Hi,

I have a new inspiron 1520 laptop running Vista. Since purchase there have
been a number of "unexpected errors" where the pc turns off (doesn't
restart). When I check problem reports and check for solutions it says a
fatal error occured which is due to antivirus software (PC was shipped with
McAfee). I have done everything with McAfee help including complete removal
and reinstall, clearing up the keys, and running multiple scans. I also have
downloaded all windows updates. I also have scanned disk, cleared memory
caches, defagrmented disks and increased virtual memory.

Assuming it may be a problem with McAfee, I removed McAfee and installed
Norton 360 instead. The problem continues and I have been through everything
with Norton help desk. There is obviously something conflicting.

If it helps, the problem often (though not exclusively) happens when my son
is on YouTube - which has become our standard method of testing now. But it
has happened to me when I went to launch control panel so I don't know if
there is a connection. Also, in the problem report there are a number of
problems reported recently apart from "Windows shut down unexpectedly". There
are also "Windows Modules Installer Failure" and "Superfetch stopped working"
around teh time of the system crashes.

I am happy to give detail on any of these if it helps - would appreciate any
pointers or tips anybody has for me.

Regards
Morgan

Remove both Norton & McAfee if it is still there, you may have to resort to
a manual removal method as specified on Symantec site under ' How to
completely remove'
Reboot after any uninstall.
Ensure Win Firewall is on, then conduct your YouTube tests
& report back on any err msgs

"Morgan" <Morgan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A6A4359F-733E-4A97-AA61-86CCEE6621AF@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> I have a new inspiron 1520 laptop running Vista. Since purchase there have
> been a number of "unexpected errors" where the pc turns off (doesn't
> restart). When I check problem reports and check for solutions it says a
> fatal error occured which is due to antivirus software (PC was shipped
> with
> McAfee). I have done everything with McAfee help including complete
> removal
> and reinstall, clearing up the keys, and running multiple scans. I also
> have
> downloaded all windows updates. I also have scanned disk, cleared memory
> caches, defagrmented disks and increased virtual memory.
>
> Assuming it may be a problem with McAfee, I removed McAfee and installed
> Norton 360 instead. The problem continues and I have been through
> everything
> with Norton help desk. There is obviously something conflicting.
>
> If it helps, the problem often (though not exclusively) happens when my
> son
> is on YouTube - which has become our standard method of testing now. But
> it
> has happened to me when I went to launch control panel so I don't know if
> there is a connection. Also, in the problem report there are a number of
> problems reported recently apart from "Windows shut down unexpectedly".
> There
> are also "Windows Modules Installer Failure" and "Superfetch stopped
> working"
> around teh time of the system crashes.
>
> I am happy to give detail on any of these if it helps - would appreciate
> any
> pointers or tips anybody has for me.
>
> Regards
> Morgan[/color]

[url]http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html[/url]

Get rid of Norton as well.
They are both very heavy resource-using garbage programs.

Use Avast which is 32bit and 64bit Vista compatible

"Morgan" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> I have a new inspiron 1520 laptop running Vista. Since purchase there have
> been a number of "unexpected errors" where the pc turns off (doesn't
> restart). When I check problem reports and check for solutions it says a
> fatal error occured which is due to antivirus software (PC was shipped with
> McAfee). I have done everything with McAfee help including complete removal
> and reinstall, clearing up the keys, and running multiple scans. I also have
> downloaded all windows updates. I also have scanned disk, cleared memory
> caches, defagrmented disks and increased virtual memory.
>
> Assuming it may be a problem with McAfee, I removed McAfee and installed
> Norton 360 instead. The problem continues and I have been through everything
> with Norton help desk. There is obviously something conflicting.
>
> If it helps, the problem often (though not exclusively) happens when my son
> is on YouTube - which has become our standard method of testing now. But it
> has happened to me when I went to launch control panel so I don't know if
> there is a connection. Also, in the problem report there are a number of
> problems reported recently apart from "Windows shut down unexpectedly". There
> are also "Windows Modules Installer Failure" and "Superfetch stopped working"
> around teh time of the system crashes.
>
> I am happy to give detail on any of these if it helps - would appreciate any
> pointers or tips anybody has for me.
>
> Regards
> Morgan[/color]

I've been very pleased with Windows Live One Care. It is 64 bit compatible
as well.

