A
Aaron
I've encountered a Shut down problem with several WinXP
(both SP1 and SP2) computers that all run Symantec
pcAnywhere as a service (for remote assistance and
administration). I've seen a number of posts here about
Symantec compatability issues, so I thought I should add
this to the list since it is a little different.
After a PC is used for a period of time, specifically long
enough for several programs to be opened and closed and/or
long enough for the screen saver to come on, the
gcasServ.exe process generates a Not Responding message
when you try use any shut down option. After this process
is ended, by waiting or chosing to End Now, none of the
shut down options will respond. Meaning, that if you
select Start > Shut Down > Shut Down or Start > Shut Down
which otherwise continues to work fine. Log Off responds
the same way, but we don't normally use Standby so I don't
know about that. This symptom can be reproduced, but it
is interesting that if the PC is freshly booted there are
no errors or shut down problem if you try to shut it down
immediately.
This exact symptom is discussed on Symantec's site
pertaining to Norton Antivirus 2003, and it suggests
performing all of their available updates to resolve the
issue. These PCs do not have Norton, except for an
installation executable that is apparently a trial offer
from the OEM software package (removing this does not
affect any outcome). Performing all of these updates
through pcAnywhwere does not resolve the problem. My
tests so far have shown that removing MS AntiSpyware does
resolve the problem however.
For the sake of time we may remove AntiSpyware to solve
our issue, but I have not yet tried a couple things. I
would still like to try disabling the Real Time protection
features and letting it run that way for a period of
time. I would also like to try updating to the VB6
package I saw mentioned on this forum and elsewhere, and
also updating AntiSpyware to a newer version if one is
available yet. I will post back to these boards if I find
anything new. I'd also be happy to see any feedback on
this issue if others have found it.
-Aaron
(both SP1 and SP2) computers that all run Symantec
pcAnywhere as a service (for remote assistance and
administration). I've seen a number of posts here about
Symantec compatability issues, so I thought I should add
this to the list since it is a little different.
After a PC is used for a period of time, specifically long
enough for several programs to be opened and closed and/or
long enough for the screen saver to come on, the
gcasServ.exe process generates a Not Responding message
when you try use any shut down option. After this process
is ended, by waiting or chosing to End Now, none of the
shut down options will respond. Meaning, that if you
select Start > Shut Down > Shut Down or Start > Shut Down
The PC does not hang, it merely returns you to Windows
which otherwise continues to work fine. Log Off responds
the same way, but we don't normally use Standby so I don't
know about that. This symptom can be reproduced, but it
is interesting that if the PC is freshly booted there are
no errors or shut down problem if you try to shut it down
immediately.
This exact symptom is discussed on Symantec's site
pertaining to Norton Antivirus 2003, and it suggests
performing all of their available updates to resolve the
issue. These PCs do not have Norton, except for an
installation executable that is apparently a trial offer
from the OEM software package (removing this does not
affect any outcome). Performing all of these updates
through pcAnywhwere does not resolve the problem. My
tests so far have shown that removing MS AntiSpyware does
resolve the problem however.
For the sake of time we may remove AntiSpyware to solve
our issue, but I have not yet tried a couple things. I
would still like to try disabling the Real Time protection
features and letting it run that way for a period of
time. I would also like to try updating to the VB6
package I saw mentioned on this forum and elsewhere, and
also updating AntiSpyware to a newer version if one is
available yet. I will post back to these boards if I find
anything new. I'd also be happy to see any feedback on
this issue if others have found it.
-Aaron