Hesitation Part Deux

[Bphillips]

So I originally started this in the Windows XP section and was recommended here. Here's where we're at:

OK. So I read all the other posts about mouse hesitation and the like. But none seem to answer my problem.

Randomly, my mouse will hesitate, and if I try to play music or something it stops and starts.

What is causing this hesitation? Please help - it's slowly killing me.

I've run McAfee system scan
I've run AdAware
I've defragmented
I've cleaned my mouse

I have not installed anything new lately.

If I RESTART my computer, it seems to work fine...for a bit.

According to the graph in the task manager, by CPU usage ocillates between 22% and 44%

I have a total of 71.4 GB of space on my hard drive. I have 41.6 GB free.

It SOMETIMES happens when I run a CD or something in one of my CD trays - but not always.

While this is happening - like right now for instance - I don't have anything excessive running. Nothing I don't USUALLY have running.

Take a look at some of the screen shots I've added too. Is the problem there? And WHAT DO I DO? I love step-by-steps.

Thank you in advance.
-Bruce

P.S- These are new screenshots than that earlier post.

[Bphillips]

And, as suggested, I ran a HijackThis logfile and got this:
----------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 3:55:16 PM, on 11/9/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
C:\Program Files\Musicmatch\Musicmatch Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\SPAMKI~1\MskAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel Photo Album 6\MediaDetect.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon03.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MUSICM~1\MUSICM~3\MMDiag.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\D-Link\RangeBooster G WUA-2340\AirPlusCFG.exe
C:\Program Files\ANI\ANIWZCS2 Service\WZCSLDR2.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\1155677616\ee\AOLSoftware.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\mps\mscifapp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
c:\program files\common files\aol\1155677616\ee\aim6.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktopIndex.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfAgent.exe
c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsftsn.exe
c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktopCrawl.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPHipm09.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\MOZILL~1\FIREFOX.EXE
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\Musicmatch Jukebox\mim.exe
C:\HJT\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.dell.com
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: McBrwHelper Class - {227B8AA8-DAF2-4892-BD1D-73F568BCB24E} - c:\program files\mcafee.com\mps\mcbrhlpr.dll
O2 - BHO: McAfee PopupKiller - {3EC8255F-E043-4cae-8B3B-B191550C2A22} - c:\program files\mcafee.com\mps\popupkiller.dll
O2 - BHO: McAfee AntiPhishing Filter - {41D68ED8-4CFF-4115-88A6-6EBB8AF19000} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SPAMKI~1\mcapfbho.dll
O2 - BHO: DriveLetterAccess - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswshx.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O2 - BHO: GoogleAFE - {CA6319C0-31B7-401E-A518-A07C3DB8F777} - c:\Program Files\GoogleAFE\GoogleAE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\isuspm.exe" -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MimBoot] C:\PROGRA~1\MUSICM~1\MUSICM~3\mimboot.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MMTray] "C:\Program Files\Musicmatch\Musicmatch Jukebox\mm_tray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\VSO\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OASClnt] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSKDetectorExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\SPAMKI~1\MSKDetct.exe /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Google Desktop Search] "C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe" /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSKAGENTEXE] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\SPAMKI~1\MskAgent.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Corel Photo Downloader] C:\Program Files\Corel\Corel Photo Album 6\MediaDetect.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\system32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon03] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hphmon03.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RemoteControl] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxtray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxhkcmd] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxpers] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [D-Link RangeBooster G WUA-2340] C:\Program Files\D-Link\RangeBooster G WUA-2340\AirPlusCFG.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ANIWZCS2Service] C:\Program Files\ANI\ANIWZCS2 Service\WZCSLDR2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HostManager] C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\1155677616\ee\AOLSoftware.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IPHSend] C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\IPHSend\IPHSend.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KernelFaultCheck] %systemroot%\system32\dumprep 0 -k
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPSExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\mps\mscifapp.exe /embedding
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dla] C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswctrl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DellSupport] "C:\Program Files\Dell Support\DSAgnt.exe" /startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Yahoo! Pager] "C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Messenger\ypager.exe" -quiet
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Aim6] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\Launch\AOLLaunch.exe" /d locale=en-US ee://aol/imApp
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: QuickBooks Update Agent.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\QBUpdate\qbupdate.exe
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\inetrepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\inetrepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\inetrepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {39FD89BF-D3F1-45b6-BB56-3582CCF489E1} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SPAMKI~1\mcapfbho.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: McAfee AntiPhishing Filter - {39FD89BF-D3F1-45b6-BB56-3582CCF489E1} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\SPAMKI~1\mcapfbho.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: Yahoo! Messenger - {E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\YPager.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Yahoo! Messenger - {E5D12C4E-7B4F-11D3-B5C9-0050045C3C96} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\MESSEN~1\YPager.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {00B71CFB-6864-4346-A978-C0A14556272C} (Checkers Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/msgrchkr.cab31267.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/4,0,0,101/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://by101fd.bay101.hotmail.msn.com/resources/MsnPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {5F8469B4-B055-49DD-83F7-62B522420ECC} (Facebook Photo Uploader Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/FacebookPhotoUploader.cab
O16 - DPF: {8714912E-380D-11D5-B8AA-00D0B78F3D48} (Yahoo! Webcam Upload Wrapper) - http://chat.yahoo.com/cab/yuplapp.cab
O16 - DPF: {8E0D4DE5-3180-4024-A327-4DFAD1796A8D} (MessengerStatsClient Class) - http://messenger.zone.msn.com/binary/MessengerStatsClient.cab31267.cab
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~1\Google\GOOGLE~1\GOEC62~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxdev.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WgaLogon - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WgaLogon.dll
O23 - Service: ANIWZCSd Service (ANIWZCSdService) - Alpha Networks Inc. - C:\Program Files\ANI\ANIWZCS2 Service\ANIWZCSdS.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee WSC Integration (McDetect.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - McAfee Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Task Scheduler (McTskshd.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SecurityCenter Update Manager (mcupdmgr.exe) - McAfee, Inc - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\mcupdmgr.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SpamKiller Server (MskService) - McAfee Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\SPAMKI~1\MSKSrvr.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\PROSetWired\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPHipm09.exe

