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General discussion

Windows is acting funny...

May 23, 2010 3:59AM PDT

Compaq Presario CQ-404CA
3GB RAM
250GB HDD
Windows 7 Home Premium through HP upgrade program

Hi! I had recently read about how to get Windows screensaver options either in the Windows Official Magazine by Future Publishing, in MaximumPC, or somewheres online. I decided to follow these instructions, which told me to add some DWORD registries under HKEY Current User-Software-Microsoft-Windows-Current Version-Screensavers-Bubbles. I added 5 of the DWORD registries following exactly the instructions. But afterwards, I decided to delete them since I didn't really care about the screensaver options, anyways. Then, on the Google Desktop sidebar, the gadget named Laptop Check (I think) had to be removed since it was malfunctioning or something. After this, my AMD Athlon X2 QL-64 (as specific as possible)(dual core) was running at 100% in both cores, with no irregular processes or services running in Task Manager. This is also with no applications open, other than Google Talk, Google Desktop, Seagate Manager (for a 500GB external HDD), HP Digital Imaging Monitor, Dropbox, and BitDefender Antivirus 2010. I closed out the Google apps, Dropbox, and unplugged all my peripherals (the 500GB external HDD, 2GB thumb drive, and laptop cooling pad thing). Still, my processor was at 100%, and the fan started to blow at full speed, with quite hot exhaust air. I turned off the computer, and about 1.5 hours later, turned it back on. This time it ran like normal, except my desktop icons were gone. Fearing a virus, I quickly disconnected from the internet and quarantined my external storage. I rebooted, and it was the same. The next time I booted, I checked if the check box "Show desktop icons" was checked, and for some reason, it wasn't. I rechecked it, and my desktop icons are back. I think I don't have a virus, since every once a week I do a deep system scan with BD. Ever since, also, I have unusually fast shutdown times. I'm fine with that, of course, but could it be a sign of some thing, I'm wondering? If anyone can help me with this, it would be deeply appreciated because I don't want to have to use my parents computer that has XP and only 750MB RAM and 10GB free HDD space (so slow!!!!!!!!!!!).

Oh, and also, I recently used WUBI and installed Kubuntu 10.04, but removed it since the WiFi adapter wouldn't work with it, I had to use a hard wired network access.

Again, thanks for any help received, and I'll be happy to provide more info if needed.

Discussion is locked

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It seems to me
May 23, 2010 4:58AM PDT

that everything is fine now, if not better, (faster shut-down time).

For possible software problems the only thing I can suggest is looking at the Event viewer. As Microsoft says, it can be helpful when troubleshooting problems and errors with Windows and other programs.

I gather this is a laptop, and if so, you may be aware that they can get hot quickly if the air vents are not kept clear. I have a laptop myself and I am constantly using it on a soft surface, bed, cushion, soft sofa, my lap, then remember that it really needs a hard surface to stand on. If your laptop is ageing a little, may be it needs a bit of a clean as well. CNET's Insider Secrets video might help there.

Other than that, keeping an eye open like you have doing, and regular maintenance seems to be the key here.

Good luck.

Mark

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agreed...
May 24, 2010 4:03AM PDT

Seems find to me as well. Good job keeping up on regular maintenance! As far as changing your screen saver, you can choose a screen saver that comes with Windows 7 or download one from the internet. Follow the simple instructions here (as opposed to adding DWORD registries) - http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows7/Change-screen-saver

Cheers,
Cassandra

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Thanks
May 25, 2010 11:05AM PDT

It seems to be working now. I've noticed with this laptop that it can at times, about 1-2 times per week, act funny, from not shutting down and corrupting my external hard drive to what happened now just about two days ago. In Google Chrome I entered google.com and when I hit enter, my router comes up with a page that says that it seems like my device is using a lot of network bandwidth, and it seems typical of a blaster- type virus. It is a 2700HG-E 2WIRE Telus provided router (with firewall). I noticed after that, which was in the morning, on that day I got over 2000 TCP port scans that the packet had to be dropped by the firewall. Is this normal, and could it have something to do with the message? I have since then power cycled the router and now I have a new IP address. Today I've only gotten 2 TCP port scans, and normally it had been about 200 per day.