how to clean up slow PC?

aliEnRIK

suiko wrote: »

Not sure what you mean by switching to safe mode - why would I want to do this?

SAFE mode is the DEFENSE mode setting I would use in COMODO firewall. It does the same job as 'tea timer' but better

Which is everytime a new program tries to access certain elements of your computer (say access the screen for example) it will ASK you if its allowed to do so. It should protcect you from anything nasty on your computer and its advisable to have one OR the other switched ON.
HOWEVER, until this freezing problem is sorted I would advice finding that first.

suiko

I only have the Windows Firewall, I think. If I recall correctly, I tried to install the Comodo one, but for some reason it didn't work. I think someone (you?) said that the Comodo one would automatically replace the Windows one if installed.

What do you mean by "tea timer back ON and sort the settings out"?

aliEnRIK

suiko wrote: »

I only have the Windows Firewall, I think. If I recall correctly, I tried to install the Comodo one, but for some reason it didn't work. I think someone (you?) said that the Comodo one would automatically replace the Windows one if installed.

What do you mean by "tea timer back ON and sort the settings out"?

tea timer ASKS wether 'program X' should be allowed to do 'Y' to your computer (Could literally be anything). Its 'possible' (though not absolute as yet) that its stopped something from working that really SHOULD be working. So by switching it off we are seeing if the computer still freezes. if it DOES then its possibly a hardware issue (not good)
If it DOESNT then its upto you. Switch tea timer back on and see how it goes. Or install comodo and use the defense feature.

Looking back at your HIJACK log, theres certainly SOMETHING on your computer that shouldnt be there. id suggest updating and re running ALL of your defense programs (AVAST, SPYBOT, MALWAREBYTES etc)

aliEnRIK

suiko wrote: »

I only have the Windows Firewall, I think. If I recall correctly, I tried to install the Comodo one, but for some reason it didn't work. I think someone (you?) said that the Comodo one would automatically replace the Windows one if installed.

Ive never had a problem installing comodo on ANY machine. So its possible that spybots 'tea timer' was blocking it from installing (or something else?)
You have SOMETHING running on your machine that shouldnt be on (some sort of spyware or something, im not sure what it is ~ (i asked you to block them on 'start up. but that wont have 'fixed' the problem), which could easily be conflicting things.
Windows firewall is NOT very good which is why i really suggest comodos ~ if just for the FIREWALL feature. XPs firewall will let programs call OUTWARDS, so any spyware is free to use the internet whenever it feels like it!

suiko

Do you mean uninstalling the defense programs and downloading again? The versions I have were all downloaded in the last fortnight from links on here.

Do you have a link for comodo? I'll have another look at this tomorrow - having a break from computers tonight!

aliEnRIK

suiko wrote: »

Do you mean uninstalling the defense programs and downloading again? The versions I have were all downloaded in the last fortnight from links on here.

Do you have a link for comodo? I'll have another look at this tomorrow - having a break from computers tonight!

No no
Just updating the files (so they have the latest virus/spyware updates)
Avast SHOULD update automatically (though do it manually to be sure)
Malwarebytes and Spybot need updating manually

Comodo ~
http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/download_firewall.html
Untick all UNEEDED toolbars etc when installing. And for now DONT have defense running (Until we determine what your problem is)
If the firewall is set to SAFE mode, it will only ASK you if it doesnt recognise a program. If your happy then say YES and REMEMBER MY ANSWER
If your unsure then you can either just press yes (it will keep reasking everytime that program tries to access the net) or press no and see how it goes. Any your unsure of, just post here for someone to have a look into. Obvious things like AVAST etc will need to be allowed.

aliEnRIK

Ive just realised you have Internet Explorer 8 BETA installed too
I would suggest uninstalling it and (if it doesnt automatically goto it already) download internet explorer 7. (8 CAN have issues with certain computers)
http://www.soft32.com/download_997.html

suiko

But I've only had IE8 installed for a few days, and was having this problem before that.

aliEnRIK

Well, upto you Suiko. But IE8 might well create other problems (Beta means its UNFINISHED and so they allow the public to TEST it out before actual release)

Theres been a few people with IE8 issues on this very site

suiko

OK. I never use IE anyway.