[techy689]

All of a sudden, whenever I click My Computer, you see the flashlight searching icon for about 3 minutes and then it finally comes. It never did this before, and no I do not have a slow computer, or a low amount of memory... any body know how to fix this My Computer issue?

 

[schusterjo]

Windows recommends after a random reboot or freeze (a crash) to run chkdsk
Start, my computer, right click on your hard drive, select properties, select tools, error checking click "check now"(chkdsk).

Ad-Aware SE Personal
I run this daily

SpywareBlaster 3.5.1
I update once a week (keeps bad pages with known malware that cold cause damage from being displayed.)

Spybot - Search & Destroy
Daily or every other day

CwShredder
This is one I only use once a week or month lol but good to have

AVG Anti-Spyware
daily

CCleaner
weekly

A list of bad spyware programs
Rogue/Suspect Anti-Spyware Products & Web Sites

Download and update (update is very important before you scan) boot into safe mode (You do not need to boot into safe mode every time to run programs. Some malware cannot be fully removed or detected unless you are in Safemode, This is why I recommend running it the first time in safe mode then perhaps once a month in safe mode)

With some computers if you press and hold a key as the computer is booting you will get a stuck key message. If this occurs, instead of pressing and holding the "F8 key", tap the "F8 key" continuously until you get the startup menu.

Scan the computer,

1. From the Windows Start menu, go to Turn off computer and click Restart.
2. As the computer restarts, watch for a progress bar at the bottom of the screen. press F8 about once every second.
3. Immediately press F8 before the progress bar reaches the right side of the screen.
4. From the Windows Start-up menu, highlight Safe Mode and press Enter.
5. Wait for your desktop to appear, and then make the necessary repairs (for example, install programs or devices).
6. When the repairs are done, restart the computer, and allow it to boot normally.

Alternate:

1. From the Windows Start menu, click Run.
2. In the Open field, type MSCONFIG and click Ok.
3. On the BOOT.INI tab, check /SAFEBOOT.
4. Click Restart when prompted.
(if you use this option make sure you change the boot back to normal after finished)

Boot backup into Normal mode, download
CodeStuff Starter manage your startup programs

Disable all startup programs that you "do not" need running at startup.

A guide to hep keep a smooth system.
Maintain your system with Windows XP

Diskeeper
The best program to use for defragging

 

[MMJ]

Do you have any mapped network drives?

 

[davehc]

One reason for the problem may be if you install or use Windows Image Acquisition (WIA)

To stop the WIA service.
1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.
2. Double-click Administrative Tools.
3. Double-click Component Services.
4. Click Services.
5. In the Services (Local) list, right-click Windows Image Acquisition (WIA), and then click Stop.
Otherwise, there are three notorious hardware items (at least) that can have this effect:
• HP ScanJet 4400C/4470C
• HP ScanJet 5400/5470C
• RCA DCM 215 DSL Modem
• Cable Modem (model unknown)
If you have any of these, unplug them and try again.

Third idea is MMj's

 

[MMJ]

services.msc would have been easier :up:

 

[davehc]

Reading this post again, I realise was remiss. You must disable the WIA as well as stop it, otherwise it will start again on the next reboot! MMJ's suggestion refers to another way to access the services. I did not include it. I am not running XP but it crossed my mind when posting that maybe you cannot do it through Services.msc unless you are an administrator - could be mistaken. There are several ways to skin the cat. Yoy can also type msconfig in the "run" on start and select the services tab and just unselect the service there (take the tick out of the box). That would also stop it running on next boot.

 

[techy689]

I believe my printer was a mapped networked drive, but I deleted it and just used it's ip port... now it is going good again.. WIA was not started so I could not stop it, but I did disable it.

Thanks.

 

[MMJ]

I don't think I fully understand you but its good to hear that you got that solved.

Your welcome.