[bigdan]

because of my playing around w/ the control panel and removing drivers i didnt think i needed my internet connection went down for a few days. but thats OK got it up and running now. computer is still a bit slow but i think its a hard disk thing and i just have to get a new one. if you think there's any point to continuing here we can do so but im not sure it'll be of much benefit.

[Advertisements]

Well then lets check the hd to make sure before you decide to replace it.

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, try the Hitachi DFT CD Image version of the software

Thanks to Broni for the instructions

[rshaffer61]

Well then lets check the hd to make sure before you decide to replace it.

Run hard drive diagnostics: http://www.tacktech....ay.cfm?ttid=287
Make sure, you select tool, which is appropriate for the brand of your hard drive.
Depending on the program, it'll create bootable floppy, or bootable CD.
If downloaded file is of .iso type, use ImgBurn: http://www.imgburn.com/ to burn .iso file to a CD (select "Write image file to disc" option), and make the CD bootable.

NOTE. If your hard drive is made by Toshiba, try the Hitachi DFT CD Image version of the software

Thanks to Broni for the instructions

[bigdan]

thanks for this. not sure which tool to download, there's so many there? my C is Samsung, E is western digital.

[rshaffer61]

The one you want is the Samsund DOS cd ISo then.

[bigdan]

i clicked on the samsung at the top but that was less than 2 MB. that's not it is it?

[rshaffer61]

You want this section ES-Tool (The Drive Diagnostic Utility) v2.12a (03.12.2009) and specifically this tool ES-Tool Bootable CD ISO (Direct Link)

[bigdan]

edit - nevermind! working on it

Edited by bigdan, 01 August 2011 - 01:46 PM.

[Macboatmaster]

rshaffer61 and bigdan

I hope you do not mind me coming in on this at such a late stage.
I recommend that you carefully examine your list of installed software
FitDay
(1.0.0.5) Ethereal, Inc. 12/21/10
SugarSync - WebSync SugarSync, Inc. 12/6/10
UnlockMe
(1.0.0) Camtech 11/29/10
RocketDock 1.3.5 Punk Software 11/12/10
Microsoft Windows Journal Viewer
(1.5.2316.0) Microsoft 11/9/10
Nero - Burning Rom
(5.5.9) ahead software gmbh 11/9/10 ResumeMaker
(16.0.0) Individual Software Inc. 11/9/10
Skype™ 4.1
(4.1.179) Skype Technologies S.A. 11/9/10
Skype web features
(1.0.3971) Skype Technologies S.A. 11/9/10
REALTEK Wireless LAN Driver and Utility
(1.00.0142) REALTEK Semiconductor Corp. 11/2/10
Microsoft .NET Framework 2.0 Service Pack 2
(2.2.30729) Microsoft Corporation 10/7/10
MSN Toolbar
(3.0.1312.0) Microsoft Corporation 10/6/10
Windows Internet Explorer 8
(20090308.140743) Microsoft Corporation 10/6/10
iTunes
(10.0.1.22) Apple Inc. 10/2/10
Safari
(5.33.18.5) Apple Inc. 10/2/10
QuickTime
(7.68.75.0) Apple Inc. 10/2/10
Apple Application Support
(1.3.2) Apple Inc. 10/2/10
LastPass (uninstall only) LastPass 9/30/10
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.21022
(9.0.21022) Microsoft Corporation 9/27/10
Real Alternative 2.0.2
(2.0.2)
9/12/10
Logitech Webcam Software
(12.10.1113) Logitech Inc. 9/1/10
Apple Software Update
(2.1.2.120) Apple Inc. 7/14/10
LG MC USB U330 driver
(1.0.0.0000) LG Electronics 6/14/10
Windows Live Sync
(14.0.8117.416) Microsoft Corporation 6/13/10
Microsoft Sync Framework 2.0 Provider Services (x86) ENU
(2.0.1578.0) Microsoft Corporation 6/13/10
SyncToy 2.1 (x86)
(2.1.0) Microsoft 6/13/10
Microsoft Office Outlook Connector
(12.0.6423.1000) Microsoft Corporation 6/13/10
Microsoft Sync Framework 2.0 Core Components (x86) ENU
(2.0.1578.0) Microsoft Corporation 6/13/10
Dropbox
(0.7.110)
5/7/10 Facebook Plug-In Facebook, Inc. 4/2/10
MP3 Cutter 1.3 Aiv Software 3/19/10
SugarSync Manager
2/4/10
RescueTime 2.1.0 RescueTime.com 1/11/10
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 ATL Update kb973924 - x86 9.0.30729.4148
(9.0.30729.4148) Microsoft Corporation 12/14/09
Microsoft Visual C++ 2008 Redistributable - x86 9.0.30729.17
(9.0.30729) Microsoft Corporation 12/12/09
ConvertHelper 2.2 DownloadHelper 12/6/09
TimeMe Timer Stopwatch CL 1.4.0
(1.4.0) TimeMe - http://www.timeme.com/ 11/24/09
NotesHolder 2.1
(2.1) A!K Research Labs 10/13/09
Shareaza 2.4.0.0
(2.4.0.0) Shareaza Development Team 10/2/09
Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 ATL Update kb973923 - x86 8.0.50727.4053
(8.0.50727.4053) Microsoft Corporation 9/25/09
Windows Live Sign-in Assistant
(5.000.818.5) Microsoft Corporation 9/24/09
Windows Live Upload Tool
(14.0.8014.1029) Microsoft Corporation 9/24/09
Clipmarks
(3.0.0) Clipmarks, LLC 9/9/09
Command and ConquerTM Generals Zero Hour
(1.00.0000) Electronic Arts 9/8/09
Google Chrome
(12.0.742.112) Google Inc. 9/8/09
Command & Conquer Generals
(0.50.0000) Electronic Arts 9/7/09
Acrobat.com
(1.7.186) Adobe Systems Incorporated 9/5/09
Opera 11.11
(11.11.2109) Opera Software ASA

