gsayers9686

Well, I found the problem and it was not anything I expected.

My D: drive was starting to fail about the same time I upgraded to SP3. I
didn't know it until yesterday. Booted the PC and Windows is telling we
there's a problem with the D: drive. I powered down the PC, disconnected the
hard drive and powered it back up.

Problem gone.

Thanks for all the help. If nothing else, I've learned a bit more about how
the OS works :-)

"JS" wrote:

> Safe Mode Description: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222
>
> I'd use msconfig's 'Selective' startup and removing the check marks for:
> 'Process SYSTEM.INI File', 'Process WIN.INI File', 'Load System Services'
> and 'Load Startup Items'. Then in the 'Services' Tab placing a checkmark in
> the 'Hide All Microsoft Services' box, and then click the 'Disable All'
> button. This effectively stops any "non" Microsoft services and "startup
> items" from loading or starting the next time you boot the PC.
>
> This means the next time you boot the PC it will be as close to a bare bones
> OS as possible.
>
> JS
>
> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:8D2FD4AB-51F4-49B9-A34B-9715BA76A7D1@microsoft.com...
> > Ok, I kinda thought that's where I'd have to head next. Since it also
> > happens
> > when booting in safe mode, shouldn't I be able to limit what I stop to
> > whatever is in common between the two?
> >
> > "JS" wrote:
> >
> >> I know you said that Process Explorer also froze, but after the PC
> >> unfreezes
> >> look at the CPU graph in Process Explorer, it's possible it may have the
> >> beginnings of a small/large spike at the start of the freeze, you may
> >> even
> >> see a small spike spaced every sever seconds or so. If the spike is
> >> present,
> >> then move your mouse cursor directly over the spike and you should see a
> >> pop
> >> up with what cause the spike.
> >>
> >> If the above is of no help then I think you need to do a brute force
> >> approach and one at a time disable an item in the Startup list.
> >> Use msconfig for this, (Start/run/msconfig) and in the 'Startup' tab look
> >> at
> >> the list of items, you could uncheck them all and reboot, see if the
> >> problem
> >> is gone. If the problem/freeze has stopped then it's one of the items in
> >> the
> >> startup list.
> >>
> >> JS
> >>
> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> news:995180B6-23E2-42E2-9FC2-3960AA199196@microsoft.com...
> >> > Indexing service is not running.
> >> >
> >> > "JS" wrote:
> >> >
> >> >> Indexing service, is it running?
> >> >>
> >> >> JS
> >> >>
> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
> >> >> news:F4EC8C47-9EBE-4504-B9BA-B2CC59DA1A52@microsoft.com...
> >> >> > OK, Maybe I wasn't specific enough when I used the term "locked up".
> >> >> > I
> >> >> > can
> >> >> > move the mouse around and can still type (just buffers the
> >> >> > keystrokes).
> >> >> > The
> >> >> > screen freezes, so Process Explorer can't show me what's happening
> >> >> > during
> >> >> > the
> >> >> > time the HD is writing. The only thing I can check is the CSwitch
> >> >> > Delta
> >> >> > when
> >> >> > viewing the explorer.exe threads. Only thread
> >> >> > "SHLWAPI.dll!Ordinal505+0x3e9"
> >> >> > shows a Delta, and it tops out @ 84 from a nominal 16.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Here are the symptoms...
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Happens every 60 seconds.
> >> >> > Depending on apps running, IRP_MJ_WRITE writes to different files in
> >> >> > c:\
> >> >> > (i.e. $LogFile)
> >> >> > Always writes to c:\pagefile.sys
> >> >> >
> >> >> > pagefile.sys shows as 1 fragment in Disk Defrag
> >> >> >
> >> >> > When explorer.exe is killed, the symptoms disappear.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > Restarting explorer.exe brings back the symptoms.
> >> >> >
> >> >> > GSA
> >> >> >
> >> >> > p.s. thanks for the help.
> >> >> >
> >> >> >
> >> >> > "JS" wrote:
> >> >> >
> >> >> >> It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application that's
> >> >> >> running
> >> >> >> in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC to
> >> >> >> freeze.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> You need to dig deeper, find and display what could
> >> >> >> be the problem use Process Explorer:
> >> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...sExplorer.mspx
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:
> >> >> >> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the
> >> >> >> 'Show Lower Pane' options.
> >> >> >> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)
> >> >> >> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU usage.
> >> >> >> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage
> >> >> >> (Highest to Lowest).
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup with
> >> >> >> some
> >> >> >> detailed info.
> >> >> >> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.
> >> >> >> Then click on that process to highlight it,
> >> >> >> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options listed
> >> >> >> select:
> >> >> >> Search Online
> >> >> >> This should display what out there on the web about that process.
> >> >> >> You can also double click on any process to open up a more detailed
> >> >> >> 'Properties' window.
> >> >> >> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and
> >> >> >> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub
> >> >> >> processes),
> >> >> >> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double click
> >> >> >> on
> >> >> >> the
> >> >> >> Graph just below the Menu bar.
> >> >> >> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a larger
> >> >> >> display
> >> >> >> of all three graphs.
> >> >> >> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see what
> >> >> >> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> JS
> >> >> >> www.pagestart.com
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> >> >> message
> >> >> >> news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> > OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the problem.
> >> >> >> > When I
> >> >> >> > end
> >> >> >> > the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These seem
> >> >> >> > to
> >> >> >> > be
> >> >> >> > the
> >> >> >> > operations that are causing the issue:
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CREATE
> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION
> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLEANUP
> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLOSE
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Does some Process Profiling then
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Is there a way to stop this from happening?
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > Thanks...
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> > "JS" wrote:
> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> Try Process Monitor:
> >> >> >> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896645.aspx
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> JS
> >> >> >> >> www.pagestart.com
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
> >> >> >> >> message
> >> >> >> >> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...
> >> >> >> >> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will
> >> >> >> >> > freeze
> >> >> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> >> > 7
> >> >> >> >> > seconds
> >> >> >> >> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no change.
> >> >> >> >> > Checking
> >> >> >> >> > for
> >> >> >> >> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during the
> >> >> >> >> > activity.
> >> >> >> >> > The
> >> >> >> >> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time. Any
> >> >> >> >> > thoughts?
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> > Thanks.
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >> >
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
>
>
>

