'Program Not Responding'

Sometimes a registry program can help. I use RegCure, but there are a number of them out there.

Another thing that can cause your problem is if you've been receiving updates (from Microsoft, etc.), you may need to update some of the drivers on your PC. Driver Detective can help... You can find a free version on the OpenGL upgrade page.

Also, check your hard drive space and defrag it if it's been awhile.

Good luck.

Hi Vermin, I have RegCure on my computer but do not run it, I read some where, CR4 I think, that it removes flags at the end of files, and causes problems when Microsoft down loads updates, and patches are not implemented because it cannot fine the flag. Do you have any experience of this as a problem? Sorry for changing the subject a bit Isti80, I agree with vermins advice.

Regards JD.

That's OK. No, I have had nothing but good luck with RegCure. It runs every night, and seemed to keep it's business strictly dedicated to the registry.

A couple of days ago, I ran a program to check all the drivers on my PC - a seven year old Dell XPS that's been running non-stop. I upgraded the chip set drivers, the driver for my ATA drive and my SATA drive, my gig-Ethernet card, even OpenGL. After all these upgrades, I ran RegCure to make sure all the useless junk was gone from the registry. Found a lot of stuff and it fixed it. The XPS runs faster now than it did before, and nothing died!!!

I agree.

Clear Cache and cookies, delete 'Unused Files' and dump your 'Recycle Bin' before you de-frag. I have noticed that leaving the computer on in 'Sleep' or 'Hibernate' also slows my computer down after a few days. So now I turn it off. That seems to reset it.

You might also have those dumb picture files (kittens, flowers, valentines, etc.) that came with the computer. Dump them too. It may take a few hours, but it's worth it.

Of course, there's always a possibility that one or more of your programs has a small memory leak. Give it enough time, and things will slow... Eventually not respond.

Phone Bill Gates, I'm sure he'll take the time and trouble to sort it for you
Del

Are you joking?

Sometimes I feel like it to find out what they're doing? Each time I download their latest updates for windows XP it gradually slows it down, I think .

Not mine. Has run like a bat-outta-hell for seven years (_{^{Knock on wood}}). Of course, I do have dual, hyper-threaded 3.80 Ghz processors.

I saw the other day an article on yahoo that had a picture of bill gates (not looking friendly) and the article said that he could loose his monopole empire due to 72% of the Japs are using something else equivalent to Microsoft Windows.

Wonder what's that?!

You may need more memory if it is still slow after following the other suggestions. Memory is fairly cheap and easy to install. It may be wise to change anti virus program. I found that Norton slowed my laptop too much. Stop automatic Windows updates and other updates that are not essential. Go online to get the Windows security updates, you don't need a new version of Explorer.

Worst case scenario, you have a problem with your hard drive. Find a Dell forum to see if that may be the case, before getting more memory.

I was thinking recently to expand the memory but I wasn't sure if it'd help. however I tend to believe it would now that you mentioned it.

When you've maxed the memory you won't need any more.

If IE is hogging CPU you can try turning off error reporting, it's a bogus process anyway, right-click My Computer
. select Properties.
. System Settings dialog box, select Advanced tab
. click the Error Reporting button to reveal the Error Reporting dialog box
. rest is self-explanatory

My Norton Security works best when all other security systems are disabled, including Windows. They eat each other, spending too much time figuring which has priority. Cancel the Windows security updates, be chary of any updates you don't know, and forget all that 'free' stuff you have no use for. If you're running at 100% then you have too many start-up programs coming up when you boot.

Bring up the task manager (Ctrl Alt Del), and look at the processor utilization. If it is more that 10%, then you need to look at the process's running and find out which one is hogging the processor.

I have been observing the processor for sometime and it's always running in flatout mode (100%) even if there isn't anything running, it did not used to be like that.

Is you hard drive light flickering too?

It flickers all the time. even if i'm using the internet and like I said the the task manager always shows the CPU is at 100% usage even when no window's open, just running idle.

As for boot-up it takes forever....6 minutes or even more.

This machine [gateway lap] was in the same state even with 1g ram

starting from scratch made it a new machine.. 5-10 minute boot ups are now around 30 seconds now.

Worth all the time to save my files, which is a pain since the cd won't burn.

Google bookmarks are portable which is better, its nice to have them whatever machine I use...

I suspect you have a worm. Uninstall all unnecessary programs and download and run several malware programs with internet connection off. Hopefully this is not a problem because it can take several pieces of software and time to get rid of.

I could walk you through a fix but the time factor (14-20hrs) doesn't warrant this course. If you want to take a stab at it google GMER, download and run it.

or

Back up your files onto disc or whatever medium you can then reformat and a fresh install will save lots of time, I did same to a XP machine today, about six hrs of attention.

Send a note when you're ready.

Try this:

1. Ctrl+shift+Esc press these keys all at same time then release

2. Task Manager - select the Processes tab

3. Click on View on task manager tool bar and then Select Columns

4. Tick check boxes next to user name, CPU usage, Memory-private working set, User objects, I/O Read bytes, I/O Write bytes, Image path names and description then select Okay

5. Expand the main image, tick the box Show processes from all users; after the screen returns in processes scroll down to and look at memory usage and R/W bytes determine what processes are changing constantly, these are the processes using up the resources of your computer.

