PC Running Super Slow Lately

[SeeJay023]

So lately my pc computer has been running super slow. It takes around 10 minutes to boot up and when it is done and try to open Firefox for example, that also takes forever to load. I'm not sure if its a virus or malware or anything of that sort. I just want to make sure it's not before I look for other solutions. Please help, i would really appreciate it, thanks!

[SeeJay023]

Here's the log from Hijackthis.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 3:23:27 PM, on 1/13/2010
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\BitDefender\BitDefender Update Service\livesrv.exe
C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2010\vsserv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehRecvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehSched.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\iaantmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\HPZIPM12.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\StkASv2K.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\DVD\ULCDRSvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Washer\WasherSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\iaanotif.exe
C:\Program Files\DISC\DiscUpdMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\Intel(R) Quick Resume Technology\ELService.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\issch.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2010\bdagent.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Webroot\Washer\wwDisp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\eHome\ehmsas.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dllhost.exe
C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2010\seccenter.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\WINWORD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dumprep.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\dumprep.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=63&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=63&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iesearch&locale=EN_US&c=63&bd=PAVILION&pf=desktop
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = 127.0.0.1;*.local
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {02478D38-C3F9-4EFB-9B51-7695ECA05670} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: RealPlayer Download and Record Plugin for Internet Explorer - {3049C3E9-B461-4BC5-8870-4C09146192CA} - C:\Program Files\Real\RealPlayer\rpbrowserrecordplugin.dll
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: hpWebHelper Class - {AAAE832A-5FFF-4661-9C8F-369692D1DCB9} - C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\plugin\webhelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: BitDefender Toolbar - {381FFDE8-2394-4f90-B10D-FC6124A40F8C} - C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2010\IEToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ehTray] "C:\WINDOWS\ehome\ehtray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] "RTHDCPL.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxhkcmd] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [igfxpers] "C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IAAnotif] "C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\iaanotif.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DiscUpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\DISC\DiscUpdMgr.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Recguard] "C:\WINDOWS\SMINST\RECGUARD.EXE"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPBootOp] "C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Boot Optimizer\HPBootOp.exe" /run
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe" -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [REGSHAVE] "C:\Program Files\REGSHAVE\REGSHAVE.EXE" /AUTORUN
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AppleSyncNotifier] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleSyncNotifier.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BitDefender Antiphishing Helper] "C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2010\IEShow.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BDAgent] "C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2010\bdagent.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UVS10 Preload] C:\Program Files\Ulead Systems\Ulead VideoStudio SE DVD\uvPL.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Window Washer] "C:\Program Files\Webroot\Washer\wwDisp.exe"
O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: Pin.lnk = C:\hp\bin\CLOAKER.EXE (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Internet Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Internet Connection Help - {E2D4D26B-0180-43a4-B05F-462D6D54C789} - C:\WINDOWS\PCHEALTH\HELPCTR\Vendors\CN=Hewlett-Packard,L=Cupertino,S=Ca,C=US\IEButton\support.htm (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O16 - DPF: {0742B9EF-8C83-41CA-BFBA-830A59E23533} (Microsoft Data Collection Control) - https://support.microsoft.com/OAS/ActiveX/MSDcode.cab
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O16 - DPF: {231B1C6E-F934-42A2-92B6-C2FEFEC24276} (yucsetreg Class) - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\common\yucconfig.dll
O16 - DPF: {238F6F83-B8B4-11CF-8771-00A024541EE3} (Citrix ICA Client) - http://a516.g.akamai.net/f/516/25175/7d/runaware.download.akamai.com/25175/citrix/wficat-no-eula.cab
O16 - DPF: {3EA4FA88-E0BE-419A-A732-9B79B87A6ED0} (CTVUAxCtrl Object) - http://dl.tvunetworks.com/TVUAx.cab
O16 - DPF: {49232000-16E4-426C-A231-62846947304B} (SysData Class) - http://ipgweb.cce.hp.com/rdqcpc/downloads/sysinfo.cab
O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/4,0,0,101/mcinsctl.cab
O16 - DPF: {56762DEC-6B0D-4AB4-A8AD-989993B5D08B} (OnlineScanner Control) - http://www.eset.eu/buxus/docs/OnlineScanner.cab
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1170297455546
O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1170297443703
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - http://fpdownload2.macromedia.com/get/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Arrakis Server (Arrakis3) - BitDefender S.R.L. http://www.bitdefender.com - C:\Program Files\Common Files\BitDefender\BitDefender Arrakis Server\bin\arrakis3.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Intel® Quick Resume Technology Drivers (ELService) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\Intel(R) Quick Resume Technology\ELService.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Macrovision Europe Ltd. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Matrix Storage Event Monitor (IAANTMon) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\iaantmon.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Desktop Update Service (LIVESRV) - BitDefender S.R.L. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\BitDefender\BitDefender Update Service\livesrv.exe
O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\HPZIPM12.EXE
O23 - Service: Syntek STK1160 Service (StkASSrv) - Syntek America Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\System32\StkASv2K.exe
O23 - Service: Ulead Burning Helper (UleadBurningHelper) - Ulead Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\DVD\ULCDRSvr.exe
O23 - Service: BitDefender Virus Shield (VSSERV) - BitDefender S.R.L. - C:\Program Files\BitDefender\BitDefender 2010\vsserv.exe
O23 - Service: Window Washer Engine (wwEngineSvc) - Webroot Software, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Webroot\Washer\WasherSvc.exe

--
End of file - 12157 bytes

[SeeJay023]

And here's the log from Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware.

