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PC not responding

D

Daniel

Flightless Bird
Hi

I have a PC with XP Home SP3 (SP3 installed yesterday) it has been working
well but
today, when I double click, or right click/open on a shortcut or select an
item in the
start menu nothing happens except that the mouse arrow turns to a working
hourglass and
the program does not open.

Any ideas on what could be happening or what I should look at.

thanks

Daniel
 
S

Stefan Patric

Flightless Bird
On Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:45:10 +1100, Daniel wrote:

> I have a PC with XP Home SP3 (SP3 installed yesterday) it has been
> working well but
> today, when I double click, or right click/open on a shortcut or select
> an item in the
> start menu nothing happens except that the mouse arrow turns to a
> working hourglass and
> the program does not open.
>
> Any ideas on what could be happening or what I should look at.


A vague recollection (perhaps an incorrect one) about Windows XP,
Internet Explorer 8, and SP3: Don't install IE8 until after updating to
SP3.

Also, if you have any anti-virus software running, turn it off, before
installing SP3.

This link might help get you started on finding the problem:

http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717


Stef
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
Why did it take you 2 years to get SP3 installed?

What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
subscription current? What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
What third-party firewall (if any)? Were any of these applications running
in the background when you installed SP3?

Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you bought
it)?


Daniel wrote:
> I have a PC with XP Home SP3 (SP3 installed yesterday) it has been working
> well but
> today, when I double click, or right click/open on a shortcut or select an
> item in the
> start menu nothing happens except that the mouse arrow turns to a working
> hourglass and
> the program does not open.
>
> Any ideas on what could be happening or what I should look at.
 
B

Bill in Co.

Flightless Bird
Stefan Patric wrote:
> On Thu, 18 Mar 2010 11:45:10 +1100, Daniel wrote:
>
>> I have a PC with XP Home SP3 (SP3 installed yesterday) it has been
>> working well but
>> today, when I double click, or right click/open on a shortcut or select
>> an item in the
>> start menu nothing happens except that the mouse arrow turns to a
>> working hourglass and
>> the program does not open.
>>
>> Any ideas on what could be happening or what I should look at.

>
> A vague recollection (perhaps an incorrect one) about Windows XP,
> Internet Explorer 8, and SP3: Don't install IE8 until after updating to
> SP3.


Because if you do it that way (first SP3, then IE8), and decide you don't
like IE8, you should be able to fall back to the previous IE version.
OTOH, if you install IE8 first, and then SP3, you lose that option, as I
recall.
 
D

Daniel

Flightless Bird
Hi

Please see below

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:uIw0AplxKHA.5940@TK2MSFTNGP02.phx.gbl...
> Why did it take you 2 years to get SP3 installed?


It was a fresh install of XP on a formatted hard drive and Auto Update
installed SP3

> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
> subscription current?


AVG Free v9

What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?

None

> What third-party firewall (if any)?


None

> Were any of these applications running in the background when you
> installed SP3?


Yes AVG

> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
> bought it)?


No
> Daniel wrote:
>> I have a PC with XP Home SP3 (SP3 installed yesterday) it has been
>> working
>> well but
>> today, when I double click, or right click/open on a shortcut or select
>> an
>> item in the
>> start menu nothing happens except that the mouse arrow turns to a working
>> hourglass and
>> the program does not open.
>>
>> Any ideas on what could be happening or what I should look at.

>
>
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
[Please don't answer my questions within the quote of my post, just answer
by number.]

1. Why did you need to do a "fresh install?"

2. Did this fresh install leave you with WinXP SP1 or SP2?

3. Did you use the disks that came with the computer-in-question to install
WinXP?

4. How long was the computer connected to the internet or any local networks
(other computers) before you got AVG installed & fully updated?


Daniel wrote:
>> Why did it take you 2 years to get SP3 installed?

>
> It was a fresh install of XP on a formatted hard drive and Auto Update
> installed SP3
>
>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
>> subscription current?

>
> AVG Free v9
>
> What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
>
> None
>
>> What third-party firewall (if any)?

>
> None
>
>> Were any of these applications running in the background when you
>> installed SP3?

>
> Yes AVG
>
>> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>> bought it)?

>
> No
>> Daniel wrote:
>>> I have a PC with XP Home SP3 (SP3 installed yesterday) it has been
>>> working
>>> well but
>>> today, when I double click, or right click/open on a shortcut or select
>>> an
>>> item in the
>>> start menu nothing happens except that the mouse arrow turns to a
>>> working
>>> hourglass and
>>> the program does not open.
>>>
>>> Any ideas on what could be happening or what I should look at.
 
