Intermittent lockups after SP3

August 28, 2008

Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will freeze for 7 seconds

every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change. Checking for

processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the activity. The

hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any thoughts?

AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

Thanks.

August 28, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

Try Process Monitor:

http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

JS

http://www.pagestart.com

"gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

> Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will freeze for 7

> seconds

> every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change. Checking for

> processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the activity. The

> hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any thoughts?

>

> AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

>

> Thanks.

>

August 29, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the problem. When I end

the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These seem to be the

operations that are causing the issue:

IRP_MJ_CREATE

IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION

IRP_MJ_CLEANUP

IRP_MJ_CLOSE

Does some Process Profiling then

IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\

Is there a way to stop this from happening?

Thanks...

"JS" wrote:

> Try Process Monitor:

> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

>

> JS

> http://www.pagestart.com

>

> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will freeze for 7

> > seconds

> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change. Checking for

> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the activity. The

> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any thoughts?

> >

> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

> >

> > Thanks.

> >

>

August 29, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application that's running

in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC to freeze.

You need to dig deeper, find and display what could

be the problem use Process Explorer:

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

Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:

In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the

'Show Lower Pane' options.

Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)

In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.

Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage

(Highest to Lowest).

Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with some

detailed info.

Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.

Then click on that process to highlight it,

Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed select:

Search Online

This should display what out there on the web about that process.

You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed

'Properties' window.

Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and

Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub processes),

in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click on the

Graph just below the Menu bar.

This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger display

of all three graphs.

Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what

process/application or service was the cause of the spike.

JS

http://www.pagestart.com

"gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...

> OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the problem. When I

> end

> the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These seem to be the

> operations that are causing the issue:

>

> IRP_MJ_CREATE

> IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION

> IRP_MJ_CLEANUP

> IRP_MJ_CLOSE

>

> Does some Process Profiling then

>

> IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\

>

> Is there a way to stop this from happening?

>

> Thanks...

>

> "JS" wrote:

>

>> Try Process Monitor:

>> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

>>

>> JS

>> http://www.pagestart.com

>>

>> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

>> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will freeze for 7

>> > seconds

>> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change. Checking

>> > for

>> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the activity.

>> > The

>> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any thoughts?

>> >

>> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

>> >

>> > Thanks.

>> >

>>

September 3, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

OK, Maybe I wasn't specific enough when I used the term "locked up". I can

move the mouse around and can still type (just buffers the keystrokes). The

screen freezes, so Process Explorer can't show me what's happening during the

time the HD is writing. The only thing I can check is the CSwitch Delta when

viewing the explorer.exe threads. Only thread "SHLWAPI.dll!Ordinal505+0x3e9"

shows a Delta, and it tops out @ 84 from a nominal 16.

Here are the symptoms...

Happens every 60 seconds.

Depending on apps running, IRP_MJ_WRITE writes to different files in c:\

(i.e. $LogFile)

Always writes to c:\pagefile.sys

pagefile.sys shows as 1 fragment in Disk Defrag

When explorer.exe is killed, the symptoms disappear.

Restarting explorer.exe brings back the symptoms.

GSA

p.s. thanks for the help.

"JS" wrote:

> It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application that's running

> in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC to freeze.

>

> You need to dig deeper, find and display what could

> be the problem use Process Explorer:

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

>

> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:

> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the

> 'Show Lower Pane' options.

> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)

> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.

> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage

> (Highest to Lowest).

>

> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with some

> detailed info.

> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.

> Then click on that process to highlight it,

> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed select:

> Search Online

> This should display what out there on the web about that process.

> You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed

> 'Properties' window.

> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and

> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub processes),

> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

>

> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click on the

> Graph just below the Menu bar.

> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger display

> of all three graphs.

> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what

> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.

>

> JS

> http://www.pagestart.com

>

> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...

> > OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the problem. When I

> > end

> > the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These seem to be the

> > operations that are causing the issue:

> >

> > IRP_MJ_CREATE

> > IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION

> > IRP_MJ_CLEANUP

> > IRP_MJ_CLOSE

> >

> > Does some Process Profiling then

> >

> > IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\

> >

> > Is there a way to stop this from happening?

> >

> > Thanks...

> >

> > "JS" wrote:

> >

> >> Try Process Monitor:

> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

> >>

> >> JS

> >> http://www.pagestart.com

> >>

> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

> >> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will freeze for 7

> >> > seconds

> >> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change. Checking

> >> > for

> >> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the activity.

> >> > The

> >> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any thoughts?

> >> >

> >> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

> >> >

> >> > Thanks.

> >> >

> >>

>

September 3, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

Indexing service, is it running?

JS

"gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:F4EC8C47-9EBE-4504-B9BA-B2CC59DA1A52@microsoft.com...

> OK, Maybe I wasn't specific enough when I used the term "locked up". I can

> move the mouse around and can still type (just buffers the keystrokes).

