Screensaver Hangs - XP Home SP-3

Try reading the same or very similar discussion at http://www.techsupportforum.com/microsoft-support/windows-xp-support/221016-windows-xp-hangs.html

I hope that helps

Anything in the Event Vieer, outside of an Application error stating a "hungapp"?

elvin66 ~ Thank you for your reply.  I actually saw the post you mention, before I posted on EE;  it seemed inconclusive.

I'm not using MS SilverLite...
No flagged or devices
No external mouse / keyboard
Windows firewall off / on doesn't matter

What's most puzzling is the fact that the screensaver is listed as "not responding" when I bring up task manager.

johnb767 ~  The Event Viewer is perfectly clear after the hang.

Is this a standard windows xp screensaver or is it one you have installed?

Standard XP screensaver.  Trying both starfield and XP logo.

These guys might be onto something

http://www.daniweb.com/forums/thread13562.html

Good advice there, however, the problem is not the same.

I CAN press Alt + Ctrl + Del to bring up task manager, and the system is responsive then.

Malware or a virus was my first thought. I have done multiple scans w/ malware detection software (Avira, Super AntiSpyware, Spybot SD).  Also created a bootable CD in Avria and scanned booting from CD.  Nothing.

Man this is a stumper !. My only other thought here is, are you able to log off your account and log onto a different used account? Preferablt one with admin rights. If you can, see if the problem is the same in that account. If so, it's time to run msconfig and start eliminating things from the startup cause it sounds like some program is causing a conflict with xp screensavers. It's worth a try but it's up to you.

'Sounds reasonable.  I'll do this as time permits and be back.  Thank You!

OK ~  Setting MSCONFIG to "Diagnostic Startup - load basic devices and services only" - Problem STILL occurs.

However, problem DOES NOT occur in SAFE MODE.

Can you suggest how the two modes differ.......

Many Thanks!

Safe mode only loads the very basic drivers needed to start windows xp. So it proves that it is a driver conflict problem. What software have you installed lately? If, while in safe mode, you go to control panel, and open the system icon, then click on 'hareware' and 'device manager' you will see a list of drivers installed. Beside some of them (in safe mode) you will see a yellow exclaimation mark. This means they are either not loaded or have a conflict. Make a note of those drivers and what they are for.

Let me know what results you get. Also, boot up in normal mode, and do the same thing. See if you have any yellow check marks (or red marks which means the driver is dissabled)

OK - There are no flagged (yellow exclamation marks or red 'x') hardware devices either in safe more or in normal mode.

This is a client's computer, so I'm not sure certain of the software history.

It would be worthwhile to know what IS loaded when MSCONFIG is set to "Diagnostic Startup - load basic devices and services only" and what is not loaded in SAFE mode.

Since this is a reliable hang, it seems that the system is "busy" or confused by some process that's running.

Processes THAT ARE running in Normal, "Diagnostic Startup - load basic devices and services only":

1. csrss.exe
2. explorer.exe
3. lass.exe
4. services.exe
5. smss.exe
6. svchost.exe
7. svchost.exe
8. System
9. System Idle Process
10. taskmgr.exe
11. winlogon.exe


In SAFE mode:

1. csrss.exe
2. explorer.exe
3. lass.exe
4. services.exe
5. smss.exe
6. svchost.exe
7. svchost.exe
8. svchost.exe
9. System
10. System Idle Process
11. taskmgr.exe
12. winlogon.exe

......I'm stumped.  

I'm beginning to see why your stumped !  Ok, we know that safe mode stops the problem right? Let's have a look at what is really going on in xp safe mode. There is an option for safe mode to enable boot logging. This will record everything that gets loaded in safe mode and safe it as a text file. to quote off another site :

Enable Boot Logging: This option turns on logging when the computer is started with any of the Safe Boot options except Last Known Good Configuration. The Boot Logging text is recorded in the Ntbtlog.txt file in the %SystemRoot% folder.

I would try enabling it and looking into that file once you have booted into safe mode. You will see everything you need in there. Worth a shot.  Here is a slightly longer explanation about safe mode

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222

OK, but how about everything that gets loaded w/ Diagnostic Startup - load basic devices and services only?

Did this system get an SP3 update, or was it imaged with SP3?
Is there a BIOS update?

It was updated to SP3.
I also updated the BIOS - yesterday, to see if it would make a difference.  It didn't.

Was this problem presnet "pre sp3"?

I don't know.

This is a client's computer.  I do not know if the problem arose with the SP3 update or at some other time, with s-o-m-e other software installation.

See if you can uninstall SP3 for testing at least......

Even with 'show updates' checked, uninstalling XP SP3 is not an option.

I'm thinking recovery console might be the best option.  Ideas?

from .....
How to remove Windows XP Service Pack 3 from your computer
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950249 
Method 2: Use the hidden $NtServicePackUninstall$ folder Click Start, click Run, type c:\windows\$NtServicePackUninstall$\spuninst\spuninst.exe in the Open box, and then click OK. When the Windows XP Service Pack 3 Removal Wizard starts, click Next. Follow the instructions on the screen to remove Windows XP SP3.

I'm also noticing the screensaver is frozen.

I have put this aside temporarily.

It's great to know:

Screensaver hangs in Normal Mode and not in Safe Mode.
Screensaver hangs "Diagnostic Startup - load basic devices and services only"

Screensaver DOES NOT HANG in Safe Mode.

I am stumped as to how to determine which services or apps. ARE NOT loaded in Safe Mode but ARE loaded in "Diagnostic Startup - load basic devices and services only".

I'd appreciate your thoughts for the best way to move forward.

"There IS a reason."

Best Regards, Jacob

i just got a complaint from two different users today about this same issue.  I'll monitor the question to see if anyone comes up with something.  IF i happen to come up with something i will make a post.

our issue seemed to be tied with the 3D screen savers.  Display properties would hang when tringing to adjust the settings.  Chaning the screen saver to non 3D ones seemed to work for us.  It was just very strange 3 machines the same day, only recent update was the virus definitions (and possibly automatic update?).  Just thought i would pass along for what it is worth.  Good Luck.

isnp ~

Thank you for your thoughts.  The hang occurs w/ standard Windows screen savers: XP logo and starfield.

I realize there has been a lot posted here, and it's easy to miss some of the detail.  My mystification happens when the hang occurs:

NORMAL MODE - YES
"DIAGNOSTIC STARTUP - LOAD BASIC DEVICES AND SERVICES ONLY" - YES
SAFE MODE - NO(!)

Still stumped.

Thank you all for your help!  It's time to wrap up this thread.

My resolution is to scrub the HDD and reload.  It's not a very complex config....

"There IS a reason."

Best Regards, Jacob

Cheers.  It's not a very complex config, so, the strong drink won't be necessary.  Thank you for your help here. ~ Jacob

Perseverance Furthers:

So, I formatted the HDD and reinstalled everything again: SAME PROBLEM!!!

Continuing my research on another problem (turns out to be related) of slow keyboard response, I disabled the: 'ATI HotKey Poller' service  -> -> PRESTO!!!!!

The screensaver no longer hangs and the keyboard response is just fine!

Solution provided courtesy of 'Robbo' on:
http://www.satellites.co.uk/satellite/computer-discussion/116784-problem-slow-typing-dell-laptop.html (about 1/2 way down the thread).

Thank you EVERYONE!  Especially Robbo!