My Computer Behaves Strangely

[dusty]

For three or four days now I have experienced problems with my computer.

Clicking on the shortcut icons for Microsoft Office applications did not work or worked intermittently. During this same period of time, I could select applications like Microsoft Excel or Word by going to Start/All Programs and clicking on the desired application there.

I tried many (probably not all) of the suggestions that I found while doing on line searches. The searches revealed to me that the icons on both the Start Menu and the Task Bar have been problems for many others. One-Click, Two-Click and many others unpredictable symptoms. I had reverted back to using the All-Programs solution whenever I wanted either Word or Excel. That seemed to work flawlessly. What I have been reading the last couple days leads me to believe that the task bar should require only a single click and mine is now working that way.

Then, all of a sudden, yesterday, it appeared as though everything was working and that my computer was somewhat quicker in responding. I have now pinned the Office Icons onto the task bar and guess what - they all work, responding almost instantly. Furthermore, all of the icons on the task bar now activate with a single click. That has not always been the case.

I am not complaining but I am certainly frustrated. I suspect that Microsoft has done an update that resolved the issue. They may have even done an update that created the problem. Update History does indicate a group of recent updates (none of which sound like they are related my recent problem).

Oh Well, for now I am happy.

[Gene Howe]

Mines in the repair shop. Stuck in a CD. Wouldn't play. Tried to take it out to try in another device. It won't eject. Only the 2nd time I've put a cd in to play.
It's a Dell all in one. Had misgivings about it before I bought it. But, needed the space. Shoulda got a laptop.

[JPG]

I have has similar issues recently.

Last night I downloaded and executed malwarebytes.

It discovered a trojan program.

Runs like a new computer today.

[dusty]

Does your CD/DVD player not have a manual eject other than the push button?

All of mine have a small hole (though it is not obvious) into which a piece of wire (paper clip) can be inserted to release the drawer lock. On two of mine the hole is somewhat camouflaged amongst some of the labeling text.

I do understand that the paperclip may not do the job if the CD is interfering with the movement of the tray.

[Gene Howe]

No manual eject. Which is quite dumb.
I suspect that the drivers got corrupted. I'll let the techies work it out. I don't have the inclination or the knowledge.
If it's a virus or something, it'll be the first one I've ever gottten....AFAIK.

[jsburger]

I have has similar issues recently.

Last night I downloaded and executed malwarebytes.

It discovered a trojan program.

Runs like a new computer today.

I highly recommend Malwarebytes. I have run the premium version on my three computers for years. My license is lifetime. Not sure if it is still that way. I also run the premium version on my Android phone.

I also run ESET NOD32 Antivirus on my three computers. It is the paid premium version. I buy the license for multiple computers and multiple years so it makes it very cheap.

They both find things and I have never had a problem. I think the biggest thing is don't open any attachments in junk email no matter how curious you may be. Just mark the email as junk and then delete it.

[dusty]

I have has similar issues recently.

Last night I downloaded and executed malwarebytes.

It discovered a trojan program.

Runs like a new computer today.

I highly recommend Malwarebytes. I have run the premium version on my three computers for years. My license is lifetime. Not sure if it is still that way. I also run the premium version on my Android phone.

I also run ESET NOD32 Antivirus on my three computers. It is the paid premium version. I buy the license for multiple computers and multiple years so it makes it very cheap.

They both find things and I have never had a problem. I think the biggest thing is don't open any attachments in junk email no matter how curious you may be. Just mark the email as junk and then delete it.

All that is very good advice. I too have Malwarebytes but I use Trend Micro Maximum in tandem with it. Both have served me well for years. I haven't found all the good deals that are reported here but I am still very pleased.

Some of my junk mail offers great temptations but I do resist opening them. Later I receive what I have declared junk mail; almost everyday from someone who identifies themselves as Microsoft. They report that my email is about to be shut down and I need to call to avoid that. I have been told that the closure process is underway and shutdown is eminent about a half dozen times. So far, so good.

[jsburger]

I have has similar issues recently.

Last night I downloaded and executed malwarebytes.

It discovered a trojan program.

Runs like a new computer today.

I highly recommend Malwarebytes. I have run the premium version on my three computers for years. My license is lifetime. Not sure if it is still that way. I also run the premium version on my Android phone.

I also run ESET NOD32 Antivirus on my three computers. It is the paid premium version. I buy the license for multiple computers and multiple years so it makes it very cheap.

They both find things and I have never had a problem. I think the biggest thing is don't open any attachments in junk email no matter how curious you may be. Just mark the email as junk and then delete it.

All that is very good advice. I too have Malwarebytes but I use Trend Micro Maximum in tandem with it. Both have served me well for years. I haven't found all the good deals that are reported here but I am still very pleased.

Some of my junk mail offers great temptations but I do resist opening them. Later I receive what I have declared junk mail; almost everyday from someone who identifies themselves as Microsoft. They report that my email is about to be shut down and I need to call to avoid that. Ihave been told that the closure process is underway and shutdown is eminient about a half dozen times. So far, so good.

Well, you don't get your email from Microsoft according to what you post here so why would anyone believe that? I just mark them as junk and don't get them again.

[GoNavy]

during times when it is sluggish, right click the bottom bar on your desktop, then select Task Manager...see if any processes are running wild (i.e more then a few percent) if any program is at like 50% or 60% or more, it may be your problem. This will show you what is running in the background. Use End Task for things that are going crazy to stop them, but as mentioned Malwarebytes is an excellent program, runs in the background stop a lot of stuff, will do periodic scans and updates itself.

[Ed in Tampa]

I have found that many virus/malware detection software slows my computers down. It seems the older the programs are the slower the computer gets. I suspect it is the need to go through all the virus profiles.

I have simplified my life. My PC is only used to go to known sites, no surfing.

All mail and web surfing is done on my IPad. I also never open email if I do not know the sender and I usually do not open any attachments unless I was expecting them.

As to the DVD problem I suspect it is a drive problem. Most DVD's are not sealed and any air coming into or going out of the computer can go through them. Dust builds up and clogs the mechanics. The more you use the DVD the better, seems to keep it from getting sluggish.

Let us know what the repair shop says.