Slow comp, many processes.

Hi, I'm trying to help my friend clean up her laptop. I was worried that she may have a malware issue so I sought help over at the malware removal forum, but as it turns out the issue isn't likely malware at all.

The laptop is running slower than it should. There are very many processes running in the task manager window, many of which have the 32* after the extension. Whenever the laptop reboots I get the error message "Driver support has stopped working
Windows is checking for a solution to the problem."

Another frequent error message that I get is this one. The AC power adapter type cannot be determined. Your system will operate slower and battery will not charge. This problem might be solved by: Ensure the plug is inserted completely for best system operation. Connect a Dell 65W AC adapter or higher.

Yesterday I got an error message that said this. pcdrui.exe The exception unkown software exception (0xe0434352)occurred in the application at location 0xfccbb3dd.

I opened the device manager to see if there are drivers that need to be updated and there were two listed. One is, Microsoft Virtual WiFi Miniport Adapter, Device Status: This device is not working properly because Windows cannot load the drivers required for this device. (Code 31)

The other is listed as Unknown device, Device status: The drivers for this device are not installed. (Code 28)

I tried to update the miniport adapter but was unsuccessful. Trying to update an "unknown device" seemed like something unwise to attempt, so I didn't.

Also, aside from the laptop running slowly (which happens at random times) as if something is downloading there are periodic disconnects from the internet, maybe 2 or 3 times a day from what I can tell.

Any help that you can offer is very welcome.

 

What version of Windows? What exact model is the Dell laptop?
Too many processes and a hard drive on its way out may cause slowdowns.

 

Windows 7 Home Premium 64 bit, Dell Inspiron N5110

 

I also keep getting an error message that says "The parameter is incorrect".

 

How much free space left on the hard drive?
I should have asked that in my previous post.

Download and run CCleaner portable
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/ccleaner_portable.html

It can be run from a USB stick or from a folder on the computer's desktop.
Click Tools, then startup in the left pane. it will show all items that run at startup.
Down at the lower right is a button, Save to text file. Click that and post it here as an attachment. We can look over what is running and shut off some unneeded items.

Is Error Code 0x80070057 attached to this parameter is incorrect?
One solution: increase Virtual memory
Increase Virtual Memory: This is perhaps the most common solution to Error Code 0x80070057. In most cases, simply raising the virtual memory especially on Windows 7 Operating-System completely eliminates the error. Moreover, you don’t have to be technically advanced to effect the change. Simply follow these steps:-

Click the Start Button and visit Control Panel
Click System Security, and proceed to System.
Click the Advanced System Settings, subsequently proceed to Advanced Level Tab.
Click Change, which can be under the Virtual Memory
Change the virtual memory value. For instance, you can customize entirely from 2000MB to 6000MB.
Click Set, then Ok.

 

340GB free of 446GB

I run CCleaner frequently and I've instructed her to do the same but she never does. That was one of the first things that I did and it cleared out over 2100 MB of stuff.

In the CCleaner tools/startup do you need to me to save each tab? I've attached the Windows tab as a text file but there are also other tabs, such as, Internet Explorer, Firerox etc.

No error code comes up with "parameter incorrect", it's just a small random box that pops up every now and then. It doesn't seem to pop up at any time in particular. The last time it popped up, the computer wasn't being used and was just idling on the last web page that was visited.

 

Total paging file size for all drives: is currently set at 6050MB should I really make that larger?

 

1. There is enough free space.
2. The virtual memory is fine.
3. I've also read that "parameter is incorrect" error might be pointing to a failing hard drive. That would account for the slow down.

Before we assume that it might be a problem with the hard drive, give me some time to look over everything that is running and disable some of them. If the computer seems peppier, it might be that.

Then I'll look into parameter is incorrect with no error code and see if I can find another cause.

 

Here's my suggestions:

1. Disable Adobe Bridge: Many of us recommend you disable the autoload on startup option for Bridge. The autoload introduces a number of problems such as saving changes when you shut down.You should be able to disable this in Bridge preferences: Edit > Preferences > Advanced - then uncheck Start Bridge at Login.

2. UNINSTALL Pando Media Booster https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Pando_(application)
not only did it cease operations 2 years ago but some people end up with a browser hijacker.

3. I have no love for Lavasoft and AdAware. I stopped using its programs quite a few years ago. I'd suggect uninstalling Web Companion.

4. Disable Adobe Assistant 8
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/Acrotray.exe-26520.html
if it is only used when making pdfs then when Adobe Acrobat is launched, the task will be available.

