Help for slow laptop

donny-gal

I am trying to help my 70+ year old neighbour, with her laptop a A40-151 with 256mb ram and 30gh HDD (only half full). The speed is dire, and it seems to be running something all the time. She has to use it via dial-up, but even connected to my 2mb BB connection it is still painful to use. It is connected via cable as is not equiped for wi-fi.

I have removed everything possible not being used, she is unable to change from IE, as this is what she is used to and uses Hotmail for her email. I haved changed Avira to Avast, and have run Malwarebytes and it is squeeky clean.

I attach a Grabit log, can anyone help with suggestions with anything which is slowing it down.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 21:50:45, on 12/07/2011
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\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\00THotkey.exe
C:\Program Files\Apoint2K\Apoint.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TouchED\TouchED.Exe
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\FinePixViewer\QuickDCF.exe
C:\Program Files\Apoint2K\Apntex.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSvcs.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\SeaPort\SeaPort.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wscntfy.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HiJackThis.exe
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.xcweather.co.uk/forecast/la_zenia
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: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: avast! WebRep - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.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: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: avast! WebRep - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\aswWebRepIE.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [00THotkey] C:\WINDOWS\System32\00THotkey.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Apoint] C:\Program Files\Apoint2K\Apoint.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TouchED] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TouchED\TouchED.Exe
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: [REGSHAVE] C:\Program Files\REGSHAVE\REGSHAVE.EXE /AUTORUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast] "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe" /nogui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe" /starttray
O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware] C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe /install /silent
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
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: Exif Launcher.lnk = ?
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
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\windows\system32\nwprovau.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=file:///C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\Free Update Service\splash.html
O16 - DPF: {3AF4DACE-36ED-42EF-9DFC-ADC34DA30CFF} (PatchInstaller.Installer) - [URL]file://D:\content\include\XPPatchInstaller.CAB[/URL]
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab
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: avast! Antivirus - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: ConfigFree Service (CFSvcs) - TOSHIBA CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSvcs.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: LexBce Server (LexBceS) - Lexmark International, Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
O23 - Service: MBAMService - Malwarebytes Corporation - C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamservice.exe
O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
O23 - Service: SupportSoft RemoteAssist - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\supportsoft\bin\ssrc.exe (file missing)
--
End of file - 6184 bytes


Many thanks DG

closed

what are the 2 commit charge figures from task manager, performance

it looks like it has a factory restore partition, so if a ram upgrade is out of the question you could backup data and wipe it.

resident version of malwarebytes is going to be taking up memory, the manual scanner would probably be better

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 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
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 - Global Startup: Exif Launcher.lnk = ?

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

If you are posting because the machine is slow and haven't done so already, post your physical ram total, commit charge total, commit charge peak by doing CTRL ALT DEL, Task manager, performance - after virus infections this is the principle reason a machine goes slow so this information is important to help you
_________________________________________________

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

Click the java icon in control panel, advanced, misc - untick java quick starter, and untick place icon in task bar

__________________________________________________

Using Hijackthis, tick and fix these entries

O16 - DPF: {3AF4DACE-36ED-42EF-9DFC-ADC34DA30CFF} (PatchInstaller.Installer) - file://D:\content\include\XPPatchInstaller.CAB
O16 - DPF: {E2883E8F-472F-4FB0-9522-AC9BF37916A7} - http://platformdl.adobe.com/NOS/getPlusPlus/1.6/gp.cab

O23 - Service: SupportSoft RemoteAssist - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\supportsoft\bin\ssrc.exe (file missing)


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')
__________________________________________________

Uninstall microsoft search enhancement pack

__________________________________________________

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

C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\SeaPort\SeaPort.exe

O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe

__________________________________________________

When you've done all that, post a fresh hijackthis log.

When it's running nicely, demonstrate the benefits of broadband over dial-up

Kel_1981

If you lived closer to me I'd sort it for free.

The specs of the laptop are poor, if you gave it to me I would check the HDD's health (google it, many programs are out there). To me it sounds like a dying hard drive but it could be a case of poor maintenance. I use a program called 'Ccleaner' it's a free program which gets rid of everything you don't need, it sorts out your registry and it has uninstall features and start-up features, you can control what your computer activates on start-up, saving on processor power and boot-up time. Get spyware software like Ad-Aware too, there is spyware on this computer.

If all is ok and it's still slow, do a re-format. If you need to know how this is done message me the make and model and I'll send you a walkthough.

fwor

I'd hazard a guess that with only 256MB of RAM, it's spending half its time swapping data on and off an old, slow hard disk.

This is probably a situation where doubling the available memory will have a major effect - and it shouldn't cost much either.

donny-gal

Yes I know the spec is poor, but she cannot run to a new one, I do have a 100gb hdd at home, (I'm out in Spain atm) but not sure that she can find the original disks, or that it could handle it. I have checked Crucial and it could have a memory upgrade, which I will check out.

I'll uninstall malwarebytes and downloand ccleaner.

Thanks, will keep your posted. DG

closed

A different hard disk is unlikely to make any difference, it's most likely to be a ram/commit charge problem.

what is the commit charge?

donny-gal

Sorry - just looked and it said

Total 343508
Limit 657192
Peak 591864

I have had a message about virtual memory while doing the clean up.
DG

macman

What he said-more RAM needed!
XP minimum is 512MB, 1GB will be better.

donny-gal

Thanks - will shop around and see what the best prices are and from where. I take it as there are 2 slots I have to either get 2 x 500mb or 1 x 1gb, I cannot add a 500mb to the 256b? DG

closed

get that total below 256 and it should run ok. try the suggested tweaks or a reinstall

macman

donny-gal wrote: »

Thanks - will shop around and see what the best prices are and from where. I take it as there are 2 slots I have to either get 2 x 500mb or 1 x 1gb, I cannot add a 500mb to the 256b? DG

Check on the Crucial memory finder, it will tell you. If it's a Toshiba Satellite A40 Series, you shouldn''t need matched modules.
But 2x512MB will only cost £36, so worth the extra £18 to bump it to 1GB.