Computer Intermitantly Slowing to a Crawl

as an aside, would you mind giving me a quick guide of how to do a clean install that I can print out and refer to? Not sure I am going to do that, but if it comes to it, I may.

 

Ok, so Firefox and Avast didn't seem to be the problem. When I uninstalled ProTools it actually seemed to help a bit. The problem was that when I reinstalled it, there were several processes that attempted to use Windows Generic Host. I allowed them all and the problem reappeared. I unistalled Pro Tools and reinstalled and this time I didn't allow any of the processes. This seems to have helped.

Here is a list of the processes that wanted to use Windows generic Host:

Intel Framework MFC Application
WLANKEEPER
Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Event Log
Internal Network Card Power Management Service
ZeroCfgSvc MFC Application

 

Ok ... well PC Tools isn't a necessary program so unless you actually use it it wouldn't hurt to uninstall it ... other than that ... run HiJack this, create a log and post it here. It sounds like a software conflict so hopefully HiJack this will show us the running apps and services and we can kill the software that's doing it ...

 

Well, I use PC Tools as my firewall, so I don't want to get rid of it. My guess is that when I originally installed it, I allowed those processes access to Windows generic Host and it caused the problem. When I reinstalled, it worked at first because the permissions were erased, but as soon as I allowed them again, it caused the problem again. On the second reinstall, I blocked them all and seem to be OK for now. So, I guess it is one of those five processes that is the problem.

Here is the Hijack This log

 

Do you know if Avast conflicts with PC Tools DomLuc??

Give me a little bit I gotta go out to a job now but I'll be back in a coupla hours ...

 

I will play with the permissions later, but if I can access the internet without problem with all of them blocked, and I don't have the problems, I may just leave it at that. I guess I would like to know which process(es) cause the problem becuase there may be some underlying issues.

Anyway, here is the CCleaner screen cap and two screen caps from AnVir showing all of the running processes

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/kristigrimm/ccleanerscreencap.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/kristigrimm/anvirscreencap1.jpg

http://i260.photobucket.com/albums/ii39/kristigrimm/anvirscreencap2.jpg

 

mmmm you have about 6 Malware/protection apps active at the same time ... one of them has to conflict with another for sure ...

If this was my personal computer, I would remove these from startup;
Super Anti Spyware
Antivir
DLA
Dell Printer
Intelzeroconfig (I prefer to use the Windows utility)
Ad-Watch
Trojan Scanner
Intel Wireless
Dell Support Service
PCM
Roxwatchtray
applemobiledeviceservice
lexbces.exe
lexpps.exe

That would be my personal choice ... however if there is something you use frequently, leave it.

 

Hi again, been a long time since I checked in, didn't expect to see this thread still running

I've had a quick recap, apologies if I've missed or am repeating anything. One question - do you use wireless to connect to the 'net normally?



Ok, I'd like to suggest a few things (on top of the recent suggestions triggered by looking at the HJT log/CCleaner screenshot); first, cut the number of IE toolbars (BHO's). I'd first disable (because parts of IE are loaded with and tied to the OS (allegedly):-
MS Money
Ask.com
Shopathome toolbar
I normally use Spybot S&D to disable these but it's probably faster to use IE's Internet options > Programs > Manage add-ons.

I would uninstall the Google updater service and McaFee Siteadvisor (the latter is usually way out of date, better to use Linkextend add-on for Firefox. incorporates SA and much more).

Search for the most recent driver for your Intel wireless card - go to Intel, not Dell (Intels is likely to be much newer - try to get a 'drivers only' package).

Check for updates to Java (use JavaRa?), Macromedia Flash and Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you find any, install them but go back into CCleaner and disable any updaters they've installed.

Check for any scheduled tasks, usually C:\WINDOWS\Tasks, disable those you do not need (Google updater again) or delay them for a few days or more using the Properties page of each one.



Oops, another question; could you post a list of your Firefox Addons please?

 

Thanks all. I will go through all of the steps all see what happens.

Dom, is there a free Firewall that you prefer to PC Tools? Also, I think Windows Task Manager is pretty lacking - but is there a program that you prefer to AnVir?

