Problem with AToolBar/MetaEureka

[Frank Bohan]

I've made several posts recommending AToolBar (aka MetaEureka). This
multi-purpose program is very useful, but I have just discovered a problem.
The program normally starts at boot-up, and I've found that when the program
is running the CPU usage leaps to 100%, causing other functions to fail
(notably the screensaver in XP) and slowdown in other functions. By
disabling the autostart and only using the program when needed I've overcome
the problem, but I cannot understand what it is doing which needs the CPUs
full power. There does not appear to be any attempt to phone home or pass
information, but I would be interested to know if others have had any
problems, or any comments.

http://www.metaeureka.com

===

Frank Bohan
¶ Whatsup.doc tells you how to get rid of Bugs.

 

[BillR]

I've made several posts recommending AToolBar (aka MetaEureka). This
multi-purpose program is very useful, but I have just discovered a problem.
The program normally starts at boot-up, and I've found that when the program
is running the CPU usage leaps to 100%, causing other functions to fail
(notably the screensaver in XP) and slowdown in other functions. By
disabling the autostart and only using the program when needed I've overcome
the problem, but I cannot understand what it is doing which needs the CPUs
full power. There does not appear to be any attempt to phone home or pass
information, but I would be interested to know if others have had any
problems, or any comments.

http://www.metaeureka.com

Leaps from what to 100%?

Do you mean that it hangs at 100% for some time or only a brief spike?

What happens if you use the same command line as for autostart?

Have you tried moving AToolBar to another registry key so that it
starts somewhere else in the sequence?

How about adding a delay (e.g., via Startup Delayer, wrapping it in a
script, or invoking it via an alarm)?

BillR
BillR

 

[Frank Bohan]

"Frank Bohan" <[email protected]> wrote in message

Leaps from what to 100%?

Do you mean that it hangs at 100% for some time or only a brief spike?

What happens if you use the same command line as for autostart?

Have you tried moving AToolBar to another registry key so that it
starts somewhere else in the sequence?

How about adding a delay (e.g., via Startup Delayer, wrapping it in a
script, or invoking it via an alarm)?

BillR
BillR

Thanks for the reply, Bill. To clarify, I have found that whenever AToolBar
is running the CPU usage goes up to 100% and stays there (as shown in the XP
Windows Task Manager). Without AToolBar usage drops to 20% or less. As I
type this it is showing 8%. Therefore I do not think changing the registry
key or using a delayer would make any difference. The most noticeable
effects are general slowdown in changing pages in Explorer;
failure of the screensaver (which uses the MyPictures folder) to start
(sometimes there is a message that no pictures can be found!) or if it does
start the pictures cannot be scrolled using the arrow keys; and "not
responding" messages when closing XP. Cancelling AToolBar removes all these
problems.

I have "cured" the problem by disabling the auto startup of AToolBar and
pinning the program to the Start Menu, so that I can use it as needed,
although this loses some of its functionality. My main concern is not
knowing what it is (or was) using the CPU to do. Any ideas?

===

Frank Bohan
¶ Italian slimming course - see Naples and diet

 

[Roki]

Hi Frank,
Do you use old version of kazaa or any other application that
integrate IE? What is your version of internet explorer?
Try disabling popup killer in A-ToolBar.
Regards,
Pedja

 

[Frank Bohan]

Hi Frank,
Do you use old version of kazaa or any other application that
integrate IE? What is your version of internet explorer?
Try disabling popup killer in A-ToolBar.
Regards,
Pedja

Aha!!! I think you may have cracked the problem. I have never used Kazaa but
I do have another toolbar (Advanced Searchbar) which integrates with IE (I
have IE6 running on XP) and which also has a pop-up jammer. Initial
experiment shows that disabling the Advanced Searchbar's jammer makes no
difference, but disabling the AToolbar's PU jammer reduces the CPU usage to
a normal level, and everything works normally. The only problem with this is
that when I restart AToolBar manually the PU jammer defaults to ON. I will
try restoring automatic startup and see if that maintains the disabled
status. Thinking about it, the problem seemed to arise when I added the
second searchbar so I think your solution is on the right track. Many
thanks.

===

Frank Bohan
¶ Progress is like a wheelbarrow - if you don't keep pushing it stops.

 

[Frank Bohan]

Aha!!! I think you may have cracked the problem. I have never used Kazaa but
I do have another toolbar (Advanced Searchbar) which integrates with IE (I
have IE6 running on XP) and which also has a pop-up jammer. Initial
experiment shows that disabling the Advanced Searchbar's jammer makes no
difference, but disabling the AToolbar's PU jammer reduces the CPU usage to
a normal level, and everything works normally. The only problem with this is
that when I restart AToolBar manually the PU jammer defaults to ON. I will
try restoring automatic startup and see if that maintains the disabled
status. Thinking about it, the problem seemed to arise when I added the
second searchbar so I think your solution is on the right track. Many
thanks.

===

Frank Bohan

Further to the above, I've now returned AToolBar to auto startup and
unchecked the "Start Popup Stopper with AToolBar" option which I hadn't
noticed before. All is now well. Thanks again for all help received on this
one. I'm now happy to recommend AToolBar again.
http://www.metaeureka.com/

They've now added a new search engine site:
http://www.donbusca.com/

===

Frank Bohan
¶ Wading through paperwork burns 300 calories per hour.