5. Disable Adobe Acrobat Speed Launcher
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/Adobe_Acrobat_Speed_Launcher.lnk-12767.html

6. Disable Adobe Reader Speed Launcher

7. Adobe AAM Updater if she doesn't bother running CCleaner, then she probably never checks for a program update.
I wouldn't let it run at startup but I check for updates. If you want to disable it, this thread
https://forums.adobe.com/thread/675602
gives directions in post #4 It is from 2011 but it probably is still valid.

8. Disable Adobe CS 5.5 Service Manager
http://www.ehow.com/how_8494763_stop-adobe-service-manager.html
It seems like the Updater should take care of that so you don't need a 2nd program at startup running out to contact Adobe.

9. APSDaemon aka Apple Push Does she use iCloud? If yes, let it alone. If no disable it from running at startup.
APSDaemon.exe (otherwise known as Apple Push) is the service that wirelessly syncs your device. It may safely be stopped from running at startup, but you may not be able to wirelessly sync your device.
This file belongs to product iCloud and was developed by company Apple Inc

10. Dell Data Safe Online. Is she using this? If so, keep it. If she has no clue what it is, disable it.

11. Disable Dell Registration
I assume the computer has been registered.

12. Disable Dell Wecam Central
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/Dell_Webcam_Central-25840.html

13. Disable Desktop Disc Tool
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/25000-25999/25292_RoxioBurnLauncher.exe.htm

14. I'd probably disable IAStorIcon because as I plug in external hard drives, and USB sticks, I get a popup from Windows asking what I want to do.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/IAStorIcon.exe-26515.html

15. I have no idea about Intel TB Run Once. This is Intel Turbo Boost but Run Once seems to suggest it occured and now is not needed.
I can find info on Intel Turbo Boost and the separate info on Run Once from MS but I can't find the two mentioned together.

16. Nero Launcer goes along with Dell mobile devices and Dell online storage. If she uses it keep, otherwise disable.
http://www.systemlookup.com/Startup/24389-NeroLauncher_exe.html
Look to see if Nero SyncUp is in the Program Files.

17. Disable Persistence
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/igfxpers.exe-12481.html

18. I'd disable RoxWatchTray. I don't watch certain folders.
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/RoxWatchTray.exe-15480.html

20. Disable Sun Java Update Sched
Java updates about about every 3 or 4 months or less. It is not worth having this go out every day and check. In fact, I don't have Java installed on any Windows 7 computer in the house. We have four two desktops and two netbooks.

 

Should I be using msconfig/startup utility to disable most of these? If so, I can't locate many of the adobe ones within that utility because the file names aren't matching up.

When I opened Bridge, the "start bridge at login" box, had no check mark in it.

 

If you can't find these in msconfig. I'd use CCleaner to disable them.

Disable Bridge in startup from CCleaner.

 

CCleaner would not disable Bridge until I updated CCleaner. There are still a bunch of processes that are not listed in the CCleaner startup menu. AdobeARM, ApMsgFwd, ApntEx, btplayerctrl, DSUpd, etc. etc.

 

Was that the end? *glances around suspiciously*

 

Sorry but I can't guess what this means

I need a bit more than vague names and etc. etc.
I'm very careful when I tell people to disable or uninstall something so I need more information before I'd even attempt to tackle another list of items.

When you worked on the 20 items I went through above, what happened? Did the computer speed up or is it still the same?

 

I think she's running at a fairly decent speed. There's still some freezing that happens when we type things into search bars on youtube and chat windows on various websites like pogo. In reference to the processes that I mentioned, I was just curious why they weren't showing up in the CCleaner app even though they are all running at start up. I apologize for any attitude that I may have inadvertently conveyed, that was not my intent. I really appreciate your assistance thus far, thank you.

 

I only have 5 items running at startup. So my CCleaner and msconfig match perfectly. I have no experience of one showing different things than the other.

To be fair, I run two programs to monitor installations and report to me if something wants to run at startup. I usually say NO!

Mike Lin's very old, small Startup Monitor
https://web.archive.org/web/20131113154828/http://www.mlin.net/StartupMonitor.shtml
I'm surprised that it runs on 7 because I've been using this since the Windows 9x days.

Win Patrol paid, I have a lifetime license. Now the licenses are yearly subscription.

Why not install Startup Monitor and Startup Control Panel?
https://web.archive.org/web/20131114070048/http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
this is better than msconfig to enable or disable items. You will see an icon in the Control Panel that you simply click to open and see what is running.

For the Startup Monitor you will get an error. You have to run as administrator, then it will install to the control panel and work.

 

Greetings ManWarBear.

The theme of this thread seems to be speed and/or startup related - how does the machine perform when booted into Safe Mode w/ Networking?

And from post #1:

That could be something as simple as a loose connection.

The unsuccessful driver install is troubling. The "unknown device" could be chipset (especially coupled with the miniport reference) - what's the make and model #, Service Tag #, etc. of the machine?
.