Professor Answers Individual Software, Inc.

Professor Teaches Excel 2003
(1.0) Individual Software, Inc.

Puran Defrag Free Edition 7.3 Puran Software

Quicken 2002 New User Edition


RealPlayer RealNetworks

Unlocker 1.9.0
(1.9.0) Cedrick Collomb

UpdateMyDrivers
(7.0.0.144) SmartTweak Software

µTorrent
(1.8.4)


VLC media player 1.0.1
(1.0.1) VideoLAN Team

WavePad Sound Editor NCH Software

Webshots Desktop AGCM

Winamp
(5.56) Nullsoft, Inc

Windows Media Format 11 runtime


Windows Live Essentials
(14.0.8117.0416) Microsoft Corporation

WinRAR archiver

WordPerfect Office 2002


X-mas Eve Screensaver Screen Saver


Youtube Music Downloader V3.7.1 Youtube Music Downloader

Logitech Vid HD
(7.2 (7248)) Logitech Inc..

LookInMyPC


Magic ISO Maker v5.5 (build 0281)


MagicDisc 2.7.106


Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware Malwarebytes Corporation
Market Samurai
(0.87.19) Alliance Software Pty Ltd

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 SP1 Microsoft Corporation

Mozilla Firefox 6.0 (x86 en-US)
(6.0) Mozilla

Mozilla Thunderbird (2.0.0.24)
(2.0.0.24 (en-US)) Mozilla

Canon MP Navigator 3.0


Microsoft Visual C++ 2005 Redistributable
(8.0.61001) Microsoft Corporation

Java DB 10.6.2.1
(10.6.2.1) Oracle

Microsoft .NET Framework 3.0 Service Pack 2
(3.2.30729) Microsoft Corporation

Java™ 6 Update 24
(6.0.240) Oracle

Google Talk Plugin
(2.1.8.0) Google

PowerDVD CyberLink Corporation

TypingMaster TypingTest
(6.30) TypingMaster Inc

TypingMaster Pro
(7.00) TypingMaster Inc

Rosetta Stone Version 3
(3.4.5.0) Rosetta Stone Ltd.

Pod to PC 4.004 Macroplant, LLC

Nikon Message Center
(0.92.000) Nikon

Google Earth
(6.0.3.2197) Google

Microsoft Reader


calibre
(0.7.33) Kovid Goyal

Adobe Reader X (10.0.1)
(10.0.1) Adobe Systems Incorporated

AutoUpdate
(1.1)


Google Talk (remove only)


Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
(7.0.1710.2246) Google Inc.

File Uploader
(1.2.3) Nikon

Speccy
(1.05) Piriform

SpeedingUpMyPC v2.2
(2.2) SpeedingUpMyPC

Switch Sound File Converter NCH Software

System Explorer 2.9.0 Mister Group

Temp File Cleaner


The KMPlayer (remove only)


ATI Catalyst Control Center
(2.008.0820.2134)


Canon MP160


Samsung Universal Print Driver
(2.02.05.00:24) Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.

