'not Responding' Messages.

[mrs.chappie]

I keep getting 'Answerbank is not responding, eBay is not responding, Google is not responding'....everything's not responding. :o(

If I switch the computer off and then switch it back on, I'm okay for a short while, and then the problem starts up again.

I've run Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials, but nothing's showing up.

I use a laptop, Windows 7 Home Edition and Internet Explorer.

Please can anyone help?

[bednobs]

is it to do with your wifi?

[Buenchico]

Microsoft Security Essentials might actually be the cause of your problem!

I've found (on several different computers) that MSE's update engine (which is listed in Task Manager as MsMpEng.exe) can run for ages, making calls upon the downloading component of windows (Svchost.exe) and using up so much memory (and/or CPU capacity) that everything else grinds to a halt.

When that happens my web browser keeps reporting 'not responding', simply because there's not enough processing power left in my computer for it to work properly. (I usually use Firefox but the same would apply to Internet Explorer).

So uninstalling MSE and replacing it with Avast (as I've had to do on several computers) might fix the problem.

[mrs.chappie]

Bednobs, I don't think it is, but thanks for the suggestion.

Chris, thanks for that. My knowledge of computers is very limited - would I need to get a little man in to uninstall MSE and install Avast? I'm a tad worried about c0cking it up and ending up with no computer at all. :o(

[sherrardk]

(Not very helpful but have you tried swearing at it - won't help but might make you feel better.)

[mrs.chappie]

Lol@SherrardK. I have and it does. :o)

[Buenchico]

To replace MSE with Avast:

Download the Avast set-up file from here:
https://www.avast.com/en-gb/index
but don't run it straight away. (It will probably go into your 'Downloads' folder, inside your 'Documents' folder by default. If you're asked where to save it choose any convenient location, such as your desktop).

Then go to Start > Control Panel > Uninstall a Program

Click on 'Microsoft Security Essentials' and then on 'Uninstall'. Ignore any warnings about your action leaving your computer unprotected and just go ahead.

When you've done that, go to your Downloads folder (or wherever you saved the Avast set-up file to) and double-click on it. That will install Avast for you.

That's all you need to do but I'll add one little hint that stops Avast being annoying:

By default, every time Avast updates itself an American woman's voice informs you of that fact. That can be incredibly irksome, especially if she does it over something you're trying to listen to (such as the sound from a Youtube video or iPlayer programme).

To stop it happening, click on the Avast icon at the bottom right of your screen. (It's a yellow circle, with an 'a' inside it; you might need to go via the 'Show hidden icons' button to see it). 'General' will probably be pre-selected; if not, click on it. Then click on 'Sounds' and click to remove the tick alongside 'Enable Avast sounds'. Click 'OK'.

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks a lot Chris, fingers crossed it will sort me out.

Is it free or will I have to pay?

[Buenchico]

Simply ensure that you click the 'free download' button, Mrs C, and you'll have nothing to pay. (Reject any offers of a free trial of alternative versions that you might encounter).

[mrs.chappie]

Thanks Chris.