Having trouble withan HP freezing up...

I have a HP computer (XG834) running Windows Me. I have MSN dialup. My problem is that sometimes when I sign off the internet, my computer will freeze up after a few minutes. Not everytime, but probably 60 % of the time or more. When it freezes up, the only thing i can do is hit Ctrl, Alt and Delete all at the same time. This usually displays a message something to the effect that the computer is waiting for a close dialog box to appear. I've left the computer run for a while but nothing ever appears. After this message appears the computer totally locks up and even pushing the 3 keys will do nothing then and I usually have to shut it off manually.....
How can I find out what is hanging up the computer??
My tech savy is probably considered low on these things......

Thanks John2

 

Hi and welcome to the BBS,

When Ctrl+Alt+Del works, do you see what program is "not responding" or go to Task Manager and see if it is detailed there?

It appears that a program running in the background is connecting to it's server on the internet connection, when you drop the connection the program wants to put up some sort of "close" information box that is not working and crashes the system.

You need to find out what that program is (it could even be malware) and how to work around it throwing up messages when you disconnect from the internet.
If you have or start running a certain program that runs on an internet connection, look at closing it before you disconnect (for example, an email or instant messaging program).

You might want to install a program that tells you what programs are set to load at startup, like Startup Cop or Startup Control Panel.

Matt

 

Hi Matt and Broni,

What I mean by signing off the internet is, when I'm ready to disconnect from the MSN home page, I have to click on an X at the upper right hand corner of the screen. After doing this I get another screen that I push on a "button" at the bottom which is labeled "disconnect ". Then I have to click on the X at the corner of this page and close it.
I'm wondering if it could be the little box that sometimes appears after I hit "disconnect ". It is a box that shows what my connection speed was. This box doesn't always appear though.
About the only thing I can think of that might be running in the background would be the software updater from Microsoft. Which of course no longer gets any updates anyway since they quit support for Windows Me back in 2006.
What is Malware?? Where could I get a good spyware, virusware software download on the internet??

Thanks John

 

I have been extremely busy this week and missed your reply.

"What is malware ", it the generic name for the viruses and spyware that you mention and includes trojans, but unfortunately doesn't include general "junkware ".

If you are running an unsupported system, you have to take system security into your own hands, but the system itself can be compromised. Read around (search) in these forums, but my opinion is not to connect an unsupported system to the internet at all. You can allow it to be used by the "devious element" without even knowing it.

Only last night, the news here reported that a fellow was arrested for setting up malware and cyber terrorism. He was probably able to run them on unsupported and/or inadequately secure systems (they said the people probably hadn't even realised money had been withdrawn from their bank account).

Some people might just ignore the fact that it is unsupported. I just implore you not to connect that system to the internet. Run your games on it, run programs/applications, just dont connect it to the internet. [ Then you don't have to worry about security/updates unless you bring it in from a foreign source like a USB drive.]

Shortly, you will find all support (eg antimalware) will be gone. Even if I thought I could find antimalware, firewalls, etc, the operating system itself could be susceptible.

Rave over. I am probably talking to myself.

Matt