Programs not closing

[QuestionMaster]

Has anyone had a problem will programs not closing? We recently bought Vista
and a program will not close..

 

[pk]

I have it since april 07. For the past 2 weeks, the shut down will act like
restart and the sleep would just keep the computer running without the
screen. Actually I cannot shut down the computer properly any more. I tried
everything... still not working properly... any ideas?

 

[AlexB]

Make an assumption it is malware.

My policy is not to use any 3-rd party anti-malware except Spybot S&D.
Windows Vista offers sufficient protection against malicious software
writers some of them I am sure watch this forum very carefully.

Download Microsoft Windows Baseline Security Analyzer. It is Beta 2.1 for
Vista and I think it is safe to download. Run it.

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...AF-9DBE-4DCE-889E-ECF997EB18E9&displaylang=en>

It will give you all your vulnerabilities, especially in your firewall
settings. You should read the report and if it suggests any changes, you
should consider them.
Your Windows firewall setting will be analyzed.

Download Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830). It
will want to run upon install. Choose the FULL scan although it may give you
a threatening message that it might take a few hours. It will scan your
entire computer in about half an hour or less if you do not have a lot of
stuff in it.

<http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...e0-e72d-4f54-9ab3-75b8eb148356&displaylang=en>

Some reassuring information: Malicious Software Removal Tool
<http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx>
The Microsoft Windows Malicious Software Removal Tool helps remove specific,
prevalent malicious software from computers that are running Windows Vista,
Windows Server 2003, Windows XP, or Windows 2000
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=890830

You can also go to Protection Center (Microsoft)
<http://onecare.live.com/site/en-US/center/howsafe.htm?s_cid=mscom_msrt>
and click "Protection Scan." There will be a dropdown menu and a button:
"Launch Full Scan or Vista." You can do it if you wish.

Download and install Spybot Search & Destroy, a great piece of software
which is free for individuals but corporations pay fees. You may be asked
for donations but it is up to you. It is very up to date and every week you
will have to download new updates, sometimes even more often. You should
check for updates every time you run it. It will give you all su*kers
leached into your registry and ask you if you wanted to remove them. Many of
them have masqueraded themselves under MS Windows names like
Windows.something. Do not hesitate to kill them all. You can trust SB S&D.

http://www.spybot.info/en/index.html

It also allows you to IMMUNIZE your system. It means that when you go to a
website and they try to download some kind of a Trojan to you SB S&D will
either kill it silently, or ask you if you want to do it or will kill it and
give you a notice. It is better to let it kill them all in silence.

Listen to Mark Russinovich's (MS) webcast: Advanced Malware Cleaning

<http://www.microsoft.com/emea/spotlight/sessionh.aspx?videoid=359>

Downloading any 3-rd party "free" anti-spyware program is an invitation for
disaster.

The AV (antivirus industry) is on the way to the cemetery:
The slow death of AV technology:
http://www.theregister.co.uk/2007/06/08/death_of_av/
Vista did it in.

 

[AlexB]

In addition to my recommendation to thoroughly analyze you computer from the
security standpoint, there are a number of other things you can do.

(1) Ctrl+Alt+Del will give you the Task Manager. Examine Applications
window. Check all applications running. See if you can terminate any.

(2) Press Processes tab. Try to kill some of them. Do not touch those that
are obviously system related like "Iexplorer" or "Explorer." The system
won't allow you to kill vital processes. they are protected. If you killed a
process and then was able to shut the system down that is it. You will know
the name of malware that was sending your privileged information to a
criminal server somewhere. Half of the trolls in this NG are in this
business.

(3) Copy the last top events in Event Log and post them here. You may also
analyze them yourselves. It is not that difficult.

 

[Malke]

Has anyone had a problem will programs not closing? We recently bought
Vista and a program will not close..

What program? No one can give you focused help with so little information.
Here is standard information about troubleshooting shutdown problems:

Shutdown issues are generally caused by a program and/or process that is
refusing to exit gracefully. The program and/or process can be from malware
or can be legitimate (such as an invasive antivirus like Norton or McAfee).
If you are using a Norton or McAfee product, uninstall it and replace with
a better program such as NOD32, Kasperksy, or Avast (free). The Windows
Firewall is adequate for most people. With Vista, shutdown issues can also
be caused by old/poorly written drivers so make sure all drivers are
updated. See Step B. below for general driver directions.

A.The first step is always to make sure your computer is virus/malware free.

http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

B. Drivers - The First Law of Driver Updates is "if it ain't broke, don't
fix it". Normally if everything is working you want to leave things as they
are. The exception is that heavy-duty gamers will usually want to update
their video and sound drivers to squeeze every last bit of performance out
of the hardware to get the fastest frame rates. If you're not one of those
people, you don't need to update your drivers if there are no problems you
are trying to solve.

Never get drivers from Windows Update. Get them from:

1. The device mftr.'s website; OR
2. The motherboard mftr.'s website if hardware is onboard; OR
3. The OEM's website for your specific machine if you have an OEM computer
(HP, Dell, Sony, etc.).

Read the installation instructions on the website where you get the drivers.

