Re: XP Startup glitch and slow downloads
From: Chuck (none_at_example.net)
Date: 11/29/04
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Date: 29 Nov 2004 11:21:07 -0600
On 29 Nov 2004 08:50:55 -0800, brendan0813@hotmail.com (Lex) wrote:
>Hello, I was hoping someone here could help me with this problem I'm
>having.
>
>Firstly my system specs:
>
>OS: WINDOWS XP SERVICE PACK 1
>PROCESSOR: AMD64 3200+
>MOTHERBOARD: MSI NEO PLATINUM K8N
>RAM: 1GB KINGSTON 3700
>HARDRIVES: 74 GB WESTERN DIGITAL RAPTOR and 80GB WD CAVIAR
>VIDEO CARD: MSI RADEON 9800XT
>SOUNDCARD: TURTLE BEACH SANTA CRUZ
>ROUTER: DLINK DI-784
>NETWORK INTERFACE CARD: DLINK DWL-AG530
>CABLE MODEM: RCA DCM305R
>OTHER: NORTON SECURITY AND ANTIVIRUS 2004 WITH LATEST UPDATES
<SNIP>
>It seems the longer I keep it running, the more tasks I do, the slower
>and laggier the system starts to become until finally something causes
>it to freeze up and force me to reboot. I was wondering if perhaps
>there are too many services running in the background that are eating
>up my memory and causing conflicts. I used to run Windows 2000 and
>never had any problems like this. That system seemed rock solid
>compared to this.
>
>In addition to this, I'm also having a problem with slow downloads
>when using peer to peer programs like kazaalite or shareaza. It shows
>in the program logs that most of my connections are lost or closed.
>Most that do initiate decay to a rate of 0kb/sec and close. Another
>older computer downstairs running Win2000 has the same problem even
>when connected directly to the cable modem. A Mac Laptop we have
>seems to work alright when connected directly to the modem but shows
>the same problem when connected wirelessly. Browsing the internet and
>downloading large files from an internet server works fine, but not
>peer to peer connections. Does anybody know why this is? I see that
>the Mac uses a network protocol called IPv6. I tried to replicate the
>success on my windows machines by installing this protocol but no such
>luck. I opened up the necessary ports in the router and I know it
>should work because it was working at a previous time with these same
>router settings.
<SNIP>
>Lastly, is there a tweak or windows xp guide that you could recommend
>that may help me alleviate my issues? After spending the money and
>time building this system I would like to get the performance I know
>it's capable of. Any help would be greatly appreciated.
Lex,
For an overall diagnosis, try <http://www.pcpitstop.com/default.asp>.
You would also do well for yourself by running a comprehensive virus and spyware
scan.
Try one or more of these free online virus scans, which should complement your
current protection:
<http://www.bitdefender.com/scan/license.php>
<http://www.pandasoftware.com/activescan>
<http://www.ravantivirus.com/scan/>
<http://security.symantec.com/ssc/home.asp>
<http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp>
Now check for, and learn to defend against, additional problems - adware,
crapware, spyware.
Start by downloading each of the following additional free tools:
AdAware <http://www.lavasoftusa.com/>
CWShredder <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4086.html>
HijackThis <http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155>
LSP-Fix <http://www.cexx.org/lspfix.htm>
WinsockXPFix <http://www.spychecker.com/program/winsockxpfix.html>
Spybot S&D <http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download>
Stinger <http://us.mcafee.com/virusInfo/default.asp?id=stinger>
TrendMicro Engine <http://www.trendmicro.com/download/dcs.asp>
TrendMicro Signatures <http://www.trendmicro.com/download/pattern.asp>
TrendMicro Instructions <http://www.trendmicro.com/ftp/products/tsc/readme.txt>
Create a separate folder for HijackThis, such as C:\HijackThis - copy the
downloaded file there. Create a separate folder for the two TrendMicro files,
such as C:\TrendMicro - copy the downloaded files there (unzipped if necessary).
