PC in serious need of some spring cleaning

Discussion in 'Software' started by DallasRaines42, May 8, 2004.

  1. DallasRaines42

    DallasRaines42 Private First Class

    Okay, So the machine I am using now I have had for several years, and i have upgraded it numerous times myself. My currint configuration is as follows
    OS: Windows 2000 Professional
    Processor: Pentium II
    HDD: 20GIG (Master) 80GIG (Slave)
    Video: Nvidia GeForce 2
    Network card/Cable Modem
    I have recently been experiencing declining performance, likely due to the large amount of filesharing i have been doing. I have been doing what I can here and there to clean up junk files and my registry, but i suspect i have been inundated with spyware and adware that my existing programs can't dela with. It's gotten to the point that I can't even watch a divx movie on my machine with out the audio sync getting way off and experiencing clipping in the video. I also have had clipping errors in games i should be able to handle (used to be able to) and numerous programs quit unexpectedly. The machine constantly freezes up, and become incredibly difficult to work with. What I need, is for someone to give me step-by-stap diagnostic and repair instructions to help me identify and remove all unwanted and harmful software, and basically help me get this machine running at top performance again. Please let me know if you need more information to help me, as I would like to ensure that I get every last quirk, and hopefully help me set in place some failsafes against the same situation arising again... Thanks in advance for the help
     
  2. alanc

    alanc MajorGeek

  3. DallasRaines42

    DallasRaines42 Private First Class

    I am using Norton Systemworks 2000 Professional, but I suspect that It May not be doing everything I want it to.
     
  4. DallasRaines42

    DallasRaines42 Private First Class

    Can anyone suggest an optimal combination of software to clean and protect all aspects of my machine? In addition to Norton, I Have Stop Zilla, Ad-aware, and advanced registry optimizer, plus probably a few others installed somewhere... it's utter chaos, really.
     
  5. alanc

    alanc MajorGeek

    No disagreement here, not only is it likely that it's not protecting you, it's also probably slowing things down.

    You'll need to uninstall it (at least the antivirus part) before trying another AV, in the likely event that you run into problems doing that, here's some info from Symantec:
    http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/nsw.nsf/docid/2001100212100807
     
  6. Raider

    Raider Private First Class

    I have a folder on my computer called "clean up".
    It contains AdAware, Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search and Destroy and RegCleaner.
     
  7. DallasRaines42

    DallasRaines42 Private First Class

    Not Running SpyBot, but I will go get it now... Also scanning for trojans as i type...
    Using WinPatrol, I have generated a number of reports, Will these suffice?:
    WinPatrol Active Tasks

