pointer constantly shows hour glass 1

[stax]

Hi,

When my XP starts the pointer constantly has the hour glass next to it. In task manager the cpu usage is showing as 100%. Does anybody know why this would be?

Thanks
S

 

[linney]

Try life from Safe Mode, how is that?

Next try as a different user in Normal Mode.

Those will determine if it is a possible corrupt profile or third party program upsetting your machine.

811151 - How to copy data from a corrupted user profile to a new profile

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;811151&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310353 - How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310353&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

316434 - HOW TO: Perform Advanced Clean-Boot Troubleshooting in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;316434&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

310560 - How to Troubleshoot By Using the Msconfig Utility in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;310560&FR=1&PA=1&SD=HSCH

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

More than likely you may have picked up some malware.

Removing adware & spyware
faq608-4650

Try the free version of "Ewido" now called "AVG Anti-Spyware 7.5"

http://www.ewido.net/en/download/

Windows Defender

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

 

[stax]

i still have teh hour glass when in safe mode, so i'll work my way through the links and see what happens
thanks
S

 

[stax]

Thanks Linney for the advice.

in conclusion

It was fixed after a few virus scans. which initally crashed (blue screen) when it got to a system file called KCOM.SYS. I looked the file up and it is an unknown file, so i deleted and the virus scans ran smoothly and now the problem is gone.