Computer slowdown

[redman]

I'm not currently using Avast at the moment but I do have significant computer slowdown issues with my current anti virus product. I'd be interested to hear what Avast users have to say about how it affects the performance of their PC's. My PC has a Pentium 4 processor (2.1 GHz), 512Mb DDR and 80Gb hard drive. The operating system is Windows XP Home SP2.

[claybird]

I have an Intel Celeron 2.8Ghz processor, 512Mb of Ram, a 17Gb & an 40Gb HDD and I connect to the Internet via DSL.  I notice a 10-15 second slowdown when loading whichever browser I am using at the time (I use MSIE6.0, Mozilla Firefox 0.9, and Opera 6.0 at various times).  Once loaded, everything moves along as normal.  I use the AVG Home version (free) and have tried Symantec, McAfee, and AVS Pro.  AVG is, so far, the best of the lot.  I wouldn't have McAfee on my computer again because of its slowdown - makes my computer run like a 486/25mhz!

[galooma]

i would suggest you download a copy of HJT and post a log for us to have a closer look at whats holding your system back
you can download it here http://hijackthis.de/index.php?langselect=english

[DavidR]

As you can see from my sig. below, your system in theory should run rings round mine and I see no significant slowdown with avast installed.

However, no to computers will be the same even with the same processor, ram, hdd as there are too many other permutations. Programs/Processes running when they aren't required, programs that are running and you feel are required all have a load.

[Lisandro]

Slowdown?
Well, it basically depends on the security level you opted.
Customize (no scanning at open/create/modify files) and see what can you get on performance...  
Which is your firewall? Do you use any other resident antivirus?

[Eddy]

Slowdowns are mostly caused by malware and things running in the background that are not needed for the system to function. Have you done as suggested (HijackThis)? Click on the link in my signature and follow the instructions in the malware removal section and visit the HijackThis section. I think you will find both very usefull and I hope it solves your little problem.

Not that I mind if you would switch to Avast ofcourse

[redman]

I briefly tried Avast again (after exiting Bit Defender first and disabling its startup shortcut) but everything slowed down almost to a complete standstill (about 10 minutes to reboot and another 5 to shut down). After uninstalling Avast, everything returned to normal, except that a few strange things had happened (e.g. my wallpaper cycler program had lost all its categories). Perhaps it was because I didn't take the trouble to close everything down before installing, but I didn't have this problem last time. I'll have another go at this when I have some time on my hands but I have some domestic problems which need urgent attention first. I'll probably try the Hijackthis suggestion first and see what that shows up. I'll post the result into this thread when I've done it. In the meantime, thanks to everyone for their help and suggestions.

[Lisandro]

Redman, sorry, but you have to test avast uninstalling
BitDefender 8 before.
Your system, in my opinion, has a particular configuration: you have a resident scanner installed, just disable the startup item (not the services, not the registry keys, etc.) and wish that avast could work properly on that.
I use BitDefender 7 (free) as my backup scanner, not even a problem with avast!

[redman]

Slowdowns are mostly caused by malware and things running in the background that are not needed for the system to function. Have you done as suggested (HijackThis)? Click on the link in my signature and follow the instructions in the malware removal section and visit the HijackThis section. I think you will find both very usefull and I hope it solves your little problem.

Not that I mind if you would switch to Avast ofcourse

The problem has disappeared now that I have replaced BitDefender 8 with Avast. The HijackThis log file is attached as requested earlier in this thread. Thanks for the advice.

[galooma]

that would have to be the biggest log i have ever seen .
I see remnants/evidence of norton A/V as well as avast! ,That in itself is likely to hold your system back considerably. Did you set this up this way or is it just how things are?
Eddy will probably chime in with a reading and advice on whats safe to remove before i can but if you want to scan this log yourself ,you can through his signature link

[DavidR]

I'm not surprised your computer is running slow, there are loads of issues.

Running your log file through Edy's HJT analyser returns lots of stuff, see attached log.

[Eddy]

You got malware on your system. I suggest you follow the instruction in the malware removal section on my website. (see the link in my signature)

[galooma]

On looking further i see winsock LSP issues as well and perhaps a dose of ADAWARE with the LSP plugin might be a handy addition.

[DavidR]

Check out this link for an on-line report on your log file http://hijackthis.de/logfiles/62e1d39297722169424fea511886f619.html Boy is it big.

[Eddy]

Well, actually this is the result of my HijackThis log analyzer if you would have the latests databases  
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
CHECKING HIJACKTHIS, INTERNET EXPLORER, WINDOWS AND SOFTWARE FIREWALL:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
You are using the latest version of HijackThis.
You are using the latest version of Internet Explorer.
No software firewall detected. If you are not using a
hardware firewall, it is highly recommended to install one.

