I have a PC running WinXP Home that connects to the internet via ISDN modem to the local telecom where after connecting I go and access my e-mail.
When I use my pc offline all is ok but when I want to connect to the internet at first all is ok to. However when I get a confirmation that I am connected (for ex. modem lights are on) it seems that my pc goes into 100% busy mode. The keyboard is active and functions ok but if I try to start up Outlook express to go to my email I see an hour-glass then it goes out. The network connection and other icons that usually blink stop blinking. The same happens when I press CTRL-ALT-Del and try to bring up Win Task Manager. No application will open up until this mysterious business goes away after 10 minutes. Then I can work normally on-line and open applications.
Task manager processes seem ok, nothing going on that seems suspicious to me.
I have disabled System restore and done full virus scans, Run Spy bot SD, Adware SE, MS WinDefender, RootRevealer, and some other apps found in tech repbulic. Nothing unusual to me that I could see. I have used Zone Alarm and looked at what it flags as suspicious but to me they mostly show efforts to link to my internet provider or to microsoft. I have even tried to turn off any automatic updates for a while and update manually to see if the lock up would stop and it did’nt.
This is a long letter. I am at the point of backing up and doing an inplace XP restore and put this behind me but I would really like to solve this. This PC started to act up about 3 months ago. I have slowly tried to go back and uninstall some things I installed about the time the problem occurred but again no luck. Sometimes things would connect ok for a brief period and then again the lock up returns. Is something taking control of my PC (Outer Limits effect for TV) or not? Any ideas?
Vytautas Butrimas
VytautasB@pastas.kam.lt
