Several Computer Problems -- Help?

Eric:
  • Check your email.
  • I'm only running ZA...I do have the Windows firewall and the Norton firewall (Norton was part of the larger program) installed, but both are deactivated.
  • CPU usage...everytime I've looked over the past couple days has been at 100%...but I rarely look and remember.
  • I will run an outside virus scan in the next day or two.
  • Yes......... :o I'll run the defrag....it's been over a year.
Deadhead:
  • Check your email.
  • Virtual memory 1.5-3 gig...standard RAM is 1 gig
  • I will run an outside virus scan in the next day or two.
  • Where do I input my ISP's DNS settings?
  • Printing...Yes, landscape worked (nothing on right being cut off). Do you recommend keeping it landscape or is there a portrait fix? My Opera browser prints correctly every time without modification on the same web page.
  • Yes.........:o I'll run the defrag....it's been over a year.
  • What is sfc /scannow?...I'm familiar with defrag and error-checking (check disk)
  • Text resize...I did that last night and it didn't work. But, I did it via a "remote" connection. I'll try it when I'm all done with this "work" session directly from my computer.
mgk65:
  • I am running Spybot, Adaware, and MS Antispyware.
Ryan:
  • Check your email.
You all have been wonderful!
 
SFC is System File Checker. Often when you install software, it will load its own version of Microsofts own system files. sometimes although they do the same job, they are not the right version. SFC goes through all the system files and replaces any 'odd' finds back to the original ones. It will probably ask for your original disk unless the OS install is on another partition. You will get a report IIRC.

Regarding Cookies, you can delete all the ones in Temp Internet Files as they are duplicated in C:\windows\documents and settings\your_name\application data\cookies and are called up as required.

You say you have Adaware. If it isn't Adaware SE, it is worth getting and will remove advertising cookies.

I was immediately concerned by the 100% CPU usage as well. Keep System Monitor open and keep an eye on it.

Deactivating a firewall on a computer connected to the Internet is not wise. The CPU usage might be someone sucking a copy of everything you have on your hard drive. I get Norton inform me of port attacks about once a day.

Often when you get a number of oddities, the best solution is to reformat. It is good for the soul :)
 
Hey Andrew,
  • SFC...never knew something like that existed.
  • Cookies...I just deleted cookies via Tools>Internet Options>General>Delete Cookies ... the results: I've lost cookies which sign me into dozens of sites I frequent on a daily basis. :(
  • I have Ad-Aware SE Professional (built 1.06r1)
To Everyone:
  • I haven't often looked at the process load, but will do so more frequently. Over most of the length of this first part of this threat as I've watched it, it did ready 100%. Last night and this morning It's been much lower (like 5%).
  • I've included several relevant pictures of my desktop which might be helpful to you advice. The older set is labeled "24 hours ago," which were taken 24 hours ago (duh). The most recent is labeled "last night," which were taken last night (duh).
  • This will show the differences on the processor. I've taken in each set a picture of the full screen, allowing you to see everything I had actively running. Also, pictures of the "processes." These should give something close to the whole picture. Also, each picture in each set were taken as quickly as possible to make sure nothing really changed from one to the other.
Oh, and for car nuts, the car in my desktop photo is the Bugatti Veyron which is scheduled to sell for something like $1.2 million.
 

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Ron,

I wouldn't worry to much about the seemingly high processor usage at this point. It seems to me that it is just how CoolerXP works, which by my estimation is just using spare CPU cycles to tell the processor to do nothing and slow down a bit. This is to help keep it running as cool as possible. I really doubt it is the cause of any problems, especially since you likely have had it installed for some time.

I would also say at this point maybe you should check some settings in Windows. Got to Control Panel...Performance and Maintenance...System. Then click on the Advanced tab, and click on the button under Performance. This will give some options for optimizing CPU and Memory usage. Make sure they are set to Programs and NOT Background Tasks.

I can go through the things you have starting on startup and give you some idea of what isn't necessary for operation. The difficulty with this is that what you and I think are necessary programs can differ. Either way though seeing the amount of RAM free even with all of those processes running I can be pretty certain that it won't solve the problem.

Also let us know the results of the online virus scan.
 
Ron:

Wow you have lots of programs there.

In the first tasks list, there is a program called CoolerXP.exe. That had taken 97% of your CPU. In my searches that seems to be a program from MSI. Is it needed?

Do you have Microsoft IIS installed on this computer?

Do you need for this computer to be a file/print server?

