pointer - hourglass, activity icon

[Guest RobF]

Mouse pointer often shows the hourglass icon, signifying something, like

system waiting for some action to fulfill. This when nothing is in process.

Why does this happen, how to correct? Suggestions much appreciated.

[Guest Malke]

Re: pointer - hourglass, activity icon

 

RobF wrote:

> Mouse pointer often shows the hourglass icon, signifying something, like

> system waiting for some action to fulfill. This when nothing is in

> process. Why does this happen, how to correct? Suggestions much

> appreciated.

 

Something is running in the background. This can be a legitimate

program/process or malware. There is no way for anyone to give you a more

specific answer based on so little information.

 

Narrow down the troubleshooting:

 

The First Question Of Troubleshooting: what changed between the time things

worked and the time they didn't?

 

The Second Question of Windows Troubleshooting: what is the malware/virus

status of the machine? If you think it is clean, what programs (and

versions) did you use to determine this?

 

Be sure the computer is clean:

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

 

If the machine is clean, see what is running at Startup:

 

Start>Run>msconfig [enter]

 

This brings up the System Configuration Utility. Look on the Startup tab and

find the probable culprit. Uncheck the box next to its name, Apply and OK

out. You don't need to restart immediately, but the next time you do you'll

get a dialog saying you've used the Utility. Just tick the box that says in

effect, "don't bother me about this again".

 

Important - Do not use the System Configuration Utility to stop processes.

Instead, use Start>Run>services.msc [enter] and do not stop any services

unless you really, really know what you're doing.

 

How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP -

http://support.microsoft.com/?id=310560

The free Autoruns program is very useful for managing your Startup -

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx - Autoruns

 

Malke

--

MS-MVP

Elephant Boy Computers - Don't Panic!

FAQ - http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/#FAQ

[Guest Ken Blake, MVP]

Re: pointer - hourglass, activity icon

 

On Tue, 29 Jul 2008 12:43:59 -0500, "RobF" <rfox24x@xcox.net> wrote:

> Mouse pointer often shows the hourglass icon, signifying something, like

> system waiting for some action to fulfill. This when nothing is in process.

 

 

 

Something *is* in process. You just can't see what it is.

 

> Why does this happen, how to correct? Suggestions much appreciated.

 

 

It's very difficult to say why with so little information. There are

many possibilities--some legitimate, others caused by malware.

 

--

Ken Blake, Microsoft MVP - Windows Desktop Experience

Please Reply to the Newsgroup

[Guest Gerry]

Re: pointer - hourglass, activity icon

 

Rob

 

Process Explorer provides more information than Task Manager.

 

Download Process Explorer.

 

For further information about Process Explorer see here:

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/SystemInformation/ProcessExplorer.mspx

 

A new addition to Process Explorer is that you can now right click on a

process and search Online for relevant information.

 

How much RAM?

 

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance

Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?

 

 

--

 

 

 

Hope this helps.

 

Gerry

~~~~

FCA

Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

 

RobF wrote:

> Mouse pointer often shows the hourglass icon, signifying something,

> like system waiting for some action to fulfill. This when nothing is

> in process. Why does this happen, how to correct? Suggestions much

> appreciated.