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THESE ARE EITHER HARMFULL OR A SECURITY RISK
WE STRONGLY RECOMMEND TO FIX THEM :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\robotaskbaricon.exe
r3 - urlsearchhook: (no name) - {be89472c-b803-4d1d-9a9a-0a63660e0fe3} - c:\progra~1\copern~1\copern~1.dll
o2 - bho: (no name) - {724d43a9-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboform.dll
o2 - bho: iewatchobj class - {9527d42f-d666-11d3-b8dd-00600838cd5f} - c:\windows\system32\ietie.dll
o2 - bho: (no name) - {fdd3b846-8d59-4ffb-8758-209b6ad74acc} - (no file)
o3 - toolbar: &roboform - {724d43a0-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboform.dll
o3 - toolbar: (no name) - {e0e899ab-f487-11d5-8d29-0050ba6940e3} - (no file)
o8 - extra context menu item: clear fields&0 - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomclearfields.html
o8 - extra context menu item: customize menu&4 - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomcustomizeiemenu.html
o8 - extra context menu item: fill forms&] - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomfillforms.html
o8 - extra context menu item: roboform&2 - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomshowtoolbar.html
o8 - extra context menu item: save forms&[ - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomsavepass.html
o9 - extra button: fill forms - {320af880-6646-11d3-abee-c5dbf3571f46} - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomfillforms.html
o9 - extra 'tools' menuitem: fill forms&] - {320af880-6646-11d3-abee-c5dbf3571f46} - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomfillforms.html
o9 - extra button: save - {320af880-6646-11d3-abee-c5dbf3571f49} - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomsavepass.html
o9 - extra 'tools' menuitem: save forms&[ - {320af880-6646-11d3-abee-c5dbf3571f49} - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomsavepass.html
o9 - extra button: clear fields - {320af880-6646-11d3-abee-c5dbf3571f54} - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomclearfields.html
o9 - extra 'tools' menuitem: clear fields&0 - {320af880-6646-11d3-abee-c5dbf3571f54} - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomclearfields.html
o9 - extra button: roboform - {724d43aa-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomshowtoolbar.html
o9 - extra 'tools' menuitem: roboform&2 - {724d43aa-0d85-11d4-9908-00400523e39a} - file://c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\roboformcomshowtoolbar.html
o9 - extra button: (no name) - {9819cc0e-9669-4d01-9cd7-2c66da43ac6c} - (no file)
o9 - extra button: trashcan - {072f3b8a-2da2-40e2-b841-88899f240200} - c:\program files\agnitum\outpost firewall\trash.exe (file missing) (hkcu)
o9 - extra 'tools' menuitem: show trashcan - {072f3b8a-2da2-40e2-b841-88899f240200} - c:\program files\agnitum\outpost firewall\trash.exe (file missing) (hkcu)

Also fix all lines starting with o16 - dpf

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
THE FOLLOWING ITEMS ARE NOT NEEDED TO LOAD
AT BOOTIME FOR THE SYSTEM TO WORK PROPERLY:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
o4 - hklm\..\run: [sis khooker] "c:\windows\system32\khooker.exe"
o4 - hklm\..\run: [tkbellexe] c:\program files\common files\real\update_ob\evntsvc.exe -osboot
o4 - hklm\..\run: [nuonsoft wallpaper cycler startuphelper] c:\program files\nuonsoft\wallpapercycler\startuphelper.exe
o4 - hklm\..\run: [diskeepersystray] "c:\program files\executive software\diskeeper\dkicon.exe"
o4 - hklm\..\run: [traybar] c:\program files\traybar\traybar.exe
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [msmsgs] "c:\program files\messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [tracks eraser pro] c:\program files\acesoft\tracks eraser pro\te.exe min
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [screensavercontrol] c:\program files\screensaver control\screensavercontrol.exe
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [wpchanger] "c:\program files\wpchanger\wpchanger.exe"
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [mwsnap] "c:\program files\mwsnap\mwsnap.exe"
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [adsl tray icon] c:\windows\system32\rundll32.exe amecsa.cpl,run_dll  
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [netlaunchxp] c:\program files\netlaunch xp\netlaunchxp.exe
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [xreminder pro] "c:\program files\xreminder pro\xremind.exe"
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [roboform] "c:\program files\siber systems\ai roboform\robotaskbaricon.exe"
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [idman] c:\program files\internet download manager\idman.exe /onboot
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [c:\program files\netmeter\netmeter.exe] c:\program files\netmeter\netmeter.exe
o4 - startup: aisbackup.lnk = c:\program files\aquarius is consultancy\aisbackup\aisbackup.exe
o4 - startup: better memory meter.lnk = c:\program files\zinious software corporation\better memory meter\better memory meter.exe
o4 - startup: digiguide.lnk = c:\program files\digiguide tv guide\client.exe
o4 - startup: eldos timelyweb.lnk = c:\program files\eldos\timelyweb\timelyweb.exe
o4 - global startup: microsoft office.lnk = c:\program files\microsoft office\office\osa9.exe

--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
WE HAVE NO INFO ON THE FOLLOWING ITEMS. THEY CAN BE BAD OR GOOD.
YOU HAVE TO VERIFY THEM MANUALLY. PLEASE TELL US IF YOU HAVE INFO ON THEM :
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
\windows\system32\notifyphonebook.exe
\program files\pimex\pimex.exe
\program files\zzee\enh1\zenh1.exe
o4 - hkcu\..\run: [cookie monster auto-deletion] c:\program files\cookie monster\cookiemonster.exe -auto
o4 - global startup: pimex reminder.lnk = c:\program files\pimex\pimex.exe
o4 - global startup: zzee 1st email anti-virus.lnk = c:\program files\zzee\enh1\zenh1.exe