> The

> screen freezes, so Process Explorer can't show me what's happening during

> the

> time the HD is writing. The only thing I can check is the CSwitch Delta

> when

> viewing the explorer.exe threads. Only thread

> "SHLWAPI.dll!Ordinal505+0x3e9"

> shows a Delta, and it tops out @ 84 from a nominal 16.

>

> Here are the symptoms...

>

> Happens every 60 seconds.

> Depending on apps running, IRP_MJ_WRITE writes to different files in c:\

> (i.e. $LogFile)

> Always writes to c:\pagefile.sys

>

> pagefile.sys shows as 1 fragment in Disk Defrag

>

> When explorer.exe is killed, the symptoms disappear.

>

> Restarting explorer.exe brings back the symptoms.

>

> GSA

>

> p.s. thanks for the help.

>

> "JS" wrote:

>

>> It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application that's

>> running

>> in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC to

>> freeze.

>>

>> You need to dig deeper, find and display what could

>> be the problem use Process Explorer:

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

>>

>> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:

>> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the

>> 'Show Lower Pane' options.

>> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)

>> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.

>> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage

>> (Highest to Lowest).

>>

>> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with some

>> detailed info.

>> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.

>> Then click on that process to highlight it,

>> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed

>> select:

>> Search Online

>> This should display what out there on the web about that process.

>> You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed

>> 'Properties' window.

>> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and

>> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub

>> processes),

>> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

>>

>> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click on the

>> Graph just below the Menu bar.

>> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger

>> display

>> of all three graphs.

>> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what

>> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.

>>

>> JS

>> http://www.pagestart.com

>>

>> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...

>> > OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the problem. When I

>> > end

>> > the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These seem to be

>> > the

>> > operations that are causing the issue:

>> >

>> > IRP_MJ_CREATE

>> > IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION

>> > IRP_MJ_CLEANUP

>> > IRP_MJ_CLOSE

>> >

>> > Does some Process Profiling then

>> >

>> > IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\

>> >

>> > Is there a way to stop this from happening?

>> >

>> > Thanks...

>> >

>> > "JS" wrote:

>> >

>> >> Try Process Monitor:

>> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

>> >>

>> >> JS

>> >> http://www.pagestart.com

>> >>

>> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> >> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

>> >> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will freeze for

>> >> > 7

>> >> > seconds

>> >> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change.

>> >> > Checking

>> >> > for

>> >> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the

>> >> > activity.

>> >> > The

>> >> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any

>> >> > thoughts?

>> >> >

>> >> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

>> >> >

>> >> > Thanks.

>> >> >

>> >>

>>

September 3, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

Indexing service is not running.

"JS" wrote:

> Indexing service, is it running?

>

> JS

>

> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:F4EC8C47-9EBE-4504-B9BA-B2CC59DA1A52@microsoft.com...

> > OK, Maybe I wasn't specific enough when I used the term "locked up". I can

> > move the mouse around and can still type (just buffers the keystrokes).

> > The

> > screen freezes, so Process Explorer can't show me what's happening during

> > the

> > time the HD is writing. The only thing I can check is the CSwitch Delta

> > when

> > viewing the explorer.exe threads. Only thread

> > "SHLWAPI.dll!Ordinal505+0x3e9"

> > shows a Delta, and it tops out @ 84 from a nominal 16.

> >

> > Here are the symptoms...

> >

> > Happens every 60 seconds.

> > Depending on apps running, IRP_MJ_WRITE writes to different files in c:\

> > (i.e. $LogFile)

> > Always writes to c:\pagefile.sys

> >

> > pagefile.sys shows as 1 fragment in Disk Defrag

> >

> > When explorer.exe is killed, the symptoms disappear.

> >

> > Restarting explorer.exe brings back the symptoms.

> >

> > GSA

> >

> > p.s. thanks for the help.

> >

> > "JS" wrote:

> >

> >> It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application that's

> >> running

> >> in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC to

> >> freeze.

> >>

> >> You need to dig deeper, find and display what could

> >> be the problem use Process Explorer:

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

> >>

> >> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:

> >> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the

> >> 'Show Lower Pane' options.

> >> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)

> >> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.

> >> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage

> >> (Highest to Lowest).

> >>

> >> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with some

> >> detailed info.

> >> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.

> >> Then click on that process to highlight it,

> >> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed

> >> select:

> >> Search Online

> >> This should display what out there on the web about that process.

> >> You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed

> >> 'Properties' window.

> >> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and

> >> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub

> >> processes),

> >> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

> >>

> >> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click on the

> >> Graph just below the Menu bar.

> >> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger

> >> display

> >> of all three graphs.

> >> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what

> >> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.

> >>

> >> JS

> >> http://www.pagestart.com

> >>

> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...

