Help! Computer partial freezes - Lateral thinking needed

[Roger Mills]

My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking up, and
I need some help to diagnose and fix it.

It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a desktop
with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.

The symptoms are as follows:
* The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over it, and
then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
* The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse movements, but
mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
* I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
* Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It even
responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but it's virtually
the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
* This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same time, but
usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything that's scheduled to
happen at this time, which may cause it]
* The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big red
switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
* Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day

Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
It has only started happening since I installed the software for a USB-based
Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is at another
location and so not physically connected - but the problem is still
occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device Manager, so I can't tell
the system not to use it in this profile, or somesuch]

Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?

TIA.
--
Cheers,
Roger
_______
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

 

[Adrian C]

On 20/04/2010 129, Roger Mills wrote:

> * This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same time, but
> usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything that's scheduled to
> happen at this time, which may cause it]

What time do you switch it on?

Fan/Heatsink clogged up with fluff? Left the carton for the HP software
box blocking the laptop vents?

--
Adrian C

 

[The Natural Philosopher]

Roger Mills wrote:
> My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking up, and
> I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>
> It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a desktop
> with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>
> The symptoms are as follows:
> * The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over it, and
> then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
> * The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse movements, but
> mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
> * I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
> * Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
> continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It even
> responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but it's virtually
> the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
> * This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same time, but
> usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything that's scheduled to
> happen at this time, which may cause it]
> * The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big red
> switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
> * Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day
>
> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
> It has only started happening since I installed the software for a USB-based
> Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is at another
> location and so not physically connected - but the problem is still
> occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device Manager, so I can't tell
> the system not to use it in this profile, or somesuch]
>
> Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?
>
> TIA.
hardware fault or dodgy device driver: looks very like (some) interrupts
are being masked, probably by an interrupt service routine waiting
forever for hardware that doesn't respond..

 

[Adrian]

"Roger Mills" <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> gurgled happily, sounding much
like they were saying:

> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . . It has
> only started happening since I installed the software for a USB-based
> Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is at another
> location and so not physically connected - but the problem is still
> occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device Manager, so I can't
> tell the system not to use it in this profile, or somesuch]

Is there a Canon software component being auto-started on boot?

 

[Bruce]

On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 129:55 +0100, "Roger Mills"
<watt.tyler@googlemail.com> wrote:
>My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking up, and
>I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>
>It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a desktop
>with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>
>The symptoms are as follows:
>* The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over it, and
>then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
>* The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse movements, but
>mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
>* I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
>* Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
>continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It even
>responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but it's virtually
>the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
>* This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same time, but
>usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything that's scheduled to
>happen at this time, which may cause it]
>* The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big red
>switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
>* Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day
>
>Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
>It has only started happening since I installed the software for a USB-based
>Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is at another
>location and so not physically connected - but the problem is still
>occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device Manager, so I can't tell
>the system not to use it in this profile, or somesuch]
>
>Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?


I have had similar problems in the past with anti-virus software. When
it started scanning, everything seemed to freeze. Perhaps yours is
timed to start its daily scanning at 10:00 AM?

 

[Roger Mills]

In an earlier contribution to this discussion, Adrian C
<email@here.invalid> wrote:
> On 20/04/2010 129, Roger Mills wrote:
>
>> * This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same
>> time, but usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything
>> that's scheduled to happen at this time, which may cause it]
>
> What time do you switch it on?
>
About 70 each morning

> Fan/Heatsink clogged up with fluff? Left the carton for the HP
> software box blocking the laptop vents?

I'll check for fluff, but I doubt whether it's temperature related. It
tyupically fails after about 3 hours, and then runs ok for another 14 hours
after being restarted.

The machine is 7 or 8 years old - so no software cartons left!
--
Cheers,
Roger
_______
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

 

[Roger Mills]

In an earlier contribution to this discussion, Bruce
<docnews2011@gmail.com> wrote:
> On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 129:55 +0100, "Roger Mills"
> <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> wrote:
>> My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking
>> up, and I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>>
>> It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a
>> desktop with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>>
>> The symptoms are as follows:
>> * The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over
>> it, and then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
>> * The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse
>> movements, but mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
>> * I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
>> * Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
>> continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It
>> even responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but
>> it's virtually the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
>> * This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same
>> time, but usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything
>> that's scheduled to happen at this time, which may cause it]
>> * The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big
>> red switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
>> * Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day
>>
>> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
>> It has only started happening since I installed the software for a
>> USB-based Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself
>> is at another location and so not physically connected - but the
>> problem is still occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device
>> Manager, so I can't tell the system not to use it in this profile,
>> or somesuch]
>>
>> Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?
>
>
> I have had similar problems in the past with anti-virus software. When
> it started scanning, everything seemed to freeze. Perhaps yours is
> timed to start its daily scanning at 10:00 AM?