JS

Thanks for the feedback.

JS

"gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:38EB1615-FE35-4CE6-A963-29E7EA5F8BDC@microsoft.com...
> Well, I found the problem and it was not anything I expected.
>
> My D: drive was starting to fail about the same time I upgraded to SP3. I
> didn't know it until yesterday. Booted the PC and Windows is telling we
> there's a problem with the D: drive. I powered down the PC, disconnected
> the
> hard drive and powered it back up.
>
> Problem gone.
>
> Thanks for all the help. If nothing else, I've learned a bit more about
> how
> the OS works :-)
>
> "JS" wrote:
>
>> Safe Mode Description: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315222
>>
>> I'd use msconfig's 'Selective' startup and removing the check marks for:
>> 'Process SYSTEM.INI File', 'Process WIN.INI File', 'Load System Services'
>> and 'Load Startup Items'. Then in the 'Services' Tab placing a checkmark
>> in
>> the 'Hide All Microsoft Services' box, and then click the 'Disable All'
>> button. This effectively stops any "non" Microsoft services and "startup
>> items" from loading or starting the next time you boot the PC.
>>
>> This means the next time you boot the PC it will be as close to a bare
>> bones
>> OS as possible.
>>
>> JS
>>
>> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:8D2FD4AB-51F4-49B9-A34B-9715BA76A7D1@microsoft.com...
>> > Ok, I kinda thought that's where I'd have to head next. Since it also
>> > happens
>> > when booting in safe mode, shouldn't I be able to limit what I stop to
>> > whatever is in common between the two?
>> >
>> > "JS" wrote:
>> >
>> >> I know you said that Process Explorer also froze, but after the PC
>> >> unfreezes
>> >> look at the CPU graph in Process Explorer, it's possible it may have
>> >> the
>> >> beginnings of a small/large spike at the start of the freeze, you may
>> >> even
>> >> see a small spike spaced every sever seconds or so. If the spike is
>> >> present,
>> >> then move your mouse cursor directly over the spike and you should see
>> >> a
>> >> pop
>> >> up with what cause the spike.
>> >>
>> >> If the above is of no help then I think you need to do a brute force
>> >> approach and one at a time disable an item in the Startup list.
>> >> Use msconfig for this, (Start/run/msconfig) and in the 'Startup' tab
>> >> look
>> >> at
>> >> the list of items, you could uncheck them all and reboot, see if the
>> >> problem
>> >> is gone. If the problem/freeze has stopped then it's one of the items
>> >> in
>> >> the
>> >> startup list.
>> >>
>> >> JS
>> >>
>> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> >> news:995180B6-23E2-42E2-9FC2-3960AA199196@microsoft.com...
>> >> > Indexing service is not running.
>> >> >
>> >> > "JS" wrote:
>> >> >
>> >> >> Indexing service, is it running?
>> >> >>
>> >> >> JS
>> >> >>
>> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> >> message
>> >> >> news:F4EC8C47-9EBE-4504-B9BA-B2CC59DA1A52@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> > OK, Maybe I wasn't specific enough when I used the term "locked
>> >> >> > up".
>> >> >> > I
>> >> >> > can
>> >> >> > move the mouse around and can still type (just buffers the
>> >> >> > keystrokes).
>> >> >> > The
>> >> >> > screen freezes, so Process Explorer can't show me what's
>> >> >> > happening
>> >> >> > during
>> >> >> > the
>> >> >> > time the HD is writing. The only thing I can check is the CSwitch
>> >> >> > Delta
>> >> >> > when
>> >> >> > viewing the explorer.exe threads. Only thread
>> >> >> > "SHLWAPI.dll!Ordinal505+0x3e9"
>> >> >> > shows a Delta, and it tops out @ 84 from a nominal 16.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Here are the symptoms...
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Happens every 60 seconds.
>> >> >> > Depending on apps running, IRP_MJ_WRITE writes to different files
>> >> >> > in
>> >> >> > c:\
>> >> >> > (i.e. $LogFile)
>> >> >> > Always writes to c:\pagefile.sys
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > pagefile.sys shows as 1 fragment in Disk Defrag
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > When explorer.exe is killed, the symptoms disappear.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > Restarting explorer.exe brings back the symptoms.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > GSA
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > p.s. thanks for the help.
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> > "JS" wrote:
>> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> It could be a Windows 'Explorer' sub-process or application
>> >> >> >> that's
>> >> >> >> running
>> >> >> >> in the background, writing to the disk drive and causing your PC
>> >> >> >> to
