[jakeking]

Hi i am using Vista Home Premium on my laptop and everytime i open any folder eg my document, my computer it takes nearly 10 secs to load up properly, can anyone help me please as its makin me depressed especially when i purchased it not long ago

[RandyL]

A slow running computer is usually caused by malware, too many startup items or a failing hard drive.

You could run chkdsk to see if there are any errors.

Open Computer and right click the hard drive.
Click Properties.
Click Tools.
In Error-checking click Check Now.

If you just want to see the results of the scan and not fix anything uncheck both boxes and click Start.

If you want it to find and repair physical errors on the drive select Scan For and Attempt Recovery of Bad Sectors.

What is the make and model?
What security do you have?
Did you install any programs before this started happening?

[Goku]

Hello and Welcome to Free PC Help Jake.

I am not surprised by this behaviour as Windows Vista tries to create a thumbnail for every file present in the Window. This slows down the display process especially if the folder contains videos and music files. Fortunately, the feature can be turned off.

How to Turn Off and Disable Thumbnail Preview in Vista

Make the changes, save your settings and restart the computer. Does the window still take time to load?

-- Goku

[Dalo Harkin]

Jake,

Can you list the parts inside your computer -
RAM
CPU
GPU etc please

[jakeking]

Hi, heres my laptop spec..

Toshiba, Windows Vista Home Premium
Intel Pentium Dual CPU T2370 1.73GHZ, 2.GB Ram

I've just checked my hardrive but there wasn't any problems with it.

I am currently using AVG anti virus and the high class Windows Defender, erm not too sure, think it was fine when i installed some softwares didn't really notice it starting to slow down and till recently. Is there another to fix this problem??

[Seth]

Hi Jake.

Run the system through our malware removal procedure:

• Malware is software designed to infiltrate or damage a computer system without the owner's informed consent.
  It is a combination of the words malicious and software.
  The expression is a general term used by computer professionals to mean a variety of forms of hostile, intrusive, or annoying software or program code.

• Required Cleanup Steps
  1. Disable the Spybot Search & Destroy TEA TIMER if you use it and if it is enabled
  2. Run a Temporary file and cache cleaner (ATF)
  3. Run 2 Anti-Malware scanners (Listed Below)
  4. Run an Online Anti-Virus / Anti-Malware Scanner (Listed Below)
  5. Clear out old System Restore points
  6. If continued Malware type activity is present you may be asked to post a TrendMicro™ HijackThis™ Log file, do not do so unless requested.

The reason to run multiple scanners is to ensure that no single scanner is missing something.
The time it takes will vary depending on your system and your internet connection speed.
Typically the SUPERAntiSpyware and Malwarebytes scanners will take between 10 to 90 minutes.
The ESET online scan should take between 1 to 3 hours.
In most cases, these scans will suffice to clean and disinfect your computer.
Heavily infected systems or slower PCs can take much longer to scan and clean.

For best results print the following instructions and bookmark this Web page
To keep this guide printer-friendly, use your cursor to highlight the contents below.
From your browser select File - Print and in the printer dialog box under "Print range"
click the Selection choice to print out these instructions for removal of malware.

____________________________________________

STEP 1

• Disable Spybot Search & Destroys' TEA TIMER: (if installed, if not go to Step 2)
  1. Run Spybot-S&D in Advanced Mode.
  2. If it is not already set to do this Go to the Mode menu select "Advanced Mode"
  3. On the left hand side, Click on Tools
  4. Then click on the Resident Icon in the List
  5. Uncheck "Resident TeaTimer" and OK any prompts.
  6. Restart your computer.

__________________________________________________

STEP 2

• Follow these instructions carefully.
• Download ATF-Cleaner from Snapfiles.com to remove un-needed temporary files from your computer that may contain malware.
• You can also download it from Majorgeeks.com
• When you run ATF-Cleaner, check the items as shown below for Main.
• For FireFox, be sure to click on the FireFox tab on top and check the items as shown below for FireFox
• NOTE: If you don't have FireFox or Opera installed then they will be grayed out and can be ignored
• Then click on "Empty Selected".

.