To find out what hardware is in your computer:

1. Read any documentation you got when you bought the computer.
2. If the computer is OEM, go to the OEM's website for your specific model
machine and look at the specs (you'll be there to get the drivers anyway)
3. Download, install and run a free system inventory program like Belarc
Advisor or System Information for Windows.

http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html - Belarc Advisor
http://www.gtopala.com/ - System Information for Windows

C. If the computer is virus/malware-free, drivers are current, and no Norton
or McAfee programs are installed, then do clean-boot troubleshooting to see
which program/process is the culprit:

How to perform a clean boot in Vista and XP -
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/331796

D. If you need more information, here is an excellent shutdown
troubleshooter:

http://www.aumha.org/win5/a/shtdwnxp.htm

Standard caveat: If troubleshooting the issue is too difficult - and there
is absolutely no shame in admitting this isn't your cup of tea - take the
machine to a computer repair shop. This will not be your local
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place. Get recommendations from family,
friends, colleagues.


Malke

 

[Malke]

Make an assumption it is malware.

My policy is not to use any 3-rd party anti-malware except Spybot S&D.
Windows Vista offers sufficient protection against malicious software
writers some of them I am sure watch this forum very carefully.

(snip loads of rubbish)

You absolutely do not know what you're talking about when it comes to
troubleshooting computers and removing malware. You should find a different
hobby.

Malke

 

[AlexB]

To the OP: Do not use 3-rd party tools, especially from unknown and
questionable software makers. Plenty of resources is available from
Microsoft, plenty. In fact employing MS tools plus SB S&D which is free
guarantees a much better result.

The product Malke recommends and recommends unscrupulously is his own
business. There is a clear conflict of interest in here. He is an MVP who is
supposed to help people to resolve their problems but instead he takes care
of his financial interests primarily.

Stick with MS!

I will report you to MS, Malke. I will file a complaint. I will also ask
them to review my posts versus your claim that I do not know anything about
computers. I will ask MS to force you to provide quotes and specific proof
of your preposterous claim.

I will deal with you, Malke.

 

[MICHAEL]

Make an assumption

There's no assuming just how dangerously ignorant
you truly are.


-Michael

 

[MICHAEL]

To the OP: Do not use 3-rd party tools, especially from unknown and
questionable software makers. Plenty of resources is available from
Microsoft, plenty. In fact employing MS tools plus SB S&D which is free
guarantees a much better result.

The product Malke recommends and recommends unscrupulously is his own
business. There is a clear conflict of interest in here. He is an MVP who is
supposed to help people to resolve their problems but instead he takes care
of his financial interests primarily.

Stick with MS!

I will report you to MS, Malke. I will file a complaint. I will also ask
them to review my posts versus your claim that I do not know anything about
computers. I will ask MS to force you to provide quotes and specific proof
of your preposterous claim.

I will deal with you, Malke.

You are a stupid little man.

Malke has helped more folks in this forum than you ever will.
Most of your posts are incoherent and diarrheic drivel.


-Michael

 

[AlexB]

Your ignorance is hard to measure because you essentially say nothing.

 

[AlexB]

I am sure, you, crook, are irrigated by my posts and with low IQ you cannot
comprehend most of what I am saying.

 

[MICHAEL]

Your ignorance is hard to measure because you essentially say nothing.

I can't help it you aren't bright enough to understand
what I'm saying.... you don't understand much of anything.


-Michael

 

[MICHAEL]

I am sure, you, crook, are irrigated by my posts and with low IQ you cannot
comprehend most of what I am saying.

Your rectum needs to be "irrigated" all the way
to your brain, you illiterate douche.



-Michael

 

[Mrs. Spanky deMonkey]

Make an assumption it is malware.

My policy is not to use any 3-rd party anti-malware except Spybot S&D.
Windows Vista offers sufficient protection against malicious software
writers some of them I am sure watch this forum very carefully.

Now that is pretty funny. Just FYI. You have a policy. Where did you come
up with this policy? Just FYI. Is it written down anywhere? Who reads and
follows this policy? Is it available to everyone? Just FYI

Fill us in oh Master of Crap! Just FYI

 

[Mrs. Spanky deMonkey]

I am sure, you, crook, are irrigated by my posts and with low IQ you cannot
comprehend most of what I am saying.

Hey wait a minute. I read the other day that you called someone else a
crook. Maybe it could have been me. I don't know, but I will check the
records. Just FYI.

How can he be irrigated by your posts? Do you have some kind of water
system hooked up to your computer? This could be interesting. Please fill
us in.

Just FYI

 

[Mrs. Spanky deMonkey]

Your ignorance is hard to measure because you essentially say nothing.

DITTO. Douche Bag. Oh yea, Just FYI

 

[the wharf rat]

I am sure, you, crook, are irrigated by my posts and with low IQ you cannot
comprehend most of what I am saying.

Speaking of the law, I believe most courts would consider this libel.

 

[Mrs. Spanky deMonkey]

Speaking of the law, I believe most courts would consider this libel.

Yea, but try and get a Judge or Attorney around here. Just FYI

 

[Mick Murphy]

We have saved ALL you posts, you idiot!!

To the OP: Do not use 3-rd party tools, especially from unknown and
questionable software makers. Plenty of resources is available from
Microsoft, plenty. In fact employing MS tools plus SB S&D which is free
guarantees a much better result.

The product Malke recommends and recommends unscrupulously is his own
business. There is a clear conflict of interest in here. He is an MVP who is
supposed to help people to resolve their problems but instead he takes care
of his financial interests primarily.

Stick with MS!

I will report you to MS, Malke. I will file a complaint. I will also ask
them to review my posts versus your claim that I do not know anything about
computers. I will ask MS to force you to provide quotes and specific proof
of your preposterous claim.

I will deal with you, Malke.

 

[Mick Murphy]

He'd plead insanity!

He'd get off!

Speaking of the law, I believe most courts would consider this libel.