Windows error

[Diamond Downs]

On start-up, both of our computers are getting this error:

"Generic Host Processes for Win32 Services encountered a problem and needed to close."

We just got a new computer a couple of weeks ago and started getting this error almost immediately and I thought it was a problem for that computer only but the laptop is now doing it on startup also. I researched Microsoft's site and the only thing I could find was that this error could occur when older HP scanners or printers were hooked up without updated software. That is not the problem here.

Any clues anybody?

[Cappy]

There should be a little more info in the error message.
Application name?
Memory Address?

[teyrn]

Assuming you are on XP, go to start > run and type msconfig. Click the startup tab. go down the list one by one and uncheck the fist item and reboot. If you get the error rerun msconfig recheck that item and uncheck the next and reboot. Do this for all items under the startup tab untill you stop getting the error. Should you get the error and have gone through the whole list go to the services tab and repeat the same process untill the error stops. This will tell you what is causing the error and an idea of how to fix. Either reinstall an application or update drivers for a peice of hardware. Maybe even discover a virus or something. Good Luck

http://www.tuath.org/files/sig.jpg

[Diamond Downs]

Originally posted by Cappy:

There should be a little more info in the error message.
Application name?
Memory Address?

All I could find was Application name - svchost.exe

[Diamond Downs]

Originally posted by teyrn:

Assuming you are on XP, go to start > run and type msconfig. Click the startup tab. go down the list one by one and uncheck the fist item and reboot. If you get the error rerun msconfig recheck that item and uncheck the next and reboot. Do this for all items under the startup tab untill you stop getting the error. Should you get the error and have gone through the whole list go to the services tab and repeat the same process untill the error stops. This will tell you what is causing the error and an idea of how to fix. Either reinstall an application or update drivers for a peice of hardware. Maybe even discover a virus or something. Good Luck

http://www.tuath.org/files/sig.jpg

Thank you Tey.

I started to do this and noticed when I started it was set on 'Normal startup' but after I rebooted it was set on 'Selective startup', is this ok?

[teyrn]

Originally posted by Diamond:

Originally posted by teyrn:
Assuming you are on XP, go to start > run and type msconfig. Click the startup tab. go down the list one by one and uncheck the fist item and reboot. If you get the error rerun msconfig recheck that item and uncheck the next and reboot. Do this for all items under the startup tab untill you stop getting the error. Should you get the error and have gone through the whole list go to the services tab and repeat the same process untill the error stops. This will tell you what is causing the error and an idea of how to fix. Either reinstall an application or update drivers for a peice of hardware. Maybe even discover a virus or something. Good Luck

http://www.tuath.org/files/sig.jpg

Thank you Tey.

I started to do this and noticed when I started it was set on 'Normal startup' but after I rebooted it was set on 'Selective startup', is this ok?Yes, because you are now selecting how and what starts with windows, thus selective startup. It is tedious but should give you what is wrong.

http://www.tuath.org/files/sig.jpg

[PN]

Originally posted by jimnms:

When looking at the startup items in msconfig, you can search to find out what each one is here:

http://www.sysinfo.org/startuplist.php

It will tell you what it is, and if it's needed or not.

I have not had any problems with BV.

[jimnms]

Look at your application log, under control panel, administrative tools, event viewer. It may show a little more detail about the error in there.

If you're on a broadband connection without a firewall, it's possible you've been infected with a virus or worm.

_____
Learn from the mistakes of others, you won't live long enough to make all of them yourself.

[Diamond Downs]

Thank you Jim, I didn't know how to get to that, I've still got a lot to learn about these things.

It gave no more info though, a lot of "unknowns" in there about this error. I restored the new computer yesterday and eliminated this error so I've narrowed it down a bit by knowing what programs were loaded after I made that restore point. I'll be working on the laptop today and hopefully we'll get it fixed.

We run Sygate firewall on a dialup connection, we're very happy with it and McAfee virus scan came up with nothing on both computers so I feel confident we're ok there.

Thanks again.

[PN]

Jewel, what anti-spyware programs are you running? Does the McAfee antivirus update every day? I like the Sygate firewall. Congratulations on the new computer!

PN

[Diamond Downs]

Originally posted by Paul Nussbaum:

Jewel, what anti-spyware programs are you running? Does the McAfee antivirus update every day? I like the Sygate firewall. Congratulations on the new computer!

PN

Paul we have SpyZapper which I think comes with AOL now, it runs all the time. McAfee updates very often, I couldn't swear it's every day but at least every other day. Sygate's great, we found out about it here http://sci.rutgers.edu/forum/images/smilies/biggrin.gif. Thanks, we're enjoying it.

After restoring the new computer on Tuesday it was fine and not coming up with that error. I signed on AOL that evening and a Microsoft update downloaded automatically. I shut down that nite and rebooted yesterday and there was that stinking error again. I was suspicious of the Microsoft updates being the cause of this problem originally since neither computer was having any problem before that particular update, I can't remember what it was right now but I'll find out and let you know. Is it possible the update did cause this problem and what should I do about it?

[PN]

Hi Jewel,

From what I have read, it sounds like you are doing everything correctly. I would suggest that you add two or three more free spyware programs (SpyBot Search and Destroy, Adware and the new Anti-Spyware by Microsoft) because no single anti-spyware will catch everything. Sometimes an AV will miss a virus and that is why you should do an online virus scan if you think there is a problem.

I believe when Window users start having problems with the critical updates or the service packs, the culprit is usually spyware. You can uninstall the critical update that you think is causing this problem by going to "Control Panel" then "Add and Remove Programs" and then checking the "Show Updates" box. If you have the time, I suggest that you do either the online virus scan "Housecall" or "Panda Active Scan" first. You will need Internet Explorer to do the online virus scan, as well as the Microsoft Critical Updates. The AOL browser is part of IE and it is safer to use Firefox or Mozilla, if you aren't already doing so.

Finally, many of our members are using Spy Sweeper by Webroot and I think it is an excellent program. Webroot does offer a free 30-day trial "Try It" program. You may want to use this until it expires just to clean things up. There is no problem with having more than one spyware program and I am currently using three. I will leave the links below for Spy Sweeper and the new Anti-Spyware from Microsoft and the rest can be found at the top of the Forum in the topic "Useful Links and Downloads." By the way, most stores will allow you to return the computer for a new one within the first 30 days (Costco has a very liberal return policy, which is about 6 months).

Good luck and let us know if you have any more questions or problems.

http://www.webroot.com/downloads/

Microsoft Anti Spyware (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyId=321CD7A2-6A57-4C57-A8BD-DBF62EDA9671&displaylang=en)

http://www.virusbtn.com/

PN

[This message was edited by Paul Nussbaum on 03-18-05 at 07:16 PM.]

[DIGGER]

I used to get that error thing alot right after I downloaded some MS updates and SP2 was installed. Cant totaly recall my work thru but after a couple days digging it ended up being some pre-installed games by HP.
Damn< cant remember the game co's name but the icon was a little purple game controler image. It was kinda hard to find all of them, like 15 or so files. After uninstalling them I never got that error again. Later read in PC World that they didnt care much for the game co either.

might take a look Jewel, At least it'll free up a bunch of memory.
edited to add, the game was always tring to access the net first on start up.
DIGG.