Thanks for all your help, the not responding problem with saving/opening microsoft office documents is fixed by me uninstalling office 2007 and installing office 2003. However the problem still occurs when I try to open/save a document from notepad or open a file in firefox....the weird thing is, is that it works fine if i click "desktop", "my computer" etc..but as soon as I click "my documents" it goes straight to not responding. Also do you know what to do about "broken" icons? I have a problem with alot of broken icons (almost everything under programs has a broken icon.) Do you know how to restore/rebuild icons in vista?