[jo2995]

I think you should really just get a new mouse. It seriuosly wont cost that much and its the most likely reason. Another thing could be your motherboard is broken a little but probably not. Also, if your current mouse isnt optical, then the rollerball sensors could be jammed or something. If buying a new one doesn't work, its probably something with a program installed on your computer, but i dont think it "hesitats" because of system overload. Oh, try the mouse with another computer too and use it for a few minutes to see if it IS the mouse. If all else fails, then just ignore it and be thankful that the computer still works and its not like a programs crashing or something....

[Bphillips]

No, I am just about positive it's not the mouse. It works fine on other things - and if it was just the mouse, why do all my programs and music "skip" at the same time?

No - the entire computer itself is "hesitating". Sometimes. Not now, for instance. But it was before I restarted it.

[gerbil]

k, i'll jump in. firstly, the log's clean. full, but clean. Do you really need all that media stuff running from startup? I am not a great audio fan - i struggle on with WMP9 [vsn 10 has extras i do not wish to use]. But you have a lot - i guess it should not conflict, but...
AOL. You can use it as an isp without having to run their software, unless you like the baggage that comes with it. It is slowing you down, chewing resources.
CPU at 38% and constant??? What were you running at the time? A WWIII simulation? If mine is loaded with its startups but is just sitting there, no dl's running or data streaming etc, no music playing, well, it shows 0%.
If you need help you will have to show an apps screen from TM when you have that 38% CPU usage, plus a processes screen. With the latter, go to view tab, column select and tick page faults, CPU, CPU time, mem usage, user name.
Glance at networking while pc is web-inactive - graph should be at zero.
Mouse is jerky? i guess it just has trouble getting an interrupt squeezed in. Music too? The whole PC pauses? Ok, it's no use troubleshooting drivers or reinstalling them yet... just come back with that stuff i asked for. Your computer is not breaking, it's just some process taking all its resources for a while. You might, while monitoring TM, see a process heading up towards 100% before TM freezes also.

[gerbil]

one other thing, use java app via CP to update your java machine, then uninstall the older version.

[Bphillips]

Thanks! But -

While I'm computer saavy enough to do things like follow directions...you might as well just assume I'm ignorant of most everything else. so...a "java app via CP" means nothing to me. Sorry.

Secondly - no I have NO problem shutting down lots of media stuff. It starts automatically. I'd be happy to know how I tell it to NOT run that stuff.

For the record - I don't use AOL, just AIM. The Messenger software. And that's all I want too.

Here's some screen shots of various things from my Task Manager.

Thanks for your help! Sorry for my dimness.