Give feedback...

I don't see memory-private working set

memory usage or memory delta maybe?

when I try it using mem usage I see a couple of exe's that I don't need or use. Deleting the programs helped speed.

I think you are the one who pointed out the decrapifier program in the 1st place

Thanks

I agree that what you see is what I see also in XP and I notice that iexplore.exe sometimes does drive up CPU usage went up in spikes only.

Whereas the hp?80.exe file kept it in a flat out mode all the time nd, as I also said, it tends to reset itself back to that state after reboot. Since deletion of this exe file everything is normal and fast.

Any further suggestion?!!!

I suppect hp?80.exe is a trojan. Run your malware, anti virus, etc software.

you know I hav McAfee antivirus but it can never finish the full scan if I choose it, only the fast scan.

I have been trying the full scan for sometime and it gets even stuck at 2% (after about 2560 files being scanned) and never goes anywhere.

Download free Malwarebytes http://download.cnet.com/Malwarebytes-Anti-Malware/3000-8022_4-10804572.html, AVG, Windows Defender

The name of that persevering file is HPQTRA08.exe, does it ring the bell?

hpqtra08.exe is installed alongside the drivers for Hewlett Packard Imaging devices and installs a traybar icon for quick access to diagnostics. This is a non-essential process. Disable it and rename the hp?80.exe.

You can also open the Start Menu and go to All Programs/Startup. you will find the Digital Imaging Monitor. Drag this icon to your Desktop. This way it won't startup when your computer starts, however, if you want to scan or check ink levels you'll have to run it first.

Guess what?

I followed your advice and now it works OK. The exe file does not seem to show up in the task manager and everything seems to be working fine.

When I bought the printer every time I start it up was asking for this file and always had to grab it off its CD and later the manufacturer sent me a new software and it worked fine until quite recently (a couple of months or so).

I also un-installed McAfee and reinstalled Avast that I used to have and now I was able to do a full scan whereas McAfee just could no longer do it, other then the quick one.

I only opted for McAfee because HSBC offers it for free to its customers for internet banking but I do not think it is the best as they claim it anyway, and it is still not the full version either (that would cost additional $29.99).

thanx nd hope you're not wasting your time as a labourer!!!?

Great!

Sometimes, it can take awhile to determine the source of a PCs problem. I don't know why I didn't first suggest that you check the Task Mgr. for CPU usage problems. I guess my Mac is making me rusty when it comes to Dwindows.

Well, I'm glad that we all were able to help you out. You need to give yourself some credit as it was you who was attempting to follow suggestions and supply good information to the rest of us.

Have a nice day............NEXT!!!

You too have a great day and hope the weather in Houston is nicer than in London!

cheers

I stopped using McAfee viri detection ware years ago when it let more than one virus beat my PC up which were found by third party virus search ware. I don't use third party seach ware, either after they flag viri - conflict of interest. good luck.

Like I said, McAfee was offered to me by HSBC but I won't used it again and I found them unhelpful, maybe because I had the bank subsidised version instead of the full one.

The HP80 is associated with the HP imaging equipment files and is not considered malware.

You could uninstall the printer, reboot, create a restore point*, go to computer right click drive "C" select properties, select disk cleanup, choose the second tab then remove all but the most recent restore point, reboot. Upon reinstallation do not assign it the privilege of starting with windows.

There is a temporary registry fix to keep it from hanging but I don't advise this sort of ploy.

When I'm typing etc my system is idle and I have a few programs running in the background at these times that prevent corruption from occurring.

Hey, you hit the nail rite on the head!!!

After I opened Windows Task Manager nd did what you have suggested to observe there's one of those printer files that constantly taking up 'CPU usage 80' and as soon as I removed it it went down to less than 10% and everything went back to normal in speed but, it keeps coming back after I reboot.

The printer is hardly ever being used but the icon is always sitting on the task bar.

Any further suggestion?

What is the name of the file?

One option is to save all your files & do a full restore

install Google toolbar & save your favorites there as bookmarks...

This is the best possible option & will get your machine as fast as possible, but it does take some time

Another way to go is to run PC decrapifier which removes all the unneeded programs from your computer. Much faster than the built in way. make sure to set a restore point.

I actually recently did a restore & ran the decrapifier immediately after, it will even get rid of AOL & norton

turn on press f10 or f12 or which one it takes to start in safe mode then go programs, accessorys, dowm to system tools, then system restore.

Set system restore back as far as you can remember the computer working properly.

After the restore progam runs and you hace a date where the computer is operating properly run you Disk Clean up and get rid of all the old restore files and you dump your virius too.

Clean out all the temporary and cookie junk on the hard drive like suggested above.

Use scandisk and defrag.

Try to locate and repair any registry problems.

Run virus, adware, and spybot removal tools.

If your RAM is 256MB or less, ADD MORE. I added 512MB stick to an old Vaio with 256MB. Using WinXP, the speed of the machine seemed to quadruple!

If all else fails, backup your data, wipe the drive, and install LINUX. I did that last year and have been VERY happy without those frequent MS headaches!