D

Daniel

Flightless Bird
1. New hard drive
2. SP2
3. Yes
4. 2 hours, while I tried to get MSE installed, when MSE would not install I
downloaded AVG.
This is a stand alone PC.

thanks

Daniel

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:u9gYmZsxKHA.5936@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
> [Please don't answer my questions within the quote of my post, just answer
> by number.]
>
> 1. Why did you need to do a "fresh install?"
>
> 2. Did this fresh install leave you with WinXP SP1 or SP2?
>
> 3. Did you use the disks that came with the computer-in-question to
> install WinXP?
>
> 4. How long was the computer connected to the internet or any local
> networks (other computers) before you got AVG installed & fully updated?
>
>
> Daniel wrote:
>>> Why did it take you 2 years to get SP3 installed?

>>
>> It was a fresh install of XP on a formatted hard drive and Auto Update
>> installed SP3
>>
>>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
>>> subscription current?

>>
>> AVG Free v9
>>
>> What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
>>
>> None
>>
>>> What third-party firewall (if any)?

>>
>> None
>>
>>> Were any of these applications running in the background when you
>>> installed SP3?

>>
>> Yes AVG
>>
>>> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>>> bought it)?

>>
>> No
>>> Daniel wrote:
>>>> I have a PC with XP Home SP3 (SP3 installed yesterday) it has been
>>>> working
>>>> well but
>>>> today, when I double click, or right click/open on a shortcut or select
>>>> an
>>>> item in the
>>>> start menu nothing happens except that the mouse arrow turns to a
>>>> working
>>>> hourglass and
>>>> the program does not open.
>>>>
>>>> Any ideas on what could be happening or what I should look at.

>
>
 
P

PA Bear [MS MVP]

Flightless Bird
You never mentioned Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) before in this
thread, Daniel.

Two hours online (or connected to a local network) without a functional,
fully-updated anti-virus application installed is more than ample time to
infect a computer. (Actually, two minutes would suffice!) The fact that
you couldn't download/install MSE very strongly suggests a hijackware
infection is causing your problem.

Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100%
trustworthy at this point) then format the HDD & do a clean install of
Windows. Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will NOT
fix this!

HOW TO do a clean install of WinXP: See
http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps and/or Method 1 in
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307

After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
the machine to the internet or a local network (i.e., other computers) and
before using a flash drive or SDCard that isn't brand-new or hasn't been
freshly formatted:

4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx

Other helpful references include:

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
(after a clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c

HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
clean install)
http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b

Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029
manually: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029

NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the computer
when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is
reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial AND download/run the
appropriate removal tool BEFORE installing any updates, Windows Service
Packs or IE upgrades AND BEFORE installing your new anti-virus application
(which likely will require WinXP SP3 to be installed).

Norton Removal Tool
ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe

McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe

Good luck!


Daniel wrote:
> 1. New hard drive
> 2. SP2
> 3. Yes
> 4. 2 hours, while I tried to get MSE installed, when MSE would not install
> I
> downloaded AVG.
> This is a stand alone PC.
>
> thanks
>
> Daniel
>
> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
> news:u9gYmZsxKHA.5936@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>> [Please don't answer my questions within the quote of my post, just
>> answer
>> by number.]
>>
>> 1. Why did you need to do a "fresh install?"
>>
>> 2. Did this fresh install leave you with WinXP SP1 or SP2?
>>
>> 3. Did you use the disks that came with the computer-in-question to
>> install WinXP?
>>
>> 4. How long was the computer connected to the internet or any local
>> networks (other computers) before you got AVG installed & fully updated?
>>
>>
>> Daniel wrote:
>>>> Why did it take you 2 years to get SP3 installed?
>>>
>>> It was a fresh install of XP on a formatted hard drive and Auto Update
>>> installed SP3
>>>
>>>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
>>>> subscription current?
>>>
>>> AVG Free v9
>>>
>>> What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
>>>
>>> None
>>>
>>>> What third-party firewall (if any)?
>>>
>>> None
>>>
>>>> Were any of these applications running in the background when you
>>>> installed SP3?
>>>
>>> Yes AVG
>>>
>>>> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>>>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>>>> bought it)?
>>>
>>> No
>>>> Daniel wrote:
>>>>> I have a PC with XP Home SP3 (SP3 installed yesterday) it has been
>>>>> working
>>>>> well but
>>>>> today, when I double click, or right click/open on a shortcut or
>>>>> select
>>>>> an
>>>>> item in the
>>>>> start menu nothing happens except that the mouse arrow turns to a
>>>>> working
>>>>> hourglass and
>>>>> the program does not open.
>>>>>
>>>>> Any ideas on what could be happening or what I should look at.
 
D

Daniel

Flightless Bird
Hi

thanks for the advice, I'll do as you say.

It will take me a couple of days to get to it.

