Help! PC doesn't see external hard drive.

Mado

Our old family PC is quite full and very slow and we thought it would be wise to backup all the photos and music files separately.

So advised by a friend, we bought a LaCie 1TB life proof Hard disk .
The formatting didn't go well, so I ended up formatting it on a separate laptop.
When plugged in into the PC, I could see it on drives, copied everything I wanted. Then switched it off. Now the computer refuses to ackowledge it exists. When the drive is powered it gives a little "ding dong" but switches itself off immediately after.

I can access it through the laptop and know that everything has been copied on the external hard disk.

What can I do to make the old PC see it?
Is there another way to transfer data to allow regular access?
As you can tell, we're not very techie so keep it simple for simple folks!:o

HFH_2

When you say 'old' pc, how old is it?

Does it have USB2 ports?

I'm not sure but that could have something to do with it.

aerostar

HFH wrote: »

When you say 'old' pc, how old is it?

Does it have USB2 ports?

I'm not sure but that could have something to do with it.

USB2 items are backward compatible with USB 1, so that should not necessarily be the problem.

If you have more than 1 USB socket, try it in another.

What is the opertating system on your old PC ?

Mado

Hi,

The PC is 6 years old and was built by RL supplies so not a standard off the shelf one. (if it helps, the properties on the C drive tell me it is a MAXTOR 6Y160M0).
The operating system is windows XP.
How can I find out what type of USB ports I have?
The strange thing is that I could see the Hard disk when it was blank (but formatted) and I have copied data on it but now it just doesn't show up at all.

closed

For your slowness problem.

https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

Moving data won't speed it up, and as you have found can be quite dangerous. If you still have the data on the c drive, burn them to dvd's as well.

Regarding usb ports, they are most likely usb2, which can be proven by looking for enhanced usb in device manager, but even if usb 1, they should still work

Mado

Thnaks.
I'm following the step by step procedure and backing up.


My commit charge peak is 752852
Physical memory total 523504
(doesn't look good!)

And that's my highjackthis log
Very surprised to see Symantec in there as I thought it was long uninstalled.
Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 22:00:38, on 06/05/2011
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
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\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\FsUsbExService.Exe
C:\Program Files\Kontiki\KService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Motive\McciCMService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\PC Tools\sMonitor\StartManSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgrsx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATIAME.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\Creative ZEN\ZEN Media Explorer\CTCheck.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nokia\MPlatform\NokiaMServer.exe
C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Desktop Help\btbb\BTHelpNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe
C:\Program Files\Kontiki\KHost.exe
C:\Program Files\Creative\Sync Manager Unicode\CTSyncU.exe
C:\Program Files\Samsung\Samsung New PC Studio\NPSAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\LightSurf\Common\IconMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\LightSurf\Colorific\hgcctl95.exe
C:\Program Files\LightSurf\Color Indicator\TICIcon.exe
C:\Program Files\Registry Mechanic\RegMech.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\MSTORDB.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\browser\ycommon.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Marie\Desktop\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
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - *{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497} - (no file)
R3 - URLSearchHook: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - *{EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! IE Services Button - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.7.6406.1642\swg.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AVG Security Toolbar - {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PinnacleDriverCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSDrvCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPSON Stylus Photo RX640 Series] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\E_FATIAME.EXE /P31 "EPSON Stylus Photo RX640 Series" /O6 "USB001" /M "Stylus Photo RX640"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG8_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTCheck] C:\Program Files\Creative\Creative ZEN\ZEN Media Explorer\CTCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NokiaMServer] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nokia\MPlatform\NokiaMServer /watchfiles startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [btbb_McciTrayApp] "C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Desktop Help\btbb\BTHelpNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NokiaMusic FastStart] "C:\Program Files\Nokia\Ovi Player\NokiaOviPlayer.exe" /command:faststart
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [kdx] C:\Program Files\Kontiki\KHost.exe -all
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTSyncU.exe] "C:\Program Files\Creative\Sync Manager Unicode\CTSyncU.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AutoStartNPSAgent] C:\Program Files\Samsung\Samsung New PC Studio\NPSAgent.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
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-1-5-21-861567501-1957994488-839522115-1006\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User 'Marie Ertl')
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: LightSurf.lnk = C:\Program Files\LightSurf\Common\IconMgr.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Google Sidewiki... - res://C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_D1E1F7ED622A0E5D.dll/cmsidewiki.html
O9 - Extra button: BT Yahoo! Services - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.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: {0972B098-DEE9-4279-AC7E-4BAAA029102D} (PhotoboxPhotowaysUploader5 Control) - http://assets.photobox.com/assets/aurigma/ImageUploader5.cab?20100826144410
O16 - DPF: {2A493D5F-8914-4D3E-8BF3-767F281862F4} (TraderMediaImgX Control) - http://sell.autotrader.co.uk/uk-ola/common/TraderMediaX.cab
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (Installation Support) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\Yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://www.truprint.co.uk/TruprintActivia.cab
O16 - DPF: {92E7E45A-D8C8-480E-AF99-176E43997CAA} (Aurigma Image Uploader 3.0 Combo Control) - http://www.pixdiscount.co.uk/clients/ImageUploader3.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {F58E1CEF-A068-4C15-BA5E-587CAF3EE8C6} (MSN Chat Control 4.5) - http://chat.msn.com/controls/msnchat45.cab
O18 - Protocol: avgsecuritytoolbar - {F2DDE6B2-9684-4A55-86D4-E255E237B77C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgpp.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - avgrsstx.dll (file missing)
O20 - Winlogon Notify: GoToAssist - C:\Program Files\Citrix\GoToAssist\570\G2AWinLogon.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: ATI Smart - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ati2sgag.exe
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG Security Toolbar Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\ToolbarBroker.exe
O23 - Service: AVG8 WatchDog (avg8wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Creative Service for CDROM Access - Creative Technology Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTsvcCDA.exe
O23 - Service: FsUsbExService - Teruten - C:\WINDOWS\system32\FsUsbExService.Exe
O23 - Service: GoToAssist - Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Citrix\GoToAssist\570\g2aservice.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: KService - Kontiki Inc. - C:\Program Files\Kontiki\KService.exe
O23 - Service: McciCMService - Alcatel-Lucent - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Motive\McciCMService.exe
O23 - Service: PC Tools Startup and Shutdown Monitor service (PCToolsSSDMonitorSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\PC Tools\sMonitor\StartManSvc.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia - C:\Program Files\Nokia\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
--

