Solved Programs Opening on their Own?

[ACWN]

Not sure where to put this, so if theres a specific section please feel free to move it.


I just got my fiancee a new computer. Its a Windows 7 Ultimate. HP Pavillion. I've been using his computer to render out 3d scenes while I work on others using HomeGroup. On the first of this month, I had his computer render out a walkthrough for a scene that took most of the night to do. It was shut down after that and has been shut down every night when my fiancee goes to work and when he goes to bed in the morning after graveyard.

But since then, his computer has been opening the program - 3D Studio Max - on its own, randomly. It did it just recently too. He hasnt touched it because he was playing a video game. It will open it in a very small window and usually its off to the side, off the screen.


The computer is brand new, just got it a couple weeks ago. Anti-Virus is obviously up to date and wont expire for 2 years. Runs a scan any time the computer is idle, runs a full scan every week, so we know the computer is clean.


Never had a computer do this before, so we're a little baffled here. Any one know the cause and how to make it stop?

 

[bassfisher6522]

Check the PC for malwaer, spyware and adware to make sure system is bug free.

 

[ACWN]

Anti-virus does that. Any time something attacks the computer, the anti-virus blocks it (its also an internet security program). It also checks for that stuff when it scans, incase anything came in through a back door.

 

[DustSailor]

the startup folder have anything in it, or msconfig (in run) have anything mentioning the program in its startup tab?

 

[ACWN]

Nope. And its not doing it at start up, its doing it randomly when the computer has been on a little while.

 

[DustSailor]

Nope. And its not doing it at start up, its doing it randomly when the computer has been on a little while.

I know. However, i don't specialize in this area, someone else will have to dig a little deeper for you, sorry

 

[ACWN]

Thanks for trying

 

[gini]

I'm far from expert, too, but could the program have a setting that calls for it to check for updates?

 

[bassfisher6522]

Anti-virus does that. Any time something attacks the computer, the anti-virus blocks it (its also an internet security program). It also checks for that stuff when it scans, incase anything came in through a back door.

You will be shockingly surprised as to what an independent Malware app like Malwarebytes, AdAware and Spybot S&D will find. But if your confident in just one application doing it all, best of luck to you with that. Most of us on here use at least 3 if not more apps likes those mentioned to keep are systems bug free. To the best of my knowledge there is no one single application that does it all 100%. Most Anti Virus software is strictly that, Virus protection and nothing more....granted there are some Anti Virus applications that do have some type of malware add ons but are not that reliable.

These types of malware on a system can and do change settings of computers and software. That's what they are designed to do. I would start there first to rule out any possibility of malware on my system and then start looking into the settings of the program itself for a box to be unchecked to run at startup as gini suggested.

 

[ACWN]

Yes, it could have a setting to check for updates (though its unlikely because of the company - any updates have to be bought), but I dont think it would open the program like it is to do that, it would be doing the same thing on mine... which it isnt. I did, however, look for a setting to make it run on start up (which I'm guessing it would also show in the msconfig that was suggested and it isnt) or to autocheck for updates and there isnt one.

And yes, I'm pretty confident in the program I have because I just to prove the point, I downloaded Malwarebytes, ran a full scan and guess what? Nothing! Not surprised.

I am perfectly well aware that most anti-virus programs do not get everything and arent all that reliable when it comes to things like malware... however, this program is internet security first, anti-virus second. Any attack that comes in when I'm browsing is blocked and I'm notified. I have gotten plenty of malware blocking notices with just one website that I frequent thats suppose to be safe. This is the same program that runs on my fiancee's computer, so its safe.


So, running on start up is out. Auto updates is out. Malware and the like is out.

 

[gini]

I was looking at the online documentation for Studio 3D Max, and found mention of the InfoCenter, specifically, what is mentioned after "General" at the top of this page (re on how often to check for updates):

3ds Max Reference

I wonder if there might be a Scheduled Task that was established in Windows when the program was installed, related to this or another aspect of the program. I don't believe such tasks would show up in msconfig, but it would account for the program apparently starting on its own.

 

[ACWN]

If that were the case, it would be doing it on my computer as well, and its not. I did the exact same thing on his that I did on mine when I installed it (opened the file, started the install and walked away until it finished) and theres only like 2 things I tinker with, setting wise, in the program - number of auto saves and how the viewports are set. My fiancee doesnt touch the program, so I know he hasnt messed with it. It took me a while, but I found what the page was talking about. It sounds like it only runs when the program is open, but that it wouldnt cause the program itself to open.


Any way, I think I figured out what it was. Dont know why, but I'm pretty sure HomeGroup was causing it. I stopped sharing the folder last night and 3dS Max hasnt opened at all today.

 

[gini]

Great, I hope that does it! I didn't realize you had the program installed on two computers.