Spinning Busy Cursor - What is Holding Up My Laptop?

oncearugger · 20 Feb 2012

Can anyone help troubleshoot why my laptop is hung up for 2-3 minutes?

Thank you!

Ztruker · 20 Feb 2012

Need more information.

When does this happen?
What are you doing when it happens or what did you do when this happened?
Is the laptop hung or is it only a specific program like Internet Explorer?
Does the mouse pointer move?
What happens if you press the Windows key (next to left Ctrl key)?

Have you scanned using your anti-virus software?

oncearugger · 23 Feb 2012

Ztrucker,

Thanks for your reply. The laptop gets hung up on a random basis. It does not matter if I am connected to the internet or not. It does not seem to be dependent on the programs I am using. It does not seem to be dependent on a type of process, like retireving or saving a file or printing.

When the laptop is hung up, I cannot move from program to program. The entire laptop is hung up. Even the mouse cursor will not respond to movements of the mouse. Also, the laptop will not respond to keystrokes, including the Windows key.

I routinely use McAfee and Advanced System Care 5. No viruses have ever been found.

It seems as though something is running in the background, consuming resources, but I do not know what it might be.

linnemeyerhere · 23 Feb 2012

oncearugger,
Welcome to SF. It's unlikely that all of the slowness is attributed to un-needed start up programs but I would look into two areas. If you are familiar with the msconfig command please let me know? Also many here with me included are.....shall I say less then enamored with McAfee AV. That being said I would update all AV programs and also add the excellent free version of Malwarebytes, then restart your computer in safe mode and run them and see what if anything they pull up or quarantine and report back.

DeaconFrost · 23 Feb 2012

oncearugger said:

I routinely use McAfee and Advanced System Care 5.

Both of those products are junk and could easily cause the problem you are having...especially since both are active scanners. Remove both completely (which can be a chore with McAfee) and then install MSE. See if that solves the issue. If so, add Malwarebytes free for a passive scanner, and you're set.

Ztruker · 23 Feb 2012

You can use the McAfee Removal Tool (from McAfee) to get rid of it after you have uninstalled it from Control Panel / Programs and Features.

Scroll down to Solution, skip the top part.

The MSE that DeaconFrost mentioned is Microsoft Security Essentials, a no frills, good AV program that many people are using.

oncearugger · 26 Feb 2012

Thanks. I have uninstalled McAfee (including the McAfee Removal Tool) and Advanced System Care 5, and have installed MSE and Malwarebytes. Any threats found appeared to have been minor and were successfully removed. I haven't used the laptop enough yet to see if the problem has been resolved, but I'm hopeful the removal of these active scanners will do it. Is there anything else you recommend I do? Thank you.

linnemeyerhere · 26 Feb 2012

Yes as I mentioned are you familiar with msconfig and removing all unnecessary items from the menu. Keep a list of what you remove and if it impacts things in a negative manner you just go back in and put it back. Every software program you've installed and such will add itself to the start menu and even if you're not using it, it takes some nominal resources just waiting for you. Better to open a program when you need it then have it constantly waiting. Now AV, Malware, BT devices and others should be left alone.

oncearugger · 26 Feb 2012

I eliminated a bunch of programms from startup in msconfig. How do you feel about eliminating services in services.msc? I must have

oncearugger · 26 Feb 2012

I eliminated a bunch of programs from startup in msconfig. How do you feel about eliminating services in services.msc? I must have 160 services listed.