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What program is running ?

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by tranmichael

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My computer = Intel P4 + Microsoft XP Home Edition, always hooked up to the internet, Norton Antivirus installed. Run very well , but from 9AM - 11AM then runs slowly. It seems there is some programs are running. I heard hard disk is accessed very aggressively , it seems some programs are copying from my hard disk. I press CTRL ALT DEL to see what programs are running but none. To me, 3 possibilities, (1) Norton Antivirus is scanning my hard disk (2) Hackers are copying my hard disk (3) hard disk is backing up itself (4) is there anything else ? please suggest. The question is HOW CAN WE KNOW WHICH ONE IS RUNNING since CTRL ALT DEL does not show . Please help.

3 replies

by degiewarlord

Hi
Do a simple test. Unplug the pc for that period and see if the hard disk is still working hard in that period. If it does it might be a background scan or the XP system restore woring in the background or even a disk defrag. If not go to panic stations. I have noted that norton 2003 is not as effective against the new virusses but NAV 2004 works well. Download stinger from McAfee or the fix tools from symantec and scan the disk. Too see if it is network related load perfomance monitor or netmonitor and look at the packets. If your pc is on a corporate network it might be SMS or something else updating your system or even NAV updating in the background.

by oz_media

First , as suggested above, unplug your internet connection and see if it still has HD activity, if so no hack.

Second download msconfig for XP, it will show all running process allow you to stop or start processes etc.
MSCONFIG Info: http://tinyurl.com/2k3bk

Download: http://tinyurl.com/75az

Also try using free Anivirus like AVG I find it works better than Norton, is a lot more resourceful and doesn't impede/crash other programs the way that Norton and MacAffee seem to constantly do.

AVG Free edition: http://www.grisoft.com

Lastly, check for spyware and adware but running AdAware (also FREE): http://www.lavasoft.nu

You might also want to try an online trijan scan (simple search will find that). Once you have identified trojans, you can perform a simple search to get the removal tools, again for free.

There's no reason fixing your PC should cost you anything, and neither should protecting it.

by noggin_the_nerd

In addition to the previous suggestions I have an additional, but very necessary suggestion to make. I am making an assumption here - you are on a broadband connection as you state you are always 'hooked up'? I TRUST you have a firewall installed? If not, I find the free version of Zone Alarm makes my PC secure. Go to: http://www.zonelabs.com/store/content/company/products/znalm/comparison.jsp?lid=pdb_za2

Regarding 'no programs running' - in the 'Windows Task Manager' window have tou clicked to the 'Processes' tab? to check it out as there must be somethings running??!!

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