Dell Inspiron on a massive go-slow

I have my MIL's laptop to look at because it's become incredibly slow (pretty much unusable).

It's a Dell Inspiron 1545 running Windows 7 with Microsoft Security Essentials as AV. It's only a few years old and doesn't get much use.

I've tried stopping all non-Microsoft services (with some success - it's a little faster), doing a full virus scan (no problems detected) and running CCleaner to tidy up a bit.

Each time I log off it installs updates and these often seem to slow it down when turning it back on.

It boots up and runs fine in Safe Mode so I'm wondering if there's a Windows problem.

There's nothing obvious that I can see that's causing this degradation in performance and I'm coming to the end of my expertise.

Is there anything else I can try?

Thanks guys.
"Growth for growth's sake is the ideology of the cancer cell" - Edward Abbey.
«13

Comments

  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    Which OS? How much RAM is installed? How much free disk space?
    Updates installing will indeed delay the restart. Run Windows Updates manually until it's fully updated. If it's not used regularly then it will probably be not be up to date.
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
  • aliEnRIK
    aliEnRIK Posts: 17,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Download MALWAREBYTES (Make sure you click 'DOWNLOAD LATEST VERSION')
    http://www.filehippo.com/download_malwarebytes_anti_malware/
    Open malwarebytes and goto UPDATE and click 'check for updates'. After its updated goto SCANNER and click PERFORM QUICK SCAN then click SCAN
    Remove everything thats found (needs to be ticked)
    Post the COMPLETE log here AFTER youve deleted everything it finds
    If anything was found then do the exact same but run a FULL scan


    reboot

    Download HIJACK THIS (Make sure you click 'DOWNLOAD LATEST VERSION') and install
    http://www.filehippo.com/download_hijackthis/
    Whilst pressing the SHIFT key, RIGHT CLICK on the hijack desktop icon and select RUN AS (ADMINISTRATOR)
    Click DO A SYSTEM SCAN AND SAVE A LOGFILE (Takes seconds) then post the log so we can see whats running
    (do NOT do anything else with Hijack but scan and post the FULL log)
    :idea:
  • fluffnutter
    fluffnutter Posts: 23,179 Forumite
    edited 9 January 2012 at 11:13AM
    OK. I ran malwarebytes yesterday and it found nothing. I'll try the HIJACK THIS and get back to you. Ta.

    Edit: It may take some time....!
    "Growth for growth's sake is the ideology of the cancer cell" - Edward Abbey.
  • aliEnRIK
    aliEnRIK Posts: 17,741 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture Combo Breaker
    Please open malwarebytes, goto LOGS and post the WHOLE of the last log (Even though it was clean)
    :idea:
  • fluffnutter
    fluffnutter Posts: 23,179 Forumite
    Here's the log from malwarebytes...


    Malwarebytes Anti-Malware 1.60.0.1800
    https://www.malwarebytes.org

    Database version: v2012.01.08.03

    Windows 7 Service Pack 1 x64 NTFS
    Internet Explorer 8.0.7601.17514
    Robson :: ROBSON-PC [administrator]

    08/01/2012 19:20:56
    mbam-log-2012-01-08 (19-20-56).txt

    Scan type: Quick scan
    Scan options enabled: Memory | Startup | Registry | File System | Heuristics/Extra | Heuristics/Shuriken | PUP | PUM
    Scan options disabled: P2P
    Objects scanned: 174967
    Time elapsed: 6 minute(s), 40 second(s)

    Memory Processes Detected: 0
    (No malicious items detected)

    Memory Modules Detected: 0
    (No malicious items detected)

    Registry Keys Detected: 0
    (No malicious items detected)

    Registry Values Detected: 0
    (No malicious items detected)

    Registry Data Items Detected: 0
    (No malicious items detected)

    Folders Detected: 0
    (No malicious items detected)

    Files Detected: 0
    (No malicious items detected)

    (end)
    "Growth for growth's sake is the ideology of the cancer cell" - Edward Abbey.
  • fluffnutter
    fluffnutter Posts: 23,179 Forumite
    Here's the log from the HIJACKTHIS...


    Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
    Scan saved at 10:45:27, on 09/01/2012
    Platform: Windows 7 SP1 (WinNT 6.00.3505)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.7601.17514)
    Boot mode: Normal

