Tivo Causing Internet Problems?

[Neotrin]

I'm trying to isolate some rather bizarre behavior by my main computer, which began when I added the Tivo box to my home network.

A bunch of little and not so little things started to happen:

1. My list of Windows "Favorites" disappeared, reappeared in a different order after I rebooted.

2. When I tried to start Internet Explorer, got a message that there were "not enough resources" to execute that command.

3. The Windows Start menu showed "all applications" as empty. Went away upon reboot.

4. When I clicked on "Turn Off Computer" on the start menu, I got instead the logoff menu. After several tries, I got a Windows dialogue box that enables me to shut down (not the usual shutdown option box).

5. Numerous strange, little things like different Windows dialogue and notification boxes, delays, etc.

None of these things has caused any permanent losses or damage, but there is certainly something going on that I don't understand. Since it all began when I added Tivo to the network, I must assume that something there is causing it. Otherwise, it is a very strange coincidence. Any one else with similar problems?

[VagabondSW]

Since it all began when I added Tivo to the network, I must assume that something there is causing it. Otherwise, it is a very strange coincidence. Any one else with similar problems?

I doubt it has anything at all to do with your TiVo. The first thing I would do if I had those problems is check for spyware. You can download and use Lavasoft's Adaware Personal edition (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/) for FREE.

If that doesn't find anything particularly malicious or you already have a spyware scanner you trust and have verified your system is clean, the next thing I would check is the health of your memory.

In the "old" days, SDRAM for computers was a lot less susceptible to damage and harm. These days, DDR and DDR2 can and does go bad at a much greater frequency. It's a little more complicated, but you can download Memtest86+ (http://www.memtest.org/#downiso) to test the health of your memory. If you do not have a CD burning program that will burn an ISO image to a CD, you can download the Windows Server 2003 Resource Kit Tools (http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9d467a69-57ff-4ae7-96ee-b18c4790cffd&displaylang=en) and use the 'cdburn.exe' tool to write the ISO to a CD-R. Here is a command-line example:

Command-line example:

c:\dev>cdburn.exe d: C:\temp\cd041205.iso -speed max -imagehaspostgap

Requesting burn at maximum speed
Not adding 150 sector postgap (must be part of image)
Number of blocks in ISO image is 61c
Finished Writing
Synchronizing Cache: burn successful!
Obviously, you will use the name of the *.iso image you download from Memtest86 and substitute "d:" for the drive letter of your CD-RW drive.

Good Luck

[TydalForce]

In addition to the spyware stuff, make sure your anti-virus software is up to date.

Spyware/Malware/Adware is a completely separate category from Viruses/Trojans/Worms, and you do need to install separate software for both categories.

They also both have update features. They'll pop out to servers and download updates. Keep updating until they say there's nothing else. Then do a full scan with each. Windows users need to have both installed, keep them up to date, and scan often.

Memtest is an awesome program. I think you can also copy it to a boot floppy, but I don't remember.

You could also just have some corrupted files and such, and will have to reinstall Windows.

Hooking your TiVo up to your network could not have done this. In theory, if you happened to install any of the TiVo software on your computer, that might be causing problems (maybe maybe) but you didn't mnention it.

[Neotrin]

I ran the spyware program and found over 200 problems. I use a security suite provided by my cable ISP, but it apparently doesn't look for spyware. I also got the registry mechanic program, which at least sounds like a good idea. It cleared up a bunch of problems as well. My computer seems much quicker, but I'll have to wait and see whether any of the strange happenings repeat.