KenP said:
Got 3 XP Pro PC's that all of a sudden started CPUing at 100%,
which means it takes 4ever to boot and even then nothing can be
accomplished to include Internet, word processing, etc. I know it
has something to do w/processes or services or at least I think so
but do not know how to tell which and what. I'm not getting any
errors just an hour glass that will go away and nothing is
clickable.
Does anyone have a clue as to how I figure out what's going on? All
three PC's started acting up around 8am today and all three have
exact same problem. All are on wireless network.
Any help will be greatly appreciated.
Safe mode?
Safe mode with networking?
Checked to see what updates they recently installed?
Malware scans on any of them?
Disconnected them from the network?
What AntiVirus solution is installed?
What firewall application protects them and is it enabled?
What antimalware software (if any) protects them?
I would...
1) Give detailed information:
-- OS and exact version?
Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.
The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
(Operating System name and flavor) while the line starting with the word
"version" will give you the rest of the story.
Post _both_ in response to this message verbatim. ;-)
(Yes - SP3 Windows XP Professional - this will go a little deeper.)
-- Antivirus application and version in use?
-- AntiMalware (if any) in use/scanned with already?
-- Any patches installed recently? Software? Hardware?
2) Disconnect one of them from the wireless network (turn off/disable the
wireless adapter.)
3) Using another machine (one without the issues) obtain the following three
programs and scan the machine now disconnected from the network with them:
Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):
SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/
MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/
After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
if you wish.
Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
Reboot.
4) Hook it back up/enable the networking.
During any of that - did the lone system run better?
