PC has dramatically slowed in last year

I own a Toshiba Satellite A135-S4477. The processor is listed as Intel Core 2 Duo T5200 / 1.6 GHz. The installed memory is 2.0 GB / 4.0 GB (max) DDR2 SDRAM - 533.0 MHz. It has dual hard drives listed as 80.0 GB - Serial ATA-150.

I have had the computer for about four years without much issue. In the last year, it has gotten slower and slower. The system shows 1.18GB of my memory is being used. I think it may be because unnecessary programs are running but cannot identify what is running during start up that can be turned off.

I realize that this may not be the reason for the slow down. I have tried to find what else could be slowing it down, but have not had any luck. I have internet service through Cox internet that includes McAfee Security Center so I hope it isn’t malware. I also run Ad-Aware periodically. Although it finds threats occasionally and removes them, typically the scans return clean.

I’ve tried to figure out what is causing the slow down, but have had no luck. I’ve read some threads on MajorGeeks and tried to apply it, but I just don’t know what to do and what not to do. Most recommend running HiJack this and/or AVPFind. I’ve done both but don’t know what I have when I’m done. I have attached logs from both. The 050711 logs are the most current.

My Windows Security Center shows everything is on and updated. Windows Defender shows that it is turned off.

I appreciate any assistance to remedy this situation. If I didn’t include something that you need to assist, just let me know.

 

Hi pups,

Logs posted as text files are smaller, easier to read and contain zero personal information compared to .docs

Could you post a screenshot of your MSConfig with the startup tab open, please?

 

I couldn't figure out how to get it all into one screen so I took multiple screen shots. I hope I did it correctly. Thank you for helping me.

 

Ok, now we're getting somewhere, looks like we could reduce the number of startups substantially. But we won't use MSConfig to do so, it may trigger little problems at a later stage, it's really only a tool for troubleshooting on a temporary basis.

While you still have it open, could you drag the columns so that we can see the full name and the full command - 1st and 3rd columns, it doesn't matter if the others are showing at this stage. Then attach the improved versions?

 

I'm new here and possibly I should just just sit back and watch this thread but my first instinct tells me that your box may be loaded up with temporary files, cookies and other garbage and also that you may not have defragged your hard drive in a while. Also I noticed that you have some things on your box that have slowed my netbook down in the past such as Google toolbar and itunes.

Itunes tends to install lots of bloatware and updaters into your start up. Google toolbar I didnt even bother to check out. I just took it off when it slowed my netbook down.

I like a pretty lean box though. Before you get into trying to blame a slow down on spyware or a virus ect you should first attempt to clean it up and defrag it though. Then if its still misbehaving look into a bogged down registry, over the years those things get ridiculous with out maintenance. A program like Registry Mechanic or CCleaner can sort that all out for you.

Also I had a friend complain one time that his computer was slowing down just to see he had a bunch of programs installed to his Desktop... LOL.

Many things can slow a computer down not just spyware, adware, and viruses.

So I would say clean your box first.

I'm not real good at the hijack logs so I will let someone else analyze that.
Start like this:

Start/programs/accessories/system tools/disk cleanup

Then:
Start/programs/accessories/system tools/disk defragmenter

That should give you something to do while you wait.

 

I can't figure out how to enlarge the window so names and commands can be seen in full in the window at the same time. I have attached four of the five screen shots with the full names. Would you like screen shots with the commands in full?

 

A very easy method to list your startup items is to do the following:

Click START, then type in cmd press enter (or windows key + R)

type in cmd press enter

Now type in what is in the screen shot.

Post the text.txt file here.

 

This is what I get when I do the caption command process.

 

That looks good enough to make a valid decision on most entries, you seem to have duplicated the 2nd and 3rd attachments though.

StartupCPL is one of the better pieces of software for proper control over startups, install it then start it by going to the control Panel and clicking the new icon.\

From what I see, uncheck (using StartupCPL):
Software Manager
updateMgr (Adobe Reader needs removing, at ver. 7 it's outdated and too insecure, install the latest ver. or foxit reader.)
ehTray
GoogleToolbarNotifier
Software Upgrades
All 3 Intel apps
HP Software update
HDAudiocontrolPanel
Toshiba Zooming Utility


Once you've done that and rebooted, a screenshot or text file saved by StartupCPL will allow us to tweak it some more.

 

I have tried to install the Startup CPL, but keep getting an error. I get the error whether I save the program from the link or open it. I have attached the screen shot of the error. I tried to download it from all three options on the Major Geeks site and get the same error.

 

That looks like it might be the result of trying to run it directly from the download rather than saving it first, then running it. Could you check by saving it again?

 

I was about to give up on StartupCPL when I finally saved the zip file to the desktop. When I opened it, I told selected "run as administrator" and it finally loaded! Here is the screenshot of what I get when I open it from the control panel. What tab do I select to start unchecking the items you listed below?

 

HaHa, where they are depends upon where they're started from . Just take a look through the tabs looking for the items I flagged up.

 

I was able to find three of the items you said to uncheck. I've attached screen shots of the tabs that have something on them, did I miss the others?

 

In user, uncheck the Installshield updater

In HKLM, uncheck:
HotkeysCmds
HPsoftware update
IgfxTray
Igfxpers
RTHDVcpl
Smoothview

And then see if it boots up, connects to the 'net, plays sounds, etc Oh, check how much RAM is used about 5 minutes after bootup too.

I'm sure there are others you don't really need but I'm unsure exactly which at this point, maybe someone else'll point them out.

 

You can try something like this to speed up your Itunes Bloatware.
the-unofficial-guide-to-installing-itunes-10-without-bloatware

That will help quite a bit. Read the posts on this issue.

 

I've unchecked everything that was recommended. Ran a defrag and disk cleanup. It is working more quickly. Thanks to all that helped especially satrow. I will continue to review to see if I have programs/files that I don't need or use anymore. I am using less RAM.

Thanks!

 

This site will aid checking your remaining startups. Be aware that many times, updating an application will add a fresh entry into the startups.

Do keep your browser, pdf reader, Flash player and Java (if you have it) fully updated and remove older, insecure versions. These are the main objects of attack by malware.

I am of the opinion that Ad-Aware is less efficient and more bloated that it was, my preference is for the free versions of Malwarebytes and Superantispyware for periodic scans. They don't use resources until you manually start them.

Many of the best free programs are listed on one page here at MG's.