One simple program for everything??

I would like to know if there is one program other than HJT to tell me what everything in my start up and my running processes are. Also, how to remove things that are running or starting up that are not necessary.

I am working on a gateway computer to clean it up initial scans for malware & spyware detected alexa and a couple others those were deleted with no problem. I ran the "Read Me First" in safe mode and ran a HJT nothing was nasty or suspicious. Well had 2 unknowns that I have not deleted yet as I do not know what they are as I get varied findings when doing a search.
O4 - Global Startup: Install Pending Files.LNK = C:\Program Files\SIFXINST\SIFXINST.EXE
O23 - Service: PictureTaker - LANovation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\PCTKRNT.SYS

Computer has also been defragged etc.. but still continues to run kind of slow when opening a program. When I do a search to tell me what something is I get varied findings one site will tell me that the program is dagerous another site will tell me its fine. I have 27 processes running when computer is first booted up and I would like to be able to eliminate as many as possible that are not needed to help speed up the computer. I have 5 in my startup that I do not know exactly what they are or if I can remove them from start up or not.

This computer was my cousins' computer and it didn't run right she suspected she had a virus so just put it in the closet and bought a new computer.

Information is:
Windows XP Home Edition SP2
Gateway 500SE
Intel Pentium 4 CPU 1.60GHz 127 MB of RAM NVIDIA GeForce2 MX 100/200
Firefox Browser - 1.5.0.1
AVG Free
ZoneAlarm Personal Free

I just want to find out what everything is so that I can speed up the computer when opening things such as browser (which is firefox), My Documents, My pictures, or a program. This computer just seems slower than my computers when opening things like that and I do know that Gateway computers do install stuff to run in the background that is needless.

Thanks
sw

 

Process Explorer.

AutoRuns. Both are freeware.

 

Welll--If your sure its a virus you can run thru the malware/spyware read me first- http://forums.majorgeeks.com/forumdisplay.php?f=35)-- I see only 127mb of ram thats just barely enough for xp to run or is it 256?? either way more memory would be a good idea-

 

I agree. Spend a few dollars and get the RAM up to 256 minimum, 512 optimum. The proper amount of RAM can overcome lots of speed issues.

 

Well how can the MB of RAM cause speed issues when I am 89% free?? Capacity is 37.27GB Free Space is 33.24

This is NOT my computer yet depending upon how things go I may buy it from my cousin. I am just concerned about the speed issue when opening things up. Once opening things are fast but its the initial opening of them that seems to drag on.

I really don't know what happened when she had the computer all I know is that she suspected she was infected with a virus (not knowledgable of computers) so instead of taking it somewhere to someone who knew she just bought a new computer. I did all the scans that I normally run on my computers I own and did the Read Me First and everything is fine. I also ran AVG in both modes Safe & Normal Boot and no virus was found. So I am pretty confident that there is no virus.

When I got the computer from her to check it out it had the Gateway operating system disc in the CDdrive as I think she was trying to reinstall the OS to fix whatever problem she was having and she gave up and bought a new computer. So I did a dump of the system and started out fresh so I have very minimal programs of my own installed on here. So there is not many programs taking up memory.
Programs I have installed are:
AVG
ZoneAlarm
Firefox
CCleaner
CleanUP!
EmptyTemp Folders
HDCleaner
AdAware
RegScrubXP
Spybot S&D
Spywareblaster
Windows Defender (installed when I did the Read Me First)

The above are things that i have installed on my other 2 computers to help keep them virus and spyware free.

Now I do have Gateway Utilities - PC Doctor For Windows installed but it was already installed when reloaded things back into the computer after I dumped it.

I realize this post is long winded I am just not familiar with running processes and I don't want to remove something that I definately do need. I just know that gateway does seem to have more things running in the background than necessary. So I would like to be able to get rid of any unnecessary processes.

If I do buy the computer from her I would eventually put in more memory but right now if I have 89% free then 128MB of RAM should be sufficient. I am also not familiar with NVidia driver at all either so that is new territory for me as well.