No - AVG updates each day at 18:00 and does a full scan only once a week, on
a Monday evening.
--
Cheers,
Roger
_______
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

 

[Roger Mills]

In an earlier contribution to this discussion, Adrian
<toomany2cvs@gmail.com> wrote:
> "Roger Mills" <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> gurgled happily, sounding
> much like they were saying:
>
>> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . . It
>> has only started happening since I installed the software for a
>> USB-based Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself
>> is at another location and so not physically connected - but the
>> problem is still occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device
>> Manager, so I can't tell the system not to use it in this profile,
>> or somesuch]
>
> Is there a Canon software component being auto-started on boot?

Now, there's a bit of lateral thinking!

Yes, there is a program called CanonMyPrinter which is auto-started and sits
in the system tray. I've now disabled it, and will see whether that makes
any difference.

Meanwhile, thanks to all for the other suggestions - keep them coming!
--
Cheers,
Roger
_______
Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
checked.

 

[Dave Liquorice]

On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 129:55 +0100, Roger Mills wrote:

> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
> It has only started happening since I installed the software for a
> USB-based Canon all-in-one printer scanner -

Wonder if that has installed a "check for latest
driver/firmware/clean socks" something that happens a couple of hours
after the machine is first booted each day?

> but the device itself is at another location and so not physically
> connected ...

The above is then grinding to a halt when it can't find the device to
check what firmware it has. Why are windows programmers so fing dumb
when it comes to error checking or rather not error checking?

--
Cheers
Dave.

 

[BillW50]

In news:835i59FigfU1@mid.individual.net,
Roger Mills typed on Tue, 20 Apr 2010 129:55 +0100:
[...]
> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
> It has only started happening since I installed the software for a
> USB-based Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is
> at another location and so not physically connected - but the
> problem is still occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device
> Manager, so I can't tell the system not to use it in this profile, or
> somesuch]
> Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?

The first place I would start is the Canon software. I have seen many of
these multifunction printer drivers causing lots of problems like this
if it can't find the device. Good thing you mentioned this too.

You could try killing it under the Task Manager. If this fixes the
problem, you have a number of options:

1) Uninstall the software.

2) Rename the program which also disables it without uninstalling
anything. Thus all you have to do is rename it back and run the program
or reboot if you need it later.

I like Process Explorer (free from Microsoft) rather than using the Task
Manager. But the Task Manager should be able to handle this one. Process
Explorer also shows DPC usage too, which could be your problem too.
Probably linking back to the Canon software.

--
Bill
Asus EEE PC 701G4 ~ 2GB RAM ~ 16GB-SDHC
Windows XP SP2 (quit Windows updates back in May 2009)

 

[RobertL]

On Apr 20, 129 pm, "Roger Mills" <watt.ty...@googlemail.com> wrote:
> My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking up, and
> I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>
> It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a desktop
> with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>
> The symptoms are as follows:
> * The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over it, and
> then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
> * The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse movements, but
> mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
> * I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
> * Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
> continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It even
> responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but it's virtually
> the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
> * This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same time, but
> usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything that's scheduled to
> happen at this time, which may cause it]
> * The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big red
> switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
> * Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day
>
> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
> It has only started happening since I installed the software for a USB-based
> Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is at another
> location  and so not physically connected - but the problem is still
> occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device Manager, so I can't tell
> the system not to use it in this profile, or somesuch]
>
> Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?


I had something similar and it turned out to be overheating. When the
PC gets hot it reduces the clock rate so it can cool off, but this
makes everything grind to a halt. Use a vacuum cleaner (with hose) to
suck through the air intake. You can get a lot of fluff in
there. Also make sure there is plenty of fresh air getting to the
air intake.

You can also download some software that monitors the temperature
sensors and see if that is happening. I use "SpeedFan".