"Mick Murphy" <MickMurphy@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6B61697C-B3FC-42A7-8AA0-144D08E06445@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> [url]http://www.avast.com/eng/download-avast-home.html[/url]
>
> Get rid of Norton as well.
> They are both very heavy resource-using garbage programs.
>
> Use Avast which is 32bit and 64bit Vista compatible
>
> "Morgan" wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have a new inspiron 1520 laptop running Vista. Since purchase there
>> have
>> been a number of "unexpected errors" where the pc turns off (doesn't
>> restart). When I check problem reports and check for solutions it says a
>> fatal error occured which is due to antivirus software (PC was shipped
>> with
>> McAfee). I have done everything with McAfee help including complete
>> removal
>> and reinstall, clearing up the keys, and running multiple scans. I also
>> have
>> downloaded all windows updates. I also have scanned disk, cleared memory
>> caches, defagrmented disks and increased virtual memory.
>>
>> Assuming it may be a problem with McAfee, I removed McAfee and installed
>> Norton 360 instead. The problem continues and I have been through
>> everything
>> with Norton help desk. There is obviously something conflicting.
>>
>> If it helps, the problem often (though not exclusively) happens when my
>> son
>> is on YouTube - which has become our standard method of testing now. But
>> it
>> has happened to me when I went to launch control panel so I don't know if
>> there is a connection. Also, in the problem report there are a number of
>> problems reported recently apart from "Windows shut down unexpectedly".
>> There
>> are also "Windows Modules Installer Failure" and "Superfetch stopped
>> working"
>> around teh time of the system crashes.
>>
>> I am happy to give detail on any of these if it helps - would appreciate
>> any
>> pointers or tips anybody has for me.
>>
>> Regards
>> Morgan[/color][/color]

I have Vista on 4 DELL machines now, one of them OEM. None of them have any
antivirus 3-rd party protection. I rely entirely on MS plus Spybot S&D which
I trust.

I suggest you should try without antivirus. Antivirus industry is heading to
the cemetery.

My policy is not to use any 3-rd party anti-malware except Spybot S&D.
Windows Vista offers sufficient protection against malicious software
writers some of them I am sure watch this forum very carefully.

Download Microsoft Windows Baseline Security Analyzer. It is Beta 2.1 for
Vista and I think it is safe to download. Run it.

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=F32921AF-9DBE-4DCE-889E-ECF997EB18E9&displaylang=en>

It will give you all your vulnerabilities, especially in your firewall
settings. You should read the report and if it suggests any changes, you
should consider them.
Your Windows firewall setting will be analyzed.

Download Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830). It
will want to run upon install. Choose the FULL scan although it may give you
a threatening message that it might take a few hours. It will scan your
entire computer in about half an hour or less if you do not have a lot of
stuff in it.

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=ad724ae0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356&displaylang=en>

Some reassuring information: Malicious Software Removal Tool
<http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx>
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool helps remove specific,
prevalent malicious software from computers that are running Windows Vista,
Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000
[url]http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=890830[/url]

You can also go to Protection Center (Microsoft)
<http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/center/howsafe.htm?s_cid=mscom_msrt>
and click "Protection Scan." There will be a dropdown menu and a button:
"Launch Full Scan or Vista." You can do it if you wish.

Download and install Spybot Search & Destroy, a great piece of software
which is free for individuals but corporations pay fees. You may be asked
for donations but it is up to you. It is very up to date and every week you
will have to download new updates, sometimes even more often. You should
check for updates every time you run it. It will give you all su*kers
leached into your registry and ask you if you wanted to remove them. Many of
them have masqueraded themselves under MS Windows names like
Windows.something. Do not hesitate to kill them all. You can trust SB S&D.

[url]http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html[/url]

It also allows you to IMMUNIZE your system. It means that when you go to a
website and they try to download some kind of a Trojan to you SB S&D will
either kill it silently, or ask you if you want to do it or will kill it and
give you a notice. It is better to let it kill them all in silence.

Listen to Mark Russinovich's (MS) webcast: Advanced Malware Cleaning

<http://www.microsoft.com/emea/spotlight/sessionh.aspx?videoid=359>

Downloading any 3-rd party "free" anti-spyware program (with teh exception
SB S&D) is an invitation for a disaster.

