Why is my PC so slow?

[fuzzypumpkins]

When I got it, it opened up folders in an instant. Now it takes a while to open things up plus the internet is alot slower. When I watch videos on the internet now, they skip and don't play smoothly. I reformatted twice and still no faster. I have win xp sp2 and 1 gb ram if this helps anyone. I have many virus scans and spyware removal tools. They all say that my pc is 100% virus/spyware/etc... free. What should I do?

[penguinrusty]

It would help to know your full system specs. Also, how full is your hard drive? What spyware removers do you use?

[fuzzypumpkins]

I have webroot spysweeper, norton antivirus, all-in-one-secretmaker, windows defender, aluria security center, and ad-aware.

I have 18.7gb free on my ~40gb hard drive
Its a dell dimension b110 with 2.53 celly--ya i know it blows.

What else do you need to know?

[penguinrusty]

I have 18.7gb free on my ~40gb hard drive
2.53 celly

There's your problem right there. But all those firewalls, etc. will slow down your internet considerably.

[tron696]

Defrag does wonders, it might take awhile but you could set it up before you go to bed. Lots of internet history and temp. internet files will also slow down browsing. It is never recomended to run more than one antivirus on any given machine. If you want to tweak the way windows handles internet traffic look for a program called tcp optimizer.

http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php

[offroadin'101]

Definitely clean up your hard drive and get rid of all but two of those anti-viruses! The more the firewalls, the slower the internet browsing and downloading.

[tron696]

Definitely clean up your hard drive and get rid of all but two of those anti-viruses! The more the firewalls, the slower the internet browsing and downloading.

He's only running one anti-virus, AVG is free and will find viruses and trojan horses that norton will ignore or miss, updates new definitions everyday and is easy to use. Keep all the spyware programs, and check to see what all starts when windows boots. If your task bar next to your clock is showing a bunch of icons, then that will slow a computer down faster than anything, no matter what the specs are.

This program is also free and lets you know what starts with windows and allows you to turn unwanted programs off. http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

[fuzzypumpkins]

I defrag a lot and it does nothing. My system tray next to the clock has about 6 different things running right now.....
quicktime,spysweeper,norton,aluria,secretmaker, and my sound card mixer.

Which ones should I get rid of?

BTW, is it possible to just go buy a new processor? Like my socket is 478, so can't I just go and get a pentium 4 3.2ghz or something like that? Would I have to change anything else?

[cornelje]

I'm not an Intel guy, so don't quote me on this, but I think even though the P4's are socket 478, you have to stick with celly's. Someone correct me please?

You should just run without antivirus or antispyware, stay out of the shady porn sites and keep a firewall on. Antivirus programs (especially Norton) can take tremendous ammounts of memory to run, to me, I'd rather have a virus than a fat nanny.

And about the video's being glitchy, ditch Windows Media Player, quicktime, and realplayer, and just get VLC Media Player. It's incredible how many different videos can play at one time with VLC compared to WMP.

I hope your running Firefox as well?

[penguinrusty]

Yep, you have to stick with a Celly, becasue the motherboard can't support a processor with a faster FSB than a Celeron...Celeron's have a FSB of 133 and Pentium 4's have an FSB of 533.

[offroadin'101]

I just meant security programs. And another thing, I have 16 things on the task bar next to my clock and my computer runs great! Course most are not big things

[tron696]

I have a 478 pin celly 2 ghz. overclocked to 2.3 that runs at 115x4mhz FSB. The FSB is 100x4(quad pumped). What you have to look for is the max. FSB your motherboard supports. This type of socket is getting hard to find as far as replacement cpu's but if you look around you can still find P4's that will swap right out. Also check what the max. freq. your motherboard supports as far as the cpu is concerned.

[fuzzypumpkins]

maybe I'll just build my own pc

[lilwillis]

A great solution if you have the money^^^^^

[fuzzypumpkins]

Here is my high jack this log file if anyone could help.

