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Finding a Disappearing Application in Windows?

Posted by ryuzaki0 on from the program-execution-audits dept.

siuengr asks: "I have a computer that has a window that pops up every few minutes, but disappears before I can figure out what it is. I have run every virus program and spybot cleaner I have, but they do not find any problems. How can I figure what is causing this window to pop-up all the time, when it doesn't stick around long enough to see anything about it? Is there any software that tracks what applications have ran over a period of time, even if they are not currently running?"

7 of 204 comments (clear)

  1. Disapearing Windows by Anonymous Coward · · Score: 5, Funny

    It might be a better solution

  2. Approach the problem logically... by baadger · · Score: 4, Funny

    Assumptions:
    1. For a dialog to be coming up it has to be iniatated by a process.
    2. Mystery process most likely isn't part of Windows

    Action:
    1. Disable all startup programs with msconfig
    2. Reboot
    3. If problem is gone re-enable startup processes one at a time.
          If the problem is back/still there go to step 5
    4. Goto step 2
    5. Visit Slashdot. Scroll past this comment and proceed to next proposed solution, one which, hopefully, won't waste your time like this one just did.

    1. Re:Approach the problem logically... by x2A · · Score: 2, Funny

      You lie! If this was really slashdot, 6. would be "profit!!!"

      --
      The revolution will not be televised... but it will have a page on Wikipedia
  3. What.... by Yusaku+Godai · · Score: 2, Funny

    Since when did Slashdot become Experts Exchange?

    1. Re:What.... by SurturZ · · Score: 4, Funny

      Accepted Answer!

  4. Slo-Mo by Mignon · · Score: 5, Funny

    Press the "turbo" switch and run your PC at 8mhz instead of 12. The window will stay on screen longer, giving you enough time to see what it says.

  5. Re:HP Software? by biglig2 · · Score: 3, Funny

    Tell me about it, I installed a new HP multi-fuction printer/scanner/fax on Tuesday. As soon as I connected it to the phone line, it called up the phone company, pretended to be me, got my phone records, and faxed them to HP corporate headquarters.

    --
    ~~~~~ BigLig2? You mean there's another one of me?