Do you have Citrix Winframe client on this computer?
 
mgk65:
  • "Wow you have lots of programs there." Thanks! ;)
  • If I understand it, Cooler XP is an application that came with either either my motherboard (MSI K7N2 Delta nforce 2) or processing chip (AMD Athlon XP). I don't know if it's important or not. I plan to play with ramping up my clock speed when I get around to it. I'm not sure, but it might be all that more important then??????
  • Microsoft IIS -- don't even know that that is and not sure how to know for sure. My "amateur" philosophy is to install stuff and learn about them, but it might take forever for me to do so. When installing the system "extras," it looked cool because I'm interested in learning about networking. I do have a home wireless network for additional computers in which do use file sharing and I also use a remote desktop feature to access my regular computer in my office when I want to find stuff while upstairs (too lazy to get off my butt and walk downstairs!!!!!), but not sure if that has anything to do with that program.
  • My remote computers (are they called "clients"?) print to our sole printer in my office and I also utilize file sharing. Again, I don't know if that computer application is required for those applications.
  • I have a Citrix program on my computer (but don't know if it's "wirerame"). I installed in when working for an employer I'm no longer associated with which allowed me to access their server and do work from home. That was immensely helpful!!!! Again, I didn't have to get off my butt to solve problems. I could stay in my jammies and fuzzy bunny slippers to avoid a late night or weekend trip into work....... Don't I sound like a lazy bum? ;)
Erik,
  • I did look into the performance options, advanced menu and it was already set on "programs."
Deadhead,
  • I did the text resize thing a couple more times....no go. To make sure I'm doing it correctly: I adjust the text size to where I want it, open the file menu (and I think I've been letting go of the mouse button while the menu remains open...sound that matter?), click ctrl, and then close. Sound right?
Several recommended I do an external virus scan. Here's the results. It scanned all my seven drives (two internal that are partitioned, one external that is not). In total, 347,375 files scanned, 1 file infected. The virus was "Adware.CramToolbar". It was in a zip file that came from a friend that contained a bunch of a zillion other files. From what I understand, that is NOT a self activating file and remains dormant until clicked (the virus filename ends in ".exe"). I know I didn't click it, because I haven't done anything yet with that material and that none of the effects of that virus are present on my computer (like the porn toolbar). Since I just completed the virus scan this morning, I have yet to address it. It sounds like this virus will not take a bunch of extraction steps, but simple deletion of the file should work. Sound right?
 
Hummmmm...I just noticed that PC Alert wasn't running. I'm wondering if that has something to do with my lower CPU Usage. I just turned it back on and over the past five minutes hasn't yet affected the usage percentage.
 
Ron Andersen said:
Hey Andrew,
  • SFC...never knew something like that existed.
  • Cookies...I just deleted cookies via Tools>Internet Options>General>Delete Cookies ... the results: I've lost cookies which sign me into dozens of sites I frequent on a daily basis. :(

  • Yes, unfortunatley you will have to sign in, but then the cookie is called up and keeps any data that you already had associated with the site.

    [*]I have Ad-Aware SE Professional (built 1.06r1)

    That's great!
To Everyone:
  • I haven't often looked at the process load, but will do so more frequently. Over most of the length of this first part of this threat as I've watched it, it did ready 100%. Last night and this morning It's been much lower (like 5%).
  • I've included several relevant pictures of my desktop which might be helpful to you advice.


  • Microsoft IIS -- don't even know that that is and not sure how to know for sure.

    Microsoft Internet Information Server (I think). You can right click on any link and click Properties. It will normally give you a clue.

    Holy cow Batman, 36 TSR programs down by your clock. Poor CPU! No wonder it is overworked. In your Task Manager, all the processes marked 'Ron' are the ones you need to decide if you need or not. In many cases you don't. The fastest, happiest, trouble free computers are those with no TSRs (Terminate and Stay Resident programs). Obviously you need AV and Firewall, but the more TSRs you can close down the better.
 
Andrew:
  • I know I'm whining, but I hate inputing my password all the time! I don't mind purging old cookies, but I'd just like the important ones to stay intact. Does that make me lazy?
  • I didn't understand your IIS comment...."You can right click on any link and click Properties. It will normally give you a clue."
  • "Holy Cow, Batman" ... 36 TSRs??? If I'm a superhero, can't I handle it? Well, I do understand that cutting the fat is required.......................so......
So, I've decided to take and hour and go through my task list. I'm always nervous to make changes like these.

I ran across a website called TaskList.org that seems to be really cool. It lists a zillion programs that can be running and suggests what you can do with it.

I'm working on it right now, so if you don't see me for a few days, you'll know I "blew" up my computer! ;)
 
If you have a decent heatsink and case fan (meaning processor doesn't go over 60°C under 100% load, and case temperature stays under 45°C) get rid of that CoolerXP. I had it running and besides slowing down the computer it's useless. Also, don't use the MSI provided tools for overclocking, if you really want to do it modify the frequencies and voltages in the BIOS.
 
OK...I'm not dead after some serious MSCONFIG time. Now, I have 15 items running in my TSR and have 67 processes in my Task Manager. Is that worth the time and sweat (yes, I was sweating "playing" in there)? Is that enough?