Dom and Drizzles - Dom seemed to indicate that I should keep superantispyware at startup and ditch adaware; Drizzles seemed to indicate that I should ditch superantispyware at startup. Any way to reconcile these two opinions?

Dom, I don't ever use IE, so I doubt that is the problem, but I will run through the steps with Firefox.

Satrow, yeah, I really took a mental vacation from this one for a while...appreciate the renewed assistance though. Here is a list of my Firefox stuff:
Extensions:
Basics 3.0.1 (keeps a new tab button on the tab bar)
Greasemonkey
Java Quick Starter 1.0
Microsoft .NET Frameworks Assistant 1.1

Plugins:
2007 Microsoft Office system
Adobe Acrobat
eMusic Remote Plugin
iTunes Application Detector
Java Platform SE6U12 (obviously need to disable this one)
Java Platform SE6U13
Microsoft DRM (DRM Netscape Network Object)
Microsoft DRM ( DRM Store Netscape Plugin)
Mozilla Default Plugin
QuickTime Plug-in 7.5.5
RealJukebox NS Plugin
RealPlayer Version Plugin
RealPlayer G2 LiveConnect-Enabled Plugin (32-bit)
Shockwave Flash
Windows Media Player Plug-in Dynamic Link Library
Windows Presentation Foundation

Thanks all!

 

Ok, thanks for the FF list.

My favourites in this issue would now be:-

Wireless adapter, download the latest drivers from Intel, try to get a 'drivers only' package also (it's been mentioned before, I think) use the built-in Windows tool to control the connection. Then check in Device Manager that it is not set to turn off to conserve power (default setting in some Windows versions).

Update Java, my version is now SE6U14. Uninstall all old versions using JavaRa http://majorgeeks.com/JavaRA_d5982.html Also update Macromedia Flash and Adobe Reader, again, uninstall the old versions if you can.

I'm concerned about you having the NET Framework installed in FF, that's somewhat like enabling ActiveX, I think, I'd uninstall or disable it.

Scheduled Tasks, I'd disable ALL of them until this problems is resolved.


That'll do for now ^^

 

Personally I wouldn't use it at start up but definitely don't ditch it ... although definitely ditch Ad-Aware ...

 

Some people say that the Anniversary edition of AdAware is supposed to be the best ever from them, but I personally back away because of the past few years performance.
Great at one time, but fell behind.
Today, its SuperAntispyware combined with MalwareBytes that gives a great 1-2 punch.

 

OK, I updated the drivers - not sure what you mean about letting windows control the connection...do you mean the ZeroCfgSvc (as opposed to the Intel device)?

If so, that is what I have used the entire time

 

Yes, the ZeroCfgSvc built into Windows, it's best to ensure everything is as simple and clean as possible (much of the OEM software is over-complicating bloat).

 

Another question...I was going through my Add/Remove Program list and noticed I have five versions on Microsoft .Net Framework - 1.1, 1.1 (hotfix), 2.0 (SP2), 3.0 (SP2) and 3.5(SP1). Should I delete all but the most recent?

 

Just restarted my computer and got another Windows Generic Host error... I wish I knew what was causing this!

 

Just had a thought... my internet usage causes slow down on sites that are graphically intensive...could it be my graphics card or something?

 

Hmm, do you really need .NET for any of your software? I think 3.5 overwrites earlier versions but there are some pieces of software written for 1.1/2.0 that are broken by 3.0/3.5, I'm tempted to say "uninstall them all, if you find you need it later, reinstall .NET framework then".

This could be Macromedia flash, Java or other software component working hard to translate the material to display, it's important to ensure these are all updated to the latest versions.
What graphics card do you have?

 

Thanks Dom,

I did disable all of the startup items you suggested with one exception - PCM Service...if I disable it at startup, for some reason, it will not run later (when I want to watch a DVD for example).

Other than that, I have followed all the advice given (except for reformatting). I still have the slowdown issue (some websites make firefox take up 70% of CPU) and I have Windows Generic Host errors and/or svchost.exe errors upon startup. The weird thing is that after disabling some of the startup processes, the errors went away for a while, only to return later. Is it possible that there is some underlying issue that affects startup items but is not caused by the startup items themselves?

