Older Computer - Slowing & Other Problems - Tips??

[Bearflag70]

@astro

C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware\AAWService.exe **(really don’t need ad aware up all the time, it chews memory and newer browsers have built in ad blocking) **

Ad-Aware REMOVED

@astro

C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\AOL\ACS\AOLacsd.exe (if you are not on AOL dialup or using AOL messaging this is a memory hog)

AOL REMOVED

@astro

C:\Program Files\Seagate\SeagateManager\Sync\FreeAgentService.exe **(if you are not using this this applet to sync with a portable drive you might want to remove these services) **

I auto-synch with an external hard drive daily

@astro

C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\RaMaint.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LogMeIn.exe
C:\Program Files\LogMeIn\x86\LMIGuardian.exe
**(if you are not using remote access on your notebook these are chewing memory) **

I have this for when I go out of town and may need remote access.

[Bearflag70]

Then: Hard drive = C: 92.9 GB / 42.9 GB Free
Now: Hard drive = C: 92.9 GB / 44.3 GB Free

Then: 504 MB RAM
Now: 1.49 GB RAM

Then: 63 Processes
Now: 57 Processes

Then: 658M/1228M Commit Charge
Now: 482M/2136M Commit Charge

[Bearflag70]

@dzero

first, get ccleaner here and run it for both the “cleaner” and “registry” options (left column). This should fix some of the glitches you are having since they are probably due to broken registry entries. It will also clean up some of the junk on your hard drive.

next, defrag your hard drive.

CCleaner done.

Maybe I’ll defrag tonight.

Things are already improving.

[yoyodyne]

Wow, that’s enough to slow anything down ;). My recommendation:

Create a system restore point.

Install Revo Uninstaller.

If you don’t use these then uninstall them with Revo using the advanced scan option. If it doesn’t show up in Revo, check it in HijackThis (HJT) and click “Fix checked.”

O4 - HKLM..\Run: [LLPush] C:\PROGRA~1\iLinc\Client77\bin\llpush.exe
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] “C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe”
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [ToolBoxFX] “c:\Program Files\HP\ToolBoxFX\bin\HPTLBXFX.exe” /enumn:0n /alerts:0n /notifications:0n /fln:0n /frn:0n /appDatan:0n /tmcpn:0n
04 - HKLM..\Run: [4shared Update] “C:\Program Files\4shared Desktop\checkUpdate.exe”
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [CarboniteSetupLite] “C:\Program Files\Carbonite\CarbonitePreinstaller.exe” /preinstalled /showonfirst /reshowat=900
O4 - Global Startup: Desktop Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\DesktopMgr.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download All using 4shared Desktop - C:\Program Files\4shared Desktop\down_all.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download using 4shared Desktop - C:\Program Files\4shared Desktop\down_link.htm
O16 - DPF: {8FEFF364-6A5F-4966-A917-A3AC28411659} (SopCore Control) - http:/ /download.sopcast.com/download/SOPCORE.CAB
O23 - Service: ConfigFree Service (CFSvcs) - TOSHIBA CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSvcs.exe

Remove with HJT:
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [4shared Update] “C:\Program Files\4shared Desktop\checkUpdate.exe”
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] “C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe”
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [TkBellExe] “C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe” -osboot
O4 - HKLM..\Run: [QuickTime Task] “C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe” -atboottime
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O23 - Service: Swupdtmr - Unknown owner - c:\TOSHIBA\IVP\swupdate\swupdtmr.exe

I strongly recommend uninstalling Roxio/Sonic and using InfraRecorder instead.
Uninstall Revo.
Restart

Create another restore point

Install CCleaner, start it. Analyze and Run Cleaner.
Click Registry on the left. Check everything in Registry Integrity, Then Scan for Issues and Fix selected issues…
Uninstall CCleaner.

Defrag the drive.

Install PSI, scan, and patch everything that needs it. Let PSI start with Windows.
Rerun HJT and post log.

[Bearflag70]

As far as the CDROM, I don’t want to buy a new one if I can help it. I don’t know if it’s a hardware or software problem.

I tried accessing the drive and it told me to insert a disk. So, I did.

I put the disk in and it apparently spun around, then stopped.

I went into My Computer and double clicked on the D: drive and it said the drive is not accessible.

I checked the driver and it said the driver was current.

I click on the drive and it says the drive is not accessible. Incorrect function.

I clicked a box in the Properties Box for the drive and the computer recognizes the drive now. However, it’s not reading the discs. I spins around and says the disc is blank. The disc is not blank. I tried 3 discs with the same result.

[Bearflag70]

@yoyodyne

If you don’t use these then uninstall them with Revo using the advanced scan option.

I want to be sure I know what you mean by “if you don’t use these.” I will address each one in blue below.

