Why does my steam driven PC run so slow ??

tnor_fo_tkcab

Hi there,

My older (5+ yrs) PC runs very slow even though up until 2 yrs ago it ran everything reasonably well. I replaced it with a bigger machine that meets all of my needs and the new one runs fine. Frustration made me re-install XP on the older PC last year but it still runs slow even though there's not a lot on it ! (I think ??)

I would really appreciate it if somebody could point me in the right direction 'cos I don't want to get rid of this slow PC just yet.

I've quickly checked inside the tower, de-dusted slightly and everyting seems fine although it is a little noisy on startup especially when cold (aren't we all ?) Also, all plugs, connections etc seem to be seated properly.

There's no rush to solve this problem as the older PC doesn't get much use and I'm sure other folk out there have more pressing problems, also I'm out a lot so apologies if I don't reply immediately.

I'm running various anti virus, spyware, malaware programs as per recommendations on this site and will post a couple of logs next. Currently running XP SP3.

Finally, could it simply be RAM problems as crucial shows only 256MB whereas the PC can handle 1GB RAM ?

Thanks Jac.

tnor_fo_tkcab

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.33
Database version: 1733
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3

06/02/2009 13:57:08
mbam-log-2009-02-06 (13-57-08).txt

Scan type: Full Scan (A:\|C:\|D:\|E:\|)
Objects scanned: 79344
Time elapsed: 45 minute(s), 5 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

tnor_fo_tkcab

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 14:18:22, on 06/02/2009
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16762)
Boot mode: Normal

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\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
C:\Program Files\NETGEAR\WPN111\wpn111.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.bbc.co.uk/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - !!3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - !!53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-9990-79A187E2698E} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.0.926.3450\swg.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Dictionary Compression sdch - {C84D72FE-E17D-4195-BB24-76C02E2E7C4E} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\fastsearch_219B3E1547538286.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-9990-79A187E2698E} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Google Toolbar - !!2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avgnt] "C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avgnt.exe" /min
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\System32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Google Updater.lnk.disabled
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk.disabled
O4 - Global Startup: NETGEAR WPN111 Smart Wizard.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - !!92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
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
O16 - DPF: !!6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1199547017506
O16 - DPF: !!6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://www.update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1199546992693
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - (no file)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus Scheduler (AntiVirScheduler) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe

--
End of file - 5336 bytes

Sput2001

I'd definitely be looking at upping that RAM - max it out to 1Gb.

It's not difficult to do and RAM is cheap as chips (literally) these days...

aliEnRIK

FIX these using hijack ~

O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - !!3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-9990-79A187E2698E} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {A057A204-BACC-4D26-9990-79A187E2698E} - (no file)
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - (no file)

You still have parts of AVG on (At least I think thats what it is)
Use the removal tool
http://www.avg.com/download-tools

tnor_fo_tkcab

Wow !! 3 mins & 14 mins to reply, much appreciated. If I'd marked my post urgent would you both have replied before my op ??

I'll get on and fix your suggestions with HJT, get rid of any AVG skids & then spend (dirty word !) some money on the RAM.

Thanks again,

Jac.

asininity

Before you spend check out what I recommended in this post it'll cost you nothing and might save you money.

http://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/showthread.html?t=1470359

nomoneytoday

If it's a backup machine just for the internet, I wouldn't spend any money on it, just do a clean windows install, add any office / internet software and leave it at that. If the new machine breaks, then maybe order some more ram, otherwise you may end up spending money and hardly using the old machine

tnor_fo_tkcab

Hmmm. I Like both nomoneytoday & asininity's idea of clean install but will try some of the other options first just in case it does the job including aliEnRIK's suggestions from the HJT log.

I'll be back sometime soon to let you know what happened. thanks again to all.

macman

I agree with NickMidgley. Obviously you want to check for spyware etc, defrag it and run something like CCleaner first, but increasing the RAM is the cheapest way to improve performance. XP will run (just) on 256MB, but once you open anything much else it will slow down. Odds are you have 2 or more RAM slots on a desktop PC, and only one in use with 256MB. Add a 512MB RAM chip to the free slot and you will have 784MB-triple the memory. You could go up to 1GB by buying 2x512MB chips, but that will cost you double, and you'll have 256MB left spare. 768MB will do the job fine for surfing/email/Office etc.
You already know how to remove the case, so if you can do that you can install the RAM yourself-5 min job. Crucial would charge you £15-£25 for 512MB RAM, depending on the model. Don't buy it anywhere else-theirs is good quality and guaranteed compatible if you use the system checker on their website.

fwor

I'd differ on this one. If it really is only used for non-demanding stuff, and you don't intend to have lots of stuff running simultaneously on it or lots of tabs/windows open at once, I wouldn't bother to take it over 512Mb, and I wouldn't buy it new.

As long as you are confident of the spec of memory you need, I'd buy it secondhand off ebay. I've done this maybe a dozen times to date, and never had a duff module. You shouldn't need to pay more than a fiver plus postage for a 256Mb one that is tested and known to be working.