> >> > OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the problem. When I

> >> > end

> >> > the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These seem to be

> >> > the

> >> > operations that are causing the issue:

> >> >

> >> > IRP_MJ_CREATE

> >> > IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION

> >> > IRP_MJ_CLEANUP

> >> > IRP_MJ_CLOSE

> >> >

> >> > Does some Process Profiling then

> >> >

> >> > IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\

> >> >

> >> > Is there a way to stop this from happening?

> >> >

> >> > Thanks...

> >> >

> >> > "JS" wrote:

> >> >

> >> >> Try Process Monitor:

> >> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

> >> >>

> >> >> JS

> >> >> http://www.pagestart.com

> >> >>

> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> >> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

> >> >> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will freeze for

> >> >> > 7

> >> >> > seconds

> >> >> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change.

> >> >> > Checking

> >> >> > for

> >> >> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the

> >> >> > activity.

> >> >> > The

> >> >> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any

> >> >> > thoughts?

> >> >> >

> >> >> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Thanks.

> >> >> >

> >> >>

> >>

>

September 3, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

I know you said that Process Explorer also froze, but after the PC unfreezes

look at the CPU graph in Process Explorer, it's possible it may have the

beginnings of a small/large spike at the start of the freeze, you may even

see a small spike spaced every sever seconds or so. If the spike is present,

then move your mouse cursor directly over the spike and you should see a pop

up with what cause the spike.

If the above is of no help then I think you need to do a brute force

approach and one at a time disable an item in the Startup list.

Use msconfig for this, (Start/run/msconfig) and in the 'Startup' tab look at

the list of items, you could uncheck them all and reboot, see if the problem

is gone. If the problem/freeze has stopped then it's one of the items in the

startup list.

JS

"gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:995180B6-23E2-42E2-9FC2-3960AA199196@microsoft.com...

> Indexing service is not running.

>

> "JS" wrote:

>

>> Indexing service, is it running?

>>

>> JS

>>

>> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:F4EC8C47-9EBE-4504-B9BA-B2CC59DA1A52@microsoft.com...

>> > OK, Maybe I wasn't specific enough when I used the term "locked up". I

>> > can

>> > move the mouse around and can still type (just buffers the keystrokes).

>> > The

>> > screen freezes, so Process Explorer can't show me what's happening

>> > during

>> > the

>> > time the HD is writing. The only thing I can check is the CSwitch Delta

>> > when

>> > viewing the explorer.exe threads. Only thread

>> > "SHLWAPI.dll!Ordinal505+0x3e9"

>> > shows a Delta, and it tops out @ 84 from a nominal 16.

>> >

>> > Here are the symptoms...

>> >

>> > Happens every 60 seconds.

>> > Depending on apps running, IRP_MJ_WRITE writes to different files in

>> > c:\

>> > (i.e. $LogFile)

>> > Always writes to c:\pagefile.sys

>> >

>> > pagefile.sys shows as 1 fragment in Disk Defrag

>> >

>> > When explorer.exe is killed, the symptoms disappear.

>> >

>> > Restarting explorer.exe brings back the symptoms.

>> >

>> > GSA

>> >

>> > p.s. thanks for the help.

>> >

>> > "JS" wrote:

>> >

>> >> It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application that's

>> >> running

>> >> in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC to

>> >> freeze.

>> >>

>> >> You need to dig deeper, find and display what could

>> >> be the problem use Process Explorer:

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

>> >>

>> >> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:

>> >> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the

>> >> 'Show Lower Pane' options.

>> >> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)

>> >> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.

>> >> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage

>> >> (Highest to Lowest).

>> >>

>> >> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with

>> >> some

>> >> detailed info.

>> >> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.

>> >> Then click on that process to highlight it,

>> >> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed

>> >> select:

>> >> Search Online

>> >> This should display what out there on the web about that process.

>> >> You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed

>> >> 'Properties' window.

>> >> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and

>> >> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub

>> >> processes),

>> >> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

>> >>

>> >> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click on

>> >> the

>> >> Graph just below the Menu bar.

>> >> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger

>> >> display

>> >> of all three graphs.

>> >> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what

>> >> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.

>> >>

>> >> JS

>> >> http://www.pagestart.com

>> >>

>> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> >> news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...

>> >> > OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the problem.

>> >> > When I

>> >> > end

>> >> > the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These seem to

>> >> > be

>> >> > the

>> >> > operations that are causing the issue:

>> >> >

>> >> > IRP_MJ_CREATE

>> >> > IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION

>> >> > IRP_MJ_CLEANUP

>> >> > IRP_MJ_CLOSE

>> >> >

>> >> > Does some Process Profiling then

>> >> >

>> >> > IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\

>> >> >

>> >> > Is there a way to stop this from happening?

>> >> >

>> >> > Thanks...

>> >> >

>> >> > "JS" wrote:

>> >> >

>> >> >> Try Process Monitor:

>> >> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

>> >> >>

>> >> >> JS

>> >> >> http://www.pagestart.com

>> >> >>

>> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>> >> >> message

>> >> >> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

>> >> >> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will freeze

>> >> >> > for

>> >> >> > 7

>> >> >> > seconds

>> >> >> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change.

