Odd Pauses

BoWevil_abx · 06-14-2008, 07:49 AM

My computer pauses every 2 or 3 minutes for about 3 seconds. It is most noticeable when I am typing something because when the computer pauses, no keyboard input is accepted, nor is the input delayed. I have to re-key the characters.

I want to know if there is an app that I can use to see if something is being transmitted over the net or if something is communicating with my PC. The odd thing is that it happens on my wife's computer too. I have looked at system logs without seeing anything that would explain it.

ctal · 06-14-2008, 08:15 AM

You may not need any separate apps. If you're using XP, turn on the "show icon in notification area when connected" option under network connection properties. That will show you whether or not there is network activity at any given time. If there is, you could then run netstat under the command prompt to see the ip address that is being communicated with. Open the command prompt window within something like a minute or so of the activity, type "netstat" and hit "enter."

Regards,
-- Al

BoWevil_abx · 06-14-2008, 08:36 AM

Thanks ctal. I'll try it.

XJ. · 06-14-2008, 09:07 AM

I've started to see the same thing. Do you have SP3 installed?

ctal · 06-14-2008, 09:11 AM

Another thing to try, if you haven't already, would be to turn on Task Manager a little before you anticipate a pause. Hopefully Task Manager would continue to be functional during the pause and show you if any process or app is going to abnormally high cpu utilization during that time.

Regards,
-- Al

3 of 7 · 06-14-2008, 10:21 AM

I've experienced a similar on my XP machines lately (both SP3 and SP2, I know, I'm getting lazy)... Turns out on a couple of them that windows updates was causing svchost to hog 100% of the cpu,when I turn off automatic updates it immediately returns to normal.
I found this registry tweak on the web and it worked on the one machine I tried it on..

Delete the Value “NetworkService = DnsCache” in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WinNT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost

BoWevil_abx · 06-14-2008, 10:35 AM

Quote:

XJ.
I've started to see the same thing. Do you have SP3 installed?

No, I haven't installed it yet. I was holding off to see if it caused any problems.

ctal, I will try the task manager idea too. .

BoWevil_abx · 06-14-2008, 12:42 PM

Netstat indicates a connection that I am not familiar with. Is there any way to block the IP address?

3 of 7 · 06-14-2008, 01:28 PM

Add it to your host file?

*****edit**** It wouldn't hurt to do a whois on it first i guess...

ctal · 06-14-2008, 04:48 PM

Yes, you should first look it up in a whois directory, and that may give you a clue as to what process or program it is associated with. There are many whois directories; here is one:

SecuritySpace

If you do want to disable communications with it, your options would depend on what kind of firewall you are using, and if the connection is initiated by your computer (outbound) or by the remote server (inbound). XP's built-in firewall has little or no control over outbound connections. If it is an inbound connection that is associated with a program or process on your computer, and if you can determine which one, you may be able to disable the connection by unchecking that program or process in the "exceptions" list in the XP firewall settings. These can be found at Start/Control Panel/Security Center/"Manage Security Settings for Windows Firewall"/Exceptions tab.

Hope that helps,
-- Al

BoWevil_abx · 06-16-2008, 05:02 AM

I Installed Zone Alarm firewall and that seems to have solved the problem. At least I think it has. I haven't noticed any more pauses, and Netstat shows normal activity.

Thanks to everyone for your ideas and suggestions.

Thanks ctal.

INVALiD · 06-17-2008, 03:18 AM

I'm a big fan of Sysinternals small low-foot print apps like;
process explorer
Tcpview
autoruns

Very usefull in trying to figure out the under-the-hood workings
and goings on.
Mark Russinovich is the author and I believe he joined MS some time ago.
google "sysinternals'

06-14-2008, 07:49 AM	#1
BoWevil_abx Non-expert Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,853	Odd Pauses My computer pauses every 2 or 3 minutes for about 3 seconds. It is most noticeable when I am typing something because when the computer pauses, no keyboard input is accepted, nor is the input delayed. I have to re-key the characters. I want to know if there is an app that I can use to see if something is being transmitted over the net or if something is communicating with my PC. The odd thing is that it happens on my wife's computer too. I have looked at system logs without seeing anything that would explain it.
(Offline)