Robert

 

[John Whitworth]

"Roger Mills" <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> wrote in message
news:835i59FigfU1@mid.individual.net...
> My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking up,
> and I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>
> It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a desktop
> with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>
> The symptoms are as follows:
> * The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over it, and
> then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
> * The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse movements, but
> mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
> * I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
> * Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
> continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It even
> responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but it's
> virtually the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
> * This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same time, but
> usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything that's scheduled to
> happen at this time, which may cause it]
> * The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big red
> switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
> * Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day
>
> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
> It has only started happening since I installed the software for a
> USB-based Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is at
> another location and so not physically connected - but the problem is
> still occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device Manager, so I can't
> tell the system not to use it in this profile, or somesuch]

In Device Manager, in View, have you ticked "Show Hidden Devices"? Can't
remember whether that will show disconnected USB devices for which the
drivers are still present.

Failing that, could you uninstall the printer driver using Add/Remove
programs? Then, when it is connected to the machine again, and you
reinstall, you could experiment with disabling the hardware in specific
profiles.

JW

 

[John Whitworth]

"RobertL" <robertmlaws@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:08e8e035-3c8d-4931-bd9a-81da87d64922@r10g2000vbb.googlegroups.com...
> On Apr 20, 129 pm, "Roger Mills" <watt.ty...@googlemail.com> wrote:
>> My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking up,
>> and
>> I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>>
>> It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a desktop
>> with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>>
>> The symptoms are as follows:
>> * The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over it,
>> and
>> then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
>> * The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse movements, but
>> mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
>> * I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
>> * Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
>> continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It even
>> responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but it's
>> virtually
>> the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
>> * This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same time, but
>> usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything that's scheduled to
>> happen at this time, which may cause it]
>> * The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big red
>> switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
>> * Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day
>>
>> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
>> It has only started happening since I installed the software for a
>> USB-based
>> Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is at another
>> location and so not physically connected - but the problem is still
>> occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device Manager, so I can't tell
>> the system not to use it in this profile, or somesuch]
>>
>> Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?
>
>
> I had something similar and it turned out to be overheating. When the
> PC gets hot it reduces the clock rate so it can cool off, but this
> makes everything grind to a halt. Use a vacuum cleaner (with hose) to
> suck through the air intake. You can get a lot of fluff in
> there. Also make sure there is plenty of fresh air getting to the
> air intake.

Given the fairly good timing that the problem is keeping, I'm not so sure it
is that. Though it can't hurt to vacuum it out. Don't think you'll get much
through the air intakes though. Just open the case up, and then very
carefully hoover around with the crevice tool.

> You can also download some software that monitors the temperature
> sensors and see if that is happening. I use "SpeedFan".
>
> Robert
>

 

[tony sayer]

In article <835i59FigfU1@mid.individual.net>, Roger Mills
<watt.tyler@googlemail.com> scribeth thus
>My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking up, and
>I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>
>It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a desktop
>with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>
>The symptoms are as follows:
>* The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over it, and
>then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
>* The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse movements, but
>mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
>* I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
>* Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
>continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It even
>responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but it's virtually
>the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
>* This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same time, but
>usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything that's scheduled to
>happen at this time, which may cause it]
>* The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big red
>switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
>* Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day
>
>Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
>It has only started happening since I installed the software for a USB-based
>Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is at another
>location and so not physically connected - but the problem is still
>occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device Manager, so I can't tell
>the system not to use it in this profile, or somesuch]
>
>Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?
>
>TIA.

If it were me...

1. Power supply responsible for a lot of faults like this.

2. Video card overheating sometimes

3. Possible overheating prolly linked with 3

4. UN-install the Canon prog

5. Be thankful you've got XP and not Vister..
--
Tony Sayer

 

[John Whitworth]

"tony sayer" <tony@bancom.co.uk> wrote in message
news:kT2Kq+EvUczLFwKk@bancom.co.uk...
> In article <835i59FigfU1@mid.individual.net>, Roger Mills
> <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> scribeth thus
>>My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking up,
>>and
>>I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>>
>>It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a desktop
>>with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>>
>>The symptoms are as follows:
>>* The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over it, and
>>then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
>>* The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse movements, but
>>mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
>>* I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
>>* Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
>>continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It even
>>responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but it's
>>virtually
>>the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
>>* This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same time, but
>>usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything that's scheduled to
>>happen at this time, which may cause it]
>>* The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big red
>>switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
>>* Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day
>>
>>Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
>>It has only started happening since I installed the software for a
>>USB-based
>>Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is at another
>>location and so not physically connected - but the problem is still
>>occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device Manager, so I can't tell
>>the system not to use it in this profile, or somesuch]
>>
>>Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?
>>
>>TIA.
>
> If it were me...
>
> 1. Power supply responsible for a lot of faults like this.
Why would a PSU cause some most of Windows to freeze, but Mailwasher to keep
going, at around 10.00am each morning?

