File explorer and other programs suddenly slow

[Guest]

Yesterday, the file explorer and several other programs which access the file
system went suddently slow. For example, when I click on 'My computer' in the
file explorer it takes 30 seconds or so before the system reacts. In other
programs this is the same. I have a feeling it has something to do with the
network, but I'm not able to figure out what.

I have a standalone PC with Windows XP.

It all might have starter after I plugged in a IEEE cable in my PC. The
cable was not connected to any device however. I removed the IEEE-cable but
that didn't help.
The reason for connecting the IEEE cable is that I want to connect a
DSL-modem. This all works fine BTW.

I scanned my PC vor viruses, but nothing showed up. Anyone any ideas?

 

[Richard Urban]

Did you have a firewall up and running prior to plugging in your DSL
connection? If you didn't, you were likely "infected" within seconds to a
couple of minutes - even though you never went to a web site.

Now that you have DSL practice and use the following procedures.

Install a good firewall - one that blocks unwanted outbound traffic as well
as unwanted inbound traffic. Then when something tries to connect, out of
the ordinary, you will be flagged. At that point you can disallow that
particular instance either once or permanently.

If you want a better firewall than the one that is supplied with Windows XP,
ZoneAlarm (free) from
http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/catalog/products/sku_list_za.jsp?lid=nav_za


Then check your system for infestations of viruses, spyware, dialers, key
loggers etc.

Don't ever go clicking things just because a web site, e-mail, popup or
rogue desktop tells you to! If you are not 101% certain what an action will
do - don't perform that action.

Download, install, update and run the following:

If you don't have any antivirus installed, AVG Antivirus (free) from
http://free.grisoft.com/doc/2/lng/us/tpl/v5

Ad-Aware (free) from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/

SpyBot Search and Destroy (free) from
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/download/index.html

Microsoft Anti Spyware (free) from
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

And continue to control your clicking finger!



--
Regards,

Richard Urban

aka Crusty (-: Old B@stard

If you knew as much as you think you know,
You would realize that you don't know what you thought you knew!

 

[R. McCarty]

IEEE is the Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. This
group is responsible for establishing industry "Standards". There
isn't such a thing as a simple "IEEE" cable, but specific types, such
as Parallel 1284 or Firewire 1394.
You probably have established a Network LAC that is attempting
to browse for Shares & Printers. Open the Network Connections
applet in Control Panel and see what and how many LACs (Local
Area Connections) are present on your PC. If your computer is a
stand-alone machine you can unbind the Client for Microsoft Net
and File and Printer Sharing from the LACs.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply, but there are no LACs present.

 

[Guest]

Thanks for your reply. I've checked for viruses and I also ran Ad-aware.
Everything seems OK. I've also Zonealarm installed.

I think it is a problem on my PC itself.

 

[Guest]

In the systemlog, I see the following errors:
The server %1 did not register with DCOM within the required timeout

These errors appear at the same time I click on 'My computer' in the File
Explorer.

What's happening?