[blackbat123]

hello all,

a couple of nights ago i decided it was time to do a reformat and fresh install, it had been 4 years since i had last done that and my shutdowns/reboots were taking about 7 minutes. i reinstalled my OS- WinXP, downloaded all of the windows updates, added my programs and completed a virus scan. so far so good. fast boot up and shutdowns. no issues with internet surfing, watching movies or listening to music, burning, or uploading.

however, i began to experience odd freezes while downloading from usenet. my pc will freeze for about 15 seconds and then unfreeze for about 10 seconds, and then refreeze. and it will continue like that until i close the program down and stop downloading. once stopped i do not experience any freezing issues.

i am at a loss as to why this is happening. prior to the windows reinstall i was experiencing slow shutdown/reboots, but had no freezing issues even while downloading. i have run a scan using hd tune and it reports my hard drive being healthy. what else can i try to fix this?

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Start the task manager.
Hold Down ctrl,ALT hit the delete key.

Click the box, Show processes from all users. (Bottom left)
Start a download, try to get the task manager on top, see which process is taking 100% CPU.

[isimaster]

Start the task manager.
Hold Down ctrl,ALT hit the delete key.

Click the box, Show processes from all users. (Bottom left)
Start a download, try to get the task manager on top, see which process is taking 100% CPU.

[blackbat123]

okay strangely enough, as of right now, with the task manager open i have not had any freezes yet while downloading. the high processes while downloading are:

firefox.exe 52,332 K
ekrn.exe 43,460 K
svchost.exe 19,464 K
grabit.exe 19,400 K
vsmon.exe 18,276 K
explorer.exe 15,484 K
daemon.exe 8,728 K

CPU usage varying at roughly 25-32 %
Total physical memory 1506800, Available 1008084 (avg), system cache 1080316 (avg)
Total kernal memory 48580, paged 33680, nonpaged 14912

[isimaster]

CPU is OK.
Close the task manager, let me know if it freezes.

I may not get back to you until tomorrow.

[blackbat123]

okay isimaster, will do. thanks

[blackbat123]

right after closing the task manager the same problem occured. i reopened task manager and here's how it looks:

firefox.exe 71,140 K
ekrn.exe 56,624 K
grabit.exe 24,822 K
svchost.exe 19,464 K
vsmon.exe 18,388 K
explorer.exe 15,496 K
daemon.exe 8,728 K

CPU usage is at 100%

agailable memory droped to 976088, system cache 1043072
paged 32520, nonpaged 15104

[isimaster]

In order to Truly identify which is the culpret.
Repeat the steps.
Start the task manager, do what ever it was you were doing at usenet.
Don't forget to check the box. (lower left corner)

Stop the Task manager.

Restart the task manager.

List the % of CPU, next to the .exe files.

[isimaster]

How are you making out?

Edited by isimaster, 26 February 2009 - 01:38 PM.

[blackbat123]

sorry was away at work.

doing as you said ekrn.exe takes the most with CPU % fluctuating from 94-99%.

looked it up and i see others have had similar issues with ekrn.exe using ESET Nod32 as their antivirus.

[isimaster]

I'm not that familiar with ESET, however, I Did a bit of research.
First a Dumb Question. You did intend to use ESET as your antivirus Correct?

[blackbat123]

yup ESET was intended as my antivirus

[isimaster]

Take a look in your Protocol filtering section of ESET.
Under ports and applications marked as Internet browsers or Email clients.

Let me know what you find.

From the info you gave me it Looks like ESET, is getting REALLY hungry, scanning your down/upload.

[blackbat123]

okay this is what it shows under protocal filtering. It shows (with last option marked):

Redirect traffic checking for:

[ ] HTTP and POP3 ports
[ ] Applications marked as Internet browsers and email clients
[X] Ports and applications marked as internet browsers and email clients

[isimaster]

OK, a couple of questions.


Are you using the NOD32 or Smart security version?

Are you open to installing another anti-virus/spyware program for a test?

[blackbat123]

i'm only using NOD32. i'd really rather not install something else. however, and i am not sure if this will help or not, i did right-click the icon in my task bar and disabled NOD32's antivirus and spyware protection. doing so resulted in smooth downloading with zero freezes. ekrn.exe CPU is at 0%.

of course ultimately that is not what i want (to have a/v disabled). and NOD32 has been good to me in terms of keeping me protected and catching stuff before it has a chance to do some damage. i'm guessing it's just a matter of getting the settings just right maybe? i really don't know what i've done different this time around as opposed to before the reformat and reinstall, i had NOD32 back then as well.