Vista Can't End Process

[Shawn H]

Hi guys,

I'm sure other people have come across this problem before, although I
haven't been able to find any information on how to overcome this
problem.

When a third party software decides to 'stop responding' and I choose
to "Close program", the application's window is closed, but the
process is still running. If I select the persistent process and click
the "End Process" button, the precess does not end; and there is no
way I can force-close the process - except to restart the computer.

I am currently using Vista Ultimate, and I'm the Administrator. I've
also tried to end the process by command line (taskkill), but the
process is still there. I know certain system processes can't be
ended, but I'm not referring to those processes, I'm simply referring
to processes of third-party software (e.g. Firefox, WMPlayer,
PowerDVD, etc...)

Here's the strange thing: generally I can end any process through Task
Manager, until the program decides to stop responding, that's when I
am unable to end it's process. Bizarre!!
I might also add that when I'm unable to end a process, and I'm force
to restart or shutdown my computer, my computer can take up 30min+ to
restart/shutdown, when normally it would restart/shutdown in seconds.

I know it's a rather long post, but I'm trying to include as much
information as possible so we don't go over the same questions again.

Does anyone know of any way to overcome this problem? Or is there
really a way to force end/kill a persistent process?

Cheers,
Shawn

 

[ZebraCode2007]

Hi guys,

I'm sure other people have come across this problem before, although I
haven't been able to find any information on how to overcome this
problem.

When a third party software decides to 'stop responding' and I choose
to "Close program", the application's window is closed, but the
process is still running. If I select the persistent process and click
the "End Process" button, the precess does not end; and there is no
way I can force-close the process - except to restart the computer.

I am currently using Vista Ultimate, and I'm the Administrator. I've
also tried to end the process by command line (taskkill), but the
process is still there. I know certain system processes can't be
ended, but I'm not referring to those processes, I'm simply referring
to processes of third-party software (e.g. Firefox, WMPlayer,
PowerDVD, etc...)

Here's the strange thing: generally I can end any process through Task
Manager, until the program decides to stop responding, that's when I
am unable to end it's process. Bizarre!!
I might also add that when I'm unable to end a process, and I'm force
to restart or shutdown my computer, my computer can take up 30min+ to
restart/shutdown, when normally it would restart/shutdown in seconds.

I know it's a rather long post, but I'm trying to include as much
information as possible so we don't go over the same questions again.

Does anyone know of any way to overcome this problem? Or is there
really a way to force end/kill a persistent process?

Cheers,
Shawn

i had the same problem since i installed home premium, especially with
firefox.
unlocker, which works well in xp, always finds nothing to do.

then i remembered process explorer by sysinternals.
yesterday firefox hanged again, and p.e. terminated it.

download here nov2007 version:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx
hope it works with ultimate.

hth, zebra

 

[harvey]

Open regedit
edit this value WaitToKillServiceTimeout
in this registry value
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\System\CurrentControlSet\Control
lower the value
thanks.
see if this helps

I am having the same problem with iTunes and EditPlus. I cannot stop
the process through Task Manager. I reset the
"WaitToKillServiceTimeout" from 20000
to 10000. Do you know if a reboot is required to get the registry
values changed?

Thanks!

 

[jayhawker08]

I'm also having the same problem. Is there really no way to actually end a
process. So far I have had it happen with firefox and utorrent. the worst
part is that I can't even log off or shut down because windows can't end it.
Any help would be very much appreciated!