PC extremely slow and hangs up quite often

[ajayritik]

Currently my PC has become extremely slow and hangs up quite often. I have a decent Antivirus so not sure whether the problem is with some virus infection.

Is there something I can do to check if there is some virus, trojan etc.

Operating System: Windows XP SP2
Antivirus:Bit Secure
Firewall:Comodo

Kindly help!

[Tech&ME]

First post your complete system specs.

With the version of windows installed , i.e. Windows XP Pro SP1, etc.

[thetechfreak]

Windows get bogged down and slows down after long term use.

Disable all unrequired processes from Task manager.
iTunes, Adobe quick launcher,etc

Do a scan & cleanup using this-

CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

[sygeek]

Please do a full scan, and report back.

Also, download HiJackThis and send back the log.

[ajayritik]

Originally Posted by thetechfreak

Disable all unrequired processes from Task manager.
iTunes, Adobe quick launcher,etc

Do a scan & cleanup using this-

CCleaner - Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

Already disabled unwanted processes etc.
Already have CCleaner and using it often.

Originally Posted by SyGeek

Please do a full scan, and report back.

Also, download HiJackThis and send back the log.

Already done a full scan and found some minor things which I have deleted. These look like some cracks etc which have been detected by antivirus as threat.
Will surely check Hijack this.

[thetechfreak]

Please post a image of all process in Task manager. I have a suspicion of virus infection.

Also try a scan with this-
HouseCall - Free Online Virus Scan - Trend Micro USA

[Tech&ME]

Originally Posted by ajayritik

Already disabled unwanted processes etc.
Already have CCleaner and using it often.


Already done a full scan and found some minor things which I have deleted. These look like some cracks etc which have been detected by antivirus as threat.
Will surely check Hijack this.

You are surely in trouble. You defenitely have dangerous and malicious trojon in your computer.

I will recommend you to take a backup of all important files from your computer and then Re-Install windows XP to get rid of it.

This is the best method, I guess.

[gameranand]

Hmm you could have a real bichin Virus in your system. Or maybe your hardware is malfunctioning I was facing this problem and did all things for nothing only to find that my CPU temp is too high.

[cute.bandar]

1. monitor cpu usage , to see if any particular process is responsible.
2. Disable unnecessary startup apps.
3. try changing the antivirus(security essentials). Sometimes a bad antivirus is responsible for slowing things down .

[mithun_mrg]

Ur best bet is to backup(On a External or Spare HDD) and perform a clean reinstall of OS & before installing any software or drivers install the Antivirus first update it then perform all the other tasks

BTW Microsoft Security Essentials is a good one but u have to use a genuine copy of windows to install it.

[TheMost]

BitSecure ??

That Doesn't sound Good ///

Try a boot time scan with avast free ..

[Sam]

@OP, do you shut down your PC properly everytime or just press the UPS switch?

also download & install Emsisoft Antimalware & do a full PC scan.

[ajayritik]

Originally Posted by Sam

@OP, do you shut down your PC properly everytime or just press the UPS switch?

also download & install Emsisoft Antimalware & do a full PC scan.

I shut down the PC everytime the conventional way. Would there be some folks who would turn off the UPS Swith instead? Sure?

Originally Posted by TheMost

BitSecure ??

That Doesn't sound Good ///

Try a boot time scan with avast free ..

Will surely try bro!

Originally Posted by mithun_mrg

Ur best bet is to backup(On a External or Spare HDD) and perform a clean reinstall of OS & before installing any software or drivers install the Antivirus first update it then perform all the other tasks

BTW Microsoft Security Essentials is a good one but u have to use a genuine copy of windows to install it.

The problem is I don't have a spare HDD atleast not which can hold the data I have currently on my HDD.

Originally Posted by cute.bandar

1. monitor cpu usage , to see if any particular process is responsible.
2. Disable unnecessary startup apps.
3. try changing the antivirus(security essentials). Sometimes a bad antivirus is responsible for slowing things down .

Not sure how to identify which process running in task manager maybe a little fishy.
I have already disabled the unnecessary start up items.
Have been using the antvirus for almost 5 months now. Not sure if it's the antivirus which is slowing down the PC

Originally Posted by gameranand

Hmm you could have a real bichin Virus in your system. Or maybe your hardware is malfunctioning I was facing this problem and did all things for nothing only to find that my CPU temp is too high.

Any way to check what is the ideal temp for my CPU and also measure the temperature?

Originally Posted by Tech&ME

You are surely in trouble. You defenitely have dangerous and malicious trojon in your computer.

I will recommend you to take a backup of all important files from your computer and then Re-Install windows XP to get rid of it.

This is the best method, I guess.

Looks best method but maybe time consuming. Will give it a try as last resort.


Thanks all for your suggestions. Will try to incorporate the suggestions.

[rawgeek]

Please run following commands and paste the o/p here:
1. fltmc
2. tasklist /svc

Keep the system with only microsoft services running.Go to run->msconfig->services tab->Hide all microsoft services->disable the rest....also go to Startup tab and disable all startup items.

