Programs Opening and Closing at Random.

[someone]

Recently, I’ve encountered a problem with my computer. Every once in a while, the screen goes crazy with programs opening and closing seemingly at random. Usually the start menu is one of the ones that come up, but otherwise, I have not seen any real pattern. Sometimes, it will happen a few of times in a row, other times, it does not happen for a couple of days.

In case the information helps, the computer is almost three years old. The operating system is Windows XP home edition, 2002. It is a Compaq Presario.

Any suggestions on what I can do to fix the problem would be appreciated.

 

[daszear]

i love a good virus

here are some free programs that may help

http://www.superantispyware.com/downloadfile.html?productid=SUPERANTISPYWAREFREE

http://www.stevengould.org/downloads/cleanup/CleanUp452.exe

try these and let me know if they helped.

what if any antivirus programs are you running and how much memory do you have

 

[someone]

Unfortunately, they did not solve the problem

Boy, I didn’t expect responses so fast. Thanks.

I ran the second program first, and it said that zero files were deleted. After I ran the second program, I uninstalled it in case it created any problems with Macfee (I’ve had problems in the past with conflicts with Macfee) as it didn’t find anything anyway.

When I ran the first program, it found 157 items, mainly adware tracking cookies. After I ran the program, I did the reboot it recommended and the problem reoccurred several times shortly after rebooting. Since that program didn’t seem to help, I also uninstalled it.

My anti-virus program is Macfee. If I’m reading the right information, I’ve got 504 MB of RAM.

Thanks very much for taking the time to respond.

 

[Hightop]

Try this link

http://www.trendsecure.com/security_solutions/housecall_free_scan.php

free online virus scan

 

[chuck007]

Check your mouse

When it starts going crazy, unplug your mouse. If it stops, then your mouse is the culprit. Sometimes they fail in a mode where they send many random clicks to the PC which will open, close and change many settings. I know this sounds crazy, but I've seen it first hand.

 

[someone]

When it starts going crazy, unplug your mouse. If it stops, then your mouse is the culprit. Sometimes they fail in a mode where they send many random clicks to the PC which will open, close and change many settings. I know this sounds crazy, but I've seen it first hand.

I was actually wondering if it had something to do with the mouse, as I tend to lose control of the mouse when this happens. Moreover, the mouse often appears in the bottom left of the screen. I had not thought of trying to just unplug the mouse when it happens. Thanks, I'll give it a try. I might even see if I have an old mouse lying around that I could try using instead. I'm doubtful its a virus as between MacFee and the two programs daszear suggested, I should have found the virus if that was the problem.

 

[chuck007]

I had not thought of trying to just unplug the mouse when it happens. Thanks, I'll give it a try. I might even see if I have an old mouse lying around that I could try using instead.

Let us know how it works out.

 

[someone]

Let us know how it works out.

I picked up a cheap mouse at a neighbourhood store. So far, things seem to be working fine. Mind you, there have been times before when things worked for a couple of days before the problem reoccurred. However, so far, it seems great. Thanks very much for your help.