> 2. Video card overheating sometimes
If it were a video card issue, everything would have probably stopped on the
screen. But it seems to be application specific.

> 3. Possible overheating prolly linked with 3
>
> 4. UN-install the Canon prog
>
> 5. Be thankful you've got XP and not Vister..
> --
> Tony Sayer
>

 

[The Natural Philosopher]

John Whitworth wrote:
>
>
> "tony sayer" <tony@bancom.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:kT2Kq+EvUczLFwKk@bancom.co.uk...
>> In article <835i59FigfU1@mid.individual.net>, Roger Mills
>> <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> scribeth thus
>>> My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking
>>> up, and
>>> I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>>>
>>> It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a
>>> desktop
>>> with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>>>
>>> The symptoms are as follows:
>>> * The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over
>>> it, and
>>> then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
>>> * The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse movements,
>>> but
>>> mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
>>> * I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
>>> * Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
>>> continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It even
>>> responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but it's
>>> virtually
>>> the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
>>> * This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same time,
>>> but
>>> usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything that's
>>> scheduled to
>>> happen at this time, which may cause it]
>>> * The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big red
>>> switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
>>> * Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day
>>>
>>> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
>>> It has only started happening since I installed the software for a
>>> USB-based
>>> Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself is at another
>>> location and so not physically connected - but the problem is still
>>> occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device Manager, so I can't
>>> tell
>>> the system not to use it in this profile, or somesuch]
>>>
>>> Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?
>>>
>>> TIA.
>>
>> If it were me...
>>
>> 1. Power supply responsible for a lot of faults like this.
> Why would a PSU cause some most of Windows to freeze, but Mailwasher to
> keep going, at around 10.00am each morning?

problem on 12v which drives USB stuff, and things like keyboarrds.. but
not on main CPU and clock.

>
>> 2. Video card overheating sometimes
> If it were a video card issue, everything would have probably stopped on
> the screen. But it seems to be application specific.
>

Not so. hot stuff goes off timing wise before it goes off completely.
That gives corrupt access to anything on the bus at all. Especially
whose address is somewhat like the cards I/O address.

I had a card once that did that any ANY temperature. Crap design.

It was a video capture card. Its only visible effect was to corrupt just
two bytes of a file being copied from the floppy drive to the hard disk.

It reacted to just a certain address, followed by an I/O operation and
grabbed the bus. What you got in a DMA transfer off a disk in fact, but
only when writing to certain memory locations.


Took me three days to pin it down.

 

[Bruce]

On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 13:244 +0100, "Roger Mills"
<watt.tyler@googlemail.com> wrote:

>In an earlier contribution to this discussion, Bruce
><docnews2011@gmail.com> wrote:
>> On Tue, 20 Apr 2010 129:55 +0100, "Roger Mills"
>> <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> wrote:
>>> My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking
>>> up, and I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>>>
>>> It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a
>>> desktop with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>>>
>>> The symptoms are as follows:
>>> * The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over
>>> it, and then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
>>> * The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse
>>> movements, but mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
>>> * I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open
>>> * Mailwasher (which I have permanently open on one of the monitors)
>>> continues to scan for emails and displays any new ones it finds. It
>>> even responds to mouse clicks to zap any emails I don't want - but
>>> it's virtually the only program which *does* respond to mouse clicks
>>> * This freeze-up happens every morning - not always at the same
>>> time, but usually between 10am and noon. [I can't find anything
>>> that's scheduled to happen at this time, which may cause it]
>>> * The only way (that I can find) to recover is to power down ("big
>>> red switch" job - except that it isn't red) and start again
>>> * Once restarted, it usually runs ok for the rest of the day
>>>
>>> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . .
>>> It has only started happening since I installed the software for a
>>> USB-based Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself
>>> is at another location and so not physically connected - but the
>>> problem is still occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device
>>> Manager, so I can't tell the system not to use it in this profile,
>>> or somesuch]
>>>
>>> Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?
>>
>>
>> I have had similar problems in the past with anti-virus software. When
>> it started scanning, everything seemed to freeze. Perhaps yours is
>> timed to start its daily scanning at 10:00 AM?
>
>No - AVG updates each day at 18:00 and does a full scan only once a week, on
>a Monday evening.


