System running like a dog.

[Mark Gallgher]

My brand new system seems to have developed a problem.
As it is used it gets progressively slower, to the point
where I have to re-boot to get anything done. If I press
Ctl Alt Del, even with no applications running there are
up 80 processes going on, the the DLLHOST using 95 to
100% of the CPU.

I have recently activated the windows firewall (after
being effeted by the blaster worm) and have installed the
MS updates and hot fixes. Any ideas how to fix this?

 

[mike]

DCOM support module for DLL based COM objects (DCOM =
Distributed Component Object Model). DCOM is a software
architecture model which is an intrinsic part of Windows,
of most Microsoft products, and of many non-Microsoft
products. In most cases you should never see DLLHOST in
your Task List, as, typically, DLLHOST starts, does what
it has to do, and then terminates. However, sometimes,
if a Java COM object runs (this could happen if you are
browsing the Internet and come to a page which has Java
code), DLLHOST may not terminate, which is when you would
see it in your Task List.

Recommendation :
Do not "End Task" it as there is no way to determine
whether DLLHOST has completed its task or not. For the
more advanced users, however, deleting the registry
key "HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\Java
VM\MSDebug" can often solve the problem of DLLHOST
constantly appearing in the Task List. Finally, if you
keep getting DLLHOST errors on a Windows 2000/XP/2003 PC,
then you may have the Welchia virus.

 

[Barry]

-----Original Message-----
My brand new system seems to have developed a problem.
As it is used it gets progressively slower, to the point
where I have to re-boot to get anything done. If I press
Ctl Alt Del, even with no applications running there are
up 80 processes going on, the the DLLHOST using 95 to
100% of the CPU.

I have recently activated the windows firewall (after
being effeted by the blaster worm) and have installed the
MS updates and hot fixes. Any ideas how to fix this?
.
Good Morning:

A Firewall is a necessary evil. . .and yes, it will slow
your system down when you're sending or receiving
information via the internet (it's noticable but not
interable). A few things I'd do to at least help speed
your system up are:
1. Run Disk Clean Up under Programs/Accessories/System
Tools.
2. Run Defragment; left click on My Computer/right click
Properties).
3. Run Scan Disk (found in same place as Deframent Tool).
3. Close out some of the programs that automatically
start up. Look down at your lower left icons and see
what's running in background. If you down need an items
delete it from the Start Up program (Go to Start/Run/type
in 'msconfig' (w/o hyphens)/click on Start Up tab/clear
items you don't want to run at start up/reboot. If you're
not sure about an item don't clear it because some of the
items are necessary for your system to boot correctly.
4. I use Norton SystemWorks (you can get it free or
nearly so after rebates at most electronic box
stores. . .eBay too). It has some great 'tools' for
keeping your system tuned up. I use it once a week. Plus
it has a very good virus protection built-in.

Hope this helps.

Regards,
Barry

 

[Barry]

Correction: I meant look at your lower right area of your
task bar (not left) for items to delete from Start Up.
Sorry.

 

[Alex Nichol]

My brand new system seems to have developed a problem.
As it is used it gets progressively slower, to the point
where I have to re-boot to get anything done. If I press
Ctl Alt Del, even with no applications running there are
up 80 processes going on, the the DLLHOST using 95 to
100% of the CPU.

I have recently activated the windows firewall (after
being effeted by the blaster worm) and have installed the
MS updates and hot fixes.

It *might* be something left over from Blaster. As first thing I would
go to
http://www.kellys-korner-xp.com/xp_w.htm#worm
to get a removal script for it (and there are two for the other major
ones too)

After that, if things are still bad, you might try disabling two
services that have been implicated in heavy CPU use, and are not really
needed. Go to Control Panel, Admin Tools - Services and d-click on
each of
Background Intelligent Transfer
and
Routing and Remote Access
(the first is used by Automatic update, but you can run Windows Update
manually from Start - All Programs without it)

In each case, set the 'Startup type' to Disabled. And once done,
reboot.

Another pair that can be disabled *provided* you do not get at the net
through a router, are
Universal PnP
SSDP Discovery