New log on second user account

angus1

Hi, thanks for that. Does that mean the winfixer thing has gone now?

Yes I think the only remaining issues are the hdreg pop up (which I'll report back on) and slowness - which is really only on my son's user account - mine seems fine. These are the only 2 accounts on the pc.

When you say you'd rather make sure all the accounts are clean and the pc running as it should - what do you mean - is there something else i can do? Do you think there might be anything else dodgy going on?

I will follow the advice in the thread you gave me on keeping the pc clean and secure.

Even a little bit of building work causes a whole load of disruption and mess!

Thanks again :dance:

pchelpman

angus1 wrote:

Hi, thanks for that. Does that mean the winfixer thing has gone now?

Looks like it.

angus1 wrote:

Yes I think the only remaining issues are the hdreg pop up (which I'll report back on) and slowness - which is really only on my son's user account - mine seems fine. These are the only 2 accounts on the pc.

When you say you'd rather make sure all the accounts are clean and the pc running as it should - what do you mean - is there something else i can do? Do you think there might be anything else dodgy going on?

I just meant that I didn't know if there were any more user accounts to clean up before you move on. As you say only there are only two - yours and the one under discussion now - I think you are OK to load your webcam etc.

Just make sure your protection is fully up to scratch - antivirus, firewall, antispyware and so on. Especially if you are going to start using personal passwords etc.

angus1 wrote:

I will follow the advice in the thread you gave me on keeping the pc clean and secure.

Now the slowness.

When the computer is running "slow" please call up the task manager (hit Ctrl+Alt+Del together) and click on the "Processes" tab.

Click once on the "CPU" tab. Wait a second or two. Click on the CPU tab again.

Now what you have is a list of all the processes running on the computer at that point in time.

The processes using up the most CPU will be shown at the top of the list.

The biggest amount - 90% or more- is (or should be) the "System Idle" processes.

Go down that list and post back with details of which processes are using up the most CPU %. That might tell us something.

TIP > the "list" will fluctuate between processes. That might make it difficult for you to note down the answers to my questions. Suggest that, when the processes consuming the most CPU power are at the top of the list hit "Print Screen" on your keyboard, open Word, right click in the document and hit "Paste". An image of the Task Manager will then appear, fixed on the document.

angus1

To the first half of your reply -

:dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance: :dance:
:j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j :j
:T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T :T

The slowness -

struggled with that a bit - hard because it kept moving all the time. Did try saving into word which worked on my user but not son's as he hasn't got word.

This isn't very scientific but after start up, when it takes ages for the eggtimer to go (mainly on son's) the results were@

On mine

the system idle process was mainly at the top and ranged between 32 and 97 then steadied to about 95. The next highest ones were System and NAVAPSVC.EXE although this fluctuated and some others jumped in and out aswell of the top 3.

On son's

system idle process was mainly at top and ranged between the same - 30 and high 90's. There were more fluctuations and more system names jumping in and out at the top below system idle - varying between PCM, NAVAPSVC, qtask, AOLhost, msn, explorer, wuauclt, wscntfy, CCAPS, gcas ..

As I say, this isn't very exact and i appreciate you won't be able to do much with this information.

Just want to say I really really appreciate all your help - it's so good of you to have helped me, and all the others you help, and put in so much time of your time. This is such a stressful thing when you're a complete non-techie like me and you've made it all bearable and as straightforward as possible. I will now let my children back on the pc (after a lesson on pop ups) - they are having severe withdrawal symptoms now through lack of msn! I can tell you don't like too much praise but you deserve it so there you are! :A

pchelpman

angus1 wrote:

On mine

the system idle process was mainly at the top and ranged between 32 and 97 then steadied to about 95. The next highest ones were System and NAVAPSVC.EXE although this fluctuated and some others jumped in and out aswell of the top 3.

Those two are OK to leave alone. System is, as it says, part of your system and navapsvc.exe is a part of Norton AntiVirus. It's running in the background and provides auto-protection features to the system.

Your account sounds OK so long as, in normal usage, the computer's "System Idle" is running over 90% generally.

angus1 wrote:

On son's

system idle process was mainly at top and ranged between the same - 30 and high 90's. There were more fluctuations and more system names jumping in and out at the top below system idle - varying between PCM, NAVAPSVC, qtask, AOLhost, msn, explorer, wuauclt, wscntfy, CCAPS, gcas ..

Again, all those are OK. If "System Idle" is running generally over 90% it's not any obvious malware causing the slowness. Maybe just the large number or programs he has running at one time.

Of course there may be hardware issues causing apparent slowness such as the RAM degenerating in performance. Maybe you just need more RAM (more is always better). Can't really say more on that.

He could experiment by stopping some of his programs running and see if he notices any speed improvement.

Apart from that your system seems fine.

Now to address the System Restore issue. You need to rid your PC af all previous System Restore Points as they may be infected too.

Turn off System Restore by Clicking Start > right-click My Computer and then click Properties. Click the System Restore tab > Check "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives". Click Apply. When turning off System Restore, the existing restore points will be deleted. Click Yes to do this. Click OK.

Reboot your System.

To turn on System Restore by Clicking Start. Right-click My Computer, and then click Properties. Click the System Restore tab. Uncheck "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all drives." Click Apply, and then OK.

Create a new system restore point immediately so that you have something to fall back on if it all goes wrong again in the future. I suggest you also make a habit of creating new system restore points regularly to mitigate any loss to data and programs.

For more general protection tips read this .....

http://www.help2go.com/Tutorials/Protect_Your_PC/Avoid_Web_Browser_Hijackers.html


All the best and safe surfing!

angus1

Thanks - have cleared out the old system restore points and created new ones.

Everything running smootly now. Even sitting listening to the Scotland Wales rugby match without it cutting out all the time!

Am now much more aware of my computer now and how to keep it secure - thanks.

Am sure will speak again in the future!

All the best :beer:

pchelpman

angus1 wrote:

Am sure will speak again in the future! :beer:

Hopefully not because of anything bad!

Take care.