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.44
Database version: 3556
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702

1/13/2010 3:14:27 PM
mbam-log-2010-01-13 (15-14-27).txt

Scan type: Full Scan (C:\|E:\|F:\|G:\|H:\|I:\|J:\|L:\|)
Objects scanned: 382367
Time elapsed: 3 hour(s), 13 minute(s), 14 second(s)

Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0

Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)

[jholland1964]

Hi SeeJay, Your logs look ok, however you have a large number of unnecessary auto starting programs, which would slow your boot time and then some would slow the computer by running all the time in the background.
Have you done a regular clean up...temp files and the like? Have you done a defrag lately?
How long have you had all the iPod programs on the computer? I only ask this because those DID slow my computer considerably after install. Unless you use the iPod all the time there really is no reason all of these have to run at boot time and then run all the time. They can be turned on when you want to connect the iPod.
If you wish I can give you a list of the programs that you can turn off from auto start and see if that makes a difference.
Judy

[SeeJay023]

Yeah i have done the disk cleanup a couple of times these past couple of weeks. However it has been a while since I've used the disk defragmenter. I will do that as soon as possible.

I've had those ipod programs for a while now but I don't use them frequently so turning those off from auto start would be good. I would definitely like a list of all the programs I can turn off from auto start also.

Also I'm not sure if this also has to do with my computer running slow, but can it also be that my antivirus, Bitdefender, is hogging all the memory?

[jholland1964]

Also I'm not sure if this also has to do with my computer running slow, but can it also be that my antivirus, Bitdefender, is hogging all the memory?

Well that could be possible. It has four processes running along with several others possibly. Is it new or have you had it awhile? If you have noticed the slow down since installing it then the slowness could point to that but if you have had it awhile then probably not.
To control these auto starts you can use a program like CodeStuff Starter, it is free, works well and does make it easier to control auto starting programs and also auto starting services.
Install CodeStuff Starter and then begin with the Start up Tab. Remove check marks from the following items. Now these are all safe to stop, easy to run manually if needed. I won't give any that would cause problems with the computer if they don't auto start:

DiscUpdateManager
HPBootOp
HP Software Update
ISUSPM Startup
ISUSScheduler
RegShave
AppleSyncNotifier
SunJavaUpdateSched
QuickTime Task
TkBellExe
UVS10 Preload
Window Washer

These below will be found under the Services Tab. Double click each item, if it is running, first Stop the Service then change it's start up type to Manual instead of automatic.

Apple Mobile Device
Bonjour Service
iPod Service
LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service
Ulead Burning Helper
Window Washer Engine

Once you have removed the check marks from all auto starting programs and stopped the auto starting service close the program and reboot the computer. See if there is a difference.
Judy

[SeeJay023]

Yeah my anti-virus program is fairly new. Probably a couple of months. That's around the time my computer was slowing down. I also installed windows service pack 3 around that time which I thought that could be the problem too. Which anti-virus program do you think will do its job without hogging too much memory? Because by the sounds of it, it seems like Bitdefender is. I had Trend Micro before and it did its job well and it seemed like my computer was running well also.

I rebooted my computer after turn off all those starting programs on the list and there was a pretty big difference in booting time. It did take a while for firefox to fully load, but faster than it was before. I'm just wondering here but, is there other ways to make it perform faster as in removing or disabling other things?

[jholland1964]

If you want to try another av program the one I use and am pleased with is Avira Free. It does the job without consuming resources.
Before you would install another anti-virus you would need to totally uninstall BitDefender. If you want to do that here is the Uninstall Program for BitDefender

Don't really think the SP3 would do a lot to slow the computer, maybe a bit, but it IS necessary to have.
What version of Firefox are you running? What version of Java do you have on the computer?

[SeeJay023]

Alright I'll check out that av program. Right now I'm running Firefox 3.5.7 and Java 1.6.0_15. It's not only firefox, like for example if I want to run microsoft word or any other program right when its fully booted, it takes a while to load. Might just be normal though but I just wanted to make sure.

[jholland1964]

Alright I'll check out that av program. Right now I'm running Firefox 3.5.7 and Java 1.6.0_15. It's not only firefox, like for example if I want to run microsoft word or any other program right when its fully booted, it takes a while to load. Might just be normal though but I just wanted to make sure.

This wouldn't have anything to do with Word but your Java is out of date. Go HERE and download the Offline Install to your Desktop.
After it is downloaded close your browser and go to Add/Remove and Uninstall all old versions of Java you find there. Once those are all uninstalled then double click that install file on the desktop and install the new version. When the install is complete go to the Download page again and click Verify Now to verify the install was successful.
The slow loading of the various programs "might" be due to the Bitdefender program scanning them before they open.

[SeeJay023]

Okay I just updated Java. I'll keep looking for another antivirus program but for now I guess I'll keep Bitdefender. Thanks for your help!

[jholland1964]

There are two excellent FREE programs you can try. Avira Free (which I use) and Avast Free. Both are highly regarded and offer superb protection.
Judy