Jim Lawrence
accessd at shaw.ca
Thu Apr 28 13:25:26 CDT 2011
Check the taskmanager <alt-ctrl-delete> and view what Processes are going on... (If you can not do that you have been hacked...then it is most likely a re-image unless you are able to spend the immense amounts of time necessary cleaning up the system yourself) Assuming it all works fine sort by CPU (click on the CPU on the title bar) and 'System Idle Process' should be at the top. Notice any other process sucking up CPU cycles...what are they? Sometimes they may just be legitimate processes like explorer, or winword or any other process you have in the lower left menu bar task section. Try closing down processes that are taking cycles. After the legitimate processes have been stopped there may be the runaway processes; like two versions of ant-virus software competing. Then <right-mouse-click> and End-process-tree. Watch for any processes that keep popping up. Check the names via the internet and sometimes you may get insight into what the internal process and whether it is legitimate or not. If the process is odd or not identified removing it will test it. If it shows up in the process list a second or two later after being deleted it may be worthy of watching especially if it is not a standard windows process (checked via the internet). After a number of years I can pretty well spot any process that should not be there. Another process(es) to watch is the svchost.exe process which is used by a number of other processes to handle system/network/internet connections...there can be dozens running on servers by there should be no more than half a dozen on a PC; too many signifies trouble. If you manage to get enough steady CPU processes running shown as System-Idle-process some of the processes that are not working may spring into life...that's of course if they are not being blocked. It may take a while but usually you can narrow it down to a specific legitimate or illegitimate process (file(s)) and then either de-install or research the bad files and apply the appropriate de-activation method. (...that could take pages of description...) ...Of course it could be a hardware issue. HTH at least a bit. :-) Jim -----Original Message----- From: dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com [mailto:dba-tech-bounces at databaseadvisors.com] On Behalf Of Tina Norris Fields Sent: Thursday, April 28, 2011 8:45 AM To: Discussion of Hardware and Software issues Subject: [dba-Tech] Not Sure Quite What I'm Dealing With Here Okay, I've got a situation with a computer that is giving me fits. Symptoms: 1) Windows update won't - clicking the update link generates an hourglass, then, nothing. 2) Windows installer won't - trying to install anything generates the message that the installer cannot be accessed. 3) Windows installer apparently tries to start when any icon on the desktop is right-clicked. 4) At startup, a message appears saying that Vipre reports it is not running. 5) Computer lost its wireless connection to the printer. Symptoms 1 and 5 might suggest loss of all connectivity - not so! Internet access still available. Network access to shared folders on other computers is still available. Other issues have been discovered as we go along, but these are the immediately visible symptoms. Before I go into the things I have tried, and what has worked for how long, and what hasn't worked at all, I thought I'd ask you guys if this constellation of symptoms rings any bells. Do you recognize these difficulties? Do you have any helpful suggestions? This is the family computer for my kids Cheryl and Brad, and their kids. Lots of email, IM-ing, games, etc. About three months ago, it crashed - I suspected HD failure. I got it revived with Spin-Rite (John, your advice that I should purchase that program was spot on and has served me well ever since!!!). I have lots more to tell about this adventure - 5 pages of handwritten notes, so far. Thanks for your assistance. T _______________________________________________ dba-Tech mailing list dba-Tech at databaseadvisors.com http://databaseadvisors.com/mailman/listinfo/dba-tech Website: http://www.databaseadvisors.com