I'm not trying to be a bother and I really do appreciate all the support and assistance.

 

Ack...this is weird. I can't figure out how to turn off PCTools FW... The firewall is not in my system tray (it normally is - not sure why its not right now) and when I click on it from the start menu or through "My Computer", nothing happens. I do see it as a process when I open AnVir so I am going to kill the process tree and hope that works...

 

OK, so I followed all the steps.

Upon uninstalling PC Tools completely, I did have to do a hard re-boot and on restart I got the Windows Generic Host and svshost.exe errors.
After running CCleaner and restarting again, I again had to do a hard reboot and on restart I had a Windows Generic Host error

The firefox slow down is still in effect (certain website taking 68% of CPU)

So, the problem was not with PC Tools per se or even necessarily with the permissions. It seems that when I first installed (or reinstalled) PCTools, and disallowed everything, it blocked some of the problem - windows was able to restart my computer and it restarted without the errors, even though I did still have the computer slowdown. The fix was only temporary, however, because the errors did reappear after a certain period of time.

It seems to my uneducated mind that something is infiltrating processes and causing the problem. When I block some processes from accesing Windows Generic Host, half of the problem goes away for a while. Then, that something must infiltrate an unblocked process and cause the entire problem again. Is it possible I have some sort of malware than none of the programs know about?

At a loss

 

Just had another thought - would it be helpful to see the information contained in the Windows Generic Host error message?

 

Error Signature:
szAppName : svchost.exe szAppVer : 5.1.2600.5512 szModName : unknown
szModVer : 0.0.0.0 offset : 00000000


Here is a copy of the text in the text file (I cannot attach the MDMP unfortunately):