>> >> >> > Checking

>> >> >> > for

>> >> >> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the

>> >> >> > activity.

>> >> >> > The

>> >> >> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any

>> >> >> > thoughts?

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > Thanks.

>> >> >> >

>> >> >>

>> >>

>>

September 3, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

Ok, I kinda thought that's where I'd have to head next. Since it also happens

when booting in safe mode, shouldn't I be able to limit what I stop to

whatever is in common between the two?

"JS" wrote:

> I know you said that Process Explorer also froze, but after the PC unfreezes

> look at the CPU graph in Process Explorer, it's possible it may have the

> beginnings of a small/large spike at the start of the freeze, you may even

> see a small spike spaced every sever seconds or so. If the spike is present,

> then move your mouse cursor directly over the spike and you should see a pop

> up with what cause the spike.

>

> If the above is of no help then I think you need to do a brute force

> approach and one at a time disable an item in the Startup list.

> Use msconfig for this, (Start/run/msconfig) and in the 'Startup' tab look at

> the list of items, you could uncheck them all and reboot, see if the problem

> is gone. If the problem/freeze has stopped then it's one of the items in the

> startup list.

>

> JS

>

> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:995180B6-23E2-42E2-9FC2-3960AA199196@microsoft.com...

> > Indexing service is not running.

> >

> > "JS" wrote:

> >

> >> Indexing service, is it running?

> >>

> >> JS

> >>

> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> news:F4EC8C47-9EBE-4504-B9BA-B2CC59DA1A52@microsoft.com...

> >> > OK, Maybe I wasn't specific enough when I used the term "locked up". I

> >> > can

> >> > move the mouse around and can still type (just buffers the keystrokes).

> >> > The

> >> > screen freezes, so Process Explorer can't show me what's happening

> >> > during

> >> > the

> >> > time the HD is writing. The only thing I can check is the CSwitch Delta

> >> > when

> >> > viewing the explorer.exe threads. Only thread

> >> > "SHLWAPI.dll!Ordinal505+0x3e9"

> >> > shows a Delta, and it tops out @ 84 from a nominal 16.

> >> >

> >> > Here are the symptoms...

> >> >

> >> > Happens every 60 seconds.

> >> > Depending on apps running, IRP_MJ_WRITE writes to different files in

> >> > c:\

> >> > (i.e. $LogFile)

> >> > Always writes to c:\pagefile.sys

> >> >

> >> > pagefile.sys shows as 1 fragment in Disk Defrag

> >> >

> >> > When explorer.exe is killed, the symptoms disappear.

> >> >

> >> > Restarting explorer.exe brings back the symptoms.

> >> >

> >> > GSA

> >> >

> >> > p.s. thanks for the help.

> >> >

> >> > "JS" wrote:

> >> >

> >> >> It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application that's

> >> >> running

> >> >> in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC to

> >> >> freeze.

> >> >>

> >> >> You need to dig deeper, find and display what could

> >> >> be the problem use Process Explorer:

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

> >> >>

> >> >> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:

> >> >> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the

> >> >> 'Show Lower Pane' options.

> >> >> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)

> >> >> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.

> >> >> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage

> >> >> (Highest to Lowest).

> >> >>

> >> >> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with

> >> >> some

> >> >> detailed info.

> >> >> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.

> >> >> Then click on that process to highlight it,

> >> >> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed

> >> >> select:

> >> >> Search Online

> >> >> This should display what out there on the web about that process.

> >> >> You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed

> >> >> 'Properties' window.

> >> >> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and

> >> >> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub

> >> >> processes),

> >> >> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

> >> >>

> >> >> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click on

> >> >> the

> >> >> Graph just below the Menu bar.

> >> >> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger

> >> >> display

> >> >> of all three graphs.

> >> >> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what

> >> >> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.

> >> >>

> >> >> JS

> >> >> http://www.pagestart.com

> >> >>

> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> >> news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...

> >> >> > OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the problem.

> >> >> > When I

> >> >> > end

> >> >> > the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These seem to

> >> >> > be

> >> >> > the

> >> >> > operations that are causing the issue:

> >> >> >

> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CREATE

> >> >> > IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION

> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLEANUP

> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLOSE

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Does some Process Profiling then

> >> >> >

> >> >> > IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Is there a way to stop this from happening?

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Thanks...

> >> >> >

> >> >> > "JS" wrote:

> >> >> >

> >> >> >> Try Process Monitor:

> >> >> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> JS

> >> >> >> http://www.pagestart.com

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

> >> >> >> message

> >> >> >> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

> >> >> >> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will freeze

> >> >> >> > for

> >> >> >> > 7

> >> >> >> > seconds

> >> >> >> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change.

> >> >> >> > Checking

> >> >> >> > for

> >> >> >> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the

> >> >> >> > activity.