    5/9/2001 0:59


    <LI>Windows NT Session Manager
    1. SMSS.EXE
      Windows NT Session Manager
      Version: 5.00.2195.5382
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\SMSS.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Windows NT Logon Application
    1. WINLOGON.EXE
      Windows NT Logon Application
      Version: 5.00.2195.6898
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\WINLOGON.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Services and Controller app
    1. SERVICES.EXE
      Services and Controller app
      Version: 5.00.2195.3940
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\SERVICES.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>LSA Executable and Server DLL (Export Version)
    1. LSASS.EXE
      LSA Executable and Server DLL (Export Version)
      Version: 5.00.2195.6902
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\LSASS.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Generic Host Process for Win32 Services
    1. svchost.exe
      Generic Host Process for Win32 Services
      Version: 5.00.2134.1
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\svchost.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Common Client Settings Manager Service
    1. CCSETMGR.EXE
      Common Client Settings Manager Service
      Version: 2.1.0.610
      Copyright (c) 2000-2003 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved.
      Path: C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCSETMGR.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Common Client Event Manager Service
    1. CCEVTMGR.EXE
      Common Client Event Manager Service
      Version: 2.1.0.610
      Copyright (c) 2000-2003 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved.
      Path: C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCEVTMGR.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Spooler SubSystem App
    1. spoolsv.exe
      Spooler SubSystem App
      Version: 5.00.2195.4299
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\spoolsv.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Creative Service for CDROM Access
    1. Ctsvccda.exe
      Creative Service for CDROM Access
      Version: 1.0.0.0
      Copyright (c) Creative Technology Ltd., 1999. All rights reserved.
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\Ctsvccda.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Norton Ghost Start
    1. GhostStartService.exe
      Norton Ghost Start
      Version: 2003.789
      Copyright (C) 1998-2003 Symantec Corp. All rights reserved.
      Path: C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Ghost\GhostStartService.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service
    1. NAVAPSVC.EXE
      Norton AntiVirus Auto-Protect Service
      Version: 10.00.13
      Norton AntiVirus 2004 for Windows 98/ME/2000/XP Copyright (c) 2003 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved.
      Path: C:\PROGRAM FILES\NORTON SYSTEMWORKS\NORTON ANTIVIRUS\NAVAPSVC.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Norton Protection Status
    1. NPROTECT.EXE
      Norton Protection Status
      Version: 17.0.0.82
      Copyright (c) 1997-2003 Symantec Corporation
      Path: C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Utilities\NPROTECT.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>NVIDIA Driver Helper Service, Version 30.82
    1. nvsvc32.exe
      NVIDIA Driver Helper Service, Version 30.82
      Version: 6.13.10.3082
      (c) NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved.
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\nvsvc32.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Remote Registry Service
    1. regsvc.exe
      Remote Registry Service
      Version: 5.00.2195.3649
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\regsvc.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Symantec AntiVirus Scanner
    1. SAVSCAN.EXE
      Symantec AntiVirus Scanner
      Version: 9.2
      Copyright (c) 2003 Symantec Corporation
      Path: C:\PROGRAM FILES\NORTON SYSTEMWORKS\NORTON ANTIVIRUS\SAVSCAN.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Task Scheduler Engine
    1. mstask.exe
      Task Scheduler Engine
      Version: 4.71.2195.1
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1997
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\mstask.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>NOPDB
    1. NOPDB.exe
      NOPDB
      Version: 7.00.0.24
      Copyright (c) 1997-2003 Symantec Corporation
      Path: C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Utilities\Speed Disk\NOPDB.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Windows Explorer
    1. explorer.exe
      Windows Explorer
      Version: 5.00.3502.5321
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\explorer.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Symantec Core Component
    1. symlcsvc.exe
      Symantec Core Component
      Version: 1, 8, 48, 79
      Copyright (C) 2003
      Path: C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Windows Management Instrumentation
    1. WinMgmt.exe
      Windows Management Instrumentation
      Version: 1.50.1085.0070
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1995-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\wbem\WinMgmt.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>WMDM PMSP Service
    1. MsPMSPSv.exe
      WMDM PMSP Service
      Version: 7.10.00.3068
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-2000
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\MsPMSPSv.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Norton SystemWorks SymTray
    1. SymTray.exe
      Norton SystemWorks SymTray
      Version: 2004.7.81
      Copyright (c) 1997-2003 Symantec Corporation
      Path: C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\SYMANTEC SHARED\SymTray.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>iTouch Application
    1. iTouch.exe
      iTouch Application
      Version: 2.15.264
      (C) 1998-2002 Logitech. All rights reserved.
      Path: C:\PROGRAM FILES\Logitech\iTouch\iTouch.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Control Center
    1. EM_EXEC.EXE
      Control Center
      Version: 9.71
      Copyright © Logitech Inc. 1987-2002.
      Path: C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\EM_EXEC.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>RealNetworks Scheduler
    1. REALSCHED.EXE
      RealNetworks Scheduler
      Version: 0.1.0.1622
      Copyright © RealNetworks, Inc. 1995-2002
      Path: C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\Real\UPDATE_OB\REALSCHED.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>wcmdmgr
    1. wcmdmgr.exe
      wcmdmgr
      Version: 1.6.2.3
      Copyright © 1999-2002
      Path: C:\WINNT\wt\updater\wcmdmgr.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Internet Explorer
    1. IEXPLORE.EXE
      Internet Explorer
      Version: 6.00.2800.1106
      © Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved.
      Path: C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>STOPzilla! Application
    1. STOPZILLA.EXE
      STOPzilla! Application
      Version: 2, 0, 0, 3
      Copyright (C) ISSS 2002
      Path: C:\PROGRAM FILES\STOPZILLA!\STOPZILLA.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>NTVDM.EXE
    1. NTVDM.EXE
      NTVDM.EXE
      Version: 5.00.2195.4127
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\NTVDM.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Windows Win16 Application Launcher
    1. wowexec.exe
      Windows Win16 Application Launcher
      Version: 3.10
      Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1981-1996
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\wowexec.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Run a DLL as an App
    1. rundll32.exe
      Run a DLL as an App
      Version: 5.00.2134.1
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\rundll32.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>WinPatrol By BillP Studios
    1. WinPatrol.exe
      WinPatrol By BillP Studios
      Version: 7.0.1.0
      Copyright © 1997- 2004 BillP Studios
      Path: C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\WinPatrol.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Windows TaskManager
    1. taskmgr.exe
      Windows TaskManager
      Version: 5.00.2137.1
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1991-1999
      Path: C:\WINNT\system32\taskmgr.exe
      Click for Plus Info
    1. And, because I'm sure it will come up:
    WinPatrol Startup Programs