Also can u run process explorer at the time of the issue....take a screen shot and post it here: Process Explorer

Anti-Virus could be a cause of the problem for slowing down the system.We may have to set up your system for a manual Kernal Dump at the time of the hang to get to the cause of the problem.....but.....for now kindly follow the plan above

[ajayritik]

Originally Posted by SyGeek

Also, download HiJackThis and send back the log.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 10:54:37 PM, on 6/24/2011
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)
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\COMODO\COMODO Internet Security\cmdagent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Blue Coat K9 Web Protection\k9filter.exe
C:\Program Files\BitSecure Antivirus System\BitSecureAPSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\BitSecure Antivirus System\BitSecureScanSvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Shared files\RichVideo.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\COMODO\COMODO Internet Security\cfp.exe
C:\Program Files\BitSecure Antivirus System\BsGui.exe
C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexStoreSvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\plugin-container.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\notepad.exe
C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = about:blank
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.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
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SigmatelSysTrayApp] sttray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [COMODO Internet Security] "C:\Program Files\COMODO\COMODO Internet Security\cfp.exe" -h
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BsGui] "C:\Program Files\BitSecure Antivirus System\BsGui.exe" 0
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RemoteControl] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\PDVDServ.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LanguageShortcut] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\PowerDVD\Language\Language.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BgMonitor_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA}] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BitTorrent] "C:\Program Files\BitTorrent\bittorrent.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [uTorrent] "C:\Documents and Settings\Andrew\Desktop\utorrent.exe"
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Restrictions present
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O6 - HKLM\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
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
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{24AE4741-2A66-4BF3-A641-236E67D43527}: NameServer = 218.248.255.147 218.248.255.146
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{24AE4741-2A66-4BF3-A641-236E67D43527}: NameServer = 218.248.255.147 218.248.255.146
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\WINDOWS\system32\guard32.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Blue Coat K9 Web Protection (bckwfs) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Blue Coat K9 Web Protection\k9filter.exe
O23 - Service: BitSecureAPSvc - BitSecure Labs - C:\Program Files\BitSecure Antivirus System\BitSecureAPSvc.exe
O23 - Service: BitSecureScanSvc - BitSecure Labs - C:\Program Files\BitSecure Antivirus System\BitSecureScanSvc.exe
O23 - Service: COMODO Internet Security Helper Service (cmdAgent) - COMODO - C:\Program Files\COMODO\COMODO Internet Security\cmdagent.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: OracleOraHome92TNSListener - Unknown owner - D:\oracle\ora92\BIN\TNSLSNR.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: OracleServiceCHARLES - Unknown owner - d:\oracle\ora92\bin\ORACLE.EXE (file missing)
O23 - Service: Cyberlink RichVideo Service(CRVS) (RichVideo) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\CyberLink\Shared files\RichVideo.exe

--
End of file - 5493 bytes

Originally Posted by thetechfreak

Please post a image of all process in Task manager.

[Vyom]

haha!!
Reason of slowness found!
Virus or not, but that SQL server background service must be taking a hell lot of Memory and CPU!!!!
If you don't use SQL server, disable the service. If you do use it, increase the RAM. ( I am not sure about RAM, since you have not mentioned, how much RAM you have already).

Edit: 42 processes are high. You should use CCleaner/TuneUp utilities/MSconfig, to disable the unnecessary services.

[ajayritik]

Originally Posted by rawgeek

Also can u run process explorer at the time of the issue....take a screen shot and post it here: Process Explorer

[sygeek]

Run in safe mode and see if the problem persists.

[Skud]

Disable all Ahead Nero services from startup. And k9 web protection you are using separately? And why the msiexec.exe running, was you installing something?

And last but not the least, Firefox may also be the culprit.

[gameranand]

Originally Posted by ajayritik

Any way to check what is the ideal temp for my CPU and also measure the temperature?

Use Core Temp for that. Anything lower than 70 under load is good enough.

[topgear]

^^ for intel CPU real temp should be used and for AMD cpu you can use core temp but best temp monitoring apps are HWmonitor and HWinfo32.

BTW, I would suggest OP to upgrade to XP Sp3 first and then to IE8 ( optional ) - they can fix many issues

[Asish Jana]

Originally Posted by ajayritik

Currently my PC has become extremely slow and hangs up quite often. I have a decent Antivirus so not sure whether the problem is with some virus infection.

Is there something I can do to check if there is some virus, trojan etc.

Operating System: Windows XP SP2
Antivirus:Bit Secure
Firewall:Comodo

Kindly help!

ajayritik

I am a new to this forum. Please install Glary Utilities from June,11 DVD and also read about Glary utilities in Tips Tricks in this issue. I have done it and achieved good result. Install ESCAN AV if possible.

[Scientia Wiz]

If you use internet very frequently for downloading many things then do one thing that where ever you save a those files scan that whole thing with a registered antivirus !

[Asish Jana]

Corrigendum to my previous reply
Please read Tips & Tricks at Page No.51 of June,11 issue.
Please try ESET smart security instead of ESCAN.

[ajayritik]

I think the culprit would have been one of the pen drives which I had connected to copy some stuff. I find after this instance I started getting this problem.
Maybe the antivirus is also not strong enough.

Originally Posted by thetechfreak

Also try a scan with this-
HouseCall - Free Online Virus Scan - Trend Micro USA

Earlier House call used to be an online virus scan right? Now when I checked the link it gives me an option to download it? Do I download this, install and run the scan? I would prefer an online scan without installing it though.

[thetechfreak]

Its the same. Dont worry. Download and run installer from link I gave. Do complete scan.

[ajayritik]

When I downloaded and ran the scan the PC restarted all of sudden. Does this indicate some infection?

[Vyom]

Antivirus may have restarted to remove the files infected with Virus during boot time. So this could indicate an infection.
On the other hand, it does give you a proper message, like "PC is being restarted to remove the infected files". So if it was all of a sudden, it could also be some h/w problem!

[ajayritik]

I have rerun the scan its going on for the past 2hrs 13 mins without any Threats Found.
I'm surprised.

Should I uninstall the current Antivirus and may be download some other AV like Avira or Avast? Pleas suggest!

[Vyom]

Can't tell, let the virus scan complete.