Laz123

On my external caddy there's two methods to connect; either by usb or escata, with a tiny switch to use whichever cable is connected. But if I'm connected by usb and the switch has moved to escata the pc won't see the external hd. I'm just wondering if it's a simple problem like that.

closed

uninstalling avg and regmech, installing avast and cleanmem, and working on the O4 suggestions below should get your commit charge to below installed ram and give quick results speedwise.

The best way of cleaning up a slow or badly infected machine is to backup all your data to an external drive, and do a factory restore using the factory restore partition (see manual or manufacturers website) or Windows disc. The alternative is to do it manually :-

This is a general guide on cleaning up infections and speeding up pc's https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

If you haven't all ready done it, Install Malwarebytes and do a FULL (not quick) scan (after updating it), fix anything found before closing, otherwise you'll have to do it all over again. If anything was found reboot the machine before continuing. http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/

If you know you have just been infected, with a fake antivirus for example, running system restore to a previous restore point is often the fastest way of getting your machine working again

Making any changes to a PC setup always comes with a slight risk of something going wrong, the worse case scenario is an unbootable PC - ideally you should have got a backup of important data on dvd or external disk, and a disk image backup (http://www.macrium.com/reflectfree.asp) or windows disc/factory restore partition available before you start. In the unlikely event that anything does go wrong, post on another pc for advice.
__________________________________________________

If you suspect an infection, here are some other virus scanners to try, let them fix anything found

http://devbuilds.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/
http://www.surfright.nl/en/hitmanpro
http://support.kaspersky.com/downloads/utils/tdsskiller.exe

************************************************


Scanning with all the scanners above along with your resident scanner should remove most or all infections if there are any present on your machine, below is some specific (optional) advice based on your log which may help to improve speed and tidy things up.
__________________________________________________


Install and run ccleaner (untick the google toolbar during the install). Untick the "windows log files" box, under the system heading before cleaning. Also Tick the java cache tick box under CCleaner, applications, internet to wipe the java cache which sometimes hides infections. http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download/slim

Install and run startuplite, accept suggested changes - http://www.malwarebytes.org/StartUpLite.exe

Disable ctfmon - control panel, regional and language options,languages, details, advanced, tick the Turn off advanced text services, ok

__________________________________________________

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Using Hijackthis, tick and fix these entries

O16 - DPF: {0972B098-DEE9-4279-AC7E-4BAAA029102D} (PhotoboxPhotowaysUploader5 Control) - http://assets.photobox.com/assets/au...20100826144410
O16 - DPF: {2A493D5F-8914-4D3E-8BF3-767F281862F4} (TraderMediaImgX Control) - http://sell.autotrader.co.uk/uk-ola/...aderMediaX.cab
O16 - DPF: {30528230-99f7-4bb4-88d8-fa1d4f56a2ab} (Installation Support) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Common\Yinsthelper.dll
O16 - DPF: {406B5949-7190-4245-91A9-30A17DE16AD0} (Snapfish Activia) - http://www.truprint.co.uk/TruprintActivia.cab
O16 - DPF: {92E7E45A-D8C8-480E-AF99-176E43997CAA} (Aurigma Image Uploader 3.0 Combo Control) - http://www.pixdiscount.co.uk/clients/ImageUploader3.cab
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
O16 - DPF: {F58E1CEF-A068-4C15-BA5E-587CAF3EE8C6} (MSN Chat Control 4.5) - http://chat.msn.com/controls/msnchat45.cab

