#389243 - 07/14/05 07:44 PM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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ITGITC?
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Backup the data.
Reformat the disk. Wipe it clean.
Then reinstall the OS and applications.
Otherwise, using antivirus and spyware removal applications will take you forever and you're not guaranteed that they will eradicate all the problems you are now facing.
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"When I read about the evils of drinking... I quit reading." - written on the wall in the men's room at a bar in Raleigh, NC ................................ Is There Gas in the Car? 
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#389244 - 07/14/05 08:03 PM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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AudioMaverick
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Before you wipe it out, try these...
- Microsoft Antispyware
- GRI-Soft\'s AVG Free
If they don't do the job, then save your data and redo the OS.
Alternative to MS Antispyware...
- Spy-Bot Search & Destory
Good Luck!
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#389245 - 07/14/05 08:05 PM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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gtrmac
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Originally posted by Is There Gas in the Car?:
Backup the data.
Reformat the disk. Wipe it clean.
Then reinstall the OS and applications.
Otherwise, using antivirus and spyware removal applications will take you forever and you're not guaranteed that they will eradicate all the problems you are now facing.
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Mac Bowne
G-Clef Acoustics Ltd.
Osaka, Japan
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#389246 - 07/14/05 08:11 PM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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LiveMusic
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Registered: 02/23/01
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For personal reasons, I don't want to reformat and wipe clean unless there's no choice. I'd rather try to spend a couple hours and do some fixes if possible. Long story.
Probably zero maintenance is ever done on this machine. Thanks.
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#389247 - 07/14/05 08:25 PM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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Dak Lander
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After running spy/ad ware removers, AVG or other virus scan and removal tool, defrag the drive.
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#389249 - 07/15/05 12:39 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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mattzen
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Registered: 03/27/00
Posts: 206
Loc: Los Angeles, CA, USA
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I highly recommend doing as much of the uninstalling and repairing in safe mode. or even safe mode with networking enabled. that way you would be able to surf and see if the computer is running any better. you will be able to remove programs that run as services. sometimes if you have some nasty spyware or viruses they will actually be able to shut down the antispyware or anti virus software before it's able to do it's thing. doing this in safe mode will allow you to get rid of the stuff much easier.
when i was home for the holidays, i had to do the same for my mom/brother's computer. after a day, i gave up 'cause there was so much stuff. i bought them a new hard drive, re-installed the os and copied the critical data back over. actually, that was much easier.
good luck!!
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#389250 - 07/15/05 06:33 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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A String
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After the anti-spyware and virus scans have been run (Remember to update the dat files so you have the newest info), clean the computer out.
Navigate to the "Temp" folders and "Temporary Internet folder" and empty them. (There may be more then one "Temporary Internet" folder depending on the OS you are using.)
Run the "Add/Remove Programs" from "Control Panel" and remove any unwanted software.
Have a look through the "My Documents" folder for any unwanted stuff.
If she had Kazaa or other file sharing, be sure to look in the "Program Files" folder for folders with the name of the file sharing software. Then open them and look for any files that may have been downloaded that you want to delete. (There is usually a folder inside that will store download files.)
Once all this is done. Empty the recycle bin and then defrag the drive.
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#389251 - 07/15/05 06:42 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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Flemtone
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Registered: 12/18/02
Posts: 1380
Loc: Mine Hill, NJ
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Live, you may try this:
Start/run
type msconfig
Go to the 'startup' tab and see what programs are starting every time you start the computer. Un-check everything except anti-virus.
Re-boot
When the system starts up again, there will be a window that pops up and tells you that you are on a diagnostic start-up. Check the box that says "don't show this message again" and then 'OK'.
This may help speed up the system. You can see what each one of those startup programs is by going here:
TaskList Dot Org
Look them up alphabetically and see if you need them. If not, uncheck their boxes so they don't start up ever time the system starts.
***note - this will NOT work with W2K. For that, go here and download Mike Lin's "Startup Control Panel", install and run. It's a great utility, and absolutely free e e e e e e e!
Good luck. We're all counting on you.
-Tim from Jersey
_________________________
http://www.flemtones.net"Poor writing skills are the 60 cycle hum of the written word" -Brother Dave Brown
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#389252 - 07/15/05 07:48 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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LiveMusic
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Registered: 02/23/01
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Okay, here we go, I am at her computer. It is WinXp Home 5.1.
Say, in the System Tools >> menu, just before Defrag, there is Disc Cleanup. Is that just an easy way to delete temp files?
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#389253 - 07/15/05 07:52 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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A String
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Disk cleanup will do the trick. Sometimes stuff can get left behind so it doesn't really hurt to take peek and see.
There are some viruses and spyware/adware that get started from the registry's "Run" entries. If you are still having problems, let me know and you can have a look in there.
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#389254 - 07/15/05 07:55 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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LiveMusic
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Man, there are 24 programs enabled for Startup. That's a lot, isn't it? This puter has 128MB RAM.