> >> >> >> > The

> >> >> >> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any

> >> >> >> > thoughts?

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> > Thanks.

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >>

> >> >>

> >>

>

September 3, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

Safe Mode Description: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222

I'd use msconfig's 'Selective' startup and removing the check marks for:

'Process SYSTEM.INI File', 'Process WIN.INI File', 'Load System Services'

and 'Load Startup Items'. Then in the 'Services' Tab placing a checkmark in

the 'Hide All Microsoft Services' box, and then click the 'Disable All'

button. This effectively stops any "non" Microsoft services and "startup

items" from loading or starting the next time you boot the PC.

This means the next time you boot the PC it will be as close to a bare bones

OS as possible.

JS

"gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:8D2FD4AB-51F4-49B9-A34B-9715BA76A7D1@microsoft.com...

> Ok, I kinda thought that's where I'd have to head next. Since it also

> happens

> when booting in safe mode, shouldn't I be able to limit what I stop to

> whatever is in common between the two?

>

> "JS" wrote:

>

>> I know you said that Process Explorer also froze, but after the PC

>> unfreezes

>> look at the CPU graph in Process Explorer, it's possible it may have the

>> beginnings of a small/large spike at the start of the freeze, you may

>> even

>> see a small spike spaced every sever seconds or so. If the spike is

>> present,

>> then move your mouse cursor directly over the spike and you should see a

>> pop

>> up with what cause the spike.

>>

>> If the above is of no help then I think you need to do a brute force

>> approach and one at a time disable an item in the Startup list.

>> Use msconfig for this, (Start/run/msconfig) and in the 'Startup' tab look

>> at

>> the list of items, you could uncheck them all and reboot, see if the

>> problem

>> is gone. If the problem/freeze has stopped then it's one of the items in

>> the

>> startup list.

>>

>> JS

>>

>> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:995180B6-23E2-42E2-9FC2-3960AA199196@microsoft.com...

>> > Indexing service is not running.

>> >

>> > "JS" wrote:

>> >

>> >> Indexing service, is it running?

>> >>

>> >> JS

>> >>

>> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> >> news:F4EC8C47-9EBE-4504-B9BA-B2CC59DA1A52@microsoft.com...

>> >> > OK, Maybe I wasn't specific enough when I used the term "locked up".

>> >> > I

>> >> > can

>> >> > move the mouse around and can still type (just buffers the

>> >> > keystrokes).

>> >> > The

>> >> > screen freezes, so Process Explorer can't show me what's happening

>> >> > during

>> >> > the

>> >> > time the HD is writing. The only thing I can check is the CSwitch

>> >> > Delta

>> >> > when

>> >> > viewing the explorer.exe threads. Only thread

>> >> > "SHLWAPI.dll!Ordinal505+0x3e9"

>> >> > shows a Delta, and it tops out @ 84 from a nominal 16.

>> >> >

>> >> > Here are the symptoms...

>> >> >

>> >> > Happens every 60 seconds.

>> >> > Depending on apps running, IRP_MJ_WRITE writes to different files in

>> >> > c:\

>> >> > (i.e. $LogFile)

>> >> > Always writes to c:\pagefile.sys

>> >> >

>> >> > pagefile.sys shows as 1 fragment in Disk Defrag

>> >> >

>> >> > When explorer.exe is killed, the symptoms disappear.

>> >> >

>> >> > Restarting explorer.exe brings back the symptoms.

>> >> >

>> >> > GSA

>> >> >

>> >> > p.s. thanks for the help.

>> >> >

>> >> > "JS" wrote:

>> >> >

>> >> >> It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application that's

>> >> >> running

>> >> >> in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC to

>> >> >> freeze.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> You need to dig deeper, find and display what could

>> >> >> be the problem use Process Explorer:

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

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:

>> >> >> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the

>> >> >> 'Show Lower Pane' options.

>> >> >> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)

>> >> >> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.

>> >> >> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage

>> >> >> (Highest to Lowest).

>> >> >>

>> >> >> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with

>> >> >> some

>> >> >> detailed info.

>> >> >> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.

>> >> >> Then click on that process to highlight it,

>> >> >> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed

>> >> >> select:

>> >> >> Search Online

>> >> >> This should display what out there on the web about that process.

>> >> >> You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed

>> >> >> 'Properties' window.

>> >> >> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and

>> >> >> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub

>> >> >> processes),

>> >> >> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click

>> >> >> on

>> >> >> the

>> >> >> Graph just below the Menu bar.

>> >> >> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger

>> >> >> display

>> >> >> of all three graphs.

>> >> >> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what

>> >> >> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.

>> >> >>

>> >> >> JS

>> >> >> http://www.pagestart.com

>> >> >>

>> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>> >> >> message

>> >> >> news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...

>> >> >> > OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the problem.