O4 - HKLM…\Run: [LLPush] C:\PROGRA~1\iLinc\Client77\bin\llpush.exe

I don’t use this.

O4 - HKLM…\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] “C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe”

I have adobe photo but I don’t use it so much these days. I don’t use the adobe photo uploader.

O4 - HKLM…\Run: [ToolBoxFX] “c:\Program Files\HP\ToolBoxFX\bin\HPTLBXFX.exe” /enumn:0n /alerts:0n /notifications:0n /fln:0n /frn:0n /appDatan:0n /tmcpn:0n

This provides software updates to my HP printer (4-in-1).

04 - HKLM…\Run: [4shared Update] “C:\Program Files\4shared Desktop\checkUpdate.exe”

4shared is an online file sharing system. I got it when my CDROM went down. I use it to get info off a CDROM on the DELL, where the CDROM works properly, then copy everything over to this TOSHIBA with the jacked up CDROM online via 4shared.

O4 - HKLM…\Run: [CarboniteSetupLite] “C:\Program Files\Carbonite\CarbonitePreinstaller.exe” /preinstalled /showonfirst /reshowat=900

I just got an external hard drive. this came with it. I do a daily auto hard drive backup for my Word & Excel files.

O4 - Global Startup: Desktop Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\DesktopMgr.exe

I sync the Toshiba with my blackberry

O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download All using 4shared Desktop - C:\Program Files\4shared Desktop\down_all.htm

See 4shared, above.
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download using 4shared Desktop - C:\Program Files\4shared Desktop\down_link.htm

See 4shared, above.

O16 - DPF: {8FEFF364-6A5F-4966-A917-A3AC28411659} (SopCore Control) - http:/ /download.sopcast.com/download/SOPCORE.CAB

I can dump this.

O23 - Service: ConfigFree Service (CFSvcs) - TOSHIBA CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSvcs.exe

No idea what this does.

[Bearflag70]

Regarding 4shared… now that I have an external hard drive, I can probably swap CDROM files using the Dell and swapping the external hard drive between the Dell & the Toshiba instead of using 4shared.

[yoyodyne]

O4 - HKLM…\Run: [LLPush] C:\PROGRA~1\iLinc\Client77\bin\llpush.exe

I don’t use this. Uninstall iLink with revo.

O4 - HKLM…\Run: [Adobe Photo Downloader] “C:\Program Files\Adobe\Photoshop Album Starter Edition\3.2\Apps\apdproxy.exe”

I have adobe photo but I don’t use it so much these days. I don’t use the adobe photo uploader. Remove this line with HJT.

O4 - HKLM…\Run: [ToolBoxFX] “c:\Program Files\HP\ToolBoxFX\bin\HPTLBXFX.exe” /enumn:0n /alerts:0n /notifications:0n /fln:0n /frn:0n /appDatan:0n /tmcpn:0n

This provides software updates to my HP printer (4-in-1). Updates are rare, and if it works now it’s not going to stop. Check for updates manually occasionally. PSI will tell you of security patches.

04 - HKLM…\Run: [4shared Update] “C:\Program Files\4shared Desktop\checkUpdate.exe”

4shared is an online file sharing system. I got it when my CDROM went down. I use it to get info off a CDROM on the DELL, where the CDROM works properly, then copy everything over to this TOSHIBA with the jacked up CDROM online via 4shared. Ok, but a flash drive wouldn’t run in the background all the time. You can also just start 4shared only when you’re copying.

O4 - HKLM…\Run: [CarboniteSetupLite] “C:\Program Files\Carbonite\CarbonitePreinstaller.exe” /preinstalled /showonfirst /reshowat=900

I just got an external hard drive. this came with it. I do a daily auto hard drive backup for my Word & Excel files. Carbonite is for backups to an online service. I think you’re using the Seagate software for your backups.

O4 - Global Startup: Desktop Manager.lnk = C:\Program Files\Research In Motion\BlackBerry\DesktopMgr.exe

I sync the Toshiba with my blackberry

O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download All using 4shared Desktop - C:\Program Files\4shared Desktop\down_all.htm

See 4shared, above.

O8 - Extra context menu item: &Download using 4shared Desktop - C:\Program Files\4shared Desktop\down_link.htm

See 4shared, above.

O16 - DPF: {8FEFF364-6A5F-4966-A917-A3AC28411659} (SopCore Control) - http:/ /download.sopcast.com/download/SOPCORE.CAB

I can dump this.

O23 - Service: ConfigFree Service (CFSvcs) - TOSHIBA CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSvcs.exe

No idea what this does. It’s A Toshiba wireless configuration program. You can just use the Windows wireless management.

[astro]

@Bearflag70

As far as the CDROM, I don’t want to buy a new one if I can help it. I don’t know if it’s a hardware or software problem.
.