The AV (antivirus industry) is on the way to the cemetery:
The slow death of AV technology:
[url]http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06/08/death_of_av/[/url]
Vista did it in.
Last note: it has been suggested around here by some unscrupulous trolls
that the Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool (MSRT) and SB S&D do not
clean the registry. MSRT and SB S&D work on different principles. MSRT in
full mode reads RAM memory and detects patterns in the files that match
known viruses and other malware configuraions. This is why it takes so long
to run. If malicious code is detected it is also quite likely that it has a
representation in the registry. The only way to remove a particular piece of
malware is to CLEAN the registry off of this key.
SB S&D works by going thru the registry and locating known names that match
its database of malicious software. After all culprits are found the user is
asked if he/she want to remove the malicious software. If you say OK, then
the registry IS CLEANED of this set of malicious execs. The execs themselves
are killed in the respective folders.
In this sense both tools do CLEAN the registry. They do not do any
"housekeeping" which is absolutely superfluous and unnecessary. It is NOT
recommended by MS and most of the experienced users as well.

*******************************
Additional security measure
To prevent unauthorized breaks into your computer, go to Computer
management, and disable Disable "Internet Guest Account." Make sure "Guest"
account is disabled. It should be disabled by default.






"Morgan" <Morgan@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:A6A4359F-733E-4A97-AA61-86CCEE6621AF@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> I have a new inspiron 1520 laptop running Vista. Since purchase there have
> been a number of "unexpected errors" where the pc turns off (doesn't
> restart). When I check problem reports and check for solutions it says a
> fatal error occured which is due to antivirus software (PC was shipped
> with
> McAfee). I have done everything with McAfee help including complete
> removal
> and reinstall, clearing up the keys, and running multiple scans. I also
> have
> downloaded all windows updates. I also have scanned disk, cleared memory
> caches, defagrmented disks and increased virtual memory.
>
> Assuming it may be a problem with McAfee, I removed McAfee and installed
> Norton 360 instead. The problem continues and I have been through
> everything
> with Norton help desk. There is obviously something conflicting.
>
> If it helps, the problem often (though not exclusively) happens when my
> son
> is on YouTube - which has become our standard method of testing now. But
> it
> has happened to me when I went to launch control panel so I don't know if
> there is a connection. Also, in the problem report there are a number of
> problems reported recently apart from "Windows shut down unexpectedly".
> There
> are also "Windows Modules Installer Failure" and "Superfetch stopped
> working"
> around teh time of the system crashes.
>
> I am happy to give detail on any of these if it helps - would appreciate
> any
> pointers or tips anybody has for me.
>
> Regards
> Morgan[/color]

If I were you I'd uninstall all your anti-virus software and install
Micorsoft LiveOne Care because, right now, I think it is being offered on a
90 day, free trial basis. Run that and see if the problem returns. All I
have is Windows Defender as my primary and I downloaded the free versions of
Spyware Doctor (which is GREAT) and Super Anti-Spyware. I DO NOT allow the
last two to run in the background, not even self update, but when I use them
I do it all manually. Can't believe what Spyware Doctor finds that the so
called "Big Boys" miss! Good luck!

Jerry

"Morgan" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> I have a new inspiron 1520 laptop running Vista. Since purchase there have
> been a number of "unexpected errors" where the pc turns off (doesn't
> restart). When I check problem reports and check for solutions it says a
> fatal error occured which is due to antivirus software (PC was shipped with
> McAfee). I have done everything with McAfee help including complete removal
> and reinstall, clearing up the keys, and running multiple scans. I also have
> downloaded all windows updates. I also have scanned disk, cleared memory
> caches, defagrmented disks and increased virtual memory.
>
> Assuming it may be a problem with McAfee, I removed McAfee and installed
> Norton 360 instead. The problem continues and I have been through everything
> with Norton help desk. There is obviously something conflicting.
>
> If it helps, the problem often (though not exclusively) happens when my son
> is on YouTube - which has become our standard method of testing now. But it
> has happened to me when I went to launch control panel so I don't know if
> there is a connection. Also, in the problem report there are a number of
> problems reported recently apart from "Windows shut down unexpectedly". There
> are also "Windows Modules Installer Failure" and "Superfetch stopped working"
> around teh time of the system crashes.
>
> I am happy to give detail on any of these if it helps - would appreciate any
> pointers or tips anybody has for me.
>
> Regards
> Morgan[/color]

You should also make sure the Flash Player is up-to-date. Go to
[url]http://www.adobe.com/flash[/url] and click the "Get Flash Player" button to ensure
you have the latest version.