>> >> >> >> freeze.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> You need to dig deeper, find and display what could
>> >> >> >> be the problem use Process Explorer:
>> >> >> >> http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sys...sExplorer.mspx
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Once you have Process Explorer installed and running:
>> >> >> >> In the taskbar select View and check 'Show Process Tree' and the
>> >> >> >> 'Show Lower Pane' options.
>> >> >> >> Then expand the process named 'Explorer' (click on the + sign)
>> >> >> >> In the column on the left named 'CPU', look for any high CPU
>> >> >> >> usage.
>> >> >> >> Next click on the CPU column to sort the processes by %CPU usage
>> >> >> >> (Highest to Lowest).
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> Move the mouse cursor over any process, you should see a popup
>> >> >> >> with
>> >> >> >> some
>> >> >> >> detailed info.
>> >> >> >> Then mouse over the process that's using most or all the CPU %.
>> >> >> >> Then click on that process to highlight it,
>> >> >> >> Now that it's highlighted, right click and from the options
>> >> >> >> listed
>> >> >> >> select:
>> >> >> >> Search Online
>> >> >> >> This should display what out there on the web about that
>> >> >> >> process.
>> >> >> >> You can also double click on any process to open up a more
>> >> >> >> detailed
>> >> >> >> 'Properties' window.
>> >> >> >> Note: some entries like Explorer, System/Services, and
>> >> >> >> Svchost entries may need to be expanded to show the detail (sub
>> >> >> >> processes),
>> >> >> >> in this case click on the + located to the left of the entry.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> An alternate method when using Process Explorer is to double
>> >> >> >> click
>> >> >> >> on
>> >> >> >> the
>> >> >> >> Graph just below the Menu bar.
>> >> >> >> This will open the 'System Information' window, which has a
>> >> >> >> larger
>> >> >> >> display
>> >> >> >> of all three graphs.
>> >> >> >> Move your mouse over any spike in the CPU Usage graph to see
>> >> >> >> what
>> >> >> >> process/application or service was the cause of the spike.
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> JS
>> >> >> >> www.pagestart.com
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote in
>> >> >> >> message
>> >> >> >> news:86076B35-3FE6-4CAE-BFA5-2712394BE154@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> > OK, I ran the process monitor. Explorer is causing the
>> >> >> >> > problem.
>> >> >> >> > When I
>> >> >> >> > end
>> >> >> >> > the task in Task Manager, the hard drive writes stop. These
>> >> >> >> > seem
>> >> >> >> > to
>> >> >> >> > be
>> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> > operations that are causing the issue:
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CREATE
>> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_QUERY_VOLUME_INFORMATION
>> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLEANUP
>> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_CLOSE
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Does some Process Profiling then
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > IRP_MJ_WRITE to hidden files @ C:\
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Is there a way to stop this from happening?
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > Thanks...
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> > "JS" wrote:
>> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> Try Process Monitor:
>> >> >> >> >> http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/s.../bb896645.aspx
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> JS
>> >> >> >> >> www.pagestart.com
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >> "gsayers9686" <gsayers9686@discussions.microsoft.com> wrote
>> >> >> >> >> in
>> >> >> >> >> message
>> >> >> >> >> news:AF1BBCA3-28B0-45BB-A713-A9A7E921C560@microsoft.com...
>> >> >> >> >> > Since installing SP3, I've noticed that my computer will
>> >> >> >> >> > freeze
>> >> >> >> >> > for
>> >> >> >> >> > 7
>> >> >> >> >> > seconds
>> >> >> >> >> > every few minutes or so. Rebooted in safe mode but no
>> >> >> >> >> > change.
>> >> >> >> >> > Checking
>> >> >> >> >> > for
>> >> >> >> >> > processes in Task Manager but nothing that spikes during
>> >> >> >> >> > the
>> >> >> >> >> > activity.
>> >> >> >> >> > The
>> >> >> >> >> > hard drive light goes practically solid during that time.
>> >> >> >> >> > Any
>> >> >> >> >> > thoughts?
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> > AMD Duron Processor 1.3 GHZ w/1.5G of RAM
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> > Thanks.
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >> >
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>> >>
>>
>>
>>