I used to use AVG and had frequent slowdowns even when AVG appeared
not to be active. Since removing AVG from the system there has been a
very significant improvement in performance.

I don't know whether AVG is at the root of your specific problem, but
as an anti-virus package I think it is best avoided, along with Norton
and McAfee.

 

[Roger Mills]

In an earlier contribution to this discussion, John Whitworth
>
> In Device Manager, in View, have you ticked "Show Hidden Devices"?
> Can't remember whether that will show disconnected USB devices for
> which the drivers are still present.
>
No, I hadn't and there wasn't a Printers entry in the drop-down list. I've
now done so, and it shows the printer which is physically connected, but not
the Canon all-in-one.

> Failing that, could you uninstall the printer driver using Add/Remove
> programs? Then, when it is connected to the machine again, and you
> reinstall, you could experiment with disabling the hardware in
> specific profiles.
>
> JW

Yes, I could probably do that. The driver shows up in the program list, but
doesn't show a task name so I've no idea whether it's loaded or not. The
only obvious canon program was MyPrinter (some sort of printer monitoring
program) which I have now disabled - and we'll see if that makes any
difference.

If necessary, I'll uninstall the driver - but not just yet.
--
Cheers,
Roger
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Please reply to Newsgroup. Whilst email address is valid, it is seldom
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[John Rumm]

Roger Mills wrote:

> My computer has recently developed a very annoying fault of locking up, and
> I need some help to diagnose and fix it.
>
> It's an HP/Compaq laptop running Win XP/SP3 but I'm using it as a desktop
> with additional monitor and separate keyboard/mouse.
>
> The symptoms are as follows:
> * The taskbar (which is usually hidden) displays when I mouse over it, and
> then freezes in position - and the clock doesn't update
> * The mouse pointer continues to move in response to mouse movements, but
> mouse clicks (mostly) have no effect
> * I am unable to open any new programs or shut down any that are open

<snip etc>

> Anyone come across anything like this, or got any ideas?

Yes, recently...

Something to try when it next "freezes"....

Does ALT + Tab escape from the freeze? And what about CTRL+ALT+DEL (i.e.
opening task manager)?

If so it sounds like a problem I had with Firefox after an update from
3.6. It was getting resource hungry - swallowing 50% CPU for no apparent
reason, and on occasion - would seem to cause a freeze like you describe
- especially when trying to resize or move a window.

After a few days of irritation the problem went away! The only
significant event I can correlate with it was a message recently on
starting FF warning that the Java Deployment Toolkit had been disabled
for security or stability reasons. Since then it s been fine. Looking at
the specific reasons for the block list entry of that[1] it does not
seem to be related to the problem I was having - so may be co-incidence.


[1] https://bugzilla.mozilla.org/show_bug.cgi?id=558584


--
Cheers,

John.

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[John Rumm]

Roger Mills wrote:
> In an earlier contribution to this discussion, Adrian
> <toomany2cvs@gmail.com> wrote:
>> "Roger Mills" <watt.tyler@googlemail.com> gurgled happily, sounding
>> much like they were saying:
>>
>>> Oh, and one final thing - I'm not sure whether it's relevant . . It
>>> has only started happening since I installed the software for a
>>> USB-based Canon all-in-one printer scanner - but the device itself
>>> is at another location and so not physically connected - but the
>>> problem is still occurring. [The device doesn't show up in Device
>>> Manager, so I can't tell the system not to use it in this profile,
>>> or somesuch]
>> Is there a Canon software component being auto-started on boot?
>
> Now, there's a bit of lateral thinking!
>
> Yes, there is a program called CanonMyPrinter which is auto-started and sits
> in the system tray. I've now disabled it, and will see whether that makes
> any difference.
>
> Meanwhile, thanks to all for the other suggestions - keep them coming!

Check there are no services that have been installed and set to
autostart as well. (Right click My Computer and select "Manage", then
drill down to the services list).

--
Cheers,

John.

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