Computer help please!

[paras4ri]

Our computer is running slower than usual and sometimes windows freeze and the only way I can get out is to use the Task Manager to end that application. I've been trying to defrag the hard drive to see if it helps, but the program keeps restarting saying files (or something!) have changed. I can't get past 5% before it continually restarts. I also tried scan disk and had basically the same problem.

I have no other windows or programs open. How can I figure out what's running in the background that's causing this?

Thanks oh wise and wonderful computer gods!!!!

 

[PandyPaws]

Do you have a virus protection program running? Or a screensaver? That would interrupt the defrag process

 

[Mom2Em]

I'm going to second PandyPaws... I had that problem once, I couldn't defrag because it kept restarting... I had to shut off my screensaver and then it went...

 

[amid chaos]

Yup, disable screen saver and antivirus...

 

[paras4ri]

I had already shut down the screensaver but I forgot about the virus scan....that may be the trick!!!!!

I'm going to go offline and give this another try - thanks.

 

[paras4ri]

I just tried with no screensaver or antivirus but got the same result.

 

[PandyPaws]

hmmm. The Task manager should list all running programs...try shutting them down one by one, making SURE to leave windows explorer and systray running

 

[paras4ri]

still no luck......it keeps restarting

 

[Eeyore2U]

Are you running a personal firewall or a restore program like GoBack?

 

[Eeyore2U]

Are you running a personal firewall or a restore program like GoBack?

 

[paras4ri]

no.....nothing like that at all....

 

[Dan Murphy]

Try rebooting into Safe mode and then running defrag.

http://www.cybertechhelp.com/html/tutorials/tutorial.php/id/25

 

[WebmasterAlex]

That will let them run defrag.. but it probably won't do anything to cure the problem, it may speed things up but a fragged hard drive won't usually cause locking.

 

[paras4ri]

I'm thinking (and that can be dangerous at this hour) that it may have a connection to Internet Explorer because we sometimes get a prompt that says there was a problem and the window shuts down.

To quote Scarlett O'Hara.........I'll think about it tomorrow!