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:31:07 PM, on 3/20/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\ALURIA~1\AL_ADS~1.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Command Software\dvpapi.exe
C:\Program Files\Aluria Security Center\AluriaMsgSrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\WRSSSDK.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG Free\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\HighJackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell4me.com/myway
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell4me.com/myway
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.dell4me.com/myway
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: DriveLetterAccess - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswshx.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SoundMAXPnP] C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\Core\smax4pnp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Google Search - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsearch.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: &Translate English Word - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmwordtrans.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Backward Links - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmbacklinks.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Cached Snapshot of Page - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmcache.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Similar Pages - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmsimilar.html
O8 - Extra context menu item: Translate Page into English - res://c:\program files\google\GoogleToolbar2.dll/cmtrans.html
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O20 - Winlogon Notify: igfxcui - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\igfxdev.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: WRNotifier - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WRLogonNTF.dll
O23 - Service: AL_ADSService - Aluria Software, LLC - C:\PROGRA~1\ALURIA~1\AL_ADS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: Aluria Security Center Spyware Eliminator Service (ASCService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Aluria Security Center\ascserv.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: DvpApi (dvpapi) - Command Software Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Command Software\dvpapi.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: Aluria Message Service (MsgSrvService) - Aluria Software, LLC. - C:\Program Files\Aluria Security Center\AluriaMsgSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\PROSetWired\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Webroot Spy Sweeper Engine (svcWRSSSDK) - Webroot Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Webroot\Spy Sweeper\WRSSSDK.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service (SymWSC) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe

[pimpride]

Maybe it is just time for a reformat, and a fresh install of windows. Backup all your data on an external HDD and reformat that bish. It will be your new comp again. Don't use Norton.... I never liked them, they sucked up the cpu on the older comps.

Try downloading Spybot Search and Destroy....

[fuzzypumpkins]

I have been doing things to it that other people have suggested on here and other forums, and now its starting to speed up again. So I'm going to hold off on that reformat for a bit.

BTW, got any good external hard drives I should look at. I only have a 40gb drive.

[pimpride]

Well if you are wanting one for full time use then just get another internal HDD.

Have you disabled the Windows Indexing service yet? It collects data on where files are and "helps you find things faster" when you search your computer. Over time it builds up a bunch of crap.

Go to Start > Control Panel > Add or Remove Programs > Add/Remove Windows Components (it should be on the left side if you are using Windows XP), and then a thing should pop up after a few seconds. Deselect Indexing Service if it is selected then click next and next and whatever until it is done.

Okay, I have another idea. Go to Start > Run > %TEMP%. Type: %TEMP%.

Delete all that. If it says a file is in use, then select all the files except that one and delete them. Go back in at a later time and try to delete the file again. Usually it is a program like AIM or a web browser that is using the file to store information.

It is like a hidden temporary folder, and is different than if you just typed temp.

[tron696]

There are a few things that can be done within xp to seriously speed a computer up. If you are the only one that uses the computer, you can shut off fast user switching by pointing to start>control panel>user accounts. Click on change the way users log on and off, and uncheck use fast user switching. This will free up a ton of resources, and make a difference even with a gig of ram.

Windows messenger can be shut off by pointing to start>administrative tools>services, scholl down to messenger. Right click
and point to properties, start up type and disable it.

In the device manager you can lower the amount of space windows uses for system restore, default is 4 to 5 gigs for a 40 gig hd.

Error reporting can be shut off in here as well, unless you want to take a chance of someone at microsoft seeing private info on your computer. Remember dr watson and the memory dump that freezes your computer till you have to do a hard shut down? This memory dump is a report of everything that was going on at the time of the crash, and is sent to microsoft so they can either help you with the problem, use to help improve windows in the future or both. This memory dump can contain your credit card number, passwords, and private info you thought was locked down.

Some of these mods will require you to be logged in as a administrative user.

[pimpride]

Or you can disable system restore all together.

Also, to completely disable indexing, you need to go to Start > My Computer > then right click on your C: drive, and at the bottom it should have the indexing thing checked, click that to uncheck it and then it should spend a while removing the indexing properties from all your files.