Thanks,
SW

 

That's not RAM, that's hard drive space.

Two different things.

 

XP home /and or/ Pro are both very sluggish with less than 256mb ram... even that can't be enough with several browsers open etc etc... 512 is best

 

You are right I am sorry that is the Hard Drive Space.. (had a blonde moment)..
So how do I find out exactly how much RAM I have free??
SW

 

You can use Task Manager in Windows (Ctrl + Alt + Del), then the processes tab, but Process Explorer as linked in my original post is the best.

 

Thanks everyone I appreciate all the input and now I have one last question what would the computer be worth for me to buy it from my cousin?? I don't want to overpay or underpay her.

The computer mfg date on tower sticker says Jan 2002 its a gateway 500SE comes with tower, flat sceen lcd monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers and an epson printer. So how do I determine what all that would be worth now??

Thanks again for all of your help and I will eventually get larger RAM such as 512 or larger just gotta figure out how much to buy it from my cousin for and if I can afford that amount or not.

SW

 

according to gateway and these pages
http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/2800050/280005012.shtml, http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/2800050/2800050su4.shtml
the computer is pretty old and very outdated. i honestly wouldn't pay more than $100 for everything you listed (surely the monitor and printer are worth $100)

 

What are the computer specs and what's included etc?

 

I'm not certain whether this problem is resolved or not, but here's something you may like:

Right-click my computer and select properties.
Select the advanced tab.
Under Performance, click the settings button.
Select the 'Adjust for best performance' radio button, and click ok.

This will remove all of XPs fancier effects. I find this usually has a great affect on speed. I do this even on my rig at home running at 3.5GHz with 1GB of RAM.

(hell, if I could find a reliable way, I wouldn't even load explorer at startup...but, that's just me)

 

Well I went to the gateway site that acejones listed
http://support.gateway.com/s/PC/2800050/280005012.shtml and found the specifications for each

Motherboard (integrated)
Modem
CD-ROM
Power Supply

When it comes to internal components I am not very computer smart on all that stuff so any help would be greatly appreciated. I just want to make sure that I can get the best possible use out of this computer should I decide to buy it and not over pay for it either. Like I said it does come with everything such as the LCD monitor, keyboard, mouse, speakers, and an epson printer (which I haven't even looked at yet to very if how well it even works).
This gateway computer would be used by 2 kids and 2 adults for internet surfing, IM's, emailing, listening to music and gaming but mostly for playing games on and offline and on CDRoms.

If this needs to be moved to another forum feel free to do so and thanks to everyone for all your help and suggestions I really like MG as you all are so very helpful.

Mada_Milty I will try that "tweak" and see how I like it. I really like my XP style but then again my Main Computer is a newer Model and is an emachines and has 512 mb of ram so I really haven't felt the need to turn off XP's fancier effects.

Thanks again everyone..
sw

 

If you have access to the PC, use EVEREST, and post the log here as an attachment (don't copy and paste please)

Also, let us know exactly what other software and hardware comes with it, and someone will give you an approximate valuation.

 

Ok i have attached the text from Everest and also the list of things I found on the CD's that came with the computer.

The printer is an Epson Stylus C60 Series and I have not hooked that up to check it out yet but I am not overly concerned about that or the cost as I have my printer that I use and like.

Again the OS is Windows XP home edition..

The monitor is a Gateway LCD FPD1520 15" viewing area.
Keyboard ia a Gateway RT3602
Mouse doesn't work right as the buttons are hard to press so i would be buying me a logitech as I like those the best and am thinking of getting a wireless anyhow.

I can't think of anything else and if I have given you all too much information I am sorry I just go by my rule that its better to be over informed than under informed.

Thanks again for everything MG rocks!!!!!!!!
sw

 

It all depends on how good a friend she is, but if I was buying it from a complete stranger, then for everything I would pay no more than $200-$250.


If it doesn't suit your needs (it is under powered), you can upgrade the RAM, video card and hard drive etc.

With a bit of extra RAM, it will easily do office stuff, and simple gaming.

Any decent 3D games and it will need a better video card.