    5/9/2001 0:57


    <LI>Synchronization Manager
    1. mobsync.exe /logon
      Microsoft Synchronization Manager
      Version: 5.00.2139.1
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: mobsync.exe /logon
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>NvCplDaemon
    1. NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon initialize
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: NvQTwk,NvCplDaemon initialize
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>nwiz
    1. nwiz.exe /install
      NVIDIA nView Wizard, Version 30.82
      Version: 6.13.10.3082
      (c) NVIDIA Corporation. All rights reserved.
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: nwiz.exe /install
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>LoadQM
    1. loadqm.exe
      Microsoft QMgr
      Version: 5.4.1103.3
      Copyright (C) Microsoft Corp. 1981-1999
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: loadqm.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>zBrowser Launcher
    1. iTouch.exe
      iTouch Application
      Version: 2.15.264
      (C) 1998-2002 Logitech. All rights reserved.
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: C:\Program Files\Logitech\iTouch\iTouch.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>EM_EXEC
    1. EM_EXEC.EXE
      Control Center
      Version: 9.71
      Copyright © Logitech Inc. 1987-2002.
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\EM_EXEC.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>TkBellExe
    1. realsched.exe -osboot
      RealNetworks Scheduler
      Version: 0.1.0.1622
      Copyright © RealNetworks, Inc. 1995-2002
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe -osboot
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>STOPzilla
    1. Stopzilla.exe /autorun
      STOPzilla! Application
      Version: 2, 0, 0, 3
      Copyright (C) ISSS 2002
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: C:\Program Files\STOPzilla!\Stopzilla.exe /autorun
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>MMTray
    1. MMTray.exe
      MMTray
      Version: 3, 0, 0, 0
      Copyright © 1990-2001 Morgan Multimedia
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: MMTray.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>MMTray2K
    1. MMTray2k.exe
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: MMTray2k.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>MMTrayLSI
    1. MMTrayLSI.exe
      MMTray
      Version: 3, 0, 0, 0
      Copyright © 1990-2001 Morgan Multimedia
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: MMTrayLSI.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>SymTray - Norton SystemWorks
    1. Symtray.exe SetReg
      Norton SystemWorks SymTray
      Version: 2004.7.81
      Copyright (c) 1997-2003 Symantec Corporation
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Symtray.exe SetReg
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>ccApp
    1. CCAPP.EXE
      Common Client User Session
      Version: 2.1.0.610
      Copyright (c) 2000-2003 Symantec Corporation. All rights reserved.
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCAPP.EXE
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Tweak UI
    1. TWEAKUI.CPL,TweakMeUp
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: TWEAKUI.CPL,TweakMeUp
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>WinPatrol
    1. WinPatrol.exe
      WinPatrol By BillP Studios
      Version: 7.0.1.0
      Copyright © 1997- 2004 BillP Studios
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: C:\Program Files\BillP Studios\WinPatrol\WinPatrol.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>SymTray - Norton SystemWorks
    1. Symtrdr.exe
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
      Path: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Symtrdr.exe
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Ad-aware
    1. Ad-aware.exe +b1
      Ad-aware 6 core application
      Version: 6.0.0.0
      Copyright © Lavasoft Sweden
      Location: HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunOnce
      Path: C:\PROGRA~1\Lavasoft\AD-AWA~1\Ad-aware.exe +b1
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>AIM
    1. aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
      AOL Instant Messenger
      Version: 5.5.3572
      Copyright © 1996-2004 America Online, Inc.
      Location: HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
      Path: C:\Program Files\Applications\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
      Click for Plus Info

    <LI>Adobe Systems, Inc. Adobe Gamma Loader
    1. Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
      Adobe Gamma Loader
      Version: 1, 0, 0, 1
      © 1998-2000 Adobe Systems Incorporated
      Location: Windows Startup Group
      Path: C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
      Click for Plus Info
     
  8. DallasRaines42

    DallasRaines42 Private First Class

    Okay, I have been recommended Black Viper's site before, but the problem I experienced then (and now) is that all I can find is Windows XP infro, and I am running 2kpro as i said... Can this website still help me? and if so, what exactly should i do? I am taking Norton off as well, so which program would you recommend? You said AVG/Avast... any advantages? Finally, what are you referring to these programs?: taskmgr.exe & REALSCHED.EXE. What should I do with them?
     