Secunia PSI (2.0.0.3001)


Britannica Ready Reference


HiJackThis
(1.0.0) Trend Micro
Google Gears
(0.5.3600) Google

Java™ SE Development Kit 6 Update 24
(1.6.0.240) Oracle

DivX Version Checker
(7.1.0.2) DivX, Inc.

Power Audio Cutter 3.0 AML SOFT, Inc.

Mavis Beacon Teaches Typing Deluxe 15 Broderbund LLC

Zune Desktop Theme
(1.0.5341.0) Microsoft Corporation

Document Express DjVu Plug-in
(6.1.25349) Caminova, Inc.

Picture Control Utility
(1.1.9) Nikon

Microsoft Silverlight
(4.0.60129.0) Microsoft Corporation

DivX Player
(7.2.0) DivX, Inc.

T3Desk 2010 Build Version 10.01 Tehnif Software SRL

Microsoft Office Professional Edition 2003
(11.0.8173.0) Microsoft Corporation

Compatibility Pack for the 2007 Office system
(12.0.6514.5001) Microsoft Corporation

Windows Feature Pack for Storage (32-bit) - IMAPI update for Blu-Ray
(1.0) Microsoft Corporation

Google Updater
(2.4.1970.7372) Google Inc.

Free Burning Studio 1.0.9.9
(1.0.9.9) HAMSTERSoft

Foxit Reader
(4.2.0.928) Foxit Corporation

GoldWave v5.55


GOM Player
(2.1.26.5021) Gretech Corporation

InterActual Player


iPod2PC 3.9.4
(3.9.4) CasiCakes

IrfanView (remove only)
(4.27) Irfan Skiljan

Adobe AIR
(2.5.0.16600) Adobe Systems Inc.

Adobe Flash Player 10 ActiveX
(10.1.102.64) Adobe Systems Incorporated

Adobe Flash Player 10 Plugin
(10.2.152.32) Adobe Systems Incorporated

Advanced Renamer Kim Jensen

Ares 2.1.4
(2.1.4-Build#3038) Ares Development Group

Ashampoo Burning Studio 6 FREE v.6.80
(6.8.0) ashampoo GmbH & Co. KG

ATI Display Driver
(8.53-080820a-068898C-ATI)

Audacity 1.2.6


avast! Free Antivirus
(6.0.1125.0) AVAST Software

Bandwidth Monitor Pro


BlazeDVD 6.0


Capture NX 2
(2.0.0) NIKON CORPORATION

CCleaner
(3.04) Piriform

CompositionTracker 1.1 Cutting Edge Publishing, Inc.

MP3 Speed 5.1.2 Accmeware Corporation

Defraggler
(2.05) Piriform

DjVuLibre+DjView
(3.5.23c+4.6b) DjVuZone

ERUNT 1.1j Lars Hederer

ESET Online Scanner v3

ESET Online Scanner v3

EVEREST Home Edition v2.20
(2.20) Lavalys Inc

EVEREST Home Edition v2.20
(2.20) Lavalys Inc

FileASSASSIN
(1.06) Malwarebytes

Find+Run Robot 2.80.02


GoToMeeting 4.8.0.723
(4.8.0.723) CitrixOnline

DesktopEarth
(2.1.1) CodeFromThe70s.org

Auslogics Disk Defrag
(version 3.2) Auslogics Software Pty Ltd

COWON Media Center - jetAudio Basic VX
(8.0.11) COWON

Nikon Transfer
(1.5.2) Nikon

ViewNX
(1.5.1) Nikon

ArcSoft Panorama Maker 5
(5.0.1.25) ArcSoft

Visual C++ 2008 x86 Runtime - v9.0.30729.01
(9.0.30729.01) Microsoft Corporation

Evernote v. 4.2.1
(4.2.1.3716) Evernote Corp.

Realtek AC'97 Audio


CamStudio OSS Desktop Recorder
(2.6 Beta r294) CamStudio Open Source Dev Team

Edited by Macboatmaster, 01 August 2011 - 02:01 PM.

[bigdan]

OK will do, but does it matter what's installed? I know hard disk space is an issue, and startup entries are an issue. If those 2 are handled does increasing / decreasing the number of installed make a diff?

[Macboatmaster]

In essence NO.
But it is good computer housekeeping to uninstall what is NOT needed.

You have IE, Opera, Safari and Mozilla. - for example.

You already had a defrag program - albeit the one rshaffer61 gave you is the one we commonly use on here.