O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - avgrsstx.dll (file missing)
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe (file missing)

R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - *{CFBFAE00-17A6-11D0-99CB-00C04FD64497} - (no file)
R3 - URLSearchHook: (no name) - *{EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)

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-1-5-21-861567501-1957994488-839522115-1006\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User 'Marie Ertl')
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')
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Uninstall any IE toolbars (browser helper objects or BHO's) in Control panel, or Firefox plugins that you don't need. This is a list of the IE BHO's evident in the log

R3 - URLSearchHook: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! IE Services Button - {5BAB4B5B-68BC-4B02-94D6-2FC0DE4A7897} - C:\PROGRA~1\Yahoo!\Common\yiesrvc.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.7.6406.1642\s wg.dll

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If you want a speedy machine, Use windows firewall and replace your antivirus and security software with avast 6 free - (a fast and lightweight virus scanner with good detection rates) http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download :

This is a list of (or remnants of) security software evident in your log, you may wish to uninstall these in Control Panel (add/remove programs or programs/features) to keep your PC running smoothly, too much overlapping or bloated security or useless tuning software can have a drastic effect on performance - always leave one resident scanner running (eg avast/avira etc)

---- avg

---

C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgrsx.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
R3 - URLSearchHook: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AVG Security Toolbar - {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG8_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
O18 - Protocol: avgsecuritytoolbar - {F2DDE6B2-9684-4A55-86D4-E255E237B77C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgpp.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgrsstarter - avgrsstx.dll (file missing)
O23 - Service: AVG Security Toolbar Service - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\Toolbar\ToolbarBroker.exe
O23 - Service: AVG8 WatchDog (avg8wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe

---- RegMech.exe

---

C:\Program Files\Registry Mechanic\RegMech.exe

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Download and install cleanmem http://www.pcwintech.com/cleanmem (download direct download). In windows explorer, go to c:\windows\tasks, click on the clean system memory task, schedule, advanced, and change it from every 30 minutes to every 5 minutes, then ok, ok. Find c:\program files\cleanmem\mini_monitor, run it and right click the icon (near the clock) to set it to automatically run at startup, show percentage to keep an eye on your ram use. If your machine is still slow after doing everything listed, post your commit charge and installed physical ram details from task manager performance

In internet explorer, click on tools, internet options, advanced, disable script debugging to stop this running

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE

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start, run, msconfig, select services tab, disable these services unless you use them. (make a note of any services you disable,if you have any problems related to these services subsequently, simply re-enable them)

SSDP Discovery Service
Remote Registry
WebClient
Distributed Link Tracking Client

Also disable these services if you don't use them by running msconfig, services tab

O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe (file missing)

O23 - Service: GoToAssist - Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Citrix\GoToAssist\570\g2aservice.exe

O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Software Updater (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe

O23 - Service: GoToAssist - Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Citrix\GoToAssist\570\g2aservice.exe

O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia - C:\Program Files\Nokia\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe

C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
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Unless you need them running all the time, use the startup tab in msconfig to disable these items from running at startup (they can always be run manually if needed)

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [kdx] C:\Program Files\Kontiki\KHost.exe -all
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NokiaMServer] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nokia\MPlatform\NokiaMServer /watchfiles startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNo tifier.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [btbb_McciTrayApp] "C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Desktop Help\btbb\BTHelpNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PinnacleDriverCheck] C:\WINDOWS\system32\PSDrvCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CTCheck] C:\Program Files\Creative\Creative ZEN\ZEN Media Explorer\CTCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NokiaMServer] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Nokia\MPlatform\NokiaMServer /watchfiles startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [btbb_McciTrayApp] "C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Desktop Help\btbb\BTHelpNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NokiaMusic FastStart] "C:\Program Files\Nokia\Ovi Player\NokiaOviPlayer.exe" /command:faststart
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTSyncU.exe] "C:\Program Files\Creative\Sync Manager Unicode\CTSyncU.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AutoStartNPSAgent] C:\Program Files\Samsung\Samsung New PC Studio\NPSAgent.exe
O4 - Global Startup: LightSurf.lnk = C:\Program Files\LightSurf\Common\IconMgr.exe


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When you've done all that, post a fresh hijackthis log and any logs of infections, and commit charge

Mado

Just wanted to say THANK YOU.
I followed all the instructions on your link and that it now works!:T
The PC is already a little faster and the the peak commit charge is below the physical memory.
All the important data is now on the external drive as well and the PC recognises it!

closed

I don't recommend putting all your important data in one place, if that's what you have done, leave a copy of the c drive as well as a copy on dvd.

Only a little faster, did you do it all?

Laz123

closed wrote: »

The best way of cleaning up a slow or badly infected machine is to backup all your data to an external drive, and do a factory restore using the factory restore partition (see manual or manufacturers website) or Windows disc. The alternative is to do it manually :-

How can you make sure the backup before restoring isn't in itself infected with a virus, and transferring it back won't reinfect the pc?