Regards

Daniel

"PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:eW8cjzuxKHA.6140@TK2MSFTNGP05.phx.gbl...
> You never mentioned Microsoft Security Essentials (MSE) before in this
> thread, Daniel.
>
> Two hours online (or connected to a local network) without a functional,
> fully-updated anti-virus application installed is more than ample time to
> infect a computer. (Actually, two minutes would suffice!) The fact that
> you couldn't download/install MSE very strongly suggests a hijackware
> infection is causing your problem.
>
> Back-up any personal data (none of which should be considered 100%
> trustworthy at this point) then format the HDD & do a clean install of
> Windows. Please note that a Repair Install (AKA in-place upgrade) will
> NOT fix this!
>
> HOW TO do a clean install of WinXP: See
> http://michaelstevenstech.com/cleanxpinstall.html#steps and/or Method 1 in
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/978307
>
> After the clean install, you'll have the equivalent of a "new computer" so
> take care of everything on the following page before otherwise connecting
> the machine to the internet or a local network (i.e., other computers)
> and before using a flash drive or SDCard that isn't brand-new or hasn't
> been freshly formatted:
>
> 4 steps to help protect your new computer before you go online
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/pypc.aspx
>
> Other helpful references include:
>
> HOW TO get a computer running WinXP Gold (no Service Packs) fully patched
> (after a clean install)
> http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsupdate/msg/3f5afa8ed33e121c
>
> HOW TO get a computer running WinXP SP1(a) or SP2 fully patched (after a
> clean install)
> http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/a066ae41add7dd2b
>
> Tip: After getting the computer fully-patched, download/install KB971029
> manually: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971029
>
> NB: Any Norton or McAfee free-trial that came preinstalled on the computer
> when you bought it will be reinstalled (but invalid) when Windows is
> reinstalled. You MUST uninstall the free-trial AND download/run the
> appropriate removal tool BEFORE installing any updates, Windows Service
> Packs or IE upgrades AND BEFORE installing your new anti-virus application
> (which likely will require WinXP SP3 to be installed).
>
> Norton Removal Tool
>
> ftp://ftp.symantec.com/public/english_us_canada/removal_tools/Norton_Removal_Tool.exe
>
> McAfee Consumer Products Removal Tool
>
> http://download.mcafee.com/products/licensed/cust_support_patches/MCPR.exe
>
> Good luck!
>
>
> Daniel wrote:
>> 1. New hard drive
>> 2. SP2
>> 3. Yes
>> 4. 2 hours, while I tried to get MSE installed, when MSE would not
>> install I
>> downloaded AVG.
>> This is a stand alone PC.
>>
>> thanks
>>
>> Daniel
>>
>> "PA Bear [MS MVP]" <PABearMVP@gmail.com> wrote in message
>> news:u9gYmZsxKHA.5936@TK2MSFTNGP04.phx.gbl...
>>> [Please don't answer my questions within the quote of my post, just
>>> answer
>>> by number.]
>>>
>>> 1. Why did you need to do a "fresh install?"
>>>
>>> 2. Did this fresh install leave you with WinXP SP1 or SP2?
>>>
>>> 3. Did you use the disks that came with the computer-in-question to
>>> install WinXP?
>>>
>>> 4. How long was the computer connected to the internet or any local
>>> networks (other computers) before you got AVG installed & fully updated?
>>>
>>>
>>> Daniel wrote:
>>>>> Why did it take you 2 years to get SP3 installed?
>>>>
>>>> It was a fresh install of XP on a formatted hard drive and Auto Update
>>>> installed SP3
>>>>
>>>>> What anti-virus application or security suite is installed and is your
>>>>> subscription current?
>>>>
>>>> AVG Free v9
>>>>
>>>> What anti-spyware applications (other than Defender)?
>>>>
>>>> None
>>>>
>>>>> What third-party firewall (if any)?
>>>>
>>>> None
>>>>
>>>>> Were any of these applications running in the background when you
>>>>> installed SP3?
>>>>
>>>> Yes AVG
>>>>
>>>>> Has a(another) Norton or McAfee application ever been installed on the
>>>>> computer (e.g., a free-trial version that came preinstalled when you
>>>>> bought it)?
>>>>
>>>> No
>>>>> Daniel wrote:
>>>>>> I have a PC with XP Home SP3 (SP3 installed yesterday) it has been
>>>>>> working
>>>>>> well but
>>>>>> today, when I double click, or right click/open on a shortcut or
>>>>>> select
>>>>>> an
>>>>>> item in the
>>>>>> start menu nothing happens except that the mouse arrow turns to a
>>>>>> working
>>>>>> hourglass and
>>>>>> the program does not open.
>>>>>>
>>>>>> Any ideas on what could be happening or what I should look at.

>
>
 
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