Does spybot slow down PC?

absfabs

No, not the AVG scan, we've got that set for specific time. But I think it looks for updates, as they sometimes happen fairly soon after logging in. Not a real problem, never take long.

And 4min from cold to being on a site is not bad, for an old system, is it?

spakkker

Hello folks, I am sorry for not putting the words "in my humble opinion" into my earlier post. Can I add that I use adaware and I don't think that is too great either.

Proliant and Beerbelly - there are clearly different views on spybot as indicated by other posters -why do some suggest turning off parts of a good prog? A program only uses 0% cpu when it is not running. I have an e2180 running at 3.33Ghz - technophobes do not.

Absfabs, 4 minutes to get on the web is chronic! Has your windows got service pack 2? This made things more secure. You could do with a bit more mem but don't expect any miracles. To save your time, I would copy photos to dvd/cd and do a fresh install of xp - xp does slow down over time with all the accumulated bits and pieces of progs. Just over a year ago I was using a 1.3ghz cpu and it wasn't that slow. Without more info people are just shotgunning - what you want is a definite solution.

BeerBelly

I DONT LIKE ADWARE. Lets leave our favourite apps for now as its serving no purpose in helping the poster.

If performance is being hit that hard sounds could be a virus or rougue process. Can't see how Spybot can cause this behaviour to be honest, but if your certain uninstall it!

Could also be Memory if your PC is having to page a lot of requests (how much RAM do you have and what version of Windows?).

Open Task manager and sort by CPU % and Mem Usage. Have a look at the top offenders and kill if necessary or any that look dodgy e.g. windows.exe, kill.exe, pc.exe - anyone that look out of place.

May have a virus processes that runs on start up.

I have to clean endless family PC's and the usual drill is:

-Open Task Manager
- Kill any dodgy Processes (this gets Windows working normally, but does not remove the cause)
- Run Spybot (or whatever one you use) - SB is best :P
- Run AV scan (AVG, Symantec, Mcaffee ..etc)
- Clean and Spyware/virus
- If a particualr virus keeps coming back time and time again google search the name of it (if caught by your AV sooftware) - there is likely to be a removal tool/instructions.

Hope this helps.

Also, you could run something like C Cleaner (freebie) that cleans all temp files and also can clean the registry. Windows Washer also does it...

Good Luck.

BeerBelly

4 minutes from power on to website, is probably average for an older PC. Win XP boots quick, but this is a trick as it laods most of the OS when you log in/on to Windows.

SPAKKER> Shotgunning? I think you are by suggesting re installing Windows!

That is a last resort - lots of things can be done first.

Maybe I haven;t read all the posts - is the issue just performance?

You should 'service' your PC with a combinations of cleaner, spyware, AV scans...

spakkker

Beerbelly-yes I am "shotgunning" as I assume the op's current install is an old one that has deteriorated. In the absence of better info I have made that assumption.
When a system becomes very slow, for whatever reasons, I have found that lots of progs- such as virus scans, drive cleaners,antispyware etc.- can take an unusually long time and it is in order to save the op's time that my advice is to save data and do a re-install of xp.
It could be, maybe, that this is quicker than doing lots of other things shotgun fashion.

BeerBelly

Rebuilding the PC is jumping the gun, that is all I'm saying.

would you tell people to rebuild their PC say once a year? Thats rubbish.

If you download lots of torrents or illegal content that is riddled with trojans, spyware, then YES maybe!

Also some people are not comfotable with rebuilding their PC - knowledge, drivers .e.tc - espcially as a lot come pre built - you can't just expect people to do this. Also you have to be very CAREFUL you back every single thing you need (which takes time) - often you don't realise everything you need until its too late!

I disagree with you that its quicker (not always!) - it was quicker for me to spend 10 hourts virus scanning a firends OLD PC, than trying to hunt for all the drivers oline and rebuild it. Another case - PC looked doomed - spent 20 mins scanning and applying a removal tool and was perfect.

System restore can also help.

I am not disagreeing with you 100%, but trying to highlight rebuilding PC/Windows if an option, but not the only thing that can be done in my professional opinion.

Maybe the OP should calrify the exact problem?

absfabs

Since I followed this

"Something else that might speed thing up a bit...
Go into Control Panel...System...Advanced Tab...Performance Settings. In there, you might be able to get a little RAM back by disabling a few things (or just tick the "Adjust for best perfomance" bit)" - thanks rancid-a :A

and reduced amount of fotos, things seem to be back to old speed again.

4min from switch on to website might not be much for you techies, but it's okay for me. Similiar to computer performance at work. After all, I don't normally sit there and wait all this time, but make a cup of tea, etc, while waiting for system to boot. I am happy with this kind of speed, it's never been a lot better.

So still planning to sort out back up, and then get some more RAM.

The spybot/tea-timer alerts just got my attention when the computer was really frustratingly slow, and they also seemed inappropriate when they seemed to be triggered by harmless amazon cookies. but this is of minor concern now, might turn the tea-timer off, when I figure out how ( and it annoys me enough to face the challenge

I don't plan to uninstall and re-install windows XP, this was actually done approx 18 months ago, when we had problems. Some computer repair man did it, and while it cleaned up the system, we did lose quite a few things, so that would be a last resort. He never mentioned RAM shortage, or if he did, it was in the context of games, which would not have bothered us much.

Once again, thank you all for your help and advice! :beer:

BeerBelly

TeaTimer is a right pain the !!!!

When you get the chance turn it off, as well as stop seeing the pop ups - you should get some performance back.

Good luck.

rancid-a

A few other bits n pieces which might be useful..

Don't install rubbish programs/trials etc from CDs which come from PC magazines (FREE-SUPER-DUPER-DISC-WORTH £600!!!!!) They'll only clog up your PC, you'll uninstall them (properly) and are then just increasing the need to Defragment your hard drive more often.

4mins from switch on to website? Sometimes my PC takes LOTS longer, so maybe you have simialr circumstances to below...

I'm using an external ADSL USB modem - internal ones work faster apparently, although I've no proof.

Sometimes I'm waiting 5-6 minutes before the ADSL line is connected, then allowing me to connect. On occassion I end up restarting which usually sorts the connection out. I'm putting this down to the length of cable betwwen my PC (upstairs) and the phone socket (Downstairs). I can't remember the recommended limit between PC and phone socket (anyone?) but I'm sure I'm pushing it

Rancid-A

PS Don't forget to save up for that extra RAM