You have Speed Up My PC - which I can assure you is unwanted, uneeded and will generally like all of these programs, do exactly the opposite. It will speed up very little if anything, but has the potential to damage the health of it.

You have Ashampoo, Nero, Free Burning Studio. You also have a number of Players.

Additionally unless I am mistaken - your C drive is NOT Samsung, as you said, but Western Digital.
E Drive is Samsung.

You have HiJack from Trend Micro - Version 1.1.
Uninstall ALL that you do not need.
For instance the current version of HIJack is 2.04.

Then when you have ONLY what you want we will be able to see the Wood from the trees.
With the greatest of respect YOU cannot possibly need or indeed want all that you have installed.

Also - I do not know what you have on E Drive, but quite apart from the original issue on C Drive your free space on E Drive is only 3%.
The drive basically has NO SPACE from which to work..On a 250Gb drive you have merely 7Gb free.

Edited by Macboatmaster, 01 August 2011 - 03:13 PM.

[bigdan]

thanks for this. you are right i dont need all that. its just that sometimes i dont know which utility to download for, lets say, extracting audio from video, or whatever, so i download various things and go from there.

yes my E drive is full. does that matter tho? i figured C is the one affecting performance. E is TV shows mainly.

I thought C is Samsung. I guess I could be mistaken. In which case I just burned the wrong CD/disk! How do I verify?

[Macboatmaster]

It depends what is ON E Drive.
If you are accessing the files on E - ie Music etc to use on Windows via some media player then YES it certainly does matter.

If you have this running as your wallpaper

Desktop Earth 2.0
Disable it, it will give a false reading for your CPU activity.

Disk Drive WDC WD1600JB-00REA0 (149 GB, IDE)
Disk Drive SAMSUNG SP2514N (250 GB, 7200 RPM, Ultra-ATA/133)


Partitions:
C: (NTFS) 152617 MB (12898 MB free)
E: (NTFS) 238472 MB (13862 MB free)
Total Size 381.9 GB (26.1 GB free)

Edited by Macboatmaster, 01 August 2011 - 02:50 PM.

[rshaffer61]

µTorrent (1.8.4) and Speed Up My PC

Bad bad combination. Torrents are notorious for hiding infections. Speed up my pc has been shown to be a serious scam on users and in the end cause more issues then it fixes. These two alone enhance my belief of a infection thta needs to be addressed.

C: (NTFS) 152617 MB (12898 MB free)

This shows out of 152 gigs on the C drive there is 13 gigs free. Well below the accepted 10 to 15 % free space.

CCleaner (3.04) Piriform

If you are using this as a Registry cleaner please stop.
A registry cleaner will not increase your system's speed or performance, and has the potential to break your registry to the point that your PC is no longer bootable.
We strongly advise that people stay away from any of the registry cleaners out there.
Go HERE to get more information about why registry cleaners aren't needed.


Thanks to Sari for the explanation

Java™ SE Development Kit 6 Update 24
(1.6.0.240) Oracle

Java is out of date and is a serious security issue.
Please download JavaRa from the link in my signature below to your desktop and unzip it to its own folder

• * Run JavaRa.exe, pick the language of your choice and click Select. Then click Remove Older Versions.
  * Accept any prompts.
  * Open JavaRa.exe again and select Search For Updates.
  * Select Update Using Sun Java's Website then click Search and click on the Open Webpage button.
• Download and install the latest Java Runtime Environment (JRE) version for your computer.

http://sourceforge.n...ft&words=javara


Java Download Link
http://www.java.com/...load/manual.jsp

[Macboatmaster]

System Explorer 2.9.0 Mister Group

I think that loads on startup and runs continuously exploring your system, so that you may then click on any of the taskbar items it lists to examine any part of your system.
It is a gimmick -uninstall it. - at least that is my recommendatrion.
I really do believe that until you examine most carefully what you have installed and what you actually want, it will be a devils own job to find out what is causing the slowness.

Go with rshaffer61`s recommendation re the drive. He stands above me in the tree of expertise. I came in to just lend a hand. When he comes back he will pick up again and it is not unusual for us to work together on a thread.

Edited by Macboatmaster, 01 August 2011 - 03:20 PM.

[rshaffer61]

I also noticed you have numerous AV's and Malware programs running.
Running more then once active real time AV is asking for trouble which includes false positive readings. I suggest picking one and getting rid of everything else.
Again I would like to say that a trip to the malware forum should be taken solely on the basis of using Torrents.