Re: XP Startup glitch and slow downloads

From: Lex (brendan0813_at_hotmail.com)
Date: 12/04/04 

Date: 4 Dec 2004 13:58:27 -0800

Chuck <none@example.net> wrote in message news:<p4mmq0hmphdog9qm73tcj7ffdpc92au538@4ax.com>...
> 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

Thanks Chuck. I am going to try all these to see if it fixes it.

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