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What To Dump?

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Post #1
I am almost maxxed on my HD and it would seem that is contributing to my system speed (slow). What are the "no brainer" big ticket items that I ought to be dumping in terms of program software? TY
Post #2 last edited
Hi dphenry

My advice would be to firstly run through these following procedures

  • Click here, Read the topic "How to clean up your hard drive to increase free space, Windows Made Easy", and apply where necessary.

  • Next, Run "PCPitstop Full Tests" from here (Use IE when running the Full Tests, register, create a password, accept the ActiveX)
Post the PCPitstop Results Link into your next reply


PS: You should also continue with your thread in HijackThis™ Logs and Infections Removal as this may be the main reason for your performance issues.

Regards,
Jkc73
Post #4
Move saved files of, for instance, video, tunes, documents, pictures, as much as possible to either of your external HDs.
Attempt to move sufficient quantity of files such that your have "at least" 25% free space on your C:\ internal HD.
____________________-

With reference to you PCPitstop Full Tests….
Have a look at actively running processes that may not be necessary.

To investigate "actively running processes"

Click - Software(tab) (in your Pit Test Results)
Then Click - Processes

Use the color coded recommendations to help determine what you may be able to turn-off.
_____________________________

It appears that you have installed iolo technologies' System Mechanic Professional (8.5)
Which may include an antivirus utility.

You also have AVAST! Antivirus.
Running (2) two antivirus utilities actively can cause conflicts and slow downs.
Consider removing or completely turning off your System Mechanic related AntiVirus.
_____________________

Once you have achieved 25% Free Space on your internal HD…
Run Error Checking (this can be a relatively long process of one or more hours)
then
Run your Defragmenting Utility (also can be a relatively long process of more than one hour)
_______________________

After completing the above, Run a fresh PCPitstop Full Tests and post a fresh link.

Best Regards
Post #6
You can prevent unnecessary processes from starting when you first turn on your computer, by using System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG) to disable them from starting.
The programs and processes will then remain available to you, if you wish to start them manually, but will not be consuming system resources as they are now, until you deliberately select to run them.

Start - Run - (type)MSCONFIG - Enter
Select the StartUps(tab)
Remove the checkmark/tick from in front of any processes that you decide to disable.

(reversing this process will allow them to run at StartUp again if you wish)
In the Pitstop Test Results, you can also double-click on any item that you wish more information about prior to deciding to disable or leave enabled.

Best Regards
Post #8
Looks like you still have some unnecessary process running:

http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=22111400
File Name Description Vendor CPU % RAM MB
ATI Hotkey Utility ATI External Event Utility for WindowsNT and Windows9X ATI Technologies Inc. 0 1
Bonjour Service Bonjour Apple Inc. 0 1
Java™ Quick Starter Service Java™ Platform SE 6 U13 Sun Microsystems, Inc. 0 1
Iomega Active Disk Iomega Active Disk Iomega Corporation 0 1
ATI Hotkey Utility ATI External Event Utility for WindowsNT and Windows9X ATI Technologies Inc. 0 2
ATI taskbar icon ATI Desktop Component ATI Technologies, Inc. 0 4
Sun Java Update Java™ Platform SE 6 U13 Sun Microsystems, Inc. 0 5

And some highly optional processes running:

GoogleToolbarNotifier GoogleToolbarNotifier Google Inc. 0 2
Eraser Eraser The Eraser Project 0 7
PhotoShow Deluxe Media Manager PhotoShow Media Manager Roxio 0 6
Desktop Tools for RIM Handhelds Desktop Tools for RIM Handhelds Research In Motion Limited 0 4
LogMeIn LogMeIn LogMeIn, Inc. 0 6
hpztsb01.exe HP DeskJet HP 0 3
Debugger Microsoft® Visual Studio .NET Microsoft Corporation 0 2
SolidPdfService Solid Converter PDF VoyagerSoft, LLC 0 1
Iomega Zip support Iomega App Services Iomega Corporation 0 1
Desktop Manager Desktop Tools for RIM Handhelds Research In Motion Limited 0 7 utility for Blackberry PDA's BlackBerry Device Manager driver Research In Motion Limited 0 5
eFax Messenger eFax Messenger ™ j2 Global Communications, Inc. 0 2
SUPERAntiSpyware.exe SUPERAntiSpyware SUPERAntiSpyware.com 0 1
eFax Messenger eFax Messenger ™ j2 Global Communications, Inc. 0 8
eFax Messenger PaperMaster Pro ™ j2 Global Communications, Inc. 0 3
eFax Messenger PaperMaster Pro ™ j2 Global Communications, Inc. 0 4
Legitimate WinLogon Microsoft® Windows® Operating System Microsoft Corporation 0 2

From Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools
Run your Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files and empty your Recycle Bin

Run Error Checking to correct errors in the file structure of your Hard Drive

To use Windows Disk Defragmenter:
1. Select Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Defragmenter.
2. Select the drive you want to defragment
3. Click the Start button.


