Possible Software Problem (but hard to find ware is the problem)

Discussion in 'Software' started by KaisorSoze, Oct 9, 2005.

  1. KaisorSoze

    KaisorSoze Private E-2

    Hello guys.

    I was originally receiving help on what I suspected was a spyware problem, as you can check the link to see my progress.

    http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=74450

    Currenlty, I am having problems with long boot times. It is taking anywhere from 50-120 seconds for my system to boot after the "Welcome" window. Of the known programs I have booted at the start (which include Dell Help, NIS, Microsoft Anti-Spyware, ewido, and my printer). All of those boot find except for NIS, which boots last and takes 35-50 seconds to boot after everything else. After I allow all programs to boot, I try to open Firefox using my desktop shortcut. Once I double click on that, it takes 30-40 seconds for a window to open up. I don't know what is the problem. Shadow Puter Dude has been helping me in the Spyware forum and recommended that I move my issues to here, as it seems to have a software problem. I am wondering if someone can assist me, as this possible software problem also could be the reason I am experiencing other difficulties with my PC (which is mainly discussed here: http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=73927 )

    Thanks
     
  2. Novice

    Novice MajorGeek

    Noticed that you haven't removed NIS as SPD suggested! Please try this as NIS causes problems for a lot of people, but not all. I would go as far as asking to uninstall all of your Norton/Symantec products, run a registry cleaner and see if it makes a difference in speed.

    Before doing what I suggested, should you choose to do so, please download one of the free antivirus and a firewall program from the downloads section of Major Geeks. Avast and Sygate do a great job for me! Delete Norton/Symantec while offline, and install the antivirus and firewall apps that you chose before going back online.

    You might have a problem deleting all the Norton/Symantec programs, as they firmly entrench themselves in your OS. Symantec offers a tool for removal of these hard to delete remants, and I belive that it is available for download from MG.

    Please try the above and see if it helps your speed problem. If you have the installation CD for Norton/Symantec, it shouldn't be any problem deleting the freeware alternatives that I suggested ( easily removed from Add/Remove Programs ), and reinstalling your presently installed applications. :)
     
  3. bigbazza

    bigbazza R.I.P. 14/12/2011 - Good Onya Geek

  4. KaisorSoze

    KaisorSoze Private E-2

    Novice

    I took your advice and got the two recommended apps for anitvirus protection and firewall. My boot up decrease quite some bit, however, it is still laggin, especially when opening firefox. I will have to get use to these programs.

    bigbazza

    I have process explorer..I totally forgot all about it. I am not too sure how to use it though. Mainly I don't know what the colors stand for. I have one that is in dark red, is that bad. I am not sure if this software problem is effecting my ability to network on the net as well.
     
  5. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

  6. Novice

    Novice MajorGeek

    Forgot to add that I use FireFox preloader on my systeem, it cuts the load time in half. :)
     
  7. KaisorSoze

    KaisorSoze Private E-2

    I have installed the fasterfox. It works better. I will give you all an update later on today. I am still configuring firewalls with sygate and setting up avast. Would anyone recommend any other firewall and antivirus programs. I heard zone alarm was pretty good. I think I am not gonna use NIS anymore, but I am looking for a good alternative. Also, I may need to clean my registry, any suggestions on a program. After all this is done, I will let yall know the performance of my pc. I know this is not the place, but I did not get much help in the networking forum on my connection. Any sites you all can recommend?
     
  8. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

  9. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Just to add, apart from ZoneAlarm, Outpost is excellent and higly recommended.

    For cleaners, CCleaner and also RegSeeker, all freeware.
     
  10. bigbazza

    bigbazza R.I.P. 14/12/2011 - Good Onya Geek

    Don't know what you mean by colours? I'm using v9.12. Latest version (9.25), is available from MG.
    http://www.majorgeeks.com/Process_Explorer_d4566.html

    Bazza

    ===

     
  11. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    The colours are equal to the types of processes running, eg. Pink = Services, Blue = Own Processes ( things like open IE windows, Firewall, Antipsyware etc )

    if you click Options > Configure Highlighting it gives hint at what colours are for.
     
  12. bigbazza

    bigbazza R.I.P. 14/12/2011 - Good Onya Geek

    Couldn't find colours in my version. Is it a new "feature", in the latest version? Bazza

    ===

     
  13. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    I have v8.52 and it has the colour feature.
     
  14. KaisorSoze

    KaisorSoze Private E-2

    Hello Guys

    An update on what been going on. I got rid of NIS and I install Zone Alarm for firewall and AVG for antivirus. I also picked up Sygate firewall and avast. After using CCleaner and Registry Medic I went into safe mode and did several adware and virus scans with the following: Ad-Adware, Spybot, Microsoft antispyware, g-remover, avast virus cleaner, stinger, aboutbuster, kill2me, cwshredder, hsremove, and aimfix.exe. After that, I defrag my pc a couple of times with Windows defrag(is it normal for some files to be undefragable???). After that, I install Zone Alarm Pro and AVG antivirus. My pc is booting much better than before(takes about 45-60secs), and Firefox is not taking as long as it was before (about 15-20) to boot. I was wondering, given the changes I made, are these times normal. I am on a 2 year old dell dimension 4600 with intel 4 2.4GHz with 80gigs.
     
  15. bigbazza

    bigbazza R.I.P. 14/12/2011 - Good Onya Geek

    Halo, I'm beat. "Options > Configure Highlighting", does not appear on the latest version (9.25), I installed the other day. Nothing even vaguely similar. I'm confused. Is that the exact path and tab? Bazza
    ===

     
  16. DavidGP

    DavidGP MajorGeeks Forum Administrator - Grand Pooh-Bah Staff Member

    Funny enough I was on other PC and had old version 9.24 at the time but just installed 9.25 and its in same location,

    Options > Configure Highlighting
    [​IMG]


    KaisorSoze, YES perfectly normal for some files not to be defragged, normally they are locked system files etc,

    45-50 secs is quite ok, yes some peoples PCs boot quicker but equally some boot slower!!
     
  17. bigbazza

    bigbazza R.I.P. 14/12/2011 - Good Onya Geek

    Apparently not available in W98SE version. Bazza

    ===

     
  18. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    Out of sheer curiousity and boredom, I downloaded the Windows 9x version.

    It obviously wouldn't work in XP, so I used compatibility mode and ran it under NT (98 wouldn't work) and the colour option is there.

    Only thing I can think of is that it requires certain files, found in XP, for the feature to work?
     
  19. bigbazza

    bigbazza R.I.P. 14/12/2011 - Good Onya Geek

    Thanks Insomniac. I came to a similar conclusion after seeing your attachments. :cool: :) Thought I was going blind/mad, at first.:eek: Gotta keep taking the tablets. :D Bazza

    ===

     
  20. Insomniac

    Insomniac Billy Ray Cyrus #1 Fan

    KaisorSoze, one of the most effective ways to improve performance, as well as boot and shutdown times is to disable unneeded services in XP.

    HERE is a very good guide, however, only do one at a time and leave it for a while.
     
  21. KaisorSoze

    KaisorSoze Private E-2

    Thanks for the guide. I am going to try it out and let you know how it went. Off top, can you recommend any of the XP services I can live without?
     

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