06-14-2008, 08:15 AM	#2
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,123	Re: Odd Pauses You may not need any separate apps. If you're using XP, turn on the "show icon in notification area when connected" option under network connection properties. That will show you whether or not there is network activity at any given time. If there is, you could then run netstat under the command prompt to see the ip address that is being communicated with. Open the command prompt window within something like a minute or so of the activity, type "netstat" and hit "enter." Regards, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Offline)

06-14-2008, 08:36 AM	#3
BoWevil_abx Non-expert Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,853	Re: Odd Pauses Thanks ctal. I'll try it.
(Offline)

06-14-2008, 09:07 AM	#4
XJ. Will code for food... Join Date: Apr 2002 Location: NH, USA Posts: 5,910	Re: Odd Pauses I've started to see the same thing. Do you have SP3 installed?
(Offline)

06-14-2008, 09:11 AM	#5
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,123	Re: Odd Pauses Another thing to try, if you haven't already, would be to turn on Task Manager a little before you anticipate a pause. Hopefully Task Manager would continue to be functional during the pause and show you if any process or app is going to abnormally high cpu utilization during that time. Regards, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Offline)

06-14-2008, 10:21 AM	#6
3 of 7 You can run..... Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,618	Re: Odd Pauses I've experienced a similar on my XP machines lately (both SP3 and SP2, I know, I'm getting lazy)... Turns out on a couple of them that windows updates was causing svchost to hog 100% of the cpu,when I turn off automatic updates it immediately returns to normal. I found this registry tweak on the web and it worked on the one machine I tried it on.. Delete the Value “NetworkService = DnsCache” in HKLM\Software\Microsoft\WinNT\CurrentVersion\SvcHost __________________
(Offline)

06-14-2008, 12:42 PM	#8
BoWevil_abx Non-expert Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,853	Re: Odd Pauses Netstat indicates a connection that I am not familiar with. Is there any way to block the IP address?
(Offline)

06-14-2008, 01:28 PM	#9
3 of 7 You can run..... Join Date: Feb 2004 Posts: 4,618	Re: Odd Pauses Add it to your host file? ***edit** It wouldn't hurt to do a whois on it first i guess... __________________
(Offline)

06-14-2008, 04:48 PM	#10
ctal Eschews Obfuscation Join Date: Sep 2003 Location: Connecticut, USA Posts: 1,123	Re: Odd Pauses Yes, you should first look it up in a whois directory, and that may give you a clue as to what process or program it is associated with. There are many whois directories; here is one: SecuritySpace If you do want to disable communications with it, your options would depend on what kind of firewall you are using, and if the connection is initiated by your computer (outbound) or by the remote server (inbound). XP's built-in firewall has little or no control over outbound connections. If it is an inbound connection that is associated with a program or process on your computer, and if you can determine which one, you may be able to disable the connection by unchecking that program or process in the "exceptions" list in the XP firewall settings. These can be found at Start/Control Panel/Security Center/"Manage Security Settings for Windows Firewall"/Exceptions tab. Hope that helps, -- Al __________________ "I didn't say I didn't say it. I said that I didn't say that I said it. I want to make that very clear." -- George Romney, in 1968, while campaigning for the Republican nomination for President of the United States.
(Offline)

06-16-2008, 05:02 AM	#11
BoWevil_abx Non-expert Join Date: Mar 2003 Location: Georgia Posts: 1,853	Re: Odd Pauses I Installed Zone Alarm firewall and that seems to have solved the problem. At least I think it has. I haven't noticed any more pauses, and Netstat shows normal activity. Thanks to everyone for your ideas and suggestions. Thanks ctal.
(Offline)

06-17-2008, 03:18 AM	#12
INVALiD Registered User Join Date: Jun 2008 Posts: 65	Re: Odd Pauses I'm a big fan of Sysinternals small low-foot print apps like; process explorer Tcpview autoruns Very usefull in trying to figure out the under-the-hood workings and goings on. Mark Russinovich is the author and I believe he joined MS some time ago. google "sysinternals'
(Offline)

Thread Tools
Show Printable Version Email this Page
Display Modes
Linear Mode Switch to Hybrid Mode Switch to Threaded Mode