[gerbil]

Sorry, a bit of laziness crept in, and hopefulness with it i guess. Anyway, this is not the cause of your problem; simply your java virtual machine is outdated. So go to control panel > java > update tab and force it to update now. Vsn 09 is the latest, i believe. Once the update installs, still in control panel > remove pgms, remove any earlier instances of java.
A lot of the processes you have running are for tray icon display or automatic update checking for software like players that you really only need to update every few months... they can be safely removed either via their own options when you rclick on them, or by fixing them with HT. Another way is to view your list of applications programmed to run at startup.
-this one gives u an analog devices tray icon : C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
-this one scedules updates for installshield, a pgm installer..: C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
-this one is a tray icon for jukebox: C:\Program Files\Musicmatch\Musicmatch Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
..and there is a whole lot more. you have Jukebox, realplayer, analog devices
How often do you connect your PDA to your PC? the linker is running all the time.. : C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE ...you can start it manually when needed. Like a lot of this stuff.
These two are unnecessary.. :C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe and C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
You say you like AIM, and that is fine, but you also have AOL's upgrader running [you get a popup and perhaps a tray icon?] : C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\1155677616\ee\AOLSoftware.exe
Moving on, you have Dell set as your home page - unless you really like it, go for a download saving blank that waits for you to put in a site. [ mine is just "about:blank" for a default inet explorer page - in an inet explorer page go Tools> inet options> general, and set what you like]
Java updater... set it to monthly, or stop it and try to remember to do it manually, occasionally, say when windows updates monthly..
To see which programs are on autostart, go Start > Run, type msconfig in the box. Select startup tab. There they are, uncheck those you don't want. Be prudent; do not stop your mouse, keyboard, wireless link, antivirus etc. You can safely halt most concerned with updating or scheduling, services assoc with music, photos...

As a guide... i have heaps of software on my machine, but this is all that gets to autostart:

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ZoneLabs\vsmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
e:\Program Files\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\guard.exe
e:\PROGRA~1\AVGFRE~2\avgamsvr.exe
e:\PROGRA~1\AVGFRE~2\avgupsvc.exe
e:\PROGRA~1\AVGFRE~2\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7Debug\mdm.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\tcpsvcs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
E:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliType Pro\type32.exe
E:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\point32.exe
E:\PROGRA~1\AVGFRE~2\avgcc.exe
E:\Program Files\AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5\avgas.exe
E:\Program Files\ZoneAlarm\zlclient.exe
E:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\jusched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe

...but each to their own.
Try temporarily halting/stopping Ypager and see what effect that has. You can do it via Task manger and it will only be for that boot instance.

[Bphillips]

OK. I updated my Java to version 9 and removed the other version that was there (5 I think)

Then I went to C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core and clicked on the smax4pnp.exe program. Nothing happened except that my computer doing its hesitation thing.

....am I not supposed to RUN these things? Just remove them? Anyway. I'm going to restart this thing so it stops moving so slow, and then take some things OFF my autostart and I'll report back.

Also - Dell may be set as my homepage with Explorer? But I never use Explorer, only Mozilla - so do I have to change anything with that?

[gerbil]

Sorry, with that last post i was just giving some examples of things that you do not really need to autostart. HijackThis can be used to remove some things by fixing, but until you know what is safe to remove via that path it is best not to try it unassisted.
Dell sold the puter with software installed? Yep? well they put that R0 entry there. So next time you run HT, just put a check beside that entry,
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.dell.com
and press FIX.
No, don't try running those things.... they do already. Just review which ones you wish to autostart as i said above. Good luck.

[Bphillips]

OK. So I ran msconfig - and it lists 40 some odd things that run at Startup. So I whittled down the things I could guess I didn't need (assisted by your list) and left the things I didn't know what to do with. Things that have lots of letters and numbers like

hpztb01*
WCESCOM*

*-best guess

...I don't know what these are so I decided to leave them alone.

OK. So once I did THAT it asked me to restart the computer. Which I did. And I got a message that read:
_______________________________________________________

You have used the System Configuration Utility to make changes to the way Windows starts.

The System Configuration Utility is currently in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode, causing this message to be displayed and the utility to run every time Windows starts.

Choose the Normal Startup mode on the General tab to start Windows normally and undo the changes you made using the System Configuration Utility.

( ) Don't show this message or launch the System Configuration Utility when Windows start:

(OK)
__________________________________________________________

Soo.....do I click OK? Or do I check that box?

THANKS!

....now lets see if it behaves.