__________________________________________________

STEP 3

• Install and run the free version (not the Professional version) of SUPERAntiSpyware from SUPERAntiSpyware.com
  • Accept any prompts to allow SUPERAntiSpyware to install the latest rules and infection definition files.
  • You do not have to send them your e-mail address, just click next.
  • You can leave the automated check for updates on.
  • You can uncheck "Send a diagnostic report to research center" if you don't want to send the information.
  • DO NOT allow SUPERAntiSpyware to protect your Home Page settings.
  • On the Top Left select the Scan your computer button.
  • Make sure there is a CHECK MARK on all Fixed Drives.
  • Click "Perform a Complete Scan". Click "Next" to Repair issues found and reboot the computer when prompted to do so.

__________________________________________________

STEP 4

• Install and run Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware from Malwarebytes - (direct download)
  • Accept all defaults for the installer
  • Allow the program to update the definitions
  • Click on the Quick Scan and click Next.
  • If any items are found allow it to clean them and then Reboot your computer.

__________________________________________________

STEP 5

• Run an online scan with ESET from Free Virus Scan: Use ESET's Online Antivirus Scanner
  • You must use Internet Explorer for this online scan. FireFox, Opera, etc will not work for this scan.
  • If your computer is running Window's Vista, then you must first start Internet Explorer as an Administrator. To do so, right-click on the Internet Explorer icon in the Start Menu and select "Run as administrator" from the popup context menu.
  • Accept the terms and click "Start".
  • Once the scanner is ready, check "Remove found threats" AND "Scan unwanted applications".
  • Click "Start" to begin the scan.
  • When completed restart your computer

__________________________________________________

Make sure your internet firewall security is enabled, and then please return to Free PC Help and tell us how the computer seems to be operating.
At that time, you will receive instructions to assist you in removing malicious programs from your Add/Remove program list if warranted.

If required this is the download link for TrendMicro™ HijackThis™
Unless instructed to by the Technician helping you then do not download this tool.

Once you and the Technician agree that your system appears to be clean then you should delete all your System Restore points and recreate a new one.
Please follow the instructions here
How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows XP
How to turn off and turn on System Restore in Windows Vista

[jakeking]

Hi i have done the following steps but it still doesn't work

...........think it was fine when i installed some softwares didn't really notice it starting to slow down and till recently.

What was the software?

[Seth]

Press Ctr-Alt-Del at the same time then go into Task Manager. Click on the processes tab and post back with any items that take up more than 10% of the cpu and/or 100,000K of memory. Also look for the memory's Commit Charge and post back with what it says. It will look something like "Commit Charge 277M/1250M".

[jakeking]

Hi, the only item that uses more than 10% of CPU is System Idle Process and no memory goes over 100,000k, the closest is svhost 48,936k. I can't find the "Commit Charge 277M/1250M".

The softwares i install are...

Windows Messenger
Winrar
DivX Player
AVG Anti Virus
Mozilla Firefox
Adobe Reader
Real Player
CCleaner

thats mainly it including those softwares Seth recommended.

Well CCleaner can be dodgy if not used correctly but can you run HJT and post back.

Please download the latest version of HijackThis from Trend Micro and click on Download Hijack This Installer and save it to your desktop.

• Doubleclick HJTInstall.exe to install HijackThis.
• By default it will install to C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis .
• Click on Install.
• It will create a HijackThis icon on the desktop.
• Once installed, it will launch Hijackthis.
• Click on the Do a system scan and save a logfile button. It will scan and the log should open in Notepad. Include this log by copying and pasting in your next reply.

Notes:
Do not use the AnalyseThis button, its findings are dangerous if misinterpreted.
Do not have Hijackthis fix anything yet. Most of what it finds will be harmless, or required for your computer to run like it should.

