Thursday, July 23, 2009

XP "Server" service hangs on boot - 15 min delay

Ok, so I have a client on Monday, July 20th, wanting a new router installed for wireless capabilities. After completing the task, she asks if I can resolve an Excel install issue everytime she opens Excel. Sure, shouldn't be too difficult. Where's the install CD?

Well, I stick the CD in the tray and setup starts (or I think it does). No wait, Task Manager is stating that setup is running. Ok. So where's the Install screen? Funny. Let's try something else. Nope, but TM states that the install is started. Other installation, uh huh!

WTF! Let's restart the system. Okay, now were getting somewhere. Net Logon service is hanging on "Stopping" and Server service is hanging on "Starting". After an extensive period of time, they would eventually get to there desired states.

After numerous MSCONFIG cycles and reboots, I came upon a possible solution by Rick at http://www.dslreports.com/forum/remark,9240123

Seems that the installed printer Dell V505 had services( loading upon bootup. This caused the system services to hang for a period of time. So the solution provided to Rick was to cause the printer services(dlcg_device & dldw_device) to load AFTER the Server service. This was corrected via the registry.

Once completed the computer booted up without any services hanging. Issue resolved. Customer happy.

Friday, July 17, 2009

PC Security 2009 malware issue

Today, I got a call from one of my customers stating that they have some pop-up requesting that the they purchase software to remove virus' and spyware from their computer.This turned out to be PC Security 2009 malware.

I downloaded Malwarebytes Anti-malware software from malwarebytes.org to remove this threat.

I killed the PCSecurity2009.exe process via Task Manager.

Deleted the folder "c:\Program Files\PC_Security2009". Then ran a full scan of Malwarebytes s/w to remove reg edits and check the system.

She's okay now, but don't know how she is the only one getting re-infected with different pieces of spyware (just had a thought to check for rootkits).