Acer 531H Laptop - Slow even after reformat

Alias_Omega

Acer 531H netbook/laptop

A few years old now, running Windows XP Home (Genuine). In the past it became very slow, so we reformatted it and it solved the problem.

Recently it became slow again, so we reformatted it and it did not help. Its still slow.

Its slow to load any of the internet browsers (IE8 or Firefox) or anything from the start menu (inc My Computer/My Documents), and hangs on shutdown. Sometimes the browsers freeze. Especially facebook which we have to use Firefox as IE8 just fails constantly.

Were really thinking of reformatting again as it takes 20mins and its good to go apart from a few updates and a reconfiguration of a few files which are transferred from the big PC.

Here is a HiJackThis log, though we think it wont help. Nothing has been changed (HW or SW) on the laptop since its birth.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 18:20:27, on 21/02/2012
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:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG2012\avgrsx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgcsrvx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Trusteer\Rapport\bin\RapportMgmtService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgwdsvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgnsx.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAANTMon.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgemcx.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\AVGIDSAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\iaanotif.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\Launch Manager\LManager.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxsrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Trusteer\Rapport\bin\RapportService.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxext.exe
C:\DOCUME~1\BYRNE\LOCALS~1\Temp\RtkBtMnt.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\HiJackThis\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://uk.msn.com/?ocid=ie8fr
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.google.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
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Tickle Me.....Tickle Me.....!
O2 - BHO: HP Print Enhancer - {0347C33E-8762-4905-BF09-768834316C61} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_printenhancer.dll
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\AVG2012\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office14\GROOVEEX.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: URLRedirectionBHO - {B4F3A835-0E21-4959-BA22-42B3008E02FF} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office14\URLREDIR.DLL
O2 - BHO: HP Smart BHO Class - {FFFFFFFF-CF4E-4F2B-BDC2-0E72E116A856} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IAAnotif] C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\iaanotif.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AzMixerSel] C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\Drivers\AzMixerSel.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LManager] C:\Program Files\Launch Manager\LManager.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMJPMIG8.1] "C:\WINDOWS\IME\imjp8_1\IMJPMIG.EXE" /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSPY2002] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\PINTLGNT\ImScInst.exe /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002ASync] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002A] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /IMEName
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG_TRAY] "C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgtray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BrowserChoice] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe" /run
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')
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office14\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: HP Smart Select - {DDE87865-83C5-48c4-8357-2F5B1AA84522} - C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\Smart Web Printing\hpswp_BHO.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
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgpp.dll
O18 - Filter hijack: text/xml - {807573E5-5146-11D5-A672-00B0D022E945} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\OFFICE14\MSOXMLMF.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: AVGIDSAgent - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\AVGIDSAgent.exe
O23 - Service: AVG WatchDog (avgwd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG2012\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Matrix Storage Event Monitor (IAANTMON) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAANTMon.exe
O23 - Service: Rapport Management Service (RapportMgmtService) - Trusteer Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Trusteer\Rapport\bin\RapportMgmtService.exe

--
End of file - 7202 bytes

Rapport is banking stuff

leseul

Personally I would ditch AVG and go with Avast as its a better performer and more lightweight IMO.

Don't forget that its not the same XP that was installed on your new computer all those years ago - theres all the updates and registry changes etc that can add to the bloat of a clan system. I think I read somewhere that Windows 7 can actually outperform XP on older machines but can't seem to find the article on google again, will re-post if I find it. But in the meantime, if you meet the min spec for 7, perhaps consider an upgrade?

macman

I'd get rid of Rapport for starters.
How much RAM do you have installed?

thefishdude

i would be tempted to do another reinstall and try doing thins in diff order i know that can make a difference used to on my pc other things that i allways find especilay witholder units is they can fill up with dust and crap wich can mean can easily over heat casuing throttling of the cpu therefore reducing performance. and crashes and hangs. if you happy to do it i would maybe take back off have a look inside see if any fans and heat sins are clogged up

Alias_Omega

macman wrote: »

I'd get rid of Rapport for starters.
How much RAM do you have installed?

Ram - Standard 1GB from build.

Rapport - This has to stay, for secure online banking. No deviation from this.

Avast - Never used it, always ran AVG Free on the laptop from the day we had it. It came with McAfree installed which we ditched, aswell as everything else pre-installed by Acer.

Alias_Omega

leseul wrote: »

Windows 7 can actually outperform XP on older machines but can't seem to find the article on google again, will re-post if I find it. But in the meantime, if you meet the min spec for 7, perhaps consider an upgrade?

Windows 7 would be better, as it would enable the laptop to be 'file sharing' friendly with the Acer R3610 we have.

The cost is a big thing, as we only paid £130 for the laptop/netbook 2 years ago.

I guess the Win7 upgrade license would be close to £50-60 which is half the price of another netbook etc.

TakeThis

Which BIOS version is installed?

May I suggest that you update the BIOS if earlier than 3207?

Here

closed

Check it without the battery in

It probably wasn't slow when you re-installed windows, so the things you put on afterwards are the most likely culprit. If you want it to be fast, take the advice, uninstall avg and rapport, install avast free. There are a few other pieces of bloat on there, but they are the most likely reasons it's not fast.

File sharing between windows 7 and xp is possible.

Alias_Omega

closed wrote: »

Check it without the battery in

File sharing between windows 7 and xp is possible.

With or without the battery, no change.

Bios is now the most recent.

File Sharing - We have this working, 1 way through from the other computer (Acer R3610 running Win7).


Thanks all, if i get time tomorrow ill restore it again with the in-built software.

I've had a peek at the Performance tab on the Task Manager, the CPU useage does spike to 100% during IE8, or FF loading but rests back to 10-12% when its up. The memory usage sits at 500MB all day long.

closed

what's the commit charge, peak commit, and physical memory total, from task manager, performance.

if you are going to wipe it, you may as well try it without avg and rapport beforehand, and ctfmon (step 11)

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

install cleanmem

these can also be disabled using msconfig, startup tab

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LManager] C:\Program Files\Launch Manager\LManager.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 9.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMJPMIG8.1] "C:\WINDOWS\IME\imjp8_1\IMJPMIG.EXE" /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSPY2002] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\PINTLGNT\ImScInst.exe /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002ASync] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002A] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /IMEName
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BrowserChoice] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\browserchoice.exe" /run
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')

debitcardmayhem

Alias_Omega wrote: »

Ram - Standard 1GB from build.

Rapport - This has to stay, for secure online banking. No deviation from this.
.

Why ? It will slow it down , and forget the scare stories from the bank, but then again that will only start a get rid of cRapport argument. The browsers check if they have been updated before they load so that slows down the time until they become useful. for FF set it not to look for updates , and check them once a week, or daily if you prefer but after it has loaded.