<?xml version="1.0" encoding="UTF-16"?>
<DATABASE>
<EXE NAME="SYSTEM INFO" FILTER="GRABMI_FILTER_SYSTEM">
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="advapi32.dll" SIZE="617472" CHECKSUM="0xA0887D0D" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Advanced Windows 32 Base API" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft® Windows® Operating System" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755 (xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="advapi32.dll" INTERNAL_NAME="advapi32.dll" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0xA5BB8" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755" LINK_DATE="02/09/2009 12:10:48" UPTO_LINK_DATE="02/09/2009 12:10:48" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="gdi32.dll" SIZE="286720" CHECKSUM="0x98314A3F" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5698" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5698" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5698" FILE_DESCRIPTION="GDI Client DLL" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft® Windows® Operating System" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5698 (xpsp_sp3_gdr.081022-1932)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="gdi32" INTERNAL_NAME="gdi32" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x4CE95" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5698" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5698" LINK_DATE="10/23/2008 12:36:14" UPTO_LINK_DATE="10/23/2008 12:36:14" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="kernel32.dll" SIZE="989696" CHECKSUM="0x2D998938" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5781" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5781" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5781" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Windows NT BASE API Client DLL" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft® Windows® Operating System" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5781 (xpsp_sp3_gdr.090321-1317)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="kernel32" INTERNAL_NAME="kernel32" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0xFE572" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5781" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5781" LINK_DATE="03/21/2009 14:06:58" UPTO_LINK_DATE="03/21/2009 14:06:58" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="ntdll.dll" SIZE="714752" CHECKSUM="0xC695BA95" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755" FILE_DESCRIPTION="NT Layer DLL" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft® Windows® Operating System" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755 (xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="ntdll.dll" INTERNAL_NAME="ntdll.dll" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0xBC674" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5755" LINK_DATE="02/09/2009 12:10:48" UPTO_LINK_DATE="02/09/2009 12:10:48" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="ole32.dll" SIZE="1287168" CHECKSUM="0xB764FEEA" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Microsoft OLE for Windows" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft® Windows® Operating System" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2108)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="OLE32.DLL" INTERNAL_NAME="OLE32.DLL" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x14744B" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" LINK_DATE="04/14/2008 00:10:57" UPTO_LINK_DATE="04/14/2008 00:10:57" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="oleaut32.dll" SIZE="551936" CHECKSUM="0xE8E0E87" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" INTERNAL_NAME="OLEAUT32.DLL" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1993-2001." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x8D4E3" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" LINK_DATE="04/14/2008 00:10:58" UPTO_LINK_DATE="04/14/2008 00:10:58" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="shell32.dll" SIZE="8461312" CHECKSUM="0x229B7DE8" BIN_FILE_VERSION="6.0.2900.5622" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="6.0.2900.5622" PRODUCT_VERSION="6.00.2900.5622" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Windows Shell Common Dll" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft® Windows® Operating System" FILE_VERSION="6.00.2900.5622 (xpsp_sp3_gdr.080617-1319)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="SHELL32.DLL" INTERNAL_NAME="SHELL32" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x812125" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="6.0.2900.5622" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="6.0.2900.5622" LINK_DATE="06/17/2008 19:02:17" UPTO_LINK_DATE="06/17/2008 19:02:17" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="user32.dll" SIZE="578560" CHECKSUM="0x6280E825" BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Windows XP USER API Client DLL" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft® Windows® Operating System" FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2105)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="user32" INTERNAL_NAME="user32" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0x8FC76" LINKER_VERSION="0x50001" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="5.1.2600.5512" LINK_DATE="04/14/2008 00:11:07" UPTO_LINK_DATE="04/14/2008 00:11:07" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="wininet.dll" SIZE="915456" CHECKSUM="0xF831E25E" BIN_FILE_VERSION="8.0.6001.18783" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="8.0.6001.18783" PRODUCT_VERSION="8.00.6001.18783" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Internet Extensions for Win32" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Windows® Internet Explorer" FILE_VERSION="8.00.6001.18783 (longhorn_ie8_gdr.090508-1700)" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="wininet.dll" INTERNAL_NAME="wininet.dll" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="© Microsoft Corporation. All rights reserved." VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x40004" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN32" PE_CHECKSUM="0xE9EC0" LINKER_VERSION="0x60000" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="8.0.6001.18783" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="8.0.6001.18783" LINK_DATE="05/13/2009 05:15:55" UPTO_LINK_DATE="05/13/2009 05:15:55" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
<MATCHING_FILE NAME="winsock.dll" SIZE="2864" CHECKSUM="0x73AE8088" BIN_FILE_VERSION="3.10.0.103" BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="3.10.0.103" PRODUCT_VERSION="3.10" FILE_DESCRIPTION="Windows Socket 16-Bit DLL" COMPANY_NAME="Microsoft Corporation" PRODUCT_NAME="Microsoft® Windows(TM) Operating System" FILE_VERSION="3.10" ORIGINAL_FILENAME="WINSOCK.DLL" INTERNAL_NAME="WINSOCK" LEGAL_COPYRIGHT="Copyright © Microsoft Corp. 1981-1996" VERFILEDATEHI="0x0" VERFILEDATELO="0x0" VERFILEOS="0x10001" VERFILETYPE="0x2" MODULE_TYPE="WIN16" S16BIT_DESCRIPTION="BSD Socket API for Windows" S16BIT_MODULE_NAME="WINSOCK" UPTO_BIN_FILE_VERSION="3.10.0.103" UPTO_BIN_PRODUCT_VERSION="3.10.0.103" VER_LANGUAGE="English (United States) [0x409]" />
</EXE>
</DATABASE>

 

Hmm, if that's a list of modules loaded by that particular instance of svchost.exe. it's very small compared to those running on my XP SP3 now = my smallest svchost.exe has 32 modules, yours lists 18, I think.

Can we assume that it's crashing whilst trying to load something?

If so and the module it's crashing on is a Windows component, would http://windowshelp.microsoft.com/Windows/en-US/help/bc1393cf-9f9c-79c7-0f91-9337c2c41f811033.mspx be of any use?

 

I have run it before but I am running it again. Strange thing...when I restarted my computer I got a spoolsv.exe error. Never seen that before

 

Well mate, I can tell you if this was my computer, I would have conceded that this problem is either so simple I'd never think of it or it was so deep into the system it was too hard to repair. Honestly if this were my system this is where I would decide to format and re-install. As I have said earlier, not only will it fix your problem but it'll give you a nice clean, fresh install and speed up your computer as a result.

 

yeah, I guess you guys are right. Damn.