Overworking computer

[gradus]

Since I bought a WD external drive and without thinking downloaded something called Smartware my computer seems to know no peace and the hard drive whirrs constantly.
I can't remove the WD Smartware using the uninstall programme command on Vista but I have been able to find the perfomance monitor which tells me that my CPU is constantly running at 50% or so - I gather that is too high and now I have an occasional regular soft beep coming from the pc itself that sounds like some sort of signal to do something but I am at a loss to know what, could anyone please help!

[Flay]

It looks like a problem others have suffered from. Perhaps somewhere in this forum thread you will find appropriate advice:

http://community.wdc.com/t5/WD-Software/Unable-to-uninstall-SmartWare-from-my-PC/td-p/111386/page/2

[Frances_iom]

I just plug these devices into a Linux box setup a new directory called 'preloaded' and move everything into that just in case I need to reinstall it - then the crapware free drive is safe to take near a windoze box especially as most users of XP etc havn't removed the autorun 'feature' (yet another MS badly thought thro idea - made worse by the hassles in XP to fully disable it)

[OldTechie]

I wonder if this is any good, but I'd hate to inadvertently suggest anything which made things worse
http://www.cleanuninstall.com/?t202i...l Wd Smartware

Visiting that site causes access to another address that my anti-virus software (ESET) has on a list of sites it blocks. I'd be careful about it.

[johnb]

Obviously you want to find a way to remove the WD Smartware software (WD obviously has a nice touch in irony) but in the meantime -

Can you see the Smartware process in the Task Manager? (To load the Task Manager, click an empty area of the task bar and select "Start Task Manager" then click on the "Processes" tab.) If so, what happens if you stop the process? (Be careful to select the right process!)

If you can identify the Smartware process you might be able to stop it automatically loading when you start the PC by deselecting it in "msconfig" - more of that later though.

[gradus]

Thanks for the replies. I phoned the WD service desk and they sent me a reply that asks me to use the Vista programme uninstall function that I have already tried and failed with, at least I assume it failed, as the computer wanted to download the software again, perhaps I am missing something here, does it need to re-download again before deleting?
Re johnb's suggestion I turned off 2 processes that had WD names and the computer is now less frantic so it seems to have had some effect, for which help many thanks, you mentioned something called msconfig?

[johnb]

gradus,

msconfig

This is a Windows utility that enables you to stop selected programmes/ processes starting when you turn on (or boot) the computer.

In order to run msconfig - in Windows 7: click on Start, and you will see a search field. Enter "msconfig". The programme "msconfig.exe" should appear in the space above the search field - click on it.

In XP: Start - Run - type "mscofig" and press enter.

Click on the "Startup" tab.

Look down the list of startup processes to identify the WD software and untick those items. This will prevent them loading at startup.

Click on "Apply" then "OK"

Restart the computer

When it restarts you will get a warning message (which can be disabled for future boots) but continue.

Once you have done that it might be worth trying the Windows Restore again.

[Resurrection Man]

It's funny how these programs worm their way into ones PC. I have an old Sony laptop in my workshop that I use for Home Sharing so I can listen to my iTunes library there. and occasionally browse the internet. Just recently it's been starting to get more and more sluggish especially when browsing. Using Windows Task Manager I found a program called vsmon.exe kept popping up and hogging the CPU. Turns out that it's part of the ZoneAlarm firewall and there are quite a lot of posts on the 'net about it hogging resources. Simple to fix in this instance....just turned off Zone Alarm. Fault fixed.

[gradus]

johnb, thanks again for your help. I found that WD was already disabled using msconfig but what is Windows Restore and does it delete WDSmartware?

The CPU is quieter but I now have Windows Problem Reporting using something called wermgr. exec strumming away on it with usage around 24%. Is this just something to put up with or can I also turn this off in some way without destroying everything?

Grateful for guidance.

[Frances_iom]

You are very likely infected by malware (ie stuff that shouldn't be there) - maybe read http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/82...moving-malware but just googling "wermgr. exe" suggests that this bit of windoze software is a common target to be taken over by malware - personally I'd just go out buy a linux magazine, try out one of the several variants (depending on your choice of desktop) using the run-from-Cd versions and then get rid of Windoze.

[Resurrection Man]

You are very likely infected by malware (ie stuff that shouldn't be there) - maybe read http://www.tomshardware.com/forum/82...moving-malware but just googling "wermgr. exe" suggests that this bit of windoze software is a common target to be taken over by malware - personally I'd just go out buy a linux magazine, try out one of the several variants (depending on your choice of desktop) using the run-from-Cd versions and then get rid of Windoze.

Can you get a Linux version of iTunes?

[Frances_iom]

Can you get a Linux version of iTunes?

no just one manifestation of apple's walled garden - however Wine is claimed to work - personally I use quod libet to play by my ripped CDs but if you have bought into the walled garden then there may be some problems with downloading to the latest iPads as Apple uses the old tricks of Microsoft to restrict competion

[Resurrection Man]

no just one manifestation of apple's walled garden - however Wine is claimed to work - personally I use quod libet to play by my ripped CDs but if you have bought into the walled garden then there may be some problems with downloading to the latest iPads as Apple uses the old tricks of Microsoft to restrict competion

Personally I don't get hung up on Apple's way of doing things. So if there is no Linux equivalent for iTunes then I'll pass on Linux. I need a simple way and without spending a lifetime poring over technical manuals, forums and the internet of accessing my main iTunes library on the iMac in the house. The old PC laptop fits the bill and I can live without Zone Alarm. Mind you a very cheap iPad would be much better as that laptop don't half get dusty in the 'shop.

EDIT: Actually, Frances, I owe you a huge vote of thanks as you got me thinking laterally and some iPods support Home Sharing ...which is all that I really need...so a used one off eBay will fit the bill plus I won't get sidetracked answering emails and browsing when I should be working!

[Dave2002]

Can you get a Linux version of iTunes?

Not exactly, though tools such as Songbird do pretty much the same thing. I suppose it depends EXACTLY what you want to do.

[Globaltruth]

Personally I don't get hung up on Apple's way of doing things. So if there is no Linux equivalent for iTunes then I'll pass on Linux. I need a simple way and without spending a lifetime poring over technical manuals, forums and the internet of accessing my main iTunes library on the iMac in the house. The old PC laptop fits the bill and I can live without Zone Alarm. Mind you a very cheap iPad would be much better as that laptop don't half get dusty in the 'shop.

EDIT: Actually, Frances, I owe you a huge vote of thanks as you got me thinking laterally and some iPods support Home Sharing ...which is all that I really need...so a used one off eBay will fit the bill plus I won't get sidetracked answering emails and browsing when I should be working!

I like the irony of that lateral thinking.

I also try not to get hung up on either a Microsoft, Apple, or indeed any Unix variant, way of doing things....life's too short.

Reason for posting though is that I use a cloud-based antivirus anti-malware tool called Vipre - at the moment it seems to be doing a good job at a reasonable price, so I'm happy to recommend it.
I like the fact that one annual licence payment allows you to run the software on 5 different computers.
My daughter uses my licence on her computer many miles away...

I have found it necessary to change this type of tool on a regular basis as different vendors seem to operate at different levels of efficiency over the years - quite happy with Vipre at the others.

I'm sure others will have their favourites, point out the error of my ways for using a cloud-based tool - but perhaps some other useful recommendations may come out of that discussion?