>> >> >> > When I

>> >> >> > end

>> >> >> > the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These seem

>> >> >> > to

>> >> >> > be

>> >> >> > the

>> >> >> > operations that are causing the issue:

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CREATE

>> >> >> > IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION

>> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLEANUP

>> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLOSE

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > Does some Process Profiling then

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > Is there a way to stop this from happening?

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > Thanks...

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > "JS" wrote:

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> Try Process Monitor:

>> >> >> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> JS

>> >> >> >> http://www.pagestart.com

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>> >> >> >> message

>> >> >> >> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

>> >> >> >> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will

>> >> >> >> > freeze

>> >> >> >> > for

>> >> >> >> > 7

>> >> >> >> > seconds

>> >> >> >> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change.

>> >> >> >> > Checking

>> >> >> >> > for

>> >> >> >> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the

>> >> >> >> > activity.

>> >> >> >> > The

>> >> >> >> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any

>> >> >> >> > thoughts?

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> > Thanks.

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >>

>> >>

>>

September 5, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

Well, I found the problem and it was not anything I expected.

My D: drive was starting to fail about the same time I upgraded to SP3. I

didn't know it until yesterday. Booted the PC and Windows is telling we

there's a problem with the D: drive. I powered down the PC, disconnected the

hard drive and powered it back up.

Problem gone.

Thanks for all the help. If nothing else, I've learned a bit more about how

the OS works :-)

"JS" wrote:

> Safe Mode Description: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222

>

> I'd use msconfig's 'Selective' startup and removing the check marks for:

> 'Process SYSTEM.INI File', 'Process WIN.INI File', 'Load System Services'

> and 'Load Startup Items'. Then in the 'Services' Tab placing a checkmark in

> the 'Hide All Microsoft Services' box, and then click the 'Disable All'

> button. This effectively stops any "non" Microsoft services and "startup

> items" from loading or starting the next time you boot the PC.

>

> This means the next time you boot the PC it will be as close to a bare bones

> OS as possible.

>

> JS

>

> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> news:8D2FD4AB-51F4-49B9-A34B-9715BA76A7D1@microsoft.com...

> > Ok, I kinda thought that's where I'd have to head next. Since it also

> > happens

> > when booting in safe mode, shouldn't I be able to limit what I stop to

> > whatever is in common between the two?

> >

> > "JS" wrote:

> >

> >> I know you said that Process Explorer also froze, but after the PC

> >> unfreezes

> >> look at the CPU graph in Process Explorer, it's possible it may have the

> >> beginnings of a small/large spike at the start of the freeze, you may

> >> even

> >> see a small spike spaced every sever seconds or so. If the spike is

> >> present,

> >> then move your mouse cursor directly over the spike and you should see a

> >> pop

> >> up with what cause the spike.

> >>

> >> If the above is of no help then I think you need to do a brute force

> >> approach and one at a time disable an item in the Startup list.

> >> Use msconfig for this, (Start/run/msconfig) and in the 'Startup' tab look

> >> at

> >> the list of items, you could uncheck them all and reboot, see if the

> >> problem

> >> is gone. If the problem/freeze has stopped then it's one of the items in

> >> the

> >> startup list.

> >>

> >> JS

> >>

> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> news:995180B6-23E2-42E2-9FC2-3960AA199196@microsoft.com...

> >> > Indexing service is not running.

> >> >

> >> > "JS" wrote:

> >> >

> >> >> Indexing service, is it running?

> >> >>

> >> >> JS

> >> >>

> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

> >> >> news:F4EC8C47-9EBE-4504-B9BA-B2CC59DA1A52@microsoft.com...

> >> >> > OK, Maybe I wasn't specific enough when I used the term "locked up".

> >> >> > I

> >> >> > can

> >> >> > move the mouse around and can still type (just buffers the

> >> >> > keystrokes).

> >> >> > The

> >> >> > screen freezes, so Process Explorer can't show me what's happening

> >> >> > during

> >> >> > the

> >> >> > time the HD is writing. The only thing I can check is the CSwitch

> >> >> > Delta

> >> >> > when

> >> >> > viewing the explorer.exe threads. Only thread

> >> >> > "SHLWAPI.dll!Ordinal505+0x3e9"

> >> >> > shows a Delta, and it tops out @ 84 from a nominal 16.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Here are the symptoms...

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Happens every 60 seconds.

> >> >> > Depending on apps running, IRP_MJ_WRITE writes to different files in

> >> >> > c:\

> >> >> > (i.e. $LogFile)

> >> >> > Always writes to c:\pagefile.sys

> >> >> >

> >> >> > pagefile.sys shows as 1 fragment in Disk Defrag

> >> >> >

> >> >> > When explorer.exe is killed, the symptoms disappear.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > Restarting explorer.exe brings back the symptoms.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > GSA

> >> >> >

> >> >> > p.s. thanks for the help.

> >> >> >

> >> >> > "JS" wrote:

> >> >> >

> >> >> >> It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application that's

> >> >> >> running

> >> >> >> in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC to

> >> >> >> freeze.

