BleepingComputer.com: System hanging or stalling (My Computer, Taskbar)

Hello,

Recently I have started having some trouble with my machine, obviously or I wouldn't be posting.

This is a fairly new machine, I bought it about a year ago. Here are the specs from the system info, if you need more let me know.

OS Name: Microsoft® Windows Vista™ Ultimate (Pre-loaded, couldn't get XP anymore)
Version: 6.0.6001 Service Pack 1 Build 6001
System Manufacturer: Dell Inc.
System Model: Dell XPS420
System Type: X86-based PC
Processor: Intel® Core™2 Quad CPU Q9300 @ 2.50GHz, 2493 Mhz, 4 Core(s), 4 Logical Processor(s)
Installed Physical Memory (RAM): 4.00 GB
Total Physical Memory: 3.25 GB
Available Physical Memory: 1.37 GB
Total Virtual Memory: 6.70 GB
Available Virtual Memory: 4.70 GB

Problem

The trouble seems to be with the machine hanging or stalling. I notice it when I am in Windows Explorer (My Computer), for instance if I bring up the context menu (RMB) I will get the rotating circle (what used to be the hour glass) for a minute or two, literally. Another time the context menu will come right up, but a sub-menu (like New > Folder) will take a while to come up. I've also seen the problem with the toolbars in the taskbar (in the Quick Launch area). When I select the toolbar, and a menu pops up displaying the available shortcuts, that menu with display but the shortcuts that should be listed will take a minute or two, literally, to display. I think I've seen it happen with programs like Firefox or iTunes, but I'm not 100% sure about that since this has only been going on for a short time.

What I've already done/tried

I've run a virus scan, McAfee (It came pre-installed when I bought the machine from Dell), SpyBot Search & Destroy, Windows Defender, I've taken a look at my start-up programs and shut down those that I don't need. Defraged the hard drive, Deleted my temporary files (in the temp folders and the Internet temp files), run the Disk Clean-up process. I think that's it, all I can remember any ways.

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There are no error messages

I haven't installed any new programs recently, other then updates (Windows Update, Drivers and Downloads from the Dell support Center).

I'm not sure what other information you need, if something is missing, please just ask. If I don't know how to get what you ask for I'll let you know, I'm not to proud to show my ignorance with computers. My login name should say it all.

Thank you in advance (in case I forget to say it later)

Jim

Hi there have you got malwarebytes installed if not download it from this link http://www.malwarebytes.org/ click the blue download its the free version
Save it to desktop
Rename it to something like bongo.exe
Double click exe icon then run
Follow instructions final window will say " Do you want to run mbam " and "Do you want to find updates"
Click yes / finish
If you want to, before you actually run the scan, you can restart PC in safe mode and then run the scan, if Mbam finds anything you will have to click to fix anything found and then restart your PC before the actions have completed !

Hope this helps Good Luck !!

Mbam was designed to run in Normal mode

doinmeedin, on Nov 12 2009, 04:25 AM, said:

Two questions:

Why do I need to rename the executable for the software? Just wondering what the significants is? I've never had anyone tell me to do something like that before.

I have two logins on this machine, mine and my wifes. Should I run this on both logins? Does it matter?

garmanma, on Nov 13 2009, 11:29 AM, said:

Yes we know this Garmanma but it can be run in safe mode !

Answer to #1 Renaming the exe i think helps other malware / spyware not to recognise it as a deterrent it just thinks its another piece of software ! " I THINK "

Answer to #2 It is up to you, if it was me then yes i would, due to you having different files or folders in each account and the malware may have hidden itself in one of your wifes !

"Measure twice cut once" as the saying goes !

Malwarebytes can be run in both modes, but it strength is in normal mode. Performing a Full Scan will scan all files in all profiles designated by the mode - It will also scan all drives listed. So you should be fine. There is also an accompanying program that can be used with Malwarebytes called RKill. RKill works to allow Malwarebytes to run.

If you wish to follow the malware cleaning path, I will be glad to transfer this topic to the Am I Infect forum for you
Just let us know.

OK, finally got through all the runs. I have run Malwarebytes on both logins, in normal mode and safe mode, it found nothing in all of the runs.

What's next?

rigel, on Nov 16 2009, 07:45 PM, said:

If you truly feel that's where the problem lies then sure, but if there's still a chance it could be something else, then lets wait.

What's the next step?

Let take a look with Process Explorer and see what is dragging the system down.

Please download Process Explorer.
Expand the folder by double clicking on the file. Run the Process Explorer program. The program will open and look for programs with high CPU usage. If you see one, please post it here. You can minimize that program and watch the graph in the system tray - beside clock to see if something spikes.

That's a very good idea, wish I'd thought of it. I've had P/E for some time and didn't even think of that. Be back to you when I've got something.

Thanks...

Well, it looks like the culprit is a file called Mcshield.exe which is a McAfee process. I base this on two results, one when this process is running and I go to File > New (and it hangs) this process jumps up from 0 to 24-25 percent(???), two when I kill this process the context menu immediately goes away and if I select File > New again, the context menu comes right up.

Process Explorer lists this file as an On-Access Scanner service.

So, what do I do now? As I mentioned before, McAfee came pre-loaded on this machine, so its always been there, though this problem hasn't.

Not knowing anything about virus programs, the inner workings I mean, is it possible I inadvertently turned this on, or is this process a mandatory part of McAfee and has always been running and is just recently become a problem child?

Thanks...

Before you get too deep....

How much free space do you have on your Vista drive?

Vista doesn't play nice when free space goes below 6GB if you have more than one GB or more of memory installed. I had the same problem and cleaning up disk space cured my problem - especially if you have Aero desktop effects enabled.

syscorpsecure has a good point. Space limitations can cause strange issues.

Quote

http://www.neuber.com/taskmanager/process/mcshield.exe.html

You need it.

Try this tool and see if it helps with space.

Please download TFC by Old Timer and save it to your desktop.
alternate download link

• Save any unsaved work. TFC will close ALL open programs including your browser!
  
• Double-click on TFC.exe to run it. If you are using Vista, right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator.
  
• Click the Start button to begin the cleaning process and let it run uninterrupted to completion.
  
• Important! If TFC prompts you to reboot, please do so immediately. If not prompted, manually reboot the machine anyway to ensure a complete clean.

syscorpsecure, on Nov 22 2009, 12:19 AM, said:

I have 296GB of free space.

rigel, on Nov 22 2009, 08:36 AM, said:

Since I have plenty of free space, should I still do this?