Windows 7 Very unusual AIM problems

[ChazzK]

I've got a very unusual problem, that's only recently started happening. When using AIM (AOL Instant Manager) and saving the logs of my IM conversations, eventually it freezes up. No error message, it simply hangs, goes transparrent-gray, and if I click it I get the Windows message "The program has stopped responding." I force-close AIM and try to message the person again, but it freezes again. I can still message other people, but eventually this freezes too. When going to the log files themselves to delete them, Explorer freezes up as well.

After a reboot, the log files become "available" again, and can be deleted or renamed without problems. However, eventually, the program errors and freezes up again, whether it's still working with the same log file or having deleted it and created a new log.

When disabling the logs it doesn't freeze up, nor does it freeze up or crash when I save the logs onto another drive besides my C: drive.

I've tested copying other files into the same drive and directory, and there were no problems. I've tried saving the logs onto one of my other drives, and no freezes.

I don't get this sort of issue with ANY other program, nor does my room-mate who also uses the same version of AIM as me. Has anyone else seen this sort of problem?

I am currently running Windows 7, Service Pack 1.

 

[kemical]

Hi Chazz,
try running malwarebytes to rule out any malware:
Malwarebytes Anti-Malware - Protects You When Antivirus Can't - Protect Your PC Now

Also have you tried re-installing the AOL manager?

 

[ChazzK]

Re-installing was the first thing I tried earlier. I also just now had it freeze up even while logging onto another drive, not C:.

I just got done running Malwarebytes, it came up clean. I'm also running Spybot and SuperAntiSpyware just to be triple-safe.

I've ALSO already run both a Windows Chkdsk, as well as the Western Digital diagnostic tools, all of which say the drive is healthy... Which makes sense that it's now freezing on the other drive as well.

 

[kemical]

Chazz try running a system file check just to make sure your os hasn't become corrupted:
Open an admin command prompt and type:
sfc /scannow
Press enter and await results.

Also try checking their troubleshooting site as it may contain a hint or a link which could prove useful:
Link Removed

 

[ChazzK]

So, new issue; having already disabled logging in AIM, that hasn't caused me further issues.

However, I walked away from my computer for a while with Chrome still open. When I got back, this time Chrome was the one that froze up, and it was so bad I couldn't even get Task Manager opened nor explorer responding in general. The other couple of windows I had open were still able to respond, mouse and keyboard were working, but Explorer was just done.

I've already run both the windows Chkdsk and Western Digital diagnostic on my drives, they came up clean. Malwarebytes, SuperAntiSpyware, Spybot S&D and my Avast! antivirus, THEY all came up clean. I've also run system-file-checker, sfc /scannow, and got that fixed.

 

[kemical]

Try checking the event log. If you can remember roughly what time it was you can pinpoint the related event and hopefully some clue as to what's happening. Is Chrome as well as your flash player fully updated? Chrome doesn't need flash installed separately but IE does so make sure both are up to date.

 

[ChazzK]

So I installed the newest flash and updated Chrome properly, but I'm curious. Would an outdated flash OR Chrome have honestly caused my issue?

When i went to uninstall flash, there was a version 13 And 19 (an older 19) in there, would that have done anything?

Earlier today, explorer froze up again but I got a new error.

The following program has stopped working and must be shut down - Microsoft Windows

this happened before the updates I mentioned above.

 

[kemical]

So I installed the newest flash and updated Chrome properly, but I'm curious. Would an outdated flash OR Chrome have honestly caused my issue?

When i went to uninstall flash, there was a version 13 And 19 (an older 19) in there, would that have done anything?

It's possible but I doubt it has anything to do with the AIM issue. I only suggested the above because of what you said about Chrome.
Scan for possible file corruption:
Find command prompt in the start menu, right click on it and run as admin. Type:
sfc /scannow
Press enter and await results.