Hi People- I sat down at my computer after having it turned off for a week during the holidays. First thing that happens after logging on is the "Generic Host Process has encountered a problem and needs to shut down" error message. Then my system graphics change from blue XP-style to beige Classic-style. I try to change it back, but can't access the Control Panel "Display" settings. Then I try to read my email, but I can't connect to the internet. No problem with my modem, and the computer tells me it's connected, but I'm not seeing it. Then I try to play music, but there's no sound. A quick trip to the Control Panel shows me that there are no audio devices installed. Which is ridiculous because my M-Audio Delta Audiophile 2496 sound card IS installed and working properly (according to my Hardware Device Manager). My CD burner also was not recognized (though it too was "working properly). My "scheduled task" antivirus scan did not run as usual on Tuesday morning. A manual virus scan came up with nothing. Spybot came up with nothing. Ad-aware came up with nothing. System Restore had no affect. I checked my event log, and all related systems services had shut down immediately after booting up, with no known explanation. After a day and a half, my internet suddenly came back. I downloaded updated video and audio drivers and installed them. My sound worked again. I was able to access my Display settings and re-set the graphics. Until I rebooted... Then it all started again. Does anyone have any ideas as to what this is and how to fix it? Thanks in advance. "If you choose not to decide, You still have made a choice."

did you check to see if your system had done any automatic windows updates that may have caused the problem. I had similar symptoms when some of my device drivers were uninstalled because of SP2.. then on next boot they were automatically detected and re-installed, but if the hardware hadn't been plug and play it may have been a little more of an issue, possibly like what you are having. Just an idea...

No, I'm still running on SP1, I don't use Auto Updates, and everything is PnP.

that's bizzare.. if you can post a list of your running processes I may be of a bit more help, but otherwise I am stumped as to the possible causes. If it was just hardware/driver issue stuff I'd say that it was possibly a BIOS battery going dead after sitting a week, but the fact that you have services starting and stopping on their own accord is obviously a different matter, one in which I would lean toward virus/malware, but yet you've run the scans... and you have made sure the definitions are up to date and that they complete successfully, right? Just trying to reach for some ideas, but for sure post your running processes and I will see if I notice anything that shouldn't be running. - Michael

you could also try running "sfc /scannow" (system file checker) at the command prompt and see if maybe you can repair a possible corrupted driver or something. just another idea.. hope it helps!

Michael- Sorry it took so long to get back. Anyway, I can't seem to copy and paste a list of running processes, so here's the list from the Task Manager: rundll32.exe taskmgr.exe iexplore.exe explorer.exe zapro.exe rundll32.exe AdBlocker.exe jusched.exe CCAPP.EXE vsmon.exe wdfmgr.exe symlcsvc.exe svchost.exe SAVSCAN.EXE nvsvc32.exe scvhost.exe NPROTECT.EXE NAVAPSVC.EXE schedul2.exe CCEVTMGR.EXE CCSETMGR.EXE spoolsv.exe LEXBCES.EXE svchost.exe svchost.exe svchost.exe lsass.exe services.exe winlogon.exe csrss.exe smss.exe SYSTEM System Idle Process I don't know all that much about what's running and why, but if you see anything unusual, I'd appreciate your input. Thanks.

John, I have no idea if you are even following this thread, but if so, then I took a look at these processes and nothing looks bad. The only process I wan't really sure about was: schedul2.exe - Acronis Scheduler 2 - True Image 8 ?? I only found limited information as to what Schedule2.exe / Acronis is, but it's probably some software that you intended to install... other than that I would say that this is a pretty healthy looking Tasklist... everything else is related to normal system processes or Norton or Zone Alarm. I would try the "sfc /scannow" at the command prompt and see if that helps any... post back if you have any questions. Sorry I can't be of more help :( - Michael