Guest Brad Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 I have an XPproSp2(nowSp3) w/all updates, that was locking up for no apparent reason. It started with SP2, so I updated all critical updates w/Sp3 and I still have the issues. I've shut down all programs in 'msconfig' startup and services (non-msoft) and I get a lot of HDD activity after rebooting, for about an hour or so (I haven't really been able to time it). When I go into 'task manager' the performance tab says cpu is using 30% +/- 3 or 4, but the processes tab doesn't reflect the cpu usage as to what's causeing the activity. I also don't see any obscure items in the processes tab. Any suggestion on how I can find out what's causing the HDD acitivity and what's running? I'm kind of thinking that's what is causing my lockups but... Brad
Guest R. McCarty Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 Re: lots of HDD activity after reboot, can't find source On basically any reoccurring issue, you should first check both the System and Application Event logs. You'll want to scan for errors and warnings. Best to sort the log by date so you can look through the most recent events. Click Start, Run (Type) EventVwr.Msc [Enter] For hard drive activity, I'd suggest you download a tool from MS SysInternals called FileMon. http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896642.aspx This tool shows disk activity in real time. Also if you have either Google Desktop or Microsoft Search 4.0 the system may be indexing the contents of your drive. Finally some forms of Malware may be running processes/services in the background without your knowledge. A good tutorial on Malware detection & removal can be found on Malke's site: http://elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware "Brad" <bs@imhere.com> wrote in message news:uR3nrSfOJHA.3580@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >I have an XPproSp2(nowSp3) w/all updates, that was locking up for no > apparent reason. It started with SP2, so I updated all critical updates > w/Sp3 and I still have the issues. > I've shut down all programs in 'msconfig' startup and services (non-msoft) > and I get a lot of HDD activity after rebooting, for about an hour or so > (I > haven't really been able to time it). > When I go into 'task manager' the performance tab says cpu is using 30% > +/- > 3 or 4, but the processes tab doesn't reflect the cpu usage as to what's > causeing the activity. I also don't see any obscure items in the processes > tab. > Any suggestion on how I can find out what's causing the HDD acitivity and > what's running? I'm kind of thinking that's what is causing my lockups > but... > Brad > >
Guest Thee Chicago Wolf Posted October 29, 2008 Posted October 29, 2008 Re: lots of HDD activity after reboot, can't find source >I have an XPproSp2(nowSp3) w/all updates, that was locking up for no >apparent reason. It started with SP2, so I updated all critical updates >w/Sp3 and I still have the issues. >I've shut down all programs in 'msconfig' startup and services (non-msoft) >and I get a lot of HDD activity after rebooting, for about an hour or so (I >haven't really been able to time it). >When I go into 'task manager' the performance tab says cpu is using 30% +/- >3 or 4, but the processes tab doesn't reflect the cpu usage as to what's >causeing the activity. I also don't see any obscure items in the processes >tab. >Any suggestion on how I can find out what's causing the HDD acitivity and >what's running? I'm kind of thinking that's what is causing my lockups >but... >Brad Grab Process Explorer and fire it up. You'll be able to see the specific program that's taking up CPU cycles. From there, you'll be able to determine what's going on. - Thee Chicago Wolf
Guest Twayne Posted October 30, 2008 Posted October 30, 2008 Re: lots of HDD activity after reboot, can't find source > On basically any reoccurring issue, you should first check both the > System and Application Event logs. You'll want to scan for errors > and warnings. Best to sort the log by date so you can look through > the most recent events. > Click Start, Run (Type) EventVwr.Msc [Enter] > > For hard drive activity, I'd suggest you download a tool from MS > SysInternals called FileMon. > http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896642.aspx > This tool shows disk activity in real time. > > Also if you have either Google Desktop or Microsoft Search 4.0 the > system may be indexing the contents of your drive. Finally some > forms of Malware may be running processes/services in the background > without your knowledge. A good tutorial on Malware detection & > removal can be found on Malke's site: > http://elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware > > "Brad" <bs@imhere.com> wrote in message Right. Often the indexing service and possibly antivirus, especially heuristics if they're enabled can cause that. Norton, McAfee, Winpatrol, etc., things lke that can also do a lot of prep/setup work when the machine first boots up. Disconnect the modem cable or turn off the moden and see if the activity is still there, just in case something is at work online that you're not able to see easily. Process EXplorer, as Thee mentioned, is a great program for tacking down things like that too. It gives a good record of what services are/were running. Very handy tool for things like this. Filemon is OK if you take the time to learn to use the filters, but in general until then all you get is a helluva lot of screens of data that arean't meaningful right away. It's a good adjunct, though, esp for offline analysis.. HTH Twayne > news:uR3nrSfOJHA.3580@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl... >> I have an XPproSp2(nowSp3) w/all updates, that was locking up for no >> apparent reason. It started with SP2, so I updated all critical >> updates w/Sp3 and I still have the issues. >> I've shut down all programs in 'msconfig' startup and services >> (non-msoft) and I get a lot of HDD activity after rebooting, for >> about an hour or so (I >> haven't really been able to time it). >> When I go into 'task manager' the performance tab says cpu is using >> 30% +/- >> 3 or 4, but the processes tab doesn't reflect the cpu usage as to >> what's causeing the activity. I also don't see any obscure items in >> the processes tab. >> Any suggestion on how I can find out what's causing the HDD >> acitivity and what's running? I'm kind of thinking that's what is >> causing my lockups but... >> Brad
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