Shortly after I boot-up my Compaq PC running Windows ME, a rapidly flashing hourglass appears alongside the mouse pointer on the screen.

So far, I've run three different virus scanners, and three spyware/malware scanners. Everything comes up OK. I restored my system to a couple days before the problem started and after running normally for a short time, the same problem came up again.

I also tried stopping different processes one at at a time but that didn't stop the hourglass from blinking. Last thing I tried was turning my system off and disconnecting all cables including power and then restarting everything back up. Same problem. And it doesn't seem to matter what I'm doing on my PC, the hourglass just stays there flashing! WHY??? What can I do to get this to stop???

Thanks

Hi!
Welcome to SAF. How much RAM (computer memory) does your system have? Also what is the processor speed? (how fast is it?) Have you added anything new lately? Have you removed anything lately? Who besides you uses your computer? When did you last update your antivirus scanners?

Hi Jeannie,

My system memory is 512 Mb. Processor is a 900 Mhz Athalon. I haven't added or deleted aything recently. No one else uses my computer. I update my virus programs just before I run them.

Thanks for the good questions.

Wraith

Wraith, you are welcome. It's good to know that you updated your virus programs before you ran them. Maybe someone else can help. All I see is that you might consider adding more RAM. Some folks say that the minimum amount of RAM for XP is 256 MB and others say that the minimum amount is considered 512. I have one 1G (gigibyte) on my computer.

Well, I've still got the flashing hourglass problem. Anybody have any ideas?

FYI, I'm running Windows ME with 512K of memory which should be more than enough.

Any suggestions are appreciated.

Wraith

Not a clue, as I've never used ME. I'm thinking that the hr. glass means it's working. Trying to load something. What?? Reinstall the mouse. Check misconfig?

Wraith, I had misread the name of your OS. You have more than enough RAM for ME. When the hourglass appears is there a certain program that is open this time?

Well, I see 5-Star Support and D-A-L hasn't helped any, but CyberTechHelp is on the right track. Anne Marie is a member here, also, and is quite knowledgable.

When you say you shut down processes in Ctrl+Alt+Del, did you stop everything EXCEPT explorer (it's the only one that needs to be running in Win9x or ME)? It sure looks like something is trying to run, and can't complete it's startup. I notice that there are two Windows Update files loading in your log. This is unusual, but since I don't do the updates, can't be too sure on these. Perhaps one of our HijackThis log experts will have more for you shortly. You have some questionable items loading.