2.4 GHz System Suddenly Slow - Unnecessary processes?

[Guest]

Hi Out There -

I have a 2.4GHz Pentium IV laptop with 1GB of RAM, which has suddenly gone
very slow. I have tried:

Scanning for spyware - all suspect programs deleted
Stopping unnecessary devices...

When I run in Safe Mode, with Networking - ZOOOM .

I compared the process list in Safe Mode with that in normal operating mode -
there are numerous processes running in the background which I do not know
the utility of. Some of them are clearly background programs from software I
have installed. How do I access the 'Startup' list and eliminate these
unwanted background programs? I think this may be where the problem lies.

Is there some site where I can learn about how to streamline my system? I
have already done certain things (eliminating system sounds, desktop image,
etc.) to make it faster.

Oh, for the days of Autoexec.bat. I knew what to do with that...


Thanks for the help!

Regards,

Eric

 

[Brian A.]

**It is very important to run the update for each program before running
the app/s to be sure you have the latest definitions.**
Run the programs in Safe Mode after assuring you have shut down all running
tasks except explorer or systray and all apps are fully up to date.
Remove your Temp Internet files: Right click IE. Under the General tab
click Delete Files, put a check in Delete all Offline..., click OK and
close when finished.
Delete all files in c:\windows\temp.

Download/run Cool Web Shredder from:
http://www.intermute.com/products/cwshredder.html

For Info on Cool Web Search variants:
http://www.richardthelionhearted.com/~merijn/cwschronicles.html

Download/install/run Ad-Aware SE to detect/rid of any other
parasites/spyware that may be installed. It can be obtained free from:
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/
After installing Ad-Aware, open it and click on the ref update to get the
latest up-to-date ref file, then run Ad-Aware and delete everything it
finds.

Download/install/run Spybot - Search & Destroy:
http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download
Run it at it's default settings until you learn an know more about it.
Spybot S&D is more of an advanced users tool and changing from the default
settings can be dangerous to the novice user. Items found in the default
settings that are RED can usually be safely removed. If you are unsure of a
found item, do not remove it and ask for help.

If you still have problems, download/run HijackThis from:
http://www.richardthelionhearted.com/~merijn/downloads.html
http://majorgeeks.com/downloads31.html

Copy HJT to it's own folder, this is where the log files will be saved.
Run HJT in Normal Mode.
Do not remove anything with it until you get advice on what to remove,
HJThis will list many apps that are needed along with the bad ones.
Removing items listed hap-hazardly without knowing what they are can/will
create a royal mess. Read the quick start here on how to create a log file
that can be copied/pasted into a forum that can provide assistance on
removal of unwanted pests.
http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/#quick

Then post the logs to an appropriate forum where they specialize in
spyware/hijacker removal. Please read any sticky notes for proper posting
which are most commonly posted first at the top in each specific forum.
Read any information under each forum category name for information on what
that particular one is used for, look for the proper one that you post logs
to.
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/
http://aumha.net/
http://forum.aumha.org/

After running the above and assuring you have a clean machine:
It’s also a good idea to have a HOSTS file to block bad sites, scroll to
HOSTS File Manager here:
http://www.mvps.org/PracticallyNerded/Software.htm

Download/install/run SpywareBlaster which stops the badboys before they
even get a chance to install:
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

--

Brian A. Sesko { MS MVP_Shell/User }
Conflicts start where information lacks.
http://basconotw.mvps.org/

Suggested posting do's/don'ts: http://www.dts-l.org/goodpost.htm
How to ask a question: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/555375