Very slow system

[Mhensien]

I have a Dell Vostro 3555 laptop with an AMD A6-3400 CPU, 3.GB RAM, 64-bit operating system. Over the last couple of months, the machine has gotten slower and slower. I first noticed an increase in the amount of time for the computer to start up, and now the lag affects every application. Based on what I have read in previous threads, the first place to start in correcting this issue is to examine the system start up. One question I have is what the minimum processes that should be allowed at system start up? This is a fairly simple machine, that primarily only runs an antivirus program, Microsoft Office, and Google Chrome.

Any suggestions or ideas on how to improve performance of this very slow computer are much appreciated.

 

[linnemeyerhere]

I would down load the free version (highly suggest a paid version later) of Malwarebtyes and run several deep scans. Then if you know how you should look in your start up file and likely lots of programs that can be removed for faster and cleaner boot.

 

[Mhensien]

Thanks for your prompt reply. I did run the Malwarebytes scan twice. The first scan did identify some files. The second scan came back clean. I do notice an improvement in system performance. Would additional scans be beneficial?
Regarding system start up - are there any guidelines to follow as to what programs should be included/excluded?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Great news and keep that Malwarebyte scanning up on a regular basis. Yes you can disable all and then go back in and only add back in Malwarebytes and your antivirus and possibly anything else related to getting online etc. Windows will add back everything it needs. Then reboot and see how everything functions. You can always come back and Enable all again if you get into a jam.

 

[ThrashZone]

Hi all windows really needs on startup is your Unknown antivirus,
Post some screen shots of your startup section using Start and type msconfig for a better idea of what you have loading with windows,
Which if mbam found items it might need further review
Cheers.

 

[Mhensien]

Performance is much improved, however still sluggish.
I was able to create a jpg file of the start up screen, but am having a problem copying it to this screen. Any suggestions?

 

[linnemeyerhere]

Use the paperclip and locate the file then hit download then come back to the paperclip and attach.

 

[Mhensien]

thanks

 

[linnemeyerhere]

That's perfect, nothing to do there!

 

[Mhensien]

Any suggestions for how to reduce or eliminate the sluggishness? I've tested other computers that use the same router/modem and those machines do not have the same issue, so I'm pretty sure it is not a communication issue.

 

[andrew129260]

If you were infected, lets see if anything is hanging around:

1.) Download herdprotect: (choose the portable version)

Download herdProtect - Free Anti-Malware Platform

2.) Run the scan.

3.) When the scan finishes, save the results per the screenshot below. Then upload the log here.

DO NOT REMOVE ANYTHING YET. I will advise if anything needs removed when I receive the log.

Attached Images

 

[Mhensien]

I don't see an option to Save the results, but nothing has been removed yet. Here are the results:

 

[Mayank Parmar]

Another good tool is Trojan Remover (Download Trojan Remover), an advantage of this tool is that it can also repair important windows service if they are disabled or may have gone corrupt.

you can try to run hitman pro (Downloads - SurfRight), if it detects any infection related with MBR or boot volume, then do not replace/repair/delete that file as it may lead to no boot scenario. i will advice you to run hitman pro in Safe Mode With Networking


I will recommend you to run hitman pro if not to remove detection then altleast to check if there is any infection left post running other tools

 

[jimbo45]

Hi there

IMO the BEST solution would be to TOTALLY re-install Windows and then take a CLEAN backup image which you could restore if your machine gets infected.

While you are at it if you could run to swapping the HDD with an SSD you'd immediately gain a HUGE improvement -- slow HDD's can kill any system no matter how much RAM or how powerful the processor is.

In any case once you are up and running take regular backups and keep OS + Pgms in its own partition (about 50 GB should be more than enough). Keep data etc in other partitions or on different HDD's.

Cheers
jimbo

 

[andrew129260]

I don't see an option to Save the results, but nothing has been removed yet. Here are the results:

View attachment 330667

Hmm odd. Mine has the option to still save results after scanning, and I have the latest version. Lets dig deeper. Remove the adware pups listed. Then rescan with herdprotect and make sure they are gone.

I would like you to scan with Hitman Pro.

1.) Download hitman pro here for your windows version and install it.

2.) Open hitman pro. Click next.

Read and Accept the license agreement, then checkmark the box and click next.

Choose to only run a one time with this computer and click next

The scan will start, wait until it completes, then click the save log button.

Choose a place to save it for upload later

Close out of hitman pro.

Find the log file wherever you saved it and upload it using the paperclip

 

[shadedgrey63]

Do you know if this computer uses a Nvidia Graphics card?

 

[Mhensien]

The display adapter is AMD Radeon HD 6520G

Attached is the log from hitman View attachment HitmanProlog.txt

Performance is much better since running hitman

 

[andrew129260]

You can safely remove everything found by hitmanpro. You can activate the free license and remove everything.

Rescan with herdprotect and report the findings.

 

[Mhensien]

scan results are attached. The system is running much better. Still some slight lag, but very much improved.

 

[Mayank Parmar]

All the detection can be deleted, you can activate the 30 days trial version to delete the infections.
If computer still runs slow, then also check the device manager. Also, check the "hidden devices" to check if there is anything with any yellow or red sign.
Also, sometimes the user account can also go corrupt, and the best fix for this issue will be to create new user account and transfer the data from old account