Error Checking and Disk Defragmenter scans can be quite long in duration.
Some users decide to run those processes overnight to avoid interference with ordinary computer use.
Post #9

Looks like you still have some unnecessary process running:

WHERE DO I GO TO CONTROL THESE?



http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=22111400
File Name Description Vendor CPU % RAM MB
ATI Hotkey Utility ATI External Event Utility for WindowsNT and Windows9X ATI Technologies Inc. 0 1
Bonjour Service Bonjour Apple Inc. 0 1
Java™ Quick Starter Service Java™ Platform SE 6 U13 Sun Microsystems, Inc. 0 1
Iomega Active Disk Iomega Active Disk Iomega Corporation 0 1
ATI Hotkey Utility ATI External Event Utility for WindowsNT and Windows9X ATI Technologies Inc. 0 2
ATI taskbar icon ATI Desktop Component ATI Technologies, Inc. 0 4
Sun Java Update Java™ Platform SE 6 U13 Sun Microsystems, Inc. 0 5

And some highly optional processes running:

WHERE DO I GO TO CONTROL THESE?

GoogleToolbarNotifier GoogleToolbarNotifier Google Inc. 0 2
Eraser Eraser The Eraser Project 0 7
PhotoShow Deluxe Media Manager PhotoShow Media Manager Roxio 0 6
Desktop Tools for RIM Handhelds Desktop Tools for RIM Handhelds Research In Motion Limited 0 4
LogMeIn LogMeIn LogMeIn, Inc. 0 6
hpztsb01.exe HP DeskJet HP 0 3
Debugger Microsoft® Visual Studio .NET Microsoft Corporation 0 2
SolidPdfService Solid Converter PDF VoyagerSoft, LLC 0 1
Iomega Zip support Iomega App Services Iomega Corporation 0 1
Desktop Manager Desktop Tools for RIM Handhelds Research In Motion Limited 0 7 utility for Blackberry PDA's BlackBerry Device Manager driver Research In Motion Limited 0 5
eFax Messenger eFax Messenger ™ j2 Global Communications, Inc. 0 2
SUPERAntiSpyware.exe SUPERAntiSpyware SUPERAntiSpyware.com 0 1
eFax Messenger eFax Messenger ™ j2 Global Communications, Inc. 0 8
eFax Messenger PaperMaster Pro ™ j2 Global Communications, Inc. 0 3
eFax Messenger PaperMaster Pro ™ j2 Global Communications, Inc. 0 4
Legitimate WinLogon Microsoft® Windows® Operating System Microsoft Corporation 0 2

From Start - All Programs - Accessories - System Tools
Run your Disk Cleanup to remove temporary files and empty your Recycle Bin

Run Error Checking to correct errors in the file structure of your Hard Drive

To use Windows Disk Defragmenter:
1. Select Start | Programs | Accessories | System Tools | Disk Defragmenter.
2. Select the drive you want to defragment
3. Click the Start button.

MY DEFRAG DOES TO WORK? I HAVE TRIED IT AS YOU SUGGEST AND HAVE ALSO TRIED FROM RUN. NO LUCK?


Error Checking and Disk Defragmenter scans can be quite long in duration.
Some users decide to run those processes overnight to avoid interference with ordinary computer use.

Post #10 last edited

MY DEFRAG DOES TO WORK? I HAVE TRIED IT AS YOU SUGGEST AND HAVE ALSO TRIED FROM RUN. NO LUCK?


Are you stating that your native Windows System Tools Disk Defragmenter "does not" function?

Please Run the Error Checking Utility "before" running Disk Defrag.

To repair errors, locate bad sectors, and recover readable information, at the command prompt, type CHKDSK volume: /R and then press ENTER. /R presumes to include actions of /F and adds sector recovery. /R is more thorough therefore scans take longer.
Note: /r is the recommended switch to use.

* Click Start > Run… then type in CMD and click on OK.
* At the Command Prompt C:\ > type the following: chkdsk c: /r and hit the Enter/Return key.
Note: chkdsk c: /r presumes that the disk upon which you wish to run Error Checking is your C: Drive (most often)
* When prompted with:


CHKDSK cannot run because the volume is in use by another process
Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked next time the system
restarts (Y/N)


* Hit the Y key then at the Command Prompt C:\ >
* Type in EXIT and and hit the Enter/Return key.
* Now Reboot(Restart) your computer.

Note: Upon Reboot(Restart), CHKDSK will start and carry out the repairs required.

Please let us know how it goes for you with CHKDSK.

Once you have been successful with CHKDSK, we will get back to reducing additional items that may be unnecessary at StartUp.
And you will quite likely find that Disk Defrag will run successfully after CHKDSK is performed.

Note: Though long and tedious, it may be necessary to Run CHKDSK more than once, until no additional bad-sectors or corrupted file structure is found.

For more information about CHKDSK: http://forums.whatthetech.com/How_run_CHKD…XP_t102348.html

Best Regards
Post #11
dphenry,

You may still have some work to complete in your Malware Removal Thread before continuing with the systems and software applications work that you've started.

Please check with SpySentinel.

We can continue after you are clear of any malware.

Best Regards
Post #13
Please consider running this simple utility that will help you get control of programs and processes that you wish to have running active, or not.

CodeStuff-Starters
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/Starter.html

Download and install, agreeing to the licensing terms and allow to install with all of the default settings as preselected in the installation wizard.

When you finally allow CodeStuff-Starters to run
It will preselect StartUps Tab -
  • Click on File
  • Select - save as .HTML (name the report file - Startups march23.txt)

In your next reply, post the file as an attached file (use browse and upload buttons – at the bottom-right corner of your topic posting window where you are typing your next reply)

Please do not make any changes with Code-Stuff Starters, until after you post the requested information above and receive recommendations from a helper here.

Best Regards
Post #14
Attached as requested, where from here? When I try to attach the file I get this error: Upload failed. Please ask the administrator to check the settings and permissions Now what?

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