Can't end processes from windows task manager

[Guest]

Im currently running windows media edition version 2002 on a brand new
computer. I start up a program like winamp and then shut it down in the usual
way. Now when I got to start it up again for whatever reason I get an hour
glass for a few minutes then nothing. Winamp doesnt open. I go to task
manager to see whats going on and it shows that I now have two instances of
winamp running. I keep trying to open winamp and I just get more instances of
it in task manager but its not open anywhere on my desktop. When I go to end
process on each of them they stay in the list uneffected. The only way to
clean them out is to restart but my computer wont restart when these
processes are running. So I usually end up having to unplug it. This happens
with quite a few of the programs I try to run. Does anyone know what I can do
to stop this phantom process thing?

 

[Guest]

Depending on what you want to run and/or stop,go to run,type:services.msc
In msc,locate the service,double click on it,then set to stop,manual,or auto
run,then close out.

 

[Rock]

Im currently running windows media edition version 2002 on a brand new
computer. I start up a program like winamp and then shut it down in the usual
way. Now when I got to start it up again for whatever reason I get an hour
glass for a few minutes then nothing. Winamp doesnt open. I go to task
manager to see whats going on and it shows that I now have two instances of
winamp running. I keep trying to open winamp and I just get more instances of
it in task manager but its not open anywhere on my desktop. When I go to end
process on each of them they stay in the list uneffected. The only way to
clean them out is to restart but my computer wont restart when these
processes are running. So I usually end up having to unplug it. This happens
with quite a few of the programs I try to run. Does anyone know what I can do
to stop this phantom process thing?

Make sure you have a full and complete backup of all important data.

Start by doing a thorough scan for malware:
THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Richard Harper’s Guide to Cleaning Pests
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

Then do some clean boot troubleshooting to see if it's something that's
loading at startup that's causing the problem:
How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

How to perform advanced clean-boot troubleshooting in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com

If it's still occurring try to uninstall/reinstall the problematic apps
and test one at a time.

Lastly try a repair install:
http://michaelstevenstech.com/XPrepairinstall.htm

 

[Guest]

use taskkill from the command line. For the command line arguments use
"taskkill /?". Or you could use pskill from sysinternals. both should work
fine for what you want. Also look in the event log there may be a clue as to
why the app is hanging at close.