They are around $ 20 +/_ shipped on ebay. It’s usually a very simple removal - install.

[Bearflag70]

I’m up to the defrag. More tomorrow. Thanks!

[dzero]

@Bearflag70

I’m up to the defrag. More tomorrow. Thanks!

Did Ccleaner help? I’m curious if my arm chair diagnosis had any merit. Thanks.

[Bearflag70]

The three main problems have been as follows:

1. Slow - The biggest problem was an overall slow machine. The most noticeable remedy was adding RAM. The next most noticeable remedy was removing AdAWARE and other RAM hogs. The next most noticeable was switching from Avast to MSE. The other remedies may have helped some but not very noticeable.

2. Outlook slow & crashing: The next biggest problem was slow & crashing Outlook. Adding RAM helped a lot. I think the crashing problem was due to the Avast Outlook Plug-In. I think the switch from Avast to MSE fixed that. I also think removing AdAWARE helped because I know it was scanning all my emails bogging down Outlook. Outlook is moving like lightning now.

3. CDROM not functioning: I’m going to get the $20 hardware as suggested. Thank you.

Ccleaner probably helped, but by the time I got to that stage, I already had some big fixes implemented, so I didn’t notice any particular change with Ccleaner.

[dzero]

Thanks. It’s good to hear things have improved so much for you. More RAM is always a good thing but the less you have to start with, the bigger the difference it will make. I got 8gig on the last rig I built (Phenom X6). There is a noticeable difference from 4gig but it’s not huge. Even so, with memory prices coming down, I’ll go with 16gig next time.

MSE seems to be a real hit with everyone I’ve heard talk about it. I use it in conjunction with Avira. The latter is able to detect 0-day (zero day) threats that have not been incorporated into virus signature databases yet. But you should be fine with just MSE. You might want to add a weekly scan with Malwarebytes too. It’s free for the manual scan version and a small fee for real time scanning - but the real-time version would probably slow you down anyway.

DVD burners are so cheap now, even the ultra-slim versions used in laptops, that it doesn’t make sense to screw around with a buggy one, so I think that was good choice.

[John_Mace]

@Quartz

@Bearflag70

504 MB RAM

@Bearflag70

Commit Charge: 658M / 1228M

This indicates that you need more memory. Others have given good advice, but your OS and software are using more memory than you have.

Go to Crucial’s website and run their memory checker utility. It will tell you how much memory you can have.

My laptop is ancient, and I ran Crucial on it. I was surprised that they indicated I would probably have to have the memory replaced by an authorized dealer, and couldn’t do it myself. Does that make sense? I have a Dell Insprion 2650. I don’t have any extra memory slots, and have to replace the memory in the existing ones.

I thought upgrading RAM was easy…

[Tim_R.Mortiss]

One thing not mentioned so far is Firefox. It used to be a great browser, but recent editions have become total memory hogs.

I now use Chrome, and my computer runs MUCH faster.

[running_coach]

@John_Mace

My laptop is ancient, and I ran Crucial on it. I was surprised that they indicated I would probably have to have the memory replaced by an authorized dealer, and couldn’t do it myself. Does that make sense? I have a Dell Insprion 2650. I don’t have any extra memory slots, and have to replace the memory in the existing ones.

I thought upgrading RAM was easy…

Laptops tend to be more difficult to near impossible for the end user to service. I believe this has improved somewhat in recent years.

For the typical desktop-dead easy.

[Fear_Itself]

@John_Mace

I was surprised that they indicated I would probably have to have the memory replaced by an authorized dealer, and couldn’t do it myself. Does that make sense?

One slot is under a panel on the bottom, the other is under the keyboard. More difficult, but not beyond someone with moderate hardware skills. Instructions here.

[Bearflag70]

@yoyodyne

Install PSI, scan, and patch everything that needs it. Let PSI start with Windows.
Rerun HJT and post log.

I was able to clear up some patches. However, the scan is showing problems with Outlook and Windows XP. Those patches require use of Internet Explorer to fix. I downloaded IE8 but it won’t run.

[yoyodyne]

@dzero

MSE seems to be a real hit with everyone I’ve heard talk about it. I use it in conjunction with Avira. The latter is able to detect 0-day (zero day) threats that have not been incorporated into virus signature databases yet.

Avira is a full anti-virus and it’s generally not a good idea to run two at the same time. You could turn off the file scanning in Avira.

MSE also does heuristic though. What I use is MSE and ThreatFire together, ThreatFire is pure heuristic. It’s light on resources and does a great job.

[yoyodyne]

@Bearflag70

I was able to clear up some patches. However, the scan is showing problems with Outlook and Windows XP. Those patches require use of Internet Explorer to fix. I downloaded IE8 but it won’t run.

What were you using before? Does IE8 fail on install or when you try to run it? What is the error?