Upgrading desktop

Mk14:37

I have a desktop computer that I would like to upgrade. It's about 4 years old and is running XP. It has an Intel Pentium Dual CPU E2160 @ 1.80GHz. I believe it has 1GB RAM.

I'm expecting that a processor upgrade and more memory would make it faster. Am I being naive? (I don't believe there is anything wrong with it - virus etc - just that it's old and struggles to keep up with the demands of modern software!)

It is likely that a new processor would be compatible with my current motherboard, and how could I check?


Thank you.

santer_2

A couple of options

You could look at motherboard bundles or barebone systems if the power supply, number of fans needs to be upgraded

http://www.novatech.co.uk/motherboardbundles/

http://www.novatech.co.uk/barebonebundles/

If the motherboard will accept the new processor, check it is a sufficient enough improvement to be viable

PC Specialist will build one to spec, so you could concentrate on the motherboard, processor and memory, use onboard sound and graphics and upgrade those two if you need to. Onboard sound and graphics have come a long way

If you e-mail them and outline what you want to use it for, want to buy now, and be able to add in the future, they will advise accordingly

http://www.pcspecialist.co.uk/pcs/

closed

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

Notmyrealname

If you're just doing web, email, office type stuff I'd just shove another 1GB RAM in it and give it a tune up.

If the hard drive light is on a lot, it needs more RAM.

Chances are its running slow because its overheating. Give the heatsink a good blast out.

Mk14:37

Thanks folks, I'll start with extra mem and closed's spring clean then.

Mk14:37

OK, I've done closed's Speed Up process except for disabling languages in ctfmon, as I need to use the language bar for Japanese and Chinese IME. I also haven't disabled the suggested entries in services.msc as I can't see a "disable" option - can you point me on this please?

I'd say that the computer seems to be booting more quickly but opening Chrome still took a while.


Here's my HJT report:


Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 23:30:08, on 06/04/2012
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.17108)
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:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXBCES.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LEXPPS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\S3trayp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 1200 Series\lxczbmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\BOINC\boincmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\BOINC\boinctray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\LVCOMSX.EXE
C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE
C:\Program Files\Lexmark 1200 Series\lxczbmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Update\1.3.21.111\GoogleCrashHandler.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Splashtop\Splashtop Remote\Server\SRService.exe
C:\Program Files\Splashtop\Splashtop Software Updater\SSUService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\QQSoftMgr\1.0.375.203\TencentUpdateSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\BOINC\boinc.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\BOINC\projects\boinc.bakerlab.org_rosetta\minirosetta_3.24_windows_intelx86.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Application Data\BOINC\projects\setiathome.berkeley.edu\astropulse_6.01_windows_intelx86.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Program Files\Google\Chrome\Application\chrome.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\User\My Documents\Downloads\HijackThis.exe

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 Bar = http://uk.red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/btyahoo/defaults/sb/*http://uk.docs.yahoo.com/info/bt_side.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://start.facemoods.com/?a=tweak&s={searchTerms}&f=4
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1;2
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Increase performance and video formats for your HTML5 <video> - {326E768D-4182-46FD-9C16-1449A49795F4} - C:\Program Files\DivX\DivX Plus Web Player\npdivx32.dll
O2 - BHO: Use the DivX Plus Web Player to watch web videos with less interruptions and smoother playback on supported sites - {593DDEC6-7468-4cdd-90E1-42DADAA222E9} - C:\Program Files\DivX\DivX Plus Web Player\npdivx32.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.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 Notifier BHO - {AF69DE43-7D58-4638-B6FA-CE66B5AD205D} - C:\Program Files\Google\GoogleToolbarNotifier\5.7.7227.1100\swg.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
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SkyTel] SkyTel.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [S3Trayp] S3trayp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark 1200 Series] "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 1200 Series\lxczbmgr.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: [boincmgr] "C:\Program Files\BOINC\boincmgr.exe" /a /s
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [boinctray] "C:\Program Files\BOINC\boinctray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LVCOMSX] C:\WINDOWS\system32\LVCOMSX.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ASUSWebStorage] C:\Program Files\ASUS\ASUS WebStorage\3.0.110.223\AsusWSPanel.exe /S
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast] "C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\avastUI.exe" /nogui
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.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-1-5-18\..\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: Add to Google Photos Screensa&ver - res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\GPhotos.scr/200
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\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
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.pps.tv
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.ppstream.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://*.webscache.com
O15 - ESC Trusted Zone: http://*.pps.tv
O15 - ESC Trusted Zone: http://*.ppstream.com
O15 - ESC Trusted Zone: http://*.webscache.com
O16 - DPF: {4E62C4DE-627D-4604-B157-4B7D6B09F02E} (Egg Money Manager Digital Safe) - https://moneymanager.egg.com/Pinsafe/accounttracking.cab
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1244576993843
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/flashplayer/current/swflash.cab
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: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\AVAST Software\Avast\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate1c9e9cc36f2c5d0) (gupdate1c9e9cc36f2c5d0) - 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\1150\Intel 32\IDriverT.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: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: MSCSPTISRV - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\MSCSPTISRV.exe
O23 - Service: PACSPTISVR - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\PACSPTISVR.exe
O23 - Service: SonicStage Back-End Service - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SsBeSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Splashtop® Remote Service (SplashtopRemoteService) - Splashtop Inc. - C:\Program Files\Splashtop\Splashtop Remote\Server\SRService.exe
O23 - Service: Sony SPTI Service (SPTISRV) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SPTISRV.exe
O23 - Service: SonicStage SCSI Service (SSScsiSV) - Sony Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sony Shared\AVLib\SSScsiSV.exe
O23 - Service: Splashtop Software Updater Service (SSUService) - Splashtop Inc. - C:\Program Files\Splashtop\Splashtop Software Updater\SSUService.exe
O23 - Service: Tencent Software Update Service (TSUSVC) - Tencent - C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\QQSoftMgr\1.0.375.203\TencentUpdateSvc.exe

--
End of file - 10009 bytes

Mk14:37

Commit charge total 1358140

commit charge peak 1383408

physical memory total 1965228

closed

upload C:\Documents and Settings\User\Desktop\QQSoftMgr\1.0.375.203\TencentUpdateSvc.exe
to virustotal.com

commit charge is massive, have a look in task manager to see where it's all going - what is it straight after a boot?

boinc won't help things.

to disable services, use services.msc, double click the service, then it can be set to manual or disabled

Why are the trusted zones there?

google software has a tendency to put all sorts of crap on a system, google update etc, it may run better using IE (which is out of date) instead of chrome

you have remnants of symantec/norton/splashtop/tencent updaters there

does this need to be running at startup AsusWSPanel.exe ?

presumably using a lexmark printer?

java quick starter is still running, disable in control panel.

the Ie proxy server set to 127.0.0.1 is usually a sign of a (possible old) infection

do you need Splashtop Remote installed and running all the time? facemoods as search assistant?

tick and fix yahoo toolbar, and the O16 - dpf's

GunJack

norton removal tool:-

https://www-secure.symantec.com/norton-support/jsp/help-solutions.jsp?docid=20080710133024EN&lg=english&ct=united+states&product=home&version=1&pvid=f-home


still got printer software, graphics & sound trays there on startup, none of which is needed....