Computer v. slow after running error check and defrag in Win XP

[JHB]

I have a Windows XP Home Edition Sony Vaio Desktop computer w/ PII HT, 1.49GB
worth of ram, and HDD with only 22GB used out of 200GB. I try to maintain the
HDD, so I run the error checking and defrag application every couple of
month. I ran the application over the weekend. However, once all was done I
noticed my computer was running v. v. slow. Now it takes a long time to
start-up and a very long time to open any word or xls files. I do not know
what could have possibly gone wrong.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
JHB

 

[Shenan Stanley]

I have a Windows XP Home Edition Sony Vaio Desktop computer w/ PII
HT, 1.49GB worth of ram, and HDD with only 22GB used out of 200GB.
I try to maintain the HDD, so I run the error checking and defrag
application every couple of month. I ran the application over the
weekend. However, once all was done I noticed my computer was
running v. v. slow. Now it takes a long time to start-up and a very
long time to open any word or xls files. I do not know what could
have possibly gone wrong.
Any help would be appreciated.

Other than defragmentation and chkdsk, what else do you do?

 

[JHB]

That was it! that's why I'm a little bit puzzled about this. Could it be my
HDD is starting to take a dive?

 

[nass]

I have a Windows XP Home Edition Sony Vaio Desktop computer w/ PII HT, 1.49GB
worth of ram, and HDD with only 22GB used out of 200GB. I try to maintain the
HDD, so I run the error checking and defrag application every couple of
month. I ran the application over the weekend. However, once all was done I
noticed my computer was running v. v. slow. Now it takes a long time to
start-up and a very long time to open any word or xls files. I do not know
what could have possibly gone wrong.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thanks,
JHB

I Did read before that this normal and it can go or it will disappear after
a period of time (days).
But sometimes the Error check can replace some files that older than the new
ones which compatible with your current software, bear in mind that all mere
guess according to the limited info provided as why in the first place you
elected this procedure or what problem(s) you have to make you run the error
check and the defrag!
- Reboot your computer many times and see if that will solve the issue.
- uninstall the unwanted applications from add/remove programs in control
panel.

See what running and hogging your system in the background by using the Task
manager or the Processor explorer from Microsoft or FileMon:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx
FileMon:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896642.aspx
Also processor monitor:
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896645.aspx
5 ways to speed up your PC
http://www.microsoft.com/AtWork/getstarted/speed.mspx

HTH.
nass

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

That was it! that's why I'm a little bit puzzled about this. Could it be my
HDD is starting to take a dive?

Unlikely.

One common cause of a sudden slowdown is malware infection. What
antivirus and anti-spyware programs do you run, and are they kept up
to date?

 

[JHB]

I'm running microsoft windows defender as my spyware program. I used have
Norten anti-virus, but not anymore as the license expired. What can I try to
see if the computer is indeed infected?

 

[JHB]

I did re-boot many times to see if that will resolve the issue, but to no
avail.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I'm running microsoft windows defender as my spyware program.

A single anti-spyware program is not good enough, and Defender is not
the best choice anyway.

I used have
Norten anti-virus, but not anymore as the license expired.

Then that strongly suggests that infection *is* your problem. Norton
is a poor choice, but still much better than nothing.

What can I try to
see if the computer is indeed infected?

I recommend that you begin troubleshooting by going to MVP Malke's
malware removal site at
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware and
following the instructions there.

 

[nass]

I did re-boot many times to see if that will resolve the issue, but to no
avail.

Having just Windows defender will not protect you from the infestation. You
will need an anti-virus and firewall to protect you.

Go through these Cleaning steps:
1... Click start >> Control Panel >> Double Click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options, on the IE Properties window
you will see these Options:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs
| Advanced .

Click on General Tab (1st Tab on the left) and you will see a Button called
[ Clear History ..] click on it to clear your History caches, then click on
[Delete Files..] to delete Internet Files created over the time, click on [
Delete Cookies...] to delete your cookies left by visiting websites.

Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
= Then try to Disable the Add-Ons on your Browser somehow installed on your
browser, On how to disable the Add-ons follow this:
Click on Programs Tab and then click the Manage Add-Ons Button there Disable
the Non/Not Verified Plug-ins/Add-ons ( you need to Renable them one-by-one
later and see which is the culprit .
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256
Scan for malware from here:
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html
RootkitRevealer v1.71
By Bryce Cogswell and Mark Russinovich
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Security/RootkitRevealer.mspx

Run a scan from here on-line:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Download Avast Cleaner (off-line scanner) from here:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

Lots of tools to download and disinfect your machine (off-line scanner):
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/Downloads/browseFreeRemovalTool/

You may have a bad RAM try to test your RAM by running Memory test by
downloading this tool and unzip it and make a floppy or CD/DVD and run it on
Reboot.
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp.

(http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/threat_analytics/hijackthis.php)
send me a copy at (e-mail address removed) , remove
the obvious to email me.

I will be happy to have a look into your Hijackthis log or you can send your
log to one of many forums that analysis the hijackthis log to get a clear
idea about how clean your system is.

Let us know your progress.
nass

 

[JHB]

Thanks for the help and advise, I finally got my computer working without any
problems. Now, I need to get an anti-virus program. Should I pick a free
program, or paid one like my original Noton which I did not care for since it
used to literally kill my system resources. Any recommendations?

 

[JHB]

Thanks for the help and advise, I finally got my computer working without any
problems. Now, I need to get an anti-virus program. Should I pick a free
program, or paid one like my original Noton which I did not care for since it
used to literally kill my system resources. Any recommendations?

I did re-boot many times to see if that will resolve the issue, but to no
avail.

Having just Windows defender will not protect you from the infestation. You
will need an anti-virus and firewall to protect you.

Go through these Cleaning steps:
1... Click start >> Control Panel >> Double Click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options, on the IE Properties window
you will see these Options:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs
| Advanced .

Click on General Tab (1st Tab on the left) and you will see a Button called
[ Clear History ..] click on it to clear your History caches, then click on
[Delete Files..] to delete Internet Files created over the time, click on [
Delete Cookies...] to delete your cookies left by visiting websites.

Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[ ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box.
= Then try to Disable the Add-Ons on your Browser somehow installed on your
browser, On how to disable the Add-ons follow this:
Click on Programs Tab and then click the Manage Add-Ons Button there Disable
the Non/Not Verified Plug-ins/Add-ons ( you need to Renable them one-by-one
later and see which is the culprit .
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256
Scan for malware from here:
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html
RootkitRevealer v1.71
By Bryce Cogswell and Mark Russinovich
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Security/RootkitRevealer.mspx

Run a scan from here on-line:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Download Avast Cleaner (off-line scanner) from here:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

Lots of tools to download and disinfect your machine (off-line scanner):
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/Downloads/browseFreeRemovalTool/

You may have a bad RAM try to test your RAM by running Memory test by
downloading this tool and unzip it and make a floppy or CD/DVD and run it on
Reboot.
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp.

(http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/threat_analytics/hijackthis.php)
send me a copy at (e-mail address removed) , remove
the obvious to email me.

I will be happy to have a look into your Hijackthis log or you can send your
log to one of many forums that analysis the hijackthis log to get a clear
idea about how clean your system is.

Let us know your progress.
nass

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for the help and advise, I finally got my computer working without any
problems. Now, I need to get an anti-virus program. Should I pick a free
program, or paid one like my original Noton which I did not care for since it
used to literally kill my system resources. Any recommendations?

Norton, as you found out, is terrible. It's the worst possible choice,

I have two recommendations:

1. If you're willing to spend a few dollars, get NOD32.

2. If you want to save some money to get something still very good,
but perhaps not quite as good, get the freeware Avast!

I'm running microsoft windows defender as my spyware program.

