Shutdown time changed greatly

[Ron Hirsch]

Ever since I built my main mahcine in 2006, the typical shutdown time in XP
Pro SP3 (fully updated)has been 25-30 seconds.

Then, about 4-5 months ago,it suddenly shut down much faster, 11-15 seconds.
I also noticed faster shutdowns in other of my machines. So I assumed that
XP updates had changed something somewhere.

Then suddenly, last week, the shutdown time on my main machine went back to
the 25-30 seconds of the past.

I checked the listing of the startup programs and services running (in
WinPatrol), but there does not seem to be anything there that is impacting
this. So my two questions are

1. Does anyone have any idea about this situation.

2. Even though I have a good library of security programs operational, I was
concerend that some rogue malware might have gotten in. So I can run
hijackthis and get a report. What is a good place to post a hijackthis
report to have someone evaluate it for possible problems?

Thanks

Ron Hirsch

 

[Kayman]

Ever since I built my main mahcine in 2006, the typical shutdown time in XP
Pro SP3 (fully updated)has been 25-30 seconds.

Then, about 4-5 months ago,it suddenly shut down much faster, 11-15 seconds.
I also noticed faster shutdowns in other of my machines. So I assumed that
XP updates had changed something somewhere.

Then suddenly, last week, the shutdown time on my main machine went back to
the 25-30 seconds of the past.

I checked the listing of the startup programs and services running (in
WinPatrol), but there does not seem to be anything there that is impacting
this. So my two questions are

1. Does anyone have any idea about this situation.

2. Even though I have a good library of security programs operational, I was
concerend that some rogue malware might have gotten in. So I can run
hijackthis and get a report. What is a good place to post a hijackthis
report to have someone evaluate it for possible problems?

1.Clear the (IE) temporary Internet files and the history cache.
Click Start==>Run... then type (or copy/paste) "inetcpl.cpl" (w/out
quotation marks) into the box, then click the 'OK' button.
In Internet Properties panel 'General' tab, under 'Browsing history', click
'Delete...'button, in 'Delete Browsing History' panel, click the 'Delete
all...'button then place a checkmark into the box beside 'Also delete files
and settings stored by add-ons', Click 'Yes' and exit the Internet
Properties panel by clicking the 'OK' button.

2.Clean HDD
Click Start==>Run... then type (or copy/paste) "cleanmgr" (w/out quotation
marks into the box, then click the 'OK' button. Select your drive
(presumably WinXP (C and click OK.

3.Download/execute:
Malwarebytes© Corporation - Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exe
--and--
Kaspersky® AVPTool
http://avptool.virusinfo.info/en/
Direct:
http://downloads5.kaspersky-labs.com/devbuilds/AVPTool/
--and--
Dr.Web CureIt!® Utility - FREE
http://www.freedrweb.com/cureit/
--and--
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/superantispywarefreevspro.html

NOTE:
Kaspersky® Virus Removal Tool, Dr.Web CureIt!® and the free version of
Malwarebytes© and SuperAntispyware are not capable for real-time protection
of your computer.
Kaspersky® AVPTool, Dr.Web CureIt!® have no update feature (so they don't
turn into full blown scanners). As soon as your computer is cleaned you are
supposed to remove these tools from your operating system.
Re: K/AVPTool; To uninstall/move this program 'enable self-defense' must be
unchecked!

The free version of Malwarebytes© and SuperAntispyware have an update
feature, keep them installed in addtion to your resident AV/A-S
applications and scan frequently.

4.Download and execute HiJack This! (HJT)
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis

Please, do not post HJT logs to this newsgroup.
Fora where you can get expert advice for HiJack This! (HJT) logs.

http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=3.0
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/index.php?showforum=27
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showforum=7
http://www.5starsupport.com/ipboard/index.php?showforum=18
http://www.theeldergeek.com/forum/index.php?s=2e9ea4e19d3289dd877ab75a8220bff6&showforum=29

NOTE:
Registration is required in any of the above mentioned fora before posting
a HJT log and read the 'stickies' (instructions/guidelines) for the
respective HJT forum.

5.User Profile Hive Cleanup Service
A service to help with slow log off and unreconciled profile problems.
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/...6D-8912-4E18-B570-42470E2F3582&displaylang=en

6.Routinely practice Safe-Hex.
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

Good luck

 

[Ron Hirsch]

Thanks for your very complete response.

I do use CCleaner weekly (or more often) to clean out the junk which builds
up. But I will also follow up on your suggestions. And since the change in
shutdown time was not gradual, it most likely is not due to garbage/junk
build up.

I will also download the latest version of Hijackthis, since my version is
probably several revisions back, and create a report, which I will post
(probably on the bleeping computer site). Depending what that report finds,
I will then take appropriate actions.

The links you gave me do have lots of interesting reading, and activities to
perform.

Thanks again

Ron Hirsch

 

[Kayman]

Thanks for your very complete response.

I do use CCleaner weekly (or more often) to clean out the junk which builds
up. But I will also follow up on your suggestions. And since the change in
shutdown time was not gradual, it most likely is not due to garbage/junk
build up.

I will also download the latest version of Hijackthis, since my version is
probably several revisions back, and create a report, which I will post
(probably on the bleeping computer site). Depending what that report finds,
I will then take appropriate actions.

The links you gave me do have lots of interesting reading, and activities to
perform.

Thanks again

YW.
Re: CCleaner
If you wish, click 'Options' button the 'Settings' [check] 'Run CCleaner
when the computer starts'.
--or--
Setup CCleaner to Automatically Run Each Night in Vista or XP
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...-automatically-run-each-night-in-vista-or-xp/
Good luck