[gerbil]

heh... check the box n hit OK.
Selective mode just means it's going to use your selections. Normal mode, which you can reenter just by going to msconfig again and into the general tab..etc... will put you back where you originally were, if you so wish, with all those startups rechecked. [M$ has lotsa messages like that to confuse or scare folk]

[gerbil]

lots of third party software give syou the opp to modify the startup list without seeing that M$ mesage.... an example is AVG Antispyware 7.5, another is CCleaner, a neat little cleaner you can configure to just do your regular housekeeping by cleaning out temp files, or much more stuff like registry cleaning.

[Bphillips]

I actually have CCleaner. OK. Well that's all done then - best guesses anyway. Is there a way to show you what I have checked? It won't let me cut and paste a list.

Thanks for your help - lets give it some time and see if it calms down.

[gerbil]

yep, ok... i notice you got some advice re IRQL assignments also. If you ever find a way to change them with XP please let me know. M$ swear that you cannot. Btw, my major drivers/hardware each have their own IRQL, from 1 up to 23. Interesting, huh? Something to do with BIOS, and the types of cards etc you are using. But sharing IRQL's should not lead to conflicts with PCI cards.

[Bphillips]

Well, no dice. It's hesitating again. Attached is the lis of processes running. In startup these are the things running. Suggestions on what I can take out? Any other solutions?

oasclnt
mcvsshld
hpztsb04
hphmon03
jusched
mcagent
msicfapp
MpfTray
issch
isuspm
igfxtray
igfxpers
hkmcd
GoogleDesktop
tfswctrl
WXCSLDR2
mcupdate
realsched
ypager
MsnMsgr
WCESCOMM
DSAgnt
AOLLaunch
Adobe Gamma Loader

Thanks!

[gerbil]

paste a printscreen into your word editor, crop it and post it that way.

[gerbil]

jusched - remove this by unchecking the box in Java, update via control panel.
issch & isuspm - not needed
igfxtray & igfxpers - not needed
googledesktop - this one's up to you... it's just a text searcher for words in webpages, files, emails etc... do you use it?
realsched - update manager for Real player. not needed.
ypager - not needed
dsagent - not needed
AOLLaunch - you use AIM messenger service, so you may need this, but test that premise by checking it.

The ones i have ignored are fine - you need them running from start.
The ones i have noted above you can uncheck. By this i mean do not delete them as files, they are needed whenever you start the partic service manually.

Right... : msicfapp - did u misspell this? mscifapp is needed, don't uncheck it.
Similarly with WXCSLDR2 - should be WZCSLDR2, which IS needed for your wireless. Leave it.

[Bphillips]

OK. I have UNCHECKED those things, but it's still hestitating. Right this second.

I've attached the process page from my task manager. The only applications running are AIM and Yahoo.

[gerbil]

ok, you have a driver problem. which one, i do not know/cannot tell from here. System process, PID 4, is showing an excessive amount of CPU time used - 33 mins in under 8 hours of puter time. [mine's been on nearly 4 hours n PID 4 has used 7 secs only [if i was listening to music all that time it may amount to a couple of minutes]. System Process works in kernal memory; it manages many driver functions. Problem is not due to any applications. i'll get back to you on more of a workout.

[Bphillips]

OK so check this out. I tried to register for this one website, and I was denied because "this website does not accept registration from open proxy servers."

Open proxy, I wonder? What is that? According to my trusty Wikipedia:

"An open proxy is a proxy server which is accessible by any Internet user.

By utilizing some open proxies (the so-called "anonymous" open proxies), users can conceal their true IP address from the accessed service, and this is sometimes used to abuse or interrupt that service, potentially violating its terms of service or the law; open proxies are therefore often seen as a problem. However, anonymous open proxies are also used to increase anonymity or security when browsing the web or using other internet services: a user's true IP address can be used to deduce information about that user and to hack into his or her computer. Furthermore, open proxies can be used to circumvent efforts at Internet censorship by governments or organizations. Several web sites exist which provide constantly updated lists of open proxies.

It is possible for a computer to be running an open proxy server without knowledge of the computer's owner. This can be the result of misconfiguration of proxy software running on the computer, or of infection with malware (viruses, trojans or worms) designed for this purpose.

Many open proxies run slowly, sometimes below 14400 baud, or even below 300 baud, while other times the speed may change from fast to slow every minute. Some, such as Planet Lab proxies run faster and were intentionally set up for public use."

Is this a clue? ....maybe?

