Unknown Problem- Please help..........

Question

I am encountering an unknown problem on my Dell Dimension 8400.

What is happening is an unknown progam is opening and closing within one second in my Windows task bar. This happens about every ten to twenty minutes I can't determine what this program may be because there is no label on the task pane that displays in the Task Bar.

I had attempted to open the Windows Task Manager to determine what is opening, but even when the program is opened in the Windows Task Manager, it does not display the name of the program. Now , I am not sure if the program is legetimate or not. It very well may be something like the printer or such. I also tried to maximize the program, but it opens and closes within a second and it does not display any information. This is a nuisance and I am not sure if it may be the beginning of a problem or not and I want to nip it in the bud before a potential problem exists, if this is the case.

I have Norton Internet Security 2005 and X-cleaner for spyware, adware and malware. Both are these programs have the current updates and both are run 2X a week. Neither of these programs detect any virus, spyware, adware or malware.

Any suggestions or recommendations would be appreciated.

I was not sure what forum to post this question in.

Thanks,

Jeff

Dell Dimension 8400, P4 GHz w/ HT

Windows XP W/ SP2

1024 RAM

2 Hard Drives 80 gig each

X300 ATI Radeon(PCI Express)Graphic

Direct X 9.0c

Creative SoundBlaster 24 bit

Samsung CD-R/RW SW-252S (R954)

Phillips DVD+RW DVD8631 (R CD-21)

Intel 537EP v9x DF PCI Modem

E173FP Dell 17 inch Flat screen monitor

HP 5510V Printer

Mouse

Keyboard

Adaptec VideoOh! Media Center USB 2.0 (AVC2310)

Motorola Surf Modem (Cable Modem)

Broadcom NetXxtreme 57xx Gigabit Network Controller

Norton Internet Security 2005

X-cleaner Spyware/Adware Detector & Remover

Roxio Easy Media Creator 7.5 (Build 7.5.0.47 ENU)

jcoleman203 · Answer

I want to add that all windows Xp updates applied. Also I believe that I had installed the windows Free Antispyware progam that was offered a month or so ago.   Jeff

Jimmy Hoffa · Answer

Hello Jcole. I would load AdAware Personal SE and run a deep scan {scan within archives}.

Another scan won't hurt.

This could be any number of things, and may be associated with a legit program.

How about this, disable everything in "START" than isn't needed---reboot and see if it still occurs.

This is safe and you are not deleting anything. Many programs do not need to start at boot anyway.

START > RUN > {type in} > msconfig > ok.

When the box opens , on the right upper corner , select START-UP.

A list of all start-up programs will be displayed.

You would remove the check by the programs to be disabled >apply > ok , and reboot.

How to know what you need and don't need at start??

Go here and list of start-up items are provided. Just click on the item and a description , as well as if it is needed will pop-up. >

http://www.lafn.org/webconnect/mentor/startup/PENINDEX.HTM

This may be a way to see if your problem is associated with any of the legit programs in "START -UP.

A bit of detective work , but worth a try.

Remember, many programs need not run at start anyway , so you might consider leaving some of them disabled.

A box will pop up at reboot saying you are using SELECTIVE START ----just check --I dont want to see this anymore.

If it still does it ---you can always run a HJT scan and post it.

>jimmy

jcoleman203 · Answer

What is a HJt scan?   JEff

DELL-Chris M · Answer

jcoleman203, The HiJackThis program will 'identify' what is going on with your system and help the members of this board identify any spyware or virus threats (1) * Go here * Click Save * Click Desktop * Click Save * Close all boxes * Click Start- My Computer or double click the My Computer icon * Click Local Disk C: * Click File- New- Folder * Name the folder HJT * Move the downloaded HijackThis.exe file into the HJT folder on the C: drive (2) * Click Start- Run and in the Open box type cleanmgr * Click OK * Use the drop down menu arrow to select the drive you want to clean. Usually C: * Click OK * Insert a check on everything * Click OK * Click Yes (3) * Click Start- My Computer or double click the My Computer icon * Click Local Disk C: * Open the HJT folder * Double-click HijackThis.exe from within the C:\HJT folder * You might have to click Run * Click 'Do a system scan and save a logfile' * A hijackthis.log - Notepad box will open * Save the hijackthis.log file onto the desktop (4) * Copy the contents of the 'hijackthis.log' into a new thread on the HijackThis board , not this board. Do NOT attach your log into someone else's thread * Close all boxes and wait for a HijackThis instructor to respond

Virus & Spyware

Unknown Problem- Please help..........

Was this post helpful?