Guest RobF Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 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 Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 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 Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 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 Posted July 29, 2008 Posted July 29, 2008 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.
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