Please help me with my computing needs!

clearingout

Hello,
I am looking for advice on what type of computer I might need to purchase. I have a 7 year (and some) old PC which has just about had it and I have no idea what I should replace it with! I am on a budget, so as low cost as possible is the top consideration. I am a regular internet user, no gaming, no TV watching, some music downloading and I work with languages and as such would like to listen to foreign music websites, read foreign newspapers etc. with ease (it's a pain at the moment, my computer just can't hack very much without going nuts and the soundcard seems to have expired!). I don't particularly need the computer for anything else - children use the PC but are quite young and I keep an eye on them, obviously. I do a certain amount of word processing in the form of letters and a diary (ex husband is a pain - long story!) and I occassionally do a spreadsheet on expenditure etc. etc. Nothing complex or complicated. I use Facebook and have a lot of photos to store and upload.

I am assuming I need a bit more than a netbook and have ignored these. But beyond that, I am not clear on what the advantages of a PC might be over a laptop (apart from the obvious ability to carry it around - not something I need, really).

Questions are as follows, I guess:
a) any advantages (apart from portability) of a laptop over a PC?
b) I am on a limited budget - any makes I should avoid in terms of their tendency to be the ones that break down and/or they are renound for having poor customer service
c) is it worth taking an old, obviously beginning to fail machine to a local 'fixer' and see if it can be perked up? what sort of additional life could I expect if someone 'good' got hold of it? I am concerned to spend, say, £100 to only get an extra 6 months. The machine is a Packard Bell, never had any problem with it whatsoever until I picked up the 'system tool' virus a few months ago (oh, apart from fact the soundcard just stopped working) and it's been a nightmare since. I realise it might be worth a professional 'clean up' on this basis but given the age, I am assuming any life left is limited anyway?

thanks - hope this makes sense. I have no computer knowledge whatsoever and just want to make sure that I have something at home for the children and I to use which is reliable.

mj12_2

clearingout wrote: »

Hello,
Questions are as follows, I guess:
a) any advantages (apart from portability) of a laptop over a PC?
b) I am on a limited budget - any makes I should avoid in terms of their tendency to be the ones that break down and/or they are renound for having poor customer service
c) is it worth taking an old, obviously beginning to fail machine to a local 'fixer' and see if it can be perked up? what sort of additional life could I expect if someone 'good' got hold of it? I am concerned to spend, say, £100 to only get an extra 6 months. The machine is a Packard Bell, never had any problem with it whatsoever until I picked up the 'system tool' virus a few months ago (oh, apart from fact the soundcard just stopped working) and it's been a nightmare since. I realise it might be worth a professional 'clean up' on this basis but given the age, I am assuming any life left is limited anyway?

A - Not really for what you're looking to use it for, plus like for like they tend to be more expensive.

B - Matter of opinion really but i would avoid Acer, also shop around when you're looking for a warranty etc some things (cough cough PC World Tech Guys cough cough) are useless and v expensive. Go for a larger manufacturer like HP,Dell,Sony etc a high street presence is advantageous as well unless you intend to go for in-home support. Since being able to take your comp in for repair is way easier than sending it off.

C - In a word no, if its 7 years old everything will need upgrading and just won't be worth it on top of labour charges etc.

For what you're looking for - ie photo storage and internet pretty much anything will work, look for something with a decent size disk so you can store lots of photos and you'll be pretty much where you want to be.

Toxteth_OGrady

A 7-year old PC should be fine for your use. I wouldn't give up on it yet. You can get lots of help on here to get it up and running.

Try the steps in this post https://forums.moneysavingexpert.com/discussion/2436849

As you complete each step, post back with how you are getting on. If you get stuck or don't understand what you are doing just ask.

RussJK

Will second what Toxteth said, you might be surprised at what you might be able to do with your old PC. If you sort out things from a virus and general speed up perspective, it'll make it clearer afterwards what other remaining issues need to be dealt with.

Laptops are an advantage due to space & semi-portability, although the majority of desktop replacement laptops will do just that... sit on the desktop.

If you are on a budget, then I'd just try to get the most out of your existing machine. Might help also if you describe what you mean by 'go nuts' etc

clearingout

thanks for that. I'll have a look at the link - the problem really isn't one of being slow (although it is, I can live with it), its' more a freezing issue which leaves me no choice but to turn off without shutting down - I have to do it several times in a session of, say, 3 hours. It's not freezing in the sense where the mouse refuses to move and everything is dead, it's more of a refusal to move from website to website but the mouse will work and it will allow me to stay within the website I'm in but not move to somewhere else (hope that makes sense). It is a nightmare in explorer so I downloaded chrome which helps to an extent, but problem is still there.

RussJK

If you post a HijackThis log, we can see if there are any obvious conflicts causing the freezing.

