Problem Vista x64 Ultimate, Adobe Reader, Office 2007

Hello,
I have vista ultimate x64 service pack 2 + automatic updates, office 2007. The same software and hardware configuration is on 4 computers. All 4 have the same problem after a while since fresh installation.

After starting, and login sometimes I can't use office, adobe reader, side bar.
When I try to open:
- adobe reader, the process is running but no window.
- outlook (startup, or later) the window appears but when I click on it, it's status changes to Not Responding, and it freezes.
- word, the startup logo appears in the center of the screen but the window doesn't.
- excel, seems to work but when I use software that uses excel I get automation error in that software.
- any other program works like: total commander, my own software (.NET), sandboxie, yahoo messenger, opera, firefox.
- vmware, no problem, but when I try to start a virtual machine vmware freezes too.
- sidebar is frozen too, it doesn't redraw.
This problem has a random behavior after restart things go to normal. After 3-5 restarts the problem reappears. Or even after using the computer for 6-7 hours.
I can see each process with task manager but they are not listed in applications. If I kill them and reopen there's no change.

Adobe Reader gave me DDE server error along time ago, I'm not sure if it's related.

The problem appears after a week, maybe two after a fresh installation of windows, and some automatic updates.

I used to have Avira Personal Antivirus + Windows defender. I recently uninstalled Avira hoping it will solve the problem, and it did in a way, now it happens less often.
I still use windows defender. UAC is enabled.

I've checked for viruses with 4 antivirus: bitdefender, panda, avg, kaspersky but haven't found any virus.

I have some good knowledge of software programming, computer hardware and software. So I don't have any useless toolbars, spyware, applications installed or running.

The problem is very annoying and the fact that it happens on 5 different computers with 5 different users and the same trustworthy software leads me to one conclusion that it's a vista problem.

Thank you for your time, and I hope that one could give me an advice at least where to start looking for the source of the problem.

Are the 5 different PCs and users all on the same network?
Are the PCs identical?

I would try to get one machine to a known state and turn all updates off. See if it changes "by itself." If all the machines are going South the same way and it's not a network virus then it's likely a problem with an update.

All 5 computers are in the same network, password protected sharing.
No virus detected by 5 antivirus.
Computers are identical in software except for one that has Vista Business x64 and after unistalling avira the problem solved for that one.
Hardware is a little different, each pc has a different component: GPU or CPU or Main Board model or ram or hdd.
For security, compatibility reasons automatic updates are enabled.
Outlook, Excel, Adobe use DDE server and it seems it has something to do with it, but I'm not sure.

P.S. In the same network I have many XP x86 PC with some viruses that I can't get rid of with antivirus, even Combofix. It's possible that Vista PCs are "under siege".

I've you have infected nodes on the network then it's impossible to say what's going on. If possible I would isolate one machine, reformat and reinstall everything, turn off updates, and run it connected to the outside world, but not to the rest of your network. See if it stays clean. You may have infections coming in disguised as updates.

Connecting a clean machine to a network with infected nodes you good just keep playing ping pong forever as the "clean" machine keeps getting effected by the other malignant nodes.

Another possibility is your av software may have been infected.

Don't know what else to advise except pluck off one machine at a time and run it with no updates enabled. See if it keeps running normally. I turn off automatic updates on my machines anyway. How can you know what went wrong if 12 variables are added to the equation every few days? It's not logical. If it ain't broke I don't fix iit.

edit: btw it might be an idea to move this thread to networking as you may get more expertise that applies to your situation. I don't know how to do it. Maybe send a note to the moderator or something.

Off topic:
I've spent half of my weekend trying to clean up 6 win XP PCs, and I was chasing ghosts. The very well hidden rootkit that I was chasing for all most 3 months was actually SentinelLM used by legitim software. Each time sentinel is used, it creates these files prsgrc.dll, jnesgmt.dll, e88radf.dll, ozcnxuh.dll, prsrvk.dll and they are false positives, about 200 bytes size.
CogX's Ramblings: Sentinel LM Files and AntiMalware False Positives
Persistent Infection reoccuring files C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsprst7.dll,nsprs.dll,tmpPrst.dll,serauth*.dll - Page 2

On topic:
So the local network is clean.
In event viewer I something like:
The program sidebar.exe version 6.0.6002.18005 stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel. Process ID: b24 Start Time: 01cbea40c624b743 Termination Time: 0
The program OUTLOOK.EXE version 12.0.6550.5003 stopped interacting with Windows and was closed. To see if more information about the problem is available, check the problem history in the Problem Reports and Solutions control panel. Process ID: 1768 Start Time: 01cbf525cf494c5c Termination Time: 0

Similar to my problem on different forums:
Adobe Reader 9.1 - Fatal Error : Acrobat failed to connect a DDE server - Windows Software
Adobe Forums: "Fatal Error: Acrobat Failed to...

Hello Livium,

What i think you dont have memory leakage paroblem, so no need to run Memtest. If you had the test earlier let me know the result.

Possible solution here (What I think) ... upgrade the BIOS! but before upgrading first uninstall all faulty application. And again install all uninstalled application.

Do you use a printer? Is that connected via LAN?

Thanks

Hello MilesAhead,
Thanks for the advice I'll try in a 2-3 weeks a fresh install with automatic updates disabled. I'll have to start from SP2 because some software requires it. It's a work environment and there are some limits for my actions especially time for repairs.

Hello Arvinwebb,
Thanks for the tips.
I've tested ram with Memtest 4.20 for 14 h and 36 min, pass=8 errors=0.
Latest version of Bios already installed.
Yes I do, the following HP network printers: 2800, 2605dn, P2015dn, P2055dn, T610 all have ethernet modules and are connected to lan. The lan is configured by a router (DHCP only) no windows domain just the same workgroup.

Hello Livium,

what i think there may be two faults that giving you annoying trouble. Do whatever suggested here and report me back.

1. disconnect all the printer and set your default printer as Adobe PDF or MS XPS document.

if that doesn't fix your problem then may your harddisk giving problem. To fix this problem, follow the instruction given below:

1. Restart computer.
2. Enter BIOS
3. Find your HARD DISK MODE OPTION(SATA), turn it to *IDE*
4. Save and exit

Next time when you log in to the windows, it will start automaticly install ide drivers for your windows, it may ask you to restart, just do it. Hope this helps.