Hello Dear Computer Pro's

Hello Everyone,

My name is Jim, im working as an advertising agent. I've read many posts in the major geeks forum and i have to say some of you are real pro's not just because you know exactly what you are talking about but for the help you provide, the way you get involved into other's problems .. Really big up to all of you !

Now what leads me into posting in here is my frustration against dishonest people of the country i live in ... It's a whole " mission " in order to find a good PC(original unused components), software and technicians !
I bought a PC for my work mainly but also for my free time ( gaming etc...) so high specs were required. I believe i got myself a nice " beast " here but its running too slow! I suspect a cracked version of windows and many other programs but i don't know how to prove right and i also don't want any troubles regarding laws !

I'm willing to go all clean but honestly other than the Adobe programs i don't know a thing about computers.
I'm very thankful to those who can help me solve and manage this PC on my own! I'm open to all suggestions, guidance and all that

Have a nive journey,
Thanks again!
Jim

 

Follow Chaslang's excellent advice:

http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=44525

 

Hey guys, thanx for your answers!

I have checked the links you gave me and regarding the steps given i followed them ( at least most of them ). I have Malwarebytes anti- malware updated and it says that no malicious items were found and it's the same for the Eset security software ( my AV ) .
I have ad-aware installed on my PC, i just read from the links that too many protection software installed were not recommended.. Shall i remove ad-aware or leave it as it's not really an AV ?

Anyways after all the scans and the cleanings ( with ccleaner ), the computer is still so slow... Especially when starting up and i can feel it as it wasn't like that the first months.

DomLuc, i checked about the operating system:
Windows Vista Ultimate 64bit, Service pack 1. It says that windows is activated and it gives me a product id. The seller was an authorized Microsoft dealer but i don't have anything as such an hologram with a serial number on it. Just a Microsoft windows sticker...
My processor is an Intel Core 2 Quad Q6600 @ 2.40ghz 2.31 ghz.
There is 8GB ddr3 RAM installed and a Gforce gtx295. A 300w power supply is running the whole.

Thanks for reading me,
best regards!
Jim

 

Hey LauraR,

I checked on this part of the post and downloaded the startup_cpl file. I installed it and went to control panel > change startup programs.
this is the list of programs:

- Microsoft Media Center Tray Applet
- Microsoft Userinit Logon Application
- Microsoft Windows Explorer
- Microsoft Windows host process (Rundll32)
- Windows Live Messenger
- IDT PC Audio
- ESET GUI
in the category "publisher not available"
- WMPNSCFG.exe

Is there anyone i should disable ?

thanks a lot for your help !
Jim