Here's a deep link:
[url]http://www.adobe.com/shockwave/download/download.cgi?P1_Prod_Version=ShockwaveFlash[/url]

"Morgan" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> I have a new inspiron 1520 laptop running Vista. Since purchase there have
> been a number of "unexpected errors" where the pc turns off (doesn't
> restart). When I check problem reports and check for solutions it says a
> fatal error occured which is due to antivirus software (PC was shipped with
> McAfee). I have done everything with McAfee help including complete removal
> and reinstall, clearing up the keys, and running multiple scans. I also have
> downloaded all windows updates. I also have scanned disk, cleared memory
> caches, defagrmented disks and increased virtual memory.
>
> Assuming it may be a problem with McAfee, I removed McAfee and installed
> Norton 360 instead. The problem continues and I have been through everything
> with Norton help desk. There is obviously something conflicting.
>
> If it helps, the problem often (though not exclusively) happens when my son
> is on YouTube - which has become our standard method of testing now. But it
> has happened to me when I went to launch control panel so I don't know if
> there is a connection. Also, in the problem report there are a number of
> problems reported recently apart from "Windows shut down unexpectedly". There
> are also "Windows Modules Installer Failure" and "Superfetch stopped working"
> around teh time of the system crashes.
>
> I am happy to give detail on any of these if it helps - would appreciate any
> pointers or tips anybody has for me.
>
> Regards
> Morgan[/color]

NO NO NO
OneCare is hopeless.
Only 3 computers in a circle
takes over your computer and locks down the firewall so tight that your
pc/laptop is left more isolated than being stand alone on a small 60 mile
piece of rock that was called Pluto when I was a child.
It's not free either.
AMcF
"Jerry Hughes" <JerryHughes@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:CCC6254D-80E7-453F-893D-90A7D2B5B6A9@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> If I were you I'd uninstall all your anti-virus software and install
> Micorsoft LiveOne Care because, right now, I think it is being offered on
> a
> 90 day, free trial basis. Run that and see if the problem returns. All I
> have is Windows Defender as my primary and I downloaded the free versions
> of
> Spyware Doctor (which is GREAT) and Super Anti-Spyware. I DO NOT allow
> the
> last two to run in the background, not even self update, but when I use
> them
> I do it all manually. Can't believe what Spyware Doctor finds that the so
> called "Big Boys" miss! Good luck!
>
> Jerry
>
> "Morgan" wrote:
>[color=green]
>> Hi,
>>
>> I have a new inspiron 1520 laptop running Vista. Since purchase there
>> have
>> been a number of "unexpected errors" where the pc turns off (doesn't
>> restart). When I check problem reports and check for solutions it says a
>> fatal error occured which is due to antivirus software (PC was shipped
>> with
>> McAfee). I have done everything with McAfee help including complete
>> removal
>> and reinstall, clearing up the keys, and running multiple scans. I also
>> have
>> downloaded all windows updates. I also have scanned disk, cleared memory
>> caches, defagrmented disks and increased virtual memory.
>>
>> Assuming it may be a problem with McAfee, I removed McAfee and installed
>> Norton 360 instead. The problem continues and I have been through
>> everything
>> with Norton help desk. There is obviously something conflicting.
>>
>> If it helps, the problem often (though not exclusively) happens when my
>> son
>> is on YouTube - which has become our standard method of testing now. But
>> it
>> has happened to me when I went to launch control panel so I don't know if
>> there is a connection. Also, in the problem report there are a number of
>> problems reported recently apart from "Windows shut down unexpectedly".
>> There
>> are also "Windows Modules Installer Failure" and "Superfetch stopped
>> working"
>> around teh time of the system crashes.
>>
>> I am happy to give detail on any of these if it helps - would appreciate
>> any
>> pointers or tips anybody has for me.
>>
>> Regards
>> Morgan[/color]
>[/color]

Gentlemen,

Thank you all for your suggestions - gives me something to work on. If the
problem keeps going I will repost.

FYI - I got 2 laptops and this problem only occurs on one - however the
other has more processing and memory so maybe it is a resource issue.

I have spybot installed which I run manually. The wndows frewall is turned
off but if I remove antivirus I will switch it back on.

Again - really appreciate the suggestions.