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> You need to dig deeper, find and display what could

> >> >> >> be the problem use Process Explorer:

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

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:

> >> >> >> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the

> >> >> >> 'Show Lower Pane' options.

> >> >> >> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)

> >> >> >> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.

> >> >> >> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage

> >> >> >> (Highest to Lowest).

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with

> >> >> >> some

> >> >> >> detailed info.

> >> >> >> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.

> >> >> >> Then click on that process to highlight it,

> >> >> >> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed

> >> >> >> select:

> >> >> >> Search Online

> >> >> >> This should display what out there on the web about that process.

> >> >> >> You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed

> >> >> >> 'Properties' window.

> >> >> >> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and

> >> >> >> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub

> >> >> >> processes),

> >> >> >> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click

> >> >> >> on

> >> >> >> the

> >> >> >> Graph just below the Menu bar.

> >> >> >> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger

> >> >> >> display

> >> >> >> of all three graphs.

> >> >> >> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what

> >> >> >> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> JS

> >> >> >> http://www.pagestart.com

> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

> >> >> >> message

> >> >> >> news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...

> >> >> >> > OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the problem.

> >> >> >> > When I

> >> >> >> > end

> >> >> >> > the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These seem

> >> >> >> > to

> >> >> >> > be

> >> >> >> > the

> >> >> >> > operations that are causing the issue:

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CREATE

> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION

> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLEANUP

> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLOSE

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> > Does some Process Profiling then

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> > Is there a way to stop this from happening?

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> > Thanks...

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> > "JS" wrote:

> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> >> Try Process Monitor:

> >> >> >> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

> >> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> >> JS

> >> >> >> >> http://www.pagestart.com

> >> >> >> >>

> >> >> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

> >> >> >> >> message

> >> >> >> >> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

> >> >> >> >> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will

> >> >> >> >> > freeze

> >> >> >> >> > for

> >> >> >> >> > 7

> >> >> >> >> > seconds

> >> >> >> >> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change.

> >> >> >> >> > Checking

> >> >> >> >> > for

> >> >> >> >> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the

> >> >> >> >> > activity.

> >> >> >> >> > The

> >> >> >> >> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any

> >> >> >> >> > thoughts?

> >> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> >> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

> >> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> >> > Thanks.

> >> >> >> >> >

> >> >> >> >>

> >> >> >>

> >> >>

> >>

>

September 6, 2008

Re: Intermittent lockups after SP3

Thanks for the feedback.

JS

"gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

news:38EB1615-FE35-4CE6-A963-29E7EA5F8BDC@microsoft.com...

> Well, I found the problem and it was not anything I expected.

>

> My D: drive was starting to fail about the same time I upgraded to SP3. I

> didn't know it until yesterday. Booted the PC and Windows is telling we

> there's a problem with the D: drive. I powered down the PC, disconnected

> the

> hard drive and powered it back up.

>

> Problem gone.

>

> Thanks for all the help. If nothing else, I've learned a bit more about

> how

> the OS works :-)

>

> "JS" wrote:

>

>> Safe Mode Description: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222

>>

>> I'd use msconfig's 'Selective' startup and removing the check marks for:

>> 'Process SYSTEM.INI File', 'Process WIN.INI File', 'Load System Services'

>> and 'Load Startup Items'. Then in the 'Services' Tab placing a checkmark

>> in

>> the 'Hide All Microsoft Services' box, and then click the 'Disable All'

>> button. This effectively stops any "non" Microsoft services and "startup

>> items" from loading or starting the next time you boot the PC.

>>

>> This means the next time you boot the PC it will be as close to a bare

>> bones

>> OS as possible.

>>

>> JS

>>

>> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> news:8D2FD4AB-51F4-49B9-A34B-9715BA76A7D1@microsoft.com...

>> > Ok, I kinda thought that's where I'd have to head next. Since it also

>> > happens

>> > when booting in safe mode, shouldn't I be able to limit what I stop to

>> > whatever is in common between the two?

>> >

>> > "JS" wrote:

>> >

>> >> I know you said that Process Explorer also froze, but after the PC

>> >> unfreezes

>> >> look at the CPU graph in Process Explorer, it's possible it may have

>> >> the

>> >> beginnings of a small/large spike at the start of the freeze, you may

>> >> even

>> >> see a small spike spaced every sever seconds or so. If the spike is

>> >> present,

>> >> then move your mouse cursor directly over the spike and you should see

>> >> a

>> >> pop

>> >> up with what cause the spike.

>> >>

>> >> If the above is of no help then I think you need to do a brute force

>> >> approach and one at a time disable an item in the Startup list.

>> >> Use msconfig for this, (Start/run/msconfig) and in the 'Startup' tab

>> >> look

>> >> at

>> >> the list of items, you could uncheck them all and reboot, see if the

>> >> problem

>> >> is gone. If the problem/freeze has stopped then it's one of the items

>> >> in

>> >> the

>> >> startup list.

