Topic: Continual re-booting on startup

[Clive]

My computer has developed a strange fault which causes it to reboot soon after Windows XP Pro has fully launched.  Within seconds of accessing the internet or any program it reboots all by itself.    If I perform a system restore to a couple of days ago the problem disappears but Spybot S&D asks me to accept a key change that AVG wants to make and if I accept then it goes straight into reboot.  Denying the change allows me to carry on unimpeded.  I've run AVG, Adaware and Spybot and nothing untoward is detected.  I have formed my own conclusion as to what the culprit is but before I lead in any direction perhaps someone might offer a comment.  I intend leaving my computer on until Sunday to avoid making any changes until then!

[Simon]

What's this 'key change', Clive?  Is it AVG or Spybot trying to make a change?

[Clive]

Sorry.  It's a change to the registry which Spybot will not allow unless permission is granted.  AVG is attempting to make the registry key change. 

[Simon]

Does AVG say what the registry key relates to?  If it's safe, perhaps disable Spybot, allow AVG to make the change, then enable Spybot again?  That may seem like subverting Spybot, but I'm wondering if an AVG has downloaded an update, which is conflicting with Spybot?

[Clive]

Spybot tells me the name of the key which is something to do with AVG.  If I tell Spybot to allow the change the computer instantly reboots.  If I deny the change then I can carry on as if nothing has happened.  Until I turn it off after which it refuses to boot up without a system restore.

[Simon]

According to this post, it seems one solution might be to disable TeaTimer (in Spybot), then uninstall AVG and reinstall with the latest package, linked to in the post, before re-enabling Spybot.

Or, you could get a decent security suite, like F-Secure, or Kaspersky, and do away with AVG and Spybot completely.

[gmax]

Or, you could get a decent security suite, like F-Secure, or Kaspersky, and do away with AVG and Spybot completely.

That's the option I would take, AVG is a not very good.

[Clive]

The Spybot message refers to avgr starter and winlogon notifier if that's any help.  Are F-Secure and Kaspersky freebies or do you have to pay for them?

[Simon]

They are not freebies, Clive, but one licence usually covers up to three machines.  Of the two, F-Secure is probably the cheapest, although I haven't time to compare the prices at the moment.

[Simon]

The Spybot message refers to avgr starter and winlogon notifier if that's any help.  Are F-Secure and Kaspersky freebies or do you have to pay for them?

Those two are probably legitimate processes, Clive, and if AVG has downloaded an update which has changed something about the program, then that's probably why Spybot is complaining, but I can't explain the reboots, sorry.

[Clive]

What I intend doing is to remove AVG and use a different AV.  But not until Sunday.

[Clive]

Removing AVG solved the problem!  I can now switch my computer off again knowing it will restart normally.  Goodbye AVG.  Hello F-Secure.   

[Rik]

AVG seems to have lost its way a bit, Clive.

[Clive]

I think that's the general consensus of opinion Rik.   

[Rik]

I'm a very consensual person.