[fletch11]

Computer has been running much slower lately (Windows XP, Toshiba Tecra) -- can hear it grinding in the background. Seems like it is running a lot of processes but I can't figure out what they are. I have nothing that I've placed in start-up and I try to run the bare-minimum to keep my computer clean.

Before posting, I downloaded and ran TFC and Erunt (created restore point). Downloaded malwarebytes and ran (quickscan)-- had one problem (Trymedia systems) which I removed. I use AVG version 9.0.814 (although I stopped a few processes (Linkscanner and resident shield?) that I thought might be running in the background and causing slowdowns? I removed my old spyware tools (Adaware and Spybot) and installed and ran (quickscan) SUPERAntispyware.

I have disabled my firewall (to see if it speeds things up).

I've been reading through all of your performance suggestions but there are so many things that can be done -- not sure which of them I should do. I use adobe reader a lot so wondering if it might help to switch to something else. Also curious about your comments with OpenDNS -- I do not fully understand what this does so hesitant to follow the instructions to try it (http://www.geekstogo...ng-t225044.html).

It seems like there are other things running in my background -- I watch my processes and still can't find anything. Do you have any suggestions? Thank you for your time.

Edited by fletch11, 27 April 2010 - 06:25 PM.

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I have disabled my firewall

Very dangerous move.
I strongly suggest, you turn it back on.

Please, post some computer info:
- processor type, amount of RAM (hold Windows logo key, hit Pause/Break key)
- hard drive size/free space (open "My Computer", right click on hard drive letter, click "Properties")


Download Process Explorer: http://technet.micro...s/bb896653.aspx
Unzip ProcessExplorer.zip, and double click on procexp.exe to run the program.
Click on View > Select Colunms.
In addition to already pre-selected options, make sure, the Command Line is selected, and press OK.
Go File>Save As, and save the report as Procexp.txt.
Attach the file to your next reply.


Download Autoruns for Windows: http://technet.micro...s/bb963902.aspx
No installation required.
Simply unzip Autoruns.zip file, and double click on autoruns.exe file to run the program.
Go File>Save, and save it as AutoRuns.txt file to know location.
You must select Text from drop-down menu as a file type:



Attach the file to your next reply.

[Broni]

I have disabled my firewall

Very dangerous move.
I strongly suggest, you turn it back on.

Please, post some computer info:
- processor type, amount of RAM (hold Windows logo key, hit Pause/Break key)
- hard drive size/free space (open "My Computer", right click on hard drive letter, click "Properties")


Download Process Explorer: http://technet.micro...s/bb896653.aspx
Unzip ProcessExplorer.zip, and double click on procexp.exe to run the program.
Click on View > Select Colunms.
In addition to already pre-selected options, make sure, the Command Line is selected, and press OK.
Go File>Save As, and save the report as Procexp.txt.
Attach the file to your next reply.


Download Autoruns for Windows: http://technet.micro...s/bb963902.aspx
No installation required.
Simply unzip Autoruns.zip file, and double click on autoruns.exe file to run the program.
Go File>Save, and save it as AutoRuns.txt file to know location.
You must select Text from drop-down menu as a file type:



Attach the file to your next reply.

[fletch11]

- processor type, amount of RAM (hold Windows logo key, hit Pause/Break key)
Intel Core 2 Duo, T7300 - 2 GHz, 1 Gb RAM

- hard drive size/free space (open "My Computer", right click on hard drive letter, click "Properties")
102 Gb total, 45.5 Gb free space


Download Process Explorer: http://technet.micro...s/bb896653.aspx
DONE - Attached

Download Autoruns for Windows: http://technet.micro...s/bb963902.aspx
DONE - Attached

Firewall - I strongly suggest, you turn it back on.
Question -- why do I need if I have secure wireless security via my router?

Thank you - Jill

Attached Files

•  AutoRuns.txt   133.14KB   150 downloads
•  Procexp.txt   11.39KB   152 downloads

[Broni]

why do I need if I have secure wireless security via my router?

I know people, who rely only on router's hardware firewall, but I disagree with those people.
Layered security is better.

Process Explorer log looks normal.

You have a lot of startups, some of them not needed.
Re-run Autoruns, click on "Logon" tab and UN-check following entries (no actual programs will be removed):

+ "Alcmtr"
+ "HP Software Update"
+ "IgfxTray"
+ "iTunesHelper"
+ "LanUpdate"
+ "Microsoft Works Portfolio"
+ "Microsoft Works Update Detection"
+ "MoneyStartUp10.0"
+ "Persistence"
+ "Pinger"
+ "WorksFUD"
+ "Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware"
+ "MSMSGS"
+ "Uniblue RegistryBooster 2009"

Restart computer.

[fletch11]

Thank you very much. Just removed the start-up processes. Any thoughts on Adobe Reader -- should I install something else (I noticed it loads on start-up). Also - do you know much about ArcSoft software -- it seems like it may be resource intensive.

Thank you for your information about the firewall. Do you suggest that I use Microsoft Win XP firewall or install a third party?

Lastly -- I'm getting ready to install backup software -- downloading Macrium freeware backup software. Would you suggest another one that might be better for computer performance (or does it matter).

Thank you so very much!

[Broni]

You're welcome
Regarding Acrobat Reader...
I recommend, you unistall Adobe Acrobat Reader, which is a resource hog, and install FoxIt Reader: http://www.filehippo...download_foxit/, which is much smaller, and faster. It does very same thing.
Make sure, you run "custom" install, and opt out from installing any extra toolbars.

Windows firewall is perfectly fine.

I use Acronis, but it looks like Macrium is a very good free backup program.

[fletch11]

Thank you very much!

[Broni]

You're welcome
Is the computer breathing better?

[fletch11]

So far - great!

But...do you know much about AVG? I've disabled two things within AVG:
1) LinkScanner -- blocks websites and links on search engines (runs in background)
2) Resident Shield - scans all files that I work with (runs in background)

I would think that for LinkScanner I would have adequate coverage with FireFox. I guess Resident Shield would be good for scanning documents that people send me via email. However -- I'm worried they are resource intensive.

Just curious. Thanks again -- Jill

[Broni]

Well, I don't like AVG, to start with. I believe, it became a hog since the introduction of ver. 8.0

Resident Shield is a core AVG scanning engine, so without it, you have no protection.
LinkScanner is a hog and disabling it is a good idea.
I use and recommend Firefox add-on, WOT: http://www.mywot.com/

[fletch11]

My pc is still grinding away in the background. It takes a half minute to a minute to load basic programs like FireFox and Microsoft Outlook. Boot up takes forever too (compared to when I first got my computer). I'm guessing it has to be something I installed. I'm going to backup my computer and then switch from AVG to acronis -- probably won't get to this until tomorrow. Can you think of anything else I can try? Thank you again.

[Broni]

switch from AVG to acronis

Acronis is an imaging program, much like Macrium.

However, I'd give uninstalling AVG a shot.
Make sure, you use AVG Remover: http://www.avg.com/u.../download-tools

Since you have to have some protection, I suggest, you install ONE of these:
- Avast! free antivirus: http://www.avast.com...avast-home.html
- Avira free antivirus: http://www.free-av.c..._antivirus.html

[fletch11]

My bad -- I meant to say Avast (not acronis). Thank you for the AVG remover tool info - will use it. Will try the new anti-virus and see what happens. Thank you for your time.

[Broni]

Sure thing
Keep us posted...