[gerbil]

i see no proxy in your log. but open your hosts file:- From control panel , go folder options, view and select "show hidden files and folder". Then navigate to C:\Windows\system32\drivers\etc. Open a new notepad and with left mouse button drag hosts into the notepad window [no file moving, mind!!]. All you should see is comment behind # leaders, incl a couple of examples, and at the bottom one entry:-
127.0.0.1 localhost

If you see other entries, please copy them from notepad and post here.

[Bphillips]

So...why does that one website tell me I'm an open proxy? Anyway, this is what that Notepad document reads after following your instructions:

# Copyright (c) 1993-1999 Microsoft Corp.
#
# This is a sample HOSTS file used by Microsoft TCP/IP for Windows.
#
# This file contains the mappings of IP addresses to host names. Each
# entry should be kept on an individual line. The IP address should
# be placed in the first column followed by the corresponding host name.
# The IP address and the host name should be separated by at least one
# space.
#
# Additionally, comments (such as these) may be inserted on individual
# lines or following the machine name denoted by a '#' symbol.
#
# For example:
#
# 102.54.94.97 rhino.acme.com # source server
# 38.25.63.10 x.acme.com # x client host

127.0.0.1 localhost

[gerbil]

that's clean. good. i am going bushwalking now for a couple days.... be in touch monday.. Sorry.

[Bphillips]

Well.....it's been a LONG time.

And needless to say - for a while there I was away from my computer enough that it didn't seem to matter. But, alas, it seems that nothing has really changed. And my computer hesitates.

I MIGHT have another clue though..

It seems to only really happen when I try to open a CD from my CD drive. Now...I installed a DVD Burner drive to my computer when I first got it. Did I maybe not do something right? I mean, it WORKS and all that. But 90% of the time when I try to read a CD from EITHER CD drive my computer slows down and starts jerking around.

Ideas? Hope you weren't eaten out there bushwalking.

[gerbil]

hello, bp.... nope, wasn eaten .... :)
Lessee now... two optical drives, huh? Gee, the luxury. So now i shall do a bit of guessing about your setup...
If your 3 drives [HD, CD and DVD] are all SATA then this note is irrelevant.
If your HD and one optical drive are SATA, and the other drive is IDE/ATA then this last should be connected via the inner IDE cable connector and the jumper set to Master. The cable would be plugged to the Primary connector on the motherboard as a rule.
If your HD is SATA, and both your CD and DVD drives are IDE/ATA but connected via separate IDE cables to the Primary and Secondary connectors, then this note is irrelevant, except to say that they should both on their respective inner cable connector and both selected by the rear jumper to Master.
If your HD, CD and DVD are all IDE/ATA you should have the HD alone on its 80-wire cable and plugged to the Primary connector, and both optical drives plugged to the Secondary connector. The optical drive [it's up to you which one] on the inner cable connector should be set to master, and the outer drive set to slave via the rear jumper.
-to avoid interference it is not a good idea to connect a HD and optical drive via the same IDE cable.

Of course, if you have a Cable Select compatible BIOS then you could instead utilise the CS jumper position on both drives.
One of your optical drives may also be connected via another cable to the mboard for [either analogue or digital] audio....
I just want to get this bit of wiring/plugging out of the area of concern as a first step, cos most optical drives are supplied with the jumper set to slave....and it may not suit.
So wotcha got?

[Bphillips]

...OK.

So to recap - I have no idea what a BIOS, SATA, HD, IDE OR ATA is. Except that ATA is the airline I usually use. And usually "HD" refers to High Definition. Like television. HDTV. I can only assume they mean something different in this context, however. Oh, and the IRA is in Ireland, too.

I'm also in Virginia for a week with my brother, who knows some things about computers. I'll ask him about....all that (he help me set it up in the first place). I DO know that for a while there my burner wasn't working because something-or-other was set to the master, when it should have been set to the slave.

But that was fixed.

So I don't know. I shall reply soon though!

[gerbil]

While you're up doing all that horseriding and eating ham don't let this stuff weigh you down too much.... but to clarify a bit more:-
"If your HD, CD and DVD are all IDE/ATA you should have the HD alone on its 80-wire cable and plugged to the Primary connector" [on the motherboard] - I must add that the HD should be on the END of the cable, and set as master.
"The optical drive [it's up to you which one] on the inner cable connector should be set to master, and the outer drive set to slave via the rear jumper." - well, I think I would set the burner as master... and don't fuss too much over whether the master optical drive goes on the end or the middle of this cable. These are slower creatures compared to a hard drive and it does not seem critical, for all the discussion on the subject that is on the net.
I hope it is safe to say merry christmas..