Ahhh.....The internet slowed my PC

[rAgAv]

Hi,

My PC config :-

pentium IV 3.o Ghz
512MB RAM
40GB HDD
WIN XP

yesterday, i got a new Broadband connection and my computer got dead
slow.
(before, it was working at optimum speed). I have Zone alarm security
suite with integerated Anti-virus and anti-spyware. Though only 4GB of
my system drive was occupied when i calculated the "size on disk"of
individual files, the drive properties tells me that 7GB is occupied.
Is there any chance that somebody is having a roorkit in my PC? And,
just what is the reason for the slow performance?
My hardware temperatures are in good shapes, what is the problem? the
booting takes more than 2 minutes(which used to take some 1.5 mins
before)

How can i bring it back to shape? What is the reason for the sudden
slow down?

Thanks in advance

 

[Guest]

Simple answer to this question. In zone alarm you need to make sure that
1) your local IP addrees is trusted
2) that the DNS addresses are trusted.

If that doesn't help, post back because the problem is with Winsock and I
can help you with that.

Bye for now

 

[rAgAv]

Simple answer to this question. In zone alarm you need to make sure that
1) your local IP addrees is trusted
2) that the DNS addresses are trusted.

They were in the internet zone and now i changed them to trusted.

But, still, 2GB of my system drive is occupied by some invisible
stufff!!

What should i do about that?

 

[Wesley Vogel]

Do you keep Zone alarm security suite up to date?

Start by deleting the temporary crap.

Start | Run | Type: %tmp% | Click OK |
Delete eveything that you can.

Start | Run | Type: temp | Click OK |
Delete eveything that you can.

Description of the Disk Cleanup Tool in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312

To delete *all* of your Temporary Internet Files...

1) Start | Run | Type: inetcpl.cpl | Click OK
Or right click the Internet Explorer icon on your Desktop
Or Start | Settings | Control Panel | Internet Options
Best to do this with all instances of Internet Explorer closed. Especially
if there are a large number of files. Also close OE.
2) On the General Tab, in the middle of the screen, click on Delete Files
3) Check the box: Delete all offline content {This cleans >>
%userprofile%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files
AND
%userprofile%\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5
and \Content.MSO (Created by an MS Office program)}
4) Click on OK and wait for the hourglass icon to stop after it deletes the
temporary internet files
5) You can now click on Delete Cookies and click OK to delete cookies that
websites have placed on your hard drive.
6) You can also click on the Clear History button to empty your History
folder.

Note: If you do NOT select the Delete all offline content box, not
everything will be cleaned out.

Content.IE5 is a hidden system folder.

Windows Internet Explorer 7 does not have a Delete all offline content
option.
-----------

UPDATE your antivirus software and run a full system scan.

UPDATE whatever anti-spyware applications that you have and run a full
system scan with each one.

You might want to start in Safe Mode to run your antivirus and anti-spyware
software.

Running a full system antivirus scan or anti-spyware scan in Safe Mode can
be a good idea. Some viruses and other malware like to conceal themselves
in areas Windows protects while using them. Safe mode can prevent those
applications access and therefore unprotect the viruses or other malware
allowing for easier removal.

''In safe mode, you have access to only basic files and drivers
(mouse, monitor, keyboard, mass storage, base video, default system
services), just the minimum device drivers required to start Windows.''

Because of that some malware does not load in Safe Mode and is easier to get
rid of.

How to start Windows in Safe Mode Windows XP
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/index.php?showtutorial=61#winxo


--
Hope this helps. Let us know.

Wes
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User

In

 

[rAgAv]

Wow wesley! Thanks for spending so much of your time on this.

I update all my softies regularly.

Actually, i tried most of the space-freeing techniques that you
mentioned. But, i'm talking about a *missing* 2GB not about
overcramped HDD. I think this is some advanced cracker roorkit that
i'm dealing with. Last time this happened, my system drive space
reduced from 7GB to 346KB! and i couldn't even run the system restore.
Formatting and reinstalling XP helped. But, i'm very frustrated with
doing this again and again. I'm beggining to get the idea that
computers comsume double the time they help in reducing by doing
conventional work their way.

Anyway, thanks for your time.