>> >>

>> >> JS

>> >>

>> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message

>> >> news:995180B6-23E2-42E2-9FC2-3960AA199196@microsoft.com...

>> >> > Indexing service is not running.

>> >> >

>> >> > "JS" wrote:

>> >> >

>> >> >> Indexing service, is it running?

>> >> >>

>> >> >> JS

>> >> >>

>> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>> >> >> message

>> >> >> news:F4EC8C47-9EBE-4504-B9BA-B2CC59DA1A52@microsoft.com...

>> >> >> > OK, Maybe I wasn't specific enough when I used the term "locked

>> >> >> > up".

>> >> >> > I

>> >> >> > can

>> >> >> > move the mouse around and can still type (just buffers the

>> >> >> > keystrokes).

>> >> >> > The

>> >> >> > screen freezes, so Process Explorer can't show me what's

>> >> >> > happening

>> >> >> > during

>> >> >> > the

>> >> >> > time the HD is writing. The only thing I can check is the CSwitch

>> >> >> > Delta

>> >> >> > when

>> >> >> > viewing the explorer.exe threads. Only thread

>> >> >> > "SHLWAPI.dll!Ordinal505+0x3e9"

>> >> >> > shows a Delta, and it tops out @ 84 from a nominal 16.

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > Here are the symptoms...

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > Happens every 60 seconds.

>> >> >> > Depending on apps running, IRP_MJ_WRITE writes to different files

>> >> >> > in

>> >> >> > c:\

>> >> >> > (i.e. $LogFile)

>> >> >> > Always writes to c:\pagefile.sys

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > pagefile.sys shows as 1 fragment in Disk Defrag

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > When explorer.exe is killed, the symptoms disappear.

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > Restarting explorer.exe brings back the symptoms.

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > GSA

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > p.s. thanks for the help.

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> > "JS" wrote:

>> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application

>> >> >> >> that's

>> >> >> >> running

>> >> >> >> in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC

>> >> >> >> to

>> >> >> >> freeze.

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> You need to dig deeper, find and display what could

>> >> >> >> be the problem use Process Explorer:

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

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:

>> >> >> >> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the

>> >> >> >> 'Show Lower Pane' options.

>> >> >> >> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)

>> >> >> >> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU

>> >> >> >> usage.

>> >> >> >> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage

>> >> >> >> (Highest to Lowest).

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup

>> >> >> >> with

>> >> >> >> some

>> >> >> >> detailed info.

>> >> >> >> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.

>> >> >> >> Then click on that process to highlight it,

>> >> >> >> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options

>> >> >> >> listed

>> >> >> >> select:

>> >> >> >> Search Online

>> >> >> >> This should display what out there on the web about that

>> >> >> >> process.

>> >> >> >> You can also double click on any process to open up a more

>> >> >> >> detailed

>> >> >> >> 'Properties' window.

>> >> >> >> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and

>> >> >> >> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub

>> >> >> >> processes),

>> >> >> >> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double

>> >> >> >> click

>> >> >> >> on

>> >> >> >> the

>> >> >> >> Graph just below the Menu bar.

>> >> >> >> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a

>> >> >> >> larger

>> >> >> >> display

>> >> >> >> of all three graphs.

>> >> >> >> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see

>> >> >> >> what

>> >> >> >> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> JS

>> >> >> >> http://www.pagestart.com

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in

>> >> >> >> message

>> >> >> >> news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...

>> >> >> >> > OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the

>> >> >> >> > problem.

>> >> >> >> > When I

>> >> >> >> > end

>> >> >> >> > the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These

>> >> >> >> > seem

>> >> >> >> > to

>> >> >> >> > be

>> >> >> >> > the

>> >> >> >> > operations that are causing the issue:

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CREATE

>> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION

>> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLEANUP

>> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLOSE

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> > Does some Process Profiling then

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> > Is there a way to stop this from happening?

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> > Thanks...

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> > "JS" wrote:

>> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> >> Try Process Monitor:

>> >> >> >> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx

>> >> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> >> JS

>> >> >> >> >> http://www.pagestart.com

>> >> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote

>> >> >> >> >> in

>> >> >> >> >> message

>> >> >> >> >> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...

>> >> >> >> >> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will

>> >> >> >> >> > freeze

>> >> >> >> >> > for

>> >> >> >> >> > 7

>> >> >> >> >> > seconds

>> >> >> >> >> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no

>> >> >> >> >> > change.

>> >> >> >> >> > Checking

>> >> >> >> >> > for

>> >> >> >> >> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during

>> >> >> >> >> > the

>> >> >> >> >> > activity.

>> >> >> >> >> > The

>> >> >> >> >> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time.

>> >> >> >> >> > Any

>> >> >> >> >> > thoughts?

>> >> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> >> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM

>> >> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> >> > Thanks.

>> >> >> >> >> >

>> >> >> >> >>

>> >> >> >>

>> >> >>

>> >>

>>

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