    Running processes:
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell DataSafe Local Backup\Components\scheduler\STService.exe
    C:\Program Files (x86)\CyberLink\PowerDVD DX\PDVDDXSrv.exe
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Roxio\Roxio Burn\RoxioBurnLauncher.exe
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
    C:\Program Files (x86)\3 Mobile Broadband\3Connect\AutoUpdateSrv.exe
    C:\Program Files (x86)\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://g.uk.msn.com/USCON/2
    R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://g.uk.msn.com/USCON/2
    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
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
    R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\Windows\SysWOW64\blank.htm
    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
    F2 - REG:system.ini: UserInit=userinit.exe
    O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
    O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll
    O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
    O2 - BHO: Bing Bar Helper - {d2ce3e00-f94a-4740-988e-03dc2f38c34f} - "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\BingBar\BingExt.dll" (file missing)
    O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
    O3 - Toolbar: Bing Bar - {8dcb7100-df86-4384-8842-8fa844297b3f} - "C:\Program Files (x86)\Microsoft\BingBar\BingExt.dll" (file missing)
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PDVDDXSrv] "C:\Program Files (x86)\CyberLink\PowerDVD DX\PDVDDXSrv.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Desktop Disc Tool] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Roxio\Roxio Burn\RoxioBurnLauncher.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AdobeCS5.5ServiceManager] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\CS5.5ServiceManager\CS5.5ServiceManager.exe" -launchedbylogin
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SwitchBoard] C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Adobe\SwitchBoard\SwitchBoard.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: ["C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell DataSafe Local Backup\Components\DSUpdate\DSUpdate.exe"] "C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell DataSafe Local Backup\Components\DSUpdate\DSUpdate.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Launcher] C:\Program Files (x86)\Dell DataSafe Local Backup\Components\scheduler\Launcher.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\RunOnce: [Malwarebytes Anti-Malware] C:\Program Files (x86)\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbamgui.exe /install /silent
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Google Update] "C:\Users\Robson\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe" /c
    O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
    O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
    O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /autoRun (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
    O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\RunOnce: [mctadmin] C:\Windows\System32\mctadmin.exe (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
    O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: Dell Dock First Run.lnk = C:\Program Files\Dell\DellDock\DellDock.exe (User 'Default user')
    O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
    O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
    O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
    O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
    O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~2\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
    O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Alg.exe,-112 (ALG) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\alg.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\efssvc.dll,-100 (EFS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\lsass.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\fxsresm.dll,-118 (Fax) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\fxssvc.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @keyiso.dll,-100 (KeyIso) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @comres.dll,-2797 (MSDTC) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\msdtc.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\System32\netlogon.dll,-102 (Netlogon) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\psbase.dll,-300 (ProtectedStorage) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\Locator.exe,-2 (RpcLocator) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\locator.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\samsrv.dll,-1 (SamSs) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\snmptrap.exe,-3 (SNMPTRAP) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\snmptrap.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\spoolsv.exe,-1 (Spooler) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\spoolsv.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\sppsvc.exe,-101 (sppsvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\sppsvc.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\ui0detect.exe,-101 (UI0Detect) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\UI0Detect.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vaultsvc.dll,-1003 (VaultSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\lsass.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\vds.exe,-100 (vds) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\vds.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\vssvc.exe,-102 (VSS) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\vssvc.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%SystemRoot%\system32\Wat\WatUX.exe,-601 (WatAdminSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\Wat\WatAdminSvc.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%systemroot%\system32\wbengine.exe,-104 (wbengine) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbengine.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%Systemroot%\system32\wbem\wmiapsrv.exe,-110 (wmiApSrv) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\system32\wbem\WmiApSrv.exe (file missing)
    O23 - Service: @%PROGRAMFILES%\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe,-101 (WMPNetworkSvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files (x86)\Windows Media Player\wmpnetwk.exe (file missing)

    --
    End of file - 7802 bytes
    "Growth for growth's sake is the ideology of the cancer cell" - Edward Abbey.
  • closed
    closed Posts: 10,886 Forumite
    edited 9 January 2012 at 12:14PM
    If it came with W7, a quick fix would be to create the windows dvd (dell datasafe), backup any data, then reinstall using the factory restore partition. Avast free might be faster than mse.

    What is slow, booting, the net, moble broadband?
    !!
    > . !!!! ----> .
  • scheming_gypsy
    scheming_gypsy Posts: 18,410 Forumite
    Have a look in Task Manager > Processes, and filter by CPU. Is there anything using a lot of the CPU's resources (except system idle process)?
  • fluffnutter
    fluffnutter Posts: 23,179 Forumite
    closed wrote: »
    If it came with W7, a quick fix would be to create the windows dvd (dell datasafe), backup any data, then reinstall using the factory restore partition. Avast free might be faster than mse.

    What is slow, booting, the net, moble broadband?

    It can be very slow booting but the main problem is running any application, e.g. opening a document or library. My MIL uses a 3 mobile dongle which is also incredibly slow. I'm using my wireless broadband to connect to the web. Once I've managed to open Chrome (takes some time) actual web browsing is fine.
    "Growth for growth's sake is the ideology of the cancer cell" - Edward Abbey.
  • macman
    macman Posts: 53,129 Forumite
    Part of the Furniture 10,000 Posts Name Dropper
    It's running W7 but is a few years old? So this is not the original OS it came with?
    No free lunch, and no free laptop ;)
This discussion has been closed.
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