On Thu, 17 May 2018 23:46:58 -0500, VanguardLH wrote:

Steve wrote:

Not sure the computer will let me send this, but here goes.

About 2 weeks ago, it started. I first saw it using a little program
called Mail Washer. It started trying to log in to the mail server over
and over, multiple times a second. The "process" button wouldn't
function to let me delete the ones selected.
I quickly discovered it wasn't a mail washer problem. Firefox, windows
explorer, and Thunderbird weren't good either. In a browser, the open
tab flashes back and forth between the circle arrow(reload page) and
the X (stop). Again multiple times a second. Most web pages eventually
go white.
While this is going on, the desktop icons don't function. Double click
does nothing and right click opens up the menu that should come up when
I right click and empty spot on the desktop.
I "fixed it" once by bringing up troubleshooting. Troubleshoot windows
update, it found something and fixed it. Good for over a week.

Come back after you perform the basic troubleshooting step of starting
Windows in its safe mode (which eliminates startup programs and
non-critical services).

Last night, it prompted me to install an update by restarting. It's set
to install updates automatically, so I don't see these requests often.
I shut it down overnight. Today I turned it back on. It took maybe half
an hour installing an update. I tried undoing that update but it
couldn't do it. Troubleshooting is no help this time.
Where do I start now?

Use your image backups to restore the disk back to a prior known state
that does not exhibit the problem(s).

That assumes he has an image backup. Trouble with that solution is if his
problem is due to an update, the problem will return.
Although I didn't have his problem, I had others. Solution was to revert
to windows 7 and only use that on my dual boot system to run macrium
backup, my working system is Linux Mint. I realize some people are tied
to windows for various reasons but I find Linux a much nicer system. If
you have valid install media, running windows in a virtual box will solve
the problem of those must have programs. Clonezilla is a decent multi
platform image solution.