Task Manager Processes

stratocaster27 · July 30th, 2004, 08:24 PM

Hey everyone
Every once in a while my computer freezes and when i go into task manager to see what is useing up all my cpu i see a process i have never seen before. The process is called "drwtsn32.exe". This could be a virus or some stupid thing used by windows.

This process only shows up when my computer slows freezes. After i terminate it my computer returns to normal. There is a site that lists some processes that can be found in task manager. It did not list this process. I haven't ran my ad-aware in a while it could be some stupid spyware too. I'll post a screen shot of it if i can figire out how.

Here is my system:
-Windows Xp service pack 1
-Celeron

@2.20GHz
-384 MB RAM

The only part that really matters in this problem is probably that i have XP, o well

THX!

DanGrease · July 30th, 2004, 08:29 PM

I suspect it to be a trojan horse.
Just download The Cleaner, or Trojan Remover.
Update their definitions, run a full scan of your system, and see if any of them finds anything.

You should get an Antivirus and a firewall if you don't have any.
I recommend NOD32 or Kaspersky for an Antivirus and Sygate or Zone Alarm for a firewall.
The Antiviruses mentioned are not free. You can get the freeware versions of the firewalls mentioned though.

dan

EpyonMelee · July 30th, 2004, 08:33 PM

lmao thats not a virus, its dr. watson

dr. watson is a program made by microsoft which windows uses to diagonis the problem for itself

its kinda like a debugger

stratocaster27 · July 30th, 2004, 08:35 PM

LOL Dr watson?

it uses a lot of system resources so lol i didnt no

stratocaster27 · July 30th, 2004, 08:37 PM

o yea and i have anti virus, firewall, the works

norton didnt detect anything. and no new processes asked for outbound request or for a server nothin like that.
lol and thanks melee

DanGrease · July 30th, 2004, 08:38 PM

Heh. Didn't know about that.

I just made the fast conclution that it was a trojan.
Anyways, thanks for letting us all know about that.

dan

EpyonMelee · July 30th, 2004, 08:44 PM

sure no problem i found dr.watson when i was looking through the windows folder

i think hes in system32 or just the windows folder

so dont worry he not a virus

stratocaster27 · July 30th, 2004, 08:45 PM

so does this mean i have a problem? why would dr watson (LOL) be showin up to lock my system up?

EpyonMelee · July 30th, 2004, 08:48 PM

yea i would think you have a problem with your windows.

dr. watson doesnt pop up for nothing

tried system restore? you need to find the cause of the problem first

paul9 · July 30th, 2004, 08:49 PM

hmmm.... i'd check out the exe file and make sure it was a microsoft file in the properties tab. my version of drwatson is called drwatson.exe, although i use windows me, not xp. a lot of malware writers try to make their filenames the same as or similar to legitimate windows os programs. it helps obfuscate them in a cursory glance through a process list.