BleepingComputer.com: computer keeps freezing

I have windows ME on an HP. 2 weeks ago certain programs would start to freeze but, then they would "catch up" and start working again. gradually it did it more and more until the computer would be completely frozen. When I rebooted I had about 3 secs. before it would completely freeze and I clicked on add/remove programs and uninstalled AOL and then i did system restore. when the computer finished restore it was not frozen and i re-installed AOL. This worked for about 4 days and the same things started happening again. I tried to do exactly as I did before, but this time as you can see I managed to get AOL back on and working again, but everything else is frozen. I can't minimize anything because the windows start button and start bar don't work. Before I fixed it the first time a program called Keylogger would pop up during start and i believe that is the underlying cause of these problems. non of my anti spyware programs or antivirus programs got rid of it nor do I see it in the add/remove programs. If anyone knows how to help...please do. Keep in mind that I really can't access anything because it is frozen.

Thank you in advance, Cortny78

Run these online virus scanners:
http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan/
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Are you using these basic security programs?
(They're all free.)

a² free - a complementary product to antivirus software which is specialized in protection against harmful software. Antivirus software often features an inadequate protection against Trojans, Dialers and Spyware. a² fills this gap.
Ad-Aware - A good program similar to SpyBot S & D.
Spybot S&D - Detects and removes spyware, of different types, from your computer.
SpywareBlaster - A good program that prevents spyware from being installed on your computer in the first place. This program is always running in the background, protecting your computer. It prevents the installation of bad active X controls found in web pages.
SpywareGuard - A nice compliment to SpywareBlaster. This allows you the option to prevent downloads that contain bad active X controls.

If not, you need to. These programs, updated and used regularly, will do a lot to keep your computer clean of spyware, trojans, keyloggers, browser hijackers, etc...

Download them, update them, and then run them.

Important:
Please read this tutorial on Spybot S&D before using it. Spybot can do SERIOUS damage, if not used properly.

If that doesn't help, then:

Read the pinned post in the HijackThis forum, here
Please read, and follow, all directions carefully.

Then, run a log, and post it in the HJT forum, at this link. Do not, fix anything, yet.
A member, of the HJT Team, will help you out.
It may take a while to get a response, because the HJT Team are very busy. Please, be patient, these people are volunteers. They will help you out, as soon as possible.

NOTE:
Once you have made the post, please, DO NOT make another post in the HJT forum, until it has been responded to by a member of the HJT Team. The first thing they look for, when looking for logs to reply to, is 0 replies. If you make another post, there will be 1 reply. The team member, glancing over the replies, might assume someone is already helping you out, and will not respond. So, just make your post, and let it sit there, until a team member responds. This way you will be taken care of, in the most timely manner.

You may get the system to function in Safe Mode, run your anti-virus and as many anti-spyware programs as you have available there.
If you are not sure how to boot in Safe Mode there is a tutorial here: Safe Mode

See if that helps

If not, follow tg1911's advice about posting an HJT Log - you will have to download HJT from another computer and copy it across if yours will not boot properly.

This post has been edited by Rimmer: 31 May 2005 - 10:31 PM

Its a good idea to run a defrag on your system regularly, can improve the performance besides riddance from the program errors, system freeze nightmares etc..