Freezing During Boot-up...Need some Help

[Naja]

I have a Compaq 5000US pc that I have had and used for about 2 1/2yrs. I upgraded to the one in my signature about 2 months ago. The Compaq is 750mhz, 64mb ram, 30g hd, 8mb nvidia tnt2 running ME. It came with McAfee which I used while on that pc.

I decided to get rid of the McAfee and install AVG 6.0. I downloaded and was setting up the AVG when the problems began. McAfee is still installed, and I guess both are starting up. Simply, I was going to get AVG setup before I uninstalled McAfee--Now I can't get that far.

While setting up AVG things Froze. I did a hard reboot, and continued. Things seemed ok. I started an AVG scan while I was surfing these forums. Then everything locked up again. I did a hard reboot and everything seem to be going well, except now I get past POST and manage to get to my desk top except now when my desk top is about half load (no wallpaper) and the systray is showing the "selective Startup" box appears and after a couple of seconds everything just freezes. I've used the selective startup for a long time, so its appearance is nothing new--that's just when everything locks up.

McAfee/VShield are in the systray when things lock up, but AVG isn't. I'm thinking there was a problem with the AVG install.

I've done 4 hard reboots in a row with the same result-everything locks up at the same point above.

Can you guys help me out with this? I can't get to a point to do anything. ctl+alt+delete doesn't function. escape isn't doing anything. and basically my keyboard is non-responsive when things freeze up. The Mouse moves around but nothing is clickable.

Also since its a compaq I don't get to see the BIOS print out or anything its just a wallpaper that says compaq during POST, etc.

Any help would be GREATLY appreciated. I still have files, etc the I need to get off of this pc and would like to keep it as a back up.

Thanx!

[cuffs007]

can you just boot into Safe mode and then uninstall McAfee?

[mjkovis]

First off, why get rid of your McAfee. That is a great anti-virus program, but I am sure that you have your own opinion and that is why you switched. Have you tried deleting AVG and reinstalling? Are you sure you have deleted McAfee? Make sure you check your hard drive folders to see if Windows missed something.

[eldon]

Yes you will need to uninstall one of your antivirus`s, none of them will get along with each other if they are both scheduled to run on startup.

[Naja]

I don't know HOW to boot in to safe mode on that pc (or any other really). I can look it up.

I've have various problems while on that pc and from what I've learned I am seriously thinking that they come down to McAfee and ME. On this pc I'm running XP Pro with PC-Cilin and AVG 6.0 and not having the problems that I put up with on the compaq. Some folks seem to like McAfee, but it seems that most don't. Just thought I would try to eliminate some problems when I use that PC.

[Naja]

OK, But how do I get to past this freeze up in order to do/uninstall ANYthing? That's my problem.

[andyms18a]

first try pressing f8 repetedley at boot up till you get the boot menue and start the computer in safe moad then try systom restor to restor the computer to a point befor avg was instaled
then when windows reboots go to add remove programs in control panall and uninstall mcaffe then run a reg clean up program and last try a install of avg

[Naja]

Ok, I understand everything except the reg clean up program (registry clean up). I've seen it mentioned here numerous times, but I don't really know what it is. Does it come with/in windows? Do I need to download it? If so, Any free versions out there?

And I can sort it out, but f8 does what? puts me into the bios so I can switch to safe mode? Is that right?

Thanx!

[andyms18a]

SORRY i shod have bean clearer f8 gives you the windows safe moad boot menue you have to keep pressing f8 from when you start up till you get a boot menue [dont just hold the f8 key but keep tapping it] then chose safe moad and follow the above post as for reg clean you can download one from http://discount-evidence-eliminator....-downloads.htm i use systom machanic its free for 30 days then you pay if you like it the best thing about it is i wont destroy you computer if you uninstall it like norton and macaffee and its cheep if you want to keep it post back if you nead moor help

[Naja]

Ok, Here's the scoop:

Not sure what happened but I am now back on the compaq.

Now I have a different thread--different problem with my new build. Maybe I should take up Golf or something else. sheesh!

Anyway, I plugged in and hooked up this compaq. As it was booting up I hit Escape when Mcafee started loading (it shows their logo). It disappeared and everything booted up fine. I went and uninstalled the Mcafee, restarted and everything is in order.

I had hit escape prior to psoting this thread, but it didn't work. This time it did--go figure.

After I restarted I went and deleted the mcafee files and folders that were left in "program Files", but I haven't restarted yet, so hopefully that wasn't a mistake.

Well, I'm off to type out a new thread about my new problem.

Thanx, Guys. Without your help I don't think I'd be adventurous enough to try all this stuff and get into all these problems! LOL

[Dan]

Hi Naja
sounds like you've got a bit of a mess on your hands.
here's the link to download regcleaner:
http://download.com.com/3000-2094-88...ml?tag=lst-0-1
it's a great little program for keeping things cool in your regisrty. use it after problems with installs and uninstalls.