A single anti-spyware program is not good enough, and Defender is not
the best choice anyway.

I used have
Norten anti-virus, but not anymore as the license expired.

Then that strongly suggests that infection *is* your problem. Norton
is a poor choice, but still much better than nothing.

What can I try to
see if the computer is indeed infected?

I recommend that you begin troubleshooting by going to MVP Malke's
malware removal site at
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware and
following the instructions there.

 

[smlunatick]

Thanks for the help and advise, I finally got my computer working without any
problems. Now, I need to get an anti-virus program. Should I pick a free
program, or paid one like my original Noton which I did not care for sinceit
used to literally kill my system resources. Any recommendations?

"JHB" wrote:

Having just Windows defender will not protect you from the infestation. You
will need an anti-virus and firewall to protect you.

Go through these Cleaning steps:
1... Click start >> Control Panel >> Double Click Network and Internet
Connections >> Double click Internet Options, on the IE Properties window
you will see these Options:
General | Security | Privacy | Content | Connections | Programs
| Advanced .

Click on General Tab (1st Tab on the left) and you will see a Button called
[ Clear History ..] click on it to clear your History caches, then clickon
[Delete Files..] to delete Internet Files created over the time, click on [
Delete Cookies...] to delete your cookies left by visiting websites.

Then click on Advanced tab and scroll down to under the Browsing Option:
[&] Browsing
[  ] Enable Third-Party browser extensions (Req Rest) uncheck this box..
= Then try to Disable the Add-Ons on your Browser somehow installed onyour
browser, On how to disable the Add-ons follow this:
Click on Programs Tab and then click the Manage Add-Ons Button there Disable
the Non/Not Verified Plug-ins/Add-ons ( you need to Renable them one-by-one
later and see which is the culprit .
How to manage Add-Ons:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/883256
Scan for malware from here:
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html
RootkitRevealer v1.71
By Bryce Cogswell and Mark Russinovich
http://www.microsoft.com/technet/sysinternals/Security/RootkitReveale...

Run a scan from here on-line:
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/default.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx
Download Avast Cleaner (off-line scanner) from here:
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast-virus-cleaner.html

Lots of tools to download and disinfect your machine (off-line scanner):
http://www.bitdefender.co.uk/site/Downloads/browseFreeRemovalTool/

You may have a bad RAM try to test your RAM by running Memory test by
downloading this tool and unzip it and make a floppy or CD/DVD and run it on
Reboot.
http://oca.microsoft.com/en/windiag.asp.

(http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/threat_analytics/hijackthis.php)
send me a copy at (e-mail address removed) , remove
the obvious to email me.

I will be happy to have a look into your Hijackthis log or you can send your
log to one of many forums that analysis the hijackthis log to get a clear
idea about how clean your system is.

Let us know your progress.
nass

- Show quoted text -

AVG Free

Avast! Home Free

Comodo Anti-Virus

And get anyone fast.

 

[nass]

AVG Free

Avast! Home Free

Comodo Anti-Virus

And get anyone fast.

Adding to "smlunatick" advise, how long left on your Norton subscription?
if it is long try to uninstall Norton (using Norton Removal Too) then
reinstall and this time select only the features you want running!
If you let Norton for example backup, scan, updates, customise, clean
disk..etc all Auto running in the background it will slow your system of
course and hog your System resources. But if you select manual for backup,
cleanup disk and customise, check passwd, clean temp and let the scan and
updates run Automatically and the Automatic protect is ON your system will
run fine.

If you want to try new product you can, there are other AVs free and
Commercial. With the free Avs you will need a Firewall like Comodo, Kerio,
ZA, Sygate..etc.

There are other AVs like:

Avast <- can provide free version but without a firewall keep in mind)
Avira the same
AVG the same
BitDefender the same
CA
Dr Web
F-Port
F-Secure
Kaspersky
McAfee
Norton
NOD32
Panda
Sophos
Trend Micro

HTH.
nass