Morgan



"Morgan" wrote:
[color=blue]
> Hi,
>
> I have a new inspiron 1520 laptop running Vista. Since purchase there have
> been a number of "unexpected errors" where the pc turns off (doesn't
> restart). When I check problem reports and check for solutions it says a
> fatal error occured which is due to antivirus software (PC was shipped with
> McAfee). I have done everything with McAfee help including complete removal
> and reinstall, clearing up the keys, and running multiple scans. I also have
> downloaded all windows updates. I also have scanned disk, cleared memory
> caches, defagrmented disks and increased virtual memory.
>
> Assuming it may be a problem with McAfee, I removed McAfee and installed
> Norton 360 instead. The problem continues and I have been through everything
> with Norton help desk. There is obviously something conflicting.
>
> If it helps, the problem often (though not exclusively) happens when my son
> is on YouTube - which has become our standard method of testing now. But it
> has happened to me when I went to launch control panel so I don't know if
> there is a connection. Also, in the problem report there are a number of
> problems reported recently apart from "Windows shut down unexpectedly". There
> are also "Windows Modules Installer Failure" and "Superfetch stopped working"
> around teh time of the system crashes.
>
> I am happy to give detail on any of these if it helps - would appreciate any
> pointers or tips anybody has for me.
>
> Regards
> Morgan[/color]

Indeed, A Much Better Solution Is A Free Anti-Virus Product Like Avast 4.7
Home Edition 4 Example (Which Scans 4 Viruses, Adware, And Spyware, And
Detects Things That Microsoft Windows Defender Does Not Detect), Just FYI.

"Alex McFarlane" <alex@hasland.demon.co.uk> wrote in message
news:45F43A15-5DED-4B17-BDC3-3BC806E61F69@microsoft.com...[color=blue]
> NO NO NO
> OneCare is hopeless.
> Only 3 computers in a circle
> takes over your computer and locks down the firewall so tight that your
> pc/laptop is left more isolated than being stand alone on a small 60 mile
> piece of rock that was called Pluto when I was a child.
> It's not free either.
> AMcF
> "Jerry Hughes" <JerryHughes@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:CCC6254D-80E7-453F-893D-90A7D2B5B6A9@microsoft.com...[color=green]
>> If I were you I'd uninstall all your anti-virus software and install
>> Micorsoft LiveOne Care because, right now, I think it is being offered on
>> a
>> 90 day, free trial basis. Run that and see if the problem returns. All
>> I
>> have is Windows Defender as my primary and I downloaded the free versions
>> of
>> Spyware Doctor (which is GREAT) and Super Anti-Spyware. I DO NOT allow
>> the
>> last two to run in the background, not even self update, but when I use
>> them
>> I do it all manually. Can't believe what Spyware Doctor finds that the
>> so
>> called "Big Boys" miss! Good luck!
>>
>> Jerry
>>
>> "Morgan" wrote:
>>[color=darkred]
>>> Hi,
>>>
>>> I have a new inspiron 1520 laptop running Vista. Since purchase there
>>> have
>>> been a number of "unexpected errors" where the pc turns off (doesn't
>>> restart). When I check problem reports and check for solutions it says a
>>> fatal error occured which is due to antivirus software (PC was shipped
>>> with
>>> McAfee). I have done everything with McAfee help including complete
>>> removal
>>> and reinstall, clearing up the keys, and running multiple scans. I also
>>> have
>>> downloaded all windows updates. I also have scanned disk, cleared memory
>>> caches, defagrmented disks and increased virtual memory.
>>>
>>> Assuming it may be a problem with McAfee, I removed McAfee and installed
>>> Norton 360 instead. The problem continues and I have been through
>>> everything
>>> with Norton help desk. There is obviously something conflicting.
>>>
>>> If it helps, the problem often (though not exclusively) happens when my
>>> son
>>> is on YouTube - which has become our standard method of testing now. But
>>> it
>>> has happened to me when I went to launch control panel so I don't know
>>> if
>>> there is a connection. Also, in the problem report there are a number of
>>> problems reported recently apart from "Windows shut down unexpectedly".
>>> There
>>> are also "Windows Modules Installer Failure" and "Superfetch stopped
>>> working"
>>> around teh time of the system crashes.
>>>
>>> I am happy to give detail on any of these if it helps - would appreciate
>>> any
>>> pointers or tips anybody has for me.
>>>
>>> Regards
>>> Morgan[/color]
>>[/color]
>[/color]