  9. javyn winterkhaos

    javyn winterkhaos Private E-2

    If you got Norton on your system and are trying to remove it, good luck. Might be easier to back everything up, and install your os again from scratch. And have good and or automated cleaning habits from now on :)


    For cleaning junk off hard drive, registry, managing cookies, i like Ace Utilities. the Autostart Manager is cool too.
     
  10. Fuzzy Wuzzy

    Fuzzy Wuzzy Private E-2

    Hey guys, what do you think about McAfee VirusScan Pro 7.0? I was sick of Norton slowing down my pc, so I am trying this out. I have also downloaded AVG and Avast!, but I am wanting to try out McAfee for a month or two first. Any other good antivirus programs to try? What are your favorites?
     
  11. goldfish

    goldfish Lt. Sushi.DC

    McAffee is just as bad as norton, IMX. Avast is good, as is AVG and Panda (some will disagree with me there).

    I recommend SpywareBlaster to stop spyware getting on your machine after you've cleaned it out, not to mention AdAware to get rid of spyware to start with.
     
  12. DallasRaines42

    DallasRaines42 Private First Class

    Ok, So here is where I stand now:

    - I searched for and found no worms
    - I cleaned the registry one by one
    - I defragged both my drives
    - I am running these Security Programs:
    - Ad-Aware 6.0
    - Avast! Antivirus
    - Spybot - Search & Destroy
    - Spyware Blaster
    - StopZilla!
    - Winpatrol
    - I have the following cleaning programs, which I will keep up on
    - Advanced Registry Optimizer
    - CCleaner
    - Disk Cleanup
    - HD Cleaner
    - O&O Defrag
    - Regseeker
    Is there anything else you can recommend I do to tune-up my system? Can anyone explain a way for me to test my various system's performances against the standard they should be up to? Basically at this point, now that my pc is clean and operating ok, I want to ensure that I am getting optimal performance in all respects. Again, thanks for all of your help with this process, this message board has once again proved to be a fine resource.
     
  13. DallasRaines42

    DallasRaines42 Private First Class

    Okay, at risk of sounding like an idiot, I have some questions about benchmarking and determining performance... can someone give me a step by step as to how to determine the current and ideal performance of my machine? IE, what should I measure, how do I determine what I should have, and what I do have and finally how to improve on the latter? Thanks again
     
  14. dewback

    dewback Corporal

    I recently uninstalled norton in favor of tring avast. So far I am really happy with it. But I wonder... how are they able to provide the product with regular updates at no charge?
     
  15. jcm

    jcm Private E-2

    Norton, the antichrist

    Fuzzy,
    I agree with you about Norton. I tried to help a friend, running XP, get hers working, and spent 12 hours following the instructions from Symantec, uninstalling, reinstalling, modifying registry, adding this, deleting that, to no avail. She had already been fighting with Norton for most of her year's subscription, and had ended up with major virus contamination. I asked for help online, but got some offshore contractor who just recited all the things from the website, which we had already done, and had already told them so. We finally got her computer working properly by uninstalling Norton (which required manually deleting it from the registry), and then scanned the drive using the free online scanner at TrendMicro, which works great. She then downloaded PC-cillin from them for a free trial, and it worked perfectly, and was cheaper than Norton Antivirus and included a firewall and anti-spyware. Amazingly, after everything we did to it, her computer works well now. I think that ANYTHNG has to be better than Norton.
    By the way, as an old Mac person, I LOVED Norton Utilities before Symantec bought them.
     
  16. slim30097

    slim30097 Private E-2

    Private E-2

    Recommend BHODemon for added protection. Your main problem appears to be with your startup processes. Download CodeStuff Starter to aid in startup management. Check out Pacman's startup listing @ pacs-portal. It has a extensive listing of programs which normally startup when you log on. You will be surprised how few of these need to start automatically. It's like going into your home & turning on every light & appliance at once.

    The site has a downloadable self-executible file (626kb) with an extensive listing of programs with yes, no or user choice recommendations with regards to startup. Use CodeStuff Starter to edit your startup processes using Pacman's recommendations. The site has a download link for CodeStuff (not listed on MG). This startup manager allows you to edit your startup processes by simply unchecking a box. If you change your mind, you can simply check the box to reverse your change.

    I know what you're going through. Using this technique, my normal number of running processes went from the mid-50's to the mid-20's with a very marked improvement in performance.

    Good luck - hope it works out.
     

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