Task Manager problem?

[sam]

I just upgraded to xp with a clean install, and was enjoying smooth sailing
for a few weeks until the system started mysteriously messing up. Symptoms
are a bit erratic, but generally include the inability to open or close a
program. Programs which are already open continue working properly (mostly),
but no program can be opened or closed. The task manager stops working as
well -- either it can't be opened, or if it can, it fails to close any of
the unresponding programs, and is unable to shut the system down.

Some programs have been malfunctioning as well -- noticeably Microsoft
Outlook, Word, and Explorer. These malfunctions are varied -- sometimes the
program exits with an error message, sometimes Explore opens with only a
blank white window.

Needless to say I'm pretty disappointed. I've never experienced anything
like this, so have no clue as to its cause. I guess I could start "rolling
back" the installation until the problem maybe goes away, but since I've
been installing a lot of programs while rebuilding the system, this would be
a very labor-intensive solution.

Any hints or hunches would be greatly appreciated,
Doug

 

[Malke]

I just upgraded to xp with a clean install, and was enjoying smooth
sailing for a few weeks until the system started mysteriously messing
up. Symptoms are a bit erratic, but generally include the inability to
open or close a program. Programs which are already open continue
working properly (mostly), but no program can be opened or closed. The
task manager stops working as well -- either it can't be opened, or if
it can, it fails to close any of the unresponding programs, and is
unable to shut the system down.

Some programs have been malfunctioning as well -- noticeably Microsoft
Outlook, Word, and Explorer. These malfunctions are varied --
sometimes the program exits with an error message, sometimes Explore
opens with only a blank white window.

Needless to say I'm pretty disappointed. I've never experienced
anything like this, so have no clue as to its cause. I guess I could
start "rolling back" the installation until the problem maybe goes
away, but since I've been installing a lot of programs while
rebuilding the system, this would be a very labor-intensive solution.

Any hints or hunches would be greatly appreciated,
Doug

What kind of protection do you have in place?

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

You say you upgraded to XP - is this an older machine?

If the machine is completely virus and malware-free, test the RAM:

I like Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org. Obviously, you have to get the
program from a working machine. You will either download the
precompiled Windows binary to make a bootable floppy or the .iso to
make a bootable cd. If you want to use the latter, you'll need to have
third-party burning software on the machine where you download the file
- XP's built-in burning capability won't do the job. In either case,
boot with the media you made. The test will run immediately. Let the
test run for an extended period of time - unless errors are seen
immediately. If you get any errors, replace the RAM.

You've given a good description of the errors, but no information about
your computer, what you've done to troubleshoot, the Service Pack
Level, and what av/firewall you are using.

Malke

 

[sam]

I posted an SOS about this awhile back, but there was no response. Today it
seems to have decided to get worse, so now I'm begging. ;-)

I recently upgraded to xp with a clean install, and was enjoying smooth
sailing for a few weeks until the system started mysteriously messing up.
Symptoms are a bit erratic, but generally include the inability to open or
close programs. Programs which are already open continue working properly,
but many programs can't be opened, and if they can be opened, they can't be
closed . The task manager stops working as well -- either it can't be
opened, or if it can, it fails to close any of the unresponding programs,
and is unable to shut the system down. I have to press the reset button on
the computer.

Needless to say I'm pretty disappointed. I've never experienced anything
like this (the previous OS -- win2k -- didn't do this, so I'm guessing it's
not hardware related), so have no clue as to its cause. I spent days
reinstalling all my files and programs, and have ended up with a system less
reliable than the one it replaced...

Any hints or hunches would be *greatly* appreciated!

TIA,
Doug

 

[RonK]

Has Windows Update installed any new updates lately ?

There is a driver for the Marvel Ethernet that screws up the systems.

 

[Trax]

|>I posted an SOS about this awhile back, but there was no response. Today it
|>seems to have decided to get worse, so now I'm begging. ;-)
|>
|>I recently upgraded to xp with a clean install, and was enjoying smooth
|>sailing for a few weeks until the system started mysteriously messing up.
|>Symptoms are a bit erratic, but generally include the inability to open or
|>close programs. Programs which are already open continue working properly,
|>but many programs can't be opened, and if they can be opened, they can't be
|>closed . The task manager stops working as well -- either it can't be
|>opened, or if it can, it fails to close any of the unresponding programs,
|>and is unable to shut the system down. I have to press the reset button on
|>the computer.
|>
|>Needless to say I'm pretty disappointed. I've never experienced anything
|>like this (the previous OS -- win2k -- didn't do this, so I'm guessing it's
|>not hardware related), so have no clue as to its cause. I spent days
|>reinstalling all my files and programs, and have ended up with a system less
|>reliable than the one it replaced...
|>
|>Any hints or hunches would be *greatly* appreciated!

As kinda mention'd is your auto windows update enable'd? - sometimes,
reading these groups you can tell a new update was released by all the
problems folks start having. Mine's turn'd off.

In the same vein it's very probable that something you installed
caused the problems.

In your run window Start\Run type in SFC /SCANNOW <enter>
and have your XP CD in the Drive. This will check for critical files
and replace them if missing or the wrong version.

Downloading, running and pasting a Hijackthis file might help as well
http://hijackthis.de/en

 

[Kelly]

Hi Sam,

What is running in the background?

Windows XP Startup Programs Tracker
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_u.htm#xp_util

In the meantime, run all three of these and good luck!

Run Ad-Aware SE, Spybot and HijackThis:
http://www.majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Note: Update the first two programs, once installed, before running.

--

All the Best,
Kelly (MS-MVP)

Troubleshooting Windows XP
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com

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