WARNING: Using LINUX can be a wonderful experience, but the change-over process is not for the timid! Do some serious research before you choose this option.

All the fixes and cures that they sell won't fix everything. Something new comes around everyday. That's why your always being up dated. I was told to reinitialize the computer at least once a year. This will get rid of all the corrupted files and junk. Takes a while but you will find new life in the computer. I would also recommend maximizing the memory.

Start the computer. Close all running programs. If you got programming on the right side of the task bar, right click on the icons and close them.

Go to here: http://usa.kaspersky.com/downloads/free-virus-scanner.php

and then here: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

for online free virus scan.

I usually scan with more then one scanner since they all miss something.

Isti80: Not knowing what programs you habitually use does not dissuade me from suspecting that at least one of them has grabbed all available dynamic memory handles and is holding them in Terminate and Stay Resident mode even though you are not currently using that program. Many Microsoft utilities as well as "global" games have this bad habit; which forces your computer to use disk swapping instead of using your RAM for fast, useful work.

Rebooting your computer is the oldest "repair" of TSR hog problems. If that temporary work around solves your bug - start using the ole brain cell memory to track what programs you are using and narrow the field till you know what single program is the bad boy, and then just make a habit of rebooting after finishing with it, each session. Do cold boots only (i.e., shut fully down, wait 40 plus seconds, reboot... which ensures that residual TSR memory in your antique computer is fully dead, dead, dead; as many older computers have a pretty hefty capacitive discharge reserve memory designed to "help" you through electrical line noise issues.).

Having shortcuts to all of the infinitum temporary folders doesn't hurt; to delete all those pesky files, frames, login parameters, etc., especially the Temporary Internet Folder which can also help your situation. With blazing broadband connection speeds, most of those items are redundant online, now. In fact they are mostly retained for the benefit of first and third party vendors who like to track your computer usage.

I'm not the guest,

But....

I can't burn cd's but still managed to back up to another computer on my home network & as I said earlier good to use google & gmail to store your favorites [bookmarks] & mail. My 10000 song music library is on 50+ data discs, which I burned across my network. If you would lose everything doing a restore, what happens if your hard drive takes a dump?

Having some sort of back up scheme is important!

you make an awful face

That's a baby one and it will mature with age, just hang around long enough.

A general SOP in my business is to reformat every year as it's about the time frame the symptom's you describe have by attrition caused the O/S to confuse itself.

A few things to consider prior are download a new copy of your preferred anti-virus software to disc, include in this disc some antispywares too and you may also include the latest O/S service pack, malicious software removal tool. You could backup to disc the updated drivers of the hardware/software you intend to use.

During the installation or recovery process you will given opportunity to activate the O/S software, this requires going online; postpone this until later. Also you can partition the drives or you can do this before O/S installation. I suggest limiting the size of the "C" (system drive) to about 15GB's for a personal PC and about 25GB if for your business. I normally create two or three 30GB partitions on laptops for various storage type functions; in effect to allow one to operate in the "C" partition but store files in one of the other partitions, just an organizing thing and I often leave about 30GB to 200GB as free unformatted space.

Before connecting to the Internet install the drivers, updates and anti-virus etc. that you downloaded to the suggested disc(s). One fault of MS is when starting fresh the administrative account is wide open to any and all crap on the net so create a pas word protected admin acct. first; you can estimate it will take about twelve minutes or less for a unprotected PC to get a virus when first going online. If a malware gets in before you can get protection the probability is you won't get it out without reformatting again.

The first place to go is windows update remember the 12 minute rule, if you have the latest service pack and malicious software tool it won't take windows validation process too long to qualify the system.

After completely updating the system you're ready the activate XP, they'll give a reminder.

As Jaxy indicated a RAM issue may occur, write back we can handle that too.

If I were having problems like that, I would make sure that all of the necessary documents and such are backed up on an external hard drive and get it re-imaged. Sometimes starting off fresh can benefit the computer. You will notice that not everything you had on the laptop will be put back on it (the programs may have become outdated or not necessary anymore).

It is also important to keep up on the antivirus software and updates as old computers are probably more susceptible to malicious spyware and other junk. Keeping up to date on virus definitions will provide prevention. It may very well be that your laptop has a virus or something of the sort already and a re-image should remove it.

If after you add necessary programs to your laptop, keeping up to date with updates and disk defragments, the laptop is still running slowly, I suggest replacing the RAM.

Or you could bring it to a specialist and they can try to rectify the situation before it gets broken beyond repair. Good luck.

Repeating the best answers above, to the cheapest and most effective thing: buy software (System Mechanic at iolo.com seems to be the most versatile, and most purchased) use it, and let it run in the background to alleviate recurrences of you present problem.

When you get program not responding and open/invoke "end immediately"....you have probably noticed that the best short term fix is to restart (shut down, reboot, reload).

http://iolo.com/

I recommend purchasing at brick and mortar outlet, not online (but depending on price). You can sometimes find a retiring version discounted at places like walmart. When you install, start, and go on line, you will receive the free option to download the upgrade to latest version. Take it. And take the subscription extension for half price offer as well.