AdAware, CWShredder, and Spybot S&D have install routines - run them. The other
downloaded programs can be copied into, and run from, any convenient folder.
First, run Stinger. Have it remove any problems found.
Next, close all Internet Explorer and Outlook windows, and run CWShredder. Have
it fix all problems found.
Next, disable System Restore.
<http://vil.nai.com/vil/SystemHelpDocs/DisableSysRestore.htm>
Boot your computer into Safe Mode.
http://support.microsoft.com/?id=315222
Run C:\TrendMicro\Sysclean.com. Delete any infectors found. Reboot your
computer, and re enable System Restore.
Next, run AdAware. First update it ("Check for updates now"), configure for
full scan (<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=11150>), then
scan. When scanning finishes, remove all Critical Objects found.
Next, run Spybot S&D. First update it ("Search for updates"), then run a scan
("Check for problems"). Trust Spybot, and delete everything ("Fix Problems")
that is displayed in Red.
Then, run HijackThis ("Scan"). Do NOT make any changes immediately. Save the
HJT Log.
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=227>
<http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=11150>
Finally, have your HJT log interpreted by experts at one or more of the
following security forums (and please post a link to your forum posts, here):
Aumha: <http://forum.aumha.org/index.php>
Net-Integration: <http://forums.net-integration.net/>
Spyware Info: <http://forums.spywareinfo.com/>
Spyware Warrior: <http://spywarewarrior.com/index.php>
Tom Coyote: <http://forums.tomcoyote.org/>
If removal of any spyware affects your ability to access the internet (some
spyware builds itself into the network software, and its removal may damage your
network), run LSP-Fix and / or WinsockXPFIx.
Finally, improve your chances for the future.
Harden your browser. There are various websites which will check for
vulnerabilities, here are three which I use.
http://www.jasons-toolbox.com/BrowserSecurity/
http://bcheck.scanit.be/bcheck/
https://testzone.secunia.com/browser_checker/
Block Internet Explorer ActiveX scripting from hostile websites (Restricted
Zone).
<https://netfiles.uiuc.edu/ehowes/www/main.htm> (IE-SpyAd)
Block known dangerous scripts from installing.
<http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html>
Block known spyware from installing.
<http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareguard.html>
Make sure that the spyware detection / protection products that you use are
reliable:
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/rogue_anti-spyware.htm
Harden your operating system. Check at least monthly for security updates.
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/
Block possibly dangerous websites with a Hosts file. Three Hosts file sources I
use:
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html
http://www.mvps.org/winhelp2002/hosts.htm
(The third is included, and updated, with Spybot (see above)).
Maintain your Hosts file (merge / eliminate duplicate entries) with:
eDexter <http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/get_hosts.html>
Hostess <http://accs-net.com/hostess/>
Secure your operating system, and applications. Don't use, or leave activated,
any accounts with names or passwords with trivial (guessable) values. Don't use
an account with administrative authority, except when you're intentionally doing
administrative tasks.
Use common sense. Yours. Don't install software based upon advice from unknown
sources. Don't install free software, without researching it carefully. Don't
open email unless you know who it's from, and how and why it was sent.
Educate yourself. Know what the risks are. Stay informed. Read Usenet, and
various web pages that discuss security problems. Check the logs from the
security products that you use regularly, look for things that don't belong, and
take action when necessary.
How did I get infected in the first place?
http://forums.net-integration.net/index.php?showtopic=3051
Essential tips for infection prevention
http://forums.spywareinfo.com/index.php?showtopic=24339
-- Cheers, Chuck Paranoia comes from experience - and is not necessarily a bad thing.
- Next message: brian: "Re: Almost got it - just a little wireless help please"
- Previous message: Lex: "XP Startup glitch and slow downloads"
- In reply to: Lex: "XP Startup glitch and slow downloads"
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