[jakeking]

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 18:04:39, on 08/11/2008
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6001.18000)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Windows\System32\igfxtray.exe
C:\Windows\System32\igfxpers.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\NDSTray.exe
C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\Power Saver\TPwrMain.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\SmoothView\SmoothView.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\FlashCards\TCrdMain.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\Registration\ToshibaRegistration.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
C:\Windows\WindowsMobile\wmdSync.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Program Files\Camera Assistant Software for Toshiba\CEC_MAIN.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSwMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\msc\mcuimgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = Google
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = MSN.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = Live Search
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = Live Search
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = MSN.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.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: McAfee Phishing Filter - {377C180E-6F0E-4D4C-980F-F45BD3D40CF4} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\msk\mcapbho.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Safe Search - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: scriptproxy - {7DB2D5A0-7241-4E79-B68D-6309F01C5231} - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee\VIRUSS~1\scriptsn.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar1.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_07\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IgfxTray] C:\Windows\system32\igfxtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Persistence] C:\Windows\system32\igfxpers.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NDSTray.exe] NDSTray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mcagent_exe] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe /runkey
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [topi] C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\Toshiba Online Product Information\topi.exe -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Camera Assistant Software] "C:\Program Files\Camera Assistant Software for Toshiba\traybar.exe" /start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TPwrMain] %ProgramFiles%\TOSHIBA\Power Saver\TPwrMain.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HSON] %ProgramFiles%\TOSHIBA\TBS\HSON.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SmoothView] %ProgramFiles%\Toshiba\SmoothView\SmoothView.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [00TCrdMain] %ProgramFiles%\TOSHIBA\FlashCards\TCrdMain.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Toshiba Registration] C:\Program Files\Toshiba\Registration\ToshibaRegistration.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG8_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Mobile-based device management] %windir%\WindowsMobile\wmdSync.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: [Adobe Reader Speed Launcher] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\Reader_sl.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [SUPERAntiSpyware] C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background (User 'Default user')
O4 - .DEFAULT User Startup: TRDCReminder.lnk = C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TRDCReminder\TRDCReminder.exe (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\PROGRA~1\Java\JRE16~3.0_0\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\PROGRA~1\Java\JRE16~3.0_0\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~3\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O16 - DPF: {56762DEC-6B0D-4AB4-A8AD-989993B5D08B} (OnlineScanner Control) - http://www.eset.eu/buxus/docs/OnlineScanner.cab
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG8\avgpp.dll
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: avgrsstx.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: AVG8 E-mail Scanner (avg8emc) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG8 WatchDog (avg8wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG8\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: ConfigFree Service - TOSHIBA CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSvcs.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Services (mcmscsvc) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\MSC\mcmscsvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Network Agent (McNASvc) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mna\mcnasvc.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Scanner (McODS) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcods.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Proxy Service (McProxy) - McAfee, Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\mcafee\mcproxy\mcproxy.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Real-time Scanner (McShield) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcshield.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee SystemGuards (McSysmon) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee\VIRUSS~1\mcsysmon.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\MPF\MPFSrv.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Anti-Spam Service (MSK80Service) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee\MSK\MskSrver.exe
O23 - Service: TOSHIBA Navi Support Service (TNaviSrv) - TOSHIBA Corporation - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TOSHIBA DVD PLAYER\TNaviSrv.exe
O23 - Service: TOSHIBA Optical Disc Drive Service (TODDSrv) - TOSHIBA Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\TODDSrv.exe
O23 - Service: TOSHIBA Power Saver (TosCoSrv) - TOSHIBA Corporation - c:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\Power Saver\TosCoSrv.exe
O23 - Service: TOSHIBA SMART Log Service - TOSHIBA Corporation - c:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\SMARTLogService\TosIPCSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Ulead Burning Helper (UleadBurningHelper) - Ulead Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ulead Systems\DVD\ULCDRSvr.exe
O23 - Service: XAudioService - Conexant Systems, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\xaudio.exe

--
End of file - 9523 bytes

[Seth]

No malware in the log, but If you're going to use Mcafee, you should uninstall AVG and test the system.

Also see if the problem persists in Safe Mode.

[jakeking]

Hi, well i uninstalled AVG but its still slow but during safe mode its fine

[Seth]

Originally Posted by jakeking

Hi, well i uninstalled AVG but its still slow but during safe mode its fine

Excellent. Now we're on the right diagnostic path to find the culprit.

Disconnect from the internet and click on Start>Run, and type in msconfig. Put a a dot on Selective Startup and click on the Startup tab. Click on Disable All and then apply the settings. Start the computer and the problem (in theory) should be gone.

Either way, re-connect your internet, go back to msconfig and enable your internet security and we'll take it from there.

[jakeking]

its till slow, i feel like slamming my laptop lol