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#389255 - 07/15/05 08:02 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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A String
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Every program you install these days seems to have it's own little program that wants to run from start up. 90% of these are unneeded. Write out a list of the start up entries and post them here. Then we can help you with which ones you need.
Also, click "Start Button", "All Programs", "Start Up" and list what is in there.
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#389256 - 07/15/05 08:05 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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Lee Knight
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Registered: 10/19/01
Posts: 1077
Loc: Encinitas,CA,UNITED STATES
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I had good results with a program called "The Ultimate Troubleshooter".
http://www.answersthatwork.com/TUT_pages/TUT_information.htm
Here's a blurb about it from their website...
From PC lock-ups to illegal operations, Internet Explorer crashes, slow-downs, and other frustrations, many problems purely and simply come down to what is running in the background on your PC and currently demanding attention by the computer. The trick to having a PC that runs smoothly is to know which background tasks are essential, which are not, and which only need to run sometimes. By managing these processes more intelligently your system can free up more memory, run more reliably and avoid crashes and lock ups. This is what The Ultimate Troubleshooter enables you to do.
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#389257 - 07/15/05 08:10 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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A String
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You bought a program to do it for you? There are free programs out there that will do the same thing. That software costs $35 USD!
If I were you, I would have saved the cash and either done it manually or downloaded some free tools.
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#389258 - 07/15/05 08:38 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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LiveMusic
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Registered: 02/23/01
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Start > All Programs > Startup:
Picture Package Menu
Picture Package VCDmaker
msconfig gave this for programs at Startup:
hpsysdrv
RECGUARD
RUNDLL32
igfxtray
hkcmd
PS2
ActiveMenu
ct
dw
ccApp
UrlLstCK
mumpxb
zvafl
winpppoverethernet
fsg_4203
InstaFinderK_inst
msmsgs
Money Express
WkDetect
ypager
Picture Package Menu
Picture Package VC...
********
********
The last two above, it doesn't say anything, it has eight little squares in a row as above. It also is different in that the directory contains "WindowsNT" instead of "Windows" like the rest of them.
I have no idea what to keep out of that. This HP Pavilion mx70 is a home puter, no intranet or anything odd. She has DSL on it, I wish I did! But it's so slow, it's slower than my dial-up in some ways. Thanks for all helpers.
Wow, this Panda scan is going to take a LONG time. It's been running 30 minutes and appears to be 1/4 done, if the gauge bar is accurate. Two hours? Sheesh. Has scanned 27,000 files thus far, has 18 infected files, 1 suspicious file so far. I see that now Panda scans for spyware, as well as viruses, so, that's good.
Does it hurt if I surf at same time? Probably.
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#389259 - 07/15/05 08:40 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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Ernest Buckley
Senior Member
Registered: 09/11/04
Posts: 463
Loc: Brooklyn, New York
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Buy a Mac. 
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#389260 - 07/15/05 08:55 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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A String
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I don't see anything in there that "Has" to be auto started. I am a little concerned over the "Rundll32" being there. It can sometimes be a virus. There are also a few others in there that look suspicious. Ccapp is part of Norton Anti Virus. If it is not installed on your system, it could be a virus as well. I would remove the checks from all of those files and delete both shortcuts from the start up folder.
If Panda finds viruses, then that will be the majority of your problem.
If it has viruses and they can't be removed, there may be "Manual" removal information if you "Google" the virus name. Worst case scenario, you could move the files you want to keep over to a partition and format.
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#389261 - 07/15/05 09:13 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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LiveMusic
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Registered: 02/23/01
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Using Tasklist site recommended above, I searched for all 24 thingies at Startup listed above... I deduce...
DON'T DELETE:
hpsysdrv
RECGUARD
PS2
ccApp
UrlLstCK
winpppoverethernet
VIRUS/SPYWARE:
RUNDLL32
dw
fsg_4203
Insta FInderK_inst
REMOVE FROM STARTUP:
igfxtray
hkcmd
ActiveMenu
msmsgs
Money Express
WKDetect
ypager
Picture Package Menu
Picture Package VCDmaker
UNKNOWN:
mumpxb
******** (8 squares)
******** (8 squares)
Heck, I may be here all day with Panda scan running.
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#389262 - 07/15/05 09:57 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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phaeton
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Registered: 11/21/01
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Lots of folks here have given you good suggestions, if not differing ones. I clean up machines all day, so i'll throw my dead chicken in:
Yep, all that "UNKNOWN" crap has gotta go from the startup list. Remember that here you're just disabling things, so you could uncheck everything if you really wanted to and it won't change or hurt anything. Don't be afraid to hit the "services" tab, and check the "hide all microsoft services" box. Sometimes crap ends up in here too.