To do this, save this file to the desktop:
http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/hijackthis/beta/HijackThis.exe

Then hold LEFT SHIFT & RIGHT CLICK on it, select Run As (Current User) and untick the protect me box, that way it can read system settings unimpeded. Do a SCAN and SAVE A LOG. Don't Fix anything, just post the log that comes up in Notepad. Feel free to alter the 'user name' that will show in the logs if you don't want your name on the forum.

mj12_2

clearingout wrote: »

thanks for that. I'll have a look at the link - the problem really isn't one of being slow (although it is, I can live with it), its' more a freezing issue which leaves me no choice but to turn off without shutting down - I have to do it several times in a session of, say, 3 hours. It's not freezing in the sense where the mouse refuses to move and everything is dead, it's more of a refusal to move from website to website but the mouse will work and it will allow me to stay within the website I'm in but not move to somewhere else (hope that makes sense). It is a nightmare in explorer so I downloaded chrome which helps to an extent, but problem is still there.

Which operating system do you use? If its been the same for seven years it will be rather full of ****, a clean install would likely work wonders

clearingout

OK. Step one completed. Means nothing to me!

Commital Charge Total is 520996
Peak is 531032
Physical Memory is 1015280

and the hijack thing is as follows:


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 14:16:26, on 01/07/2011
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.17055)
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:\Program Files\Common Files\iS3\Anti-Spyware\SZServer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lxducoms.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Motive\McciCMService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\ScsiAccess.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\slserv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Virtual CD v4 SDK\system\vcssecs.exe
C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\apps\ABoard\ABoard.exe
C:\Program Files\BroadJump\Client Foundation\CFD.exe
C:\WINDOWS\VM_STI.EXE
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 5600-6600 Series\lxdumon.exe
C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Desktop Help\btbb\BTHelpNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe
C:\Program Files\Kodak\Kodak EasyShare software\bin\EasyShare.exe
C:\Program Files\Kodak\KODAK Software Updater\7288971\Program\backWeb-7288971.exe
C:\Program Files\NETGEAR\WG111T Configuration Utility\wlan111t.exe
C:\Program Files\Ilium Software\ListPro\ListProAlarms.exe
C:\apps\ABoard\AOSD.exe
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 5600-6600 Series\lxduMsdMon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
c:\Program Files\STOPzilla!\STOPzilla.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\adrian\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\adrian\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\adrian\My Documents\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = bt.yahoo.com
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
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer provided by ntl:home
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
O2 - BHO: &Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\yt.dll
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Band Class - {8272B062-BD4D-4EAD-A149-45B3CE3F5CDA} - C:\WINDOWS\GPalm.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.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
O2 - BHO: Lexmark Printable Web - {D2C5E510-BE6D-42CC-9F61-E4F939078474} - C:\Program Files\Lexmark Printable Web\bho.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: STOPzilla Browser Helper Object - {E3215F20-3212-11D6-9F8B-00D0B743919D} - c:\Program Files\STOPzilla!\SZIEBHO.dll
O2 - BHO: SingleInstance Class - {FDAD4DA1-61A2-4FD8-9C17-86F7AC245081} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\YTSingleInstance.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Band Class - {8272B062-BD4D-4EAD-A149-45B3CE3F5CDA} - C:\WINDOWS\GPalm.dll
O3 - Toolbar: BT Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn0\yt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Google Toolbar - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\GoogleToolbar_32.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ACTIVBOARD] c:\apps\ABoard\ABoard.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IndexSearch] C:\Program Files\Scansoft\PaperPort\IndexSearch.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BJCFD] C:\Program Files\BroadJump\Client Foundation\CFD.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GreasyPalmUpdate] C:\WINDOWS\GreasyPalmUpdate.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BigDogPath] C:\WINDOWS\VM_STI.EXE USB PC Web Camera
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [lxdumon.exe] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 5600-6600 Series\lxdumon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [lxduamon] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 5600-6600 Series\lxduamon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [btbb_McciTrayApp] "C:\Program Files\BT Broadband Desktop Help\btbb\BTHelpNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [swg] "C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\GoogleToolbarNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [LDM] C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LogitechDesktopMessenger.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Documents and Settings\adrian\Local Settings\Application Data\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [ALUAlert] C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUNotify.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Symantec NetDriver Warning] C:\PROGRA~1\SYMNET~1\SNDWarn.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\RunOnce: [FlashPlayerUpdate] C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil10e.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\RunOnce: [FlashPlayerUpdate] C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil10e.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: ListProAlarms.lnk = C:\Program Files\Ilium Software\ListPro\ListProAlarms.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Kodak EasyShare software.lnk = C:\Program Files\Kodak\Kodak EasyShare software\bin\EasyShare.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Kodak software updater.lnk = C:\Program Files\Kodak\KODAK Software Updater\7288971\Program\backWeb-7288971.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office OneNote 2003 Quick Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\OFFICE11\ONENOTEM.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: NETGEAR WG111T Smart Wizard.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Google Sidewiki... - res://C:\Program Files\Google\Google Toolbar\Component\GoogleToolbarDynamic_mui_en_6CE5017F567343CA.dll/cmsidewiki.html
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
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
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.ntlhome.com
O16 - DPF: {0CCA191D-13A6-4E29-B746-314DEE697D83} (Facebook Photo Uploader 5 Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/2008.10.10_v5.5.8/FacebookPhotoUploader5.cab
O16 - DPF: {1F2F4C9E-6F09-47BC-970D-3C54734667FE} (LSSupCtl Class) - http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/asa/LSSupCtl.cab
O16 - DPF: {4D561B31-49A0-4E2C-8AFF-353468EC669B} (GreasyPalmInstallHelper Class) - http://www.greasypalm.co.uk/bho/update/GreasyPalm.cab
O16 - DPF: {4F1E5B1A-2A80-42CA-8532-2D05CB959537} (MSN Photo Upload Tool) - http://gfx1.hotmail.com/mail/w2/pr02/resources/MSNPUpld.cab
O16 - DPF: {644E432F-49D3-41A1-8DD5-E099162EEEC5} (Symantec RuFSI Utility Class) - http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/SharedContent/common/bin/cabsa.cab
