Linux Format forums

[nitromaster]

Windows is really annoying me more than usual now, after about 20 minutes of being connected to the internet is comes up with
Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem and needs to close. We are sorry for the inconvenience..
The internet connection then stops working, it still thinks its connected but wont do anything (not even allow me to disconnect and reconnect)
I then have to restart to be able to use the internet connection again.
It then changes theme from the current xp one to the classic one and back again.

I had this problem about a year ago,but it eventually went away.
I have since re-installed.

More Details:

[Dutch_Master]

The ultimate solution for any and all Windoze problems! (hint: click!)

This is a forum dedicated to Linux. Generic windows questions, not related to Linux, don't belong here and can be better asked on other forums aiming at Win-users
(hint: select this message with your mouse

[Rhakios]

Solution here? But then I would hope you've got post SP-2 updates installed already.
OTOH svchost and netapi32 are favourite targets for malware.
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Bye, Rhakios

[wyliecoyoteuk]

Spyware, almost certainly.
See above.
In no way related to Linux.
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[pins]

@Dutch Master> forum title: "Linux Format Forum Index » Misc » Other OS"
I think that covers nitromaster for posting this here, no?

[wyliecoyoteuk]

@pins>fair enough, but wouldn't it be a much better idea to post it on a windows help forum?

After all, many of us here no longer use windows, some may have never used windows- eek!

Of course, there may be people who post Linux questions on microsoft forums-I wouldn't know- but either way it is probably a waste of time.
Try PC answers or Micromart forums, I'm sure there are friendly geeks there.
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[M-Saunders]

[Executor]

If Windows questions are considered off topic in “Other OS”, then what about 1sf (troll)? 1sf (troll) playful banter can sometimes swamp and overtake a thread (not that this is necessarily a bad thing). By this rationale surely there should be a 1sf (troll) sub form. Especially when, at time of writing, there are probably more 1sf (troll) related posts than "LXF Bounty", "Newsletter Archives" and "LXF Blog Comments" combined (maybe even “This Website” combined).

Back to the topic.
Although this problem could be caused by a number of things I have to agree that it is probably malware. Formatting Windows would guarantee a clean system and would certainly fix the problem, but if you don't want to format you could try the suggestions below.


Installing some free anti-virus programs such as:
- ClamWin
- AVG Anti-Virus (Free Edition)
- Avira AntiVir (Free Edition)
(Installing all of them is the best option).


Use the free online web-based anti-virus scanning tools from some of the big names in Windows anti-virus, such as:
- Trend Micro HouseCall free Web-based tool
- McAfee FreeScan
(Scan your system with both).


Install some free anti-sypware programs such as:
- Spybot Search & Destroy
- Ad-aware from Lavasoft (Free Edition)
(Installing both of them is the best option).


Make sure you have all the Windows updates.


Go to:
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/default.mspx
Click on “Process Utilities” under “Featured Resources”. Consider installing:
- Autoruns
- Process Explorer (I like this program)
- Process Monitor
(Using these tools make sure no unknown programs are running)


Install Ethereal, boot up your computer, put Ethereal in full logging mode and leave your computer alone. When the error occurs have a look at the last bit of network traffic just before the error occurred. You might see that a program was trying to “Phone Home”.


If you don't find any malware on your system after doing all of the above then assume it is not a malware issue. Search Google for “Generic Host Process for Win32 Services has encountered a problem” but ignore all results which suggest it is a malware problem. You will then see some of the other problems which can cause this message and hopefully you will be able to fix it.

Good Luck!

[pootman]

Don't take this personally Executor, it's not. However:

[Executor]

@pootman
All your points are valid and fair. It is mainly generic security advice.

However even if nitromaster had posted this on a Windows specific forum people would have jumped on the malware bandwagon. We need to rule out malware and then we can ask other questions to narrow down the problem. Only generic answers can be given at this stage with so little to go on.

I've had this problem before and twice it really was malware even thought I had a paid for subscription anti-virus program. It was by installing free security programs with different virus pattern databases did I discover the problem, hence why I mentioned only free programs.

Without ruling out malware very few people are going to be willing to help nitromaster.

[towy71]

If I were looking for advice about microsoft's os's this is probably the last place I'd look
Malware, spyware and all that guff might just be generated to make the user spend their hard earned cash on buckets of spit that are supposedly gaurdian software.
Microsoft must be aware that the answer to it all is in their hands, but they choose the business model that impoverishes their user base; they continue to do so at their peril!
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still looking for that door into summer

[Rhakios]

[wyliecoyoteuk]

When all is said and done.. the problem is probably malware.
I use, and troubleshoot windows every day, and it certainly sounds like malware.
I don't have a problem with a windows post here per se, but I think it is fair to advise the questioner to look elsewhere for a speedy resolution.
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