After that, i'd reboot, then make a full backup of the registry (using regedit), then go into the add/remove programs and remove as much bullshit out of there as i can. Lots of crapware programs will show up in there, some won't. Some will be kinda obvious, some are cleverly named to try to look like important files. For instance, i would google that "winpppoverethernet", because it sounds like junk to me.
Most will let you uninstall them from there, some won't. Some install other programs instead. Others give you a run-around. Some will completely delete your registry (sidesearch being my favourite) and then you're screwed. This is why we made a backup of the registry 
THEN i would start using some tools. You'll find some here:
http://home.mia.net/~phaeton
Though there is a newer version of Adaware that just came out. I keep forgetting to update it. You can find it at http://www.lavasoft.com.
Install the programs, update them, but don't run them yet. Restart the computer in safe mode, and THEN run them in this order:
CWShredder
(reboot into safe mode)
Adaware
(reboot into safe mode)
Spybot
(reboot into safe mode)
Then run Hijackthis, but be careful what you delete- it never hurts to make iterative registry backups before you do each step.
THEN i would update and run any antivirus software on the machine.
My $0.02 + 5.5% sales tax.
Goodluck.
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#389263 - 07/15/05 09:58 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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Dylan
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First, I'd turn off system restore before doing any spyware/virus removal. Otherwise, those little bastards will come back. If the system is really hosed then I'd take Gas' advise and reformat and reinstall. I've wasted weekends trying to help friends computers that were seriously screwed up and I now refuse to spend that kind of effort. Especially if people were installing apps like Kazaa and other file sharing tools. There have been numerous threads here about Spyware and Virus apps so I'd do a search. The Microsoft Antispyware Beta is probably the best app for SW at the moment and AVG Free is my fav AV app.
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#389264 - 07/15/05 10:09 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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Lee Knight
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Registered: 10/19/01
Posts: 1077
Loc: Encinitas,CA,UNITED STATES
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Originally posted by A String:
You bought a program to do it for you? There are free programs out there that will do the same thing. That software costs $35 USD!
If I were you, I would have saved the cash and either done it manually or downloaded some free tools.
I found it to be very valuable... :p
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#389265 - 07/15/05 10:30 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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LiveMusic
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Registered: 02/23/01
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Shoulda taken first poster Tom's advice and blanked it out. But it's not my computer and I'm kinda stuck there. Anyway, the damn thing is still scanning. Three hours later. Up to 118,000 files. Anyone know how to tell how many files on the hard drive? Everything I look at only gives space used, not number of files.
Sure as I do this crap, she'll be pissed off because Recipe 101 gets hosed or something. They have several games on here, too. I don't see how the hell the average home user makes it more 'n a few years in computer world.
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#389266 - 07/15/05 11:04 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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phaeton
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I don't see how the hell the average home user makes it more 'n a few years in computer world.
Or more 'n a few months, in some cases. I hate to say it like this, but there's lots of people who just don't belong on the internet. We all know who they are. Of anything all this crapware will slow that segment down somewhat.
Or they'll eventually make Apple the fastest growing company since 1998.
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#389267 - 07/15/05 11:08 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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LiveMusic
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Anyone know how I can tell how many files on the hard drive? It's scanned over 200,000 and still going.
Anyone know what "mumpxb" file is? I found nothing in a search.
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#389268 - 07/15/05 11:31 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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Dak Lander
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Well, you probably started the scan without emptying the temp and temp internet files and caches. There can be hundred of thousands of those alone.
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#389269 - 07/15/05 11:32 AM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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AudioMaverick
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Registered: 05/19/01
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I don't know a Windows way. But, from a DOS prompt (at c:\) -- DIR *.* /S
This will miss hidden files. But, at nearly 400,000... missing under a 100 will not be an issue.
I hope you are in SAFE MODE...
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#389270 - 07/15/05 12:53 PM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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A String
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Like Phateon stated, removing the check mark just disables things. You can disable everything in that list and then, if something you wanted is missing, you can add it back.
hpsysdrv is an unnecessary program put there by HP. You do not need it to be running. I didn't check out the others in your "Don't Delete" list, but it's really a matter of preference. Remember, most things can be started manually if you want them to run. How many programs do you need to have running all the time?
Any luck with the Panda scan yet?
Another part of your problem might be a space issue. Try this:
-Right click on "My Computer"
-Click on "Explore"
-Right click on "C:"
-Click on "Properties"
You need to have at least 2 Gigs free for Winxp to really run smoothly.
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#389271 - 07/15/05 01:02 PM
Re: Fix for slow Win computer?
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A String
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Originally posted by Lee Knight: Originally posted by A String:
You bought a program to do it for you? There are free programs out there that will do the same thing. That software costs $35 USD!
If I were you, I would have saved the cash and either done it manually or downloaded some free tools.
I found it to be very valuable... :p
As far as finding out what each thing on your system is doing in great detail, check out:
Process Explorer For NT/2K/WinXP
Process Explorer for Win9x/ME
These are great and free. Help you keep an eye on what's running and also see the details about each process.
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