O16 - DPF: {8100D56A-5661-482C-BEE8-AFECE305D968} (Facebook Photo Uploader 5 Control) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/2009.07.28_v5.5.8.1/FacebookPhotoUploader55.cab
O16 - DPF: {A922B6AB-3B87-11D3-B3C2-0008C7DA6CB9} (InetDownload Class) - https://media.pineconeresearch.com/ActiveX/downloadcontrol.cab
O16 - DPF: {CE28D5D2-60CF-4C7D-9FE8-0F47A3308078} - http://www.symantec.com/techsupp/asa/SymAData.cab
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{D108FAE2-3EFE-4E78-955A-86A458D14828}: NameServer = 194.72.6.57,194.73.82.242
O18 - Protocol: bw+0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw+0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw-0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw-0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw00 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw00s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw10 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw10s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw20 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw20s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw30 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw30s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw40 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw40s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw50 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw50s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw60 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw60s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw70 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw70s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw80 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw80s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw90 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bw90s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwa0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwa0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwb0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwb0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwc0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwc0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwd0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwd0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwe0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwe0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwf0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwf0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwfile-8876480 - {9462A756-7B47-47BC-8C80-C34B9B80B32B} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\GAPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwg0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwg0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwh0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwh0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwi0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwi0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwj0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwj0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwk0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwk0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwl0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwl0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwm0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwm0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwn0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwn0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwo0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwo0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwp0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwp0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwq0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwq0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwr0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwr0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bws0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bws0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwt0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwt0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwu0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwu0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwv0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwv0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bww0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bww0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwx0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwx0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwy0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwy0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwz0 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: bwz0s - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O18 - Protocol: offline-8876480 - {8031E4F7-E959-448A-A0F7-BFEF6F2E40A5} - C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\BWPlugProtocol-8876480.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: GoToAssist - C:\Program Files\Citrix\GoToAssist\570\G2AWinLogon.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: TPSvc - TPSvc.dll (file missing)
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: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.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 (gupdate1c9c318a20b0092) (gupdate1c9c318a20b0092) - 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: Kodak Camera Connection Software (KodakCCS) - Eastman Kodak Company - C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: lxduCATSCustConnectService - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\\lxduserv.exe
O23 - Service: lxdu_device - - C:\WINDOWS\system32\lxducoms.exe
O23 - Service: McciCMService - Alcatel-Lucent - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Motive\McciCMService.exe
O23 - Service: ScsiAccess - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\ScsiAccess.EXE
O23 - Service: SmartLinkService (SLService) - - C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\slserv.exe
O23 - Service: STOPzilla Service (szserver) - iS3, Inc. - c:\Program Files\Common Files\iS3\Anti-Spyware\SZServer.exe
O23 - Service: Virtual CD v4 Security service (SDK - Version) (VCSSecS) - H+H Software GmbH - C:\Program Files\Virtual CD v4 SDK\system\vcssecs.exe
O23 - Service: Yahoo! Updater (YahooAUService) - Yahoo! Inc. - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\SoftwareUpdate\YahooAUService.exe

--
End of file - 24195 bytes

clearingout

mj12 wrote: »

Which operating system do you use? If its been the same for seven years it will be rather full of ****, a clean install would likely work wonders

It's windows XP. I have no disks so have to live with it! (don't ask - that ex husband again!).
:rotfl:

macman

Apart from anything else you need to run Windows Updates. You should be on SP3 running IE8, you're still running IE8 on SP2.

RussJK

The commit charge tells you that in at least this session, your memory requirements have been well within the available physical memory.

There's quite a bit there you could do. As macman points out, a good step would be to update to Service Pack 3 as there are some very necessary security patches in there, etc.

I would definitely uninstall Stopzilla, as it has a poor reputation.

Adobe Reader looks badly out of date - the current version is Adobe X. I'd uninstall Adobe Reader, and reinstall with Adobe X (or consider alternatives like PDF Xchange or Sumutra PDF). http://get.adobe.com/reader/

You might use Filehippo to check for other necessary updates to software http://www.filehippo.com/updatechecker/UpdateChecker.exe

There are loads of toolbars, would definitely consider uninstalling some of them. Do you still use GreasyPalm?

Continue if you like following with Closed's mini guide, and at the end post another Hijackthis log and we'll see what's left to do.