Now, I'm off to defrag my C: drive overnight.
 
Ron:

IIS is the Microsoft Web Server. If you don't need it, I would suggest you uninstall it or turn it off.

To get to some more services, including IIS, you can go to START/RUN and type in SERVICES.MSC Right click on the service you want to turn off and click Properties. There you can disable the service. At this point, you should only consider a few things such as IIS and Secondary Logon.

One has to be careful there.

If you want to read some more comprehensive guides for Windows XP Tweaking go here:
Win XP Tweaking: From Reformat to Relax
WinXP Tweaking: From Relax to Righteous
Windows XP SP2: Installation and Tweaking Guide
 
Defrag of C: done (I'll work on the others later). I used Norton SystemWorks and it had about 38 gig (on a 42 gig partition...I know, that sounds like too much...I'll have to see what I can prune) to juggle around. I ended up going to sleep, but it was going on 2.5 hours at that time and was about half done.

Is there a good way to test my CPU "under load" to know if it's at it temperature limits?

My IE browser font still keep changing. I have TweakUI installed. I don't remember tweaking that (nor seeing a feature to do so). Any additional advice? I end up needed to adjust it every session...an irritation.

Just tried to simulate multitasking to an extreme. I opened five browsers and rapidly proceeded to open large webpages on each without waiting for each to load. It opened 4 out of 5...the fifth giving me the "cannot find server" error as before. I did, though, feel that the pages that loaded were quicker at engaging.

It's kinda early in these adjustments to know if they're having significant benefits, but it does feel a little quicker. Startup is certainly quicker (but I anticipated that).

Anything else left that I should be doing to work out the kinks?

I can't tell you guys how appreciative I am of all your help! You guys are the best!!!! I'm also glad I didn't go to a computer site to get computer help! Knife knuts are amazing.
 
A lot of PC have temp control and measurement installed in the CPU and MB so if you have those just make it do something heavy and wait and see. If you don't have those it gets complicated to set up the measurement in the fins.

TLM
 
Regarding IE text size. Open IE and click tools. Click Internet options. Click Accessibility at the bottom. Nothing on this should be checked or your text will change.;)
 
Ron Andersen said:
Is there a good way to test my CPU "under load" to know if it's at it temperature limits?

Get Prime95 here: http://www.mersenne.org/freesoft.htm
Install it and just do a torture test of the type "blend". The CPU will get to the max temperature under 5 minutes ... It will also spot memory & CPU hardware problems (if it logs errors, your computer has a problem ... if a 12-24 hour torture test passes, you can bet on 100% rock solid hardware)
Check the processor usage for CoolerXP versus the CPU temperature ... if it uses a lot of CPU when Prime95 is crunching, it means you have bad cooling and it has to step in to prevent the CPU from getting too hot ... or that it's a buggy software.
As a reference, my CPU (Athlon XP 2400+) runs at 118°F at constant 100% charge with Prime95. If your CPU gets significantly hotter, you need better cooling or you need to blow the dust from CPU heatsink, CPU fan, case fan and power supply fan.
 
Ron Andersen said:
Andrew:

I know I'm whining, but I hate inputing my password all the time! I don't mind purging old cookies, but I'd just like the important ones to stay intact. Does that make me lazy?

No, I also find it inconvenient if I do System Restore as it always makes it so you have to sign in again. You could overcome it by going to the Cookies folder and copying them across to Temporary Internet Files. Highlight them in Windows Explorer and right click - drag - copy here. This 'right click drag technique' takes a copy of a file to a new location.
I didn't understand your IIS comment...."You can right click on any link and click Properties. It will normally give you a clue."
Many people don't right click on icons. If you do, you will see 'Properties'. Click it. Sometimes it will just say the icon is a link, but when you get to the file itself, it brings up a box that shows the full properties including all the data Microsoft or software vendors allocated to it including file versions and a very description. For instance on my Desktop I have a file called 'IMM1249E.pdf' If I right click it tells me it is an Adobe Acrobat Reader file. I have another that says 'Ollie Puss' which I know is a shortcut to a picture of my cat, but if I right click Properties it tells me the file is in "D:\Canon Sureshot and the picture number is \100-0089_IMG.JPG". I can also click on the button that says 'Find Target' and it will take you to the location using Windows Explorer.
"Holy Cow, Batman" ... 36 TSRs??? If I'm a superhero, can't I handle it? Well, I do understand that cutting the fat is required....................... So, I've decided to take and hour and go through my task list. I'm always nervous to make changes like these.
Good, that's what you need. As I said any marked 'ron' are fair game.
I ran across a website called TaskList.org that seems to be really cool. It lists a zillion programs that can be running and suggests what you can do with it.
Good site.
I'm working on it right now, so if you don't see me for a few days, you'll know I "blew" up my computer! ;)
 
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