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Technical Help & Discussion => Windows PCs & Software: Help, News & Discussion => Topic started by: Clive on January 29, 2009, 20:56

Title: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Clive on January 29, 2009, 20:56
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.   :dunno: 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!
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Simon on January 29, 2009, 22:04
What's this 'key change', Clive?  Is it AVG or Spybot trying to make a change?
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Clive on January 29, 2009, 22:16
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. 
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Simon on January 29, 2009, 22:55
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?
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Clive on January 29, 2009, 23:19
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.
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Simon on January 29, 2009, 23:28
According to this post (http://freeforum.avg.com/read.php?12,168123,168220#msg-168220), 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.
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: gmax on January 30, 2009, 03:35
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.
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Clive on January 30, 2009, 09:34
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?
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Simon on January 30, 2009, 09:49
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.
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Simon on January 30, 2009, 09:53
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.
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Clive on January 30, 2009, 09:54
What I intend doing is to remove AVG and use a different AV.  But not until Sunday.
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Clive on February 01, 2009, 11:49
Removing AVG solved the problem!  I can now switch my computer off again knowing it will restart normally.  Goodbye AVG.  Hello F-Secure.   8-)
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Rik on February 01, 2009, 13:32
AVG seems to have lost its way a bit, Clive.
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Clive on February 01, 2009, 17:39
I think that's the general consensus of opinion Rik.   :(
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Rik on February 01, 2009, 17:45
I'm a very consensual person. :)
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Simon on February 01, 2009, 17:55
F-Secure is much better anyway.  ;)
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Rik on February 01, 2009, 18:52
Though NOD is better still. ;D
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: gmax on February 01, 2009, 23:58
Though NOD is better still. ;D
It sure is!  :thumbs:
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: Simon on February 02, 2009, 09:52
But it's also a lot more expensive.  ;)
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: gmax on February 02, 2009, 10:13
But it's also a lot more expensive.  ;)

Not for me.  ;)
Title: Re: Continual re-booting on startup
Post by: davy51 on February 02, 2009, 14:08
Here is mine and its free

Comodo firewall and anti virus

Super anti spyware

Malware bytes

Avast anti virus


all work great and they are free
And they all work together
All I had to do was disable tea timer on Avast