Computer Very slow and now is getting errors

This computer is running very slow and is now getting the error that it is missing "C:\windows\system32\rundll32.exe" when I try to run "Add and Delete Programs" in control panel.

Here is my scan:

[attachment removed]

Edit: Removed HJT log and added it as an attachment. We don't allow them in any area except the malware removal forum.

Benbar.. You've really got a lot of stuff running… Why don't you share with us a little bit about your computer.. Such as the make and model.. Or, the speed of your CPU, how much RAM you have, etc..

Ok, I have a Dell inspiron B130 laptop. It has an intel celeron m 1.40 GHz processor. 512MB ram. Windows xp pro version 5.1.2600 operating system.

How long has your computer been running slow? Is it slow overall, or slow performing specific tasks?

Can you explain a little bit better what the error with add/remove programs is?

Do you open control panel, and then double-click Add/Remove programs, and you get that rundll error? If there is any more information in that error can you please provide it word for word here.

A significant issue with your laptop is that you are running a lot of things on your laptop with only 512MB of RAM, and a very poor performing processor. It may help just to cut back on some of these things.

We can help you with that.

In the meantime, because this is a laptop, I would like you to run some diagnostics on your hard drive.
Please click start -> run -> type cmd and press ENTER. At the command prompt, type chkdsk /r and press ENTER. When prompted to schedule a scan during the next reboot, answer Yes. Reboot your computer and be patient while chkdsk verifies your file system integrity and scans for bad sectors on the hard drive. Keep your eye open for any messages about windows "replacing bad clusters…"

It has been continually slowing down overall since we purchased it in Dec. 2005, however it has noticeably gotten worse in the past two months. After the control panel is opened, and I double-click 'ADD-REMOVE PROGRAMS' a window pops up titled 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe'. The body of the error message starts with a large red circle with an X through it, then the message says, "Windows cannot find 'C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe' Make sure you typed the name correctly, and try again. To search for a file, click the Start button, and then click Search." I understand that the computer is overcrowded with running processes, however, I'm not sure which processes I should stop or how to do it. Your help will be appreciated.

Yeah, we should be able to help you out and get your computer running good again.

Please perform the chkdsk /r as requested previously.

When you are done with that test, and the laptop is back up and running. Please run the PCPitStop tests and lets see what they come back with for possible other performance issues on your laptop, here's how:

How to run PCPitStop's Overdrive tests:

• Please click here to go to the PCPitStop Overdrive sign-up page: Signup at PCPitStop (You need to use Internet Explorer with this test so that an ActiveX control can be installed.)
• Click "Create a free account"
• Enter in your relevant information on the sign-up page. You must sign-up in order to have your results recorded so that we can take a look at them here.
• After signing up you'll see the "Registration Complete" page, and you can click "Test Your System Now" to return to the test page.
• Login with your newly created e-mail address and password on the left hand side.
• Follow the directions to "Scan this system now." An activeX control will need to be installed. It is safe, and you should allow it to be installed.
• Once the tests have been run, you will see an "Almost there" page requesting further information about your computer and your experience with PCPitStop, just scroll down to the bottom and click "GO."
• A test results page will display, and I need the link to that page.
• Look in the address bar of your browser. It will look like 'http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/…' Please copy and paste that here to the forum.
  
  Note: PCPitStop may recommend that you use certain utilities to fix problems on your computer. At WhatTheTech, the help we provide is free. We do not endorse or recommend the use of any products PCPitStop may suggest. Instead, we prefer to help you with each issue manually without using possible pay to use programs.

I ran the scan. Here is the pcpitstop page you asked for: http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=22266498

Also did the chkdsk /r that you asked for…no popup notification or alerts.

Ok.. First click start -> run -> type 'cmd' and press ENTER.

At the command prompt, type: expand %systemroot%\servicepackfiles\rundll32.ex_ %systemroot%\system32\rundll32.exe and press ENTER.

Please copy and paste the above command to make sure it is typed in properly. You should get a confirmation that the file was expanded successfully. If you didn't, stop and post back here before continuing on.

Then, see if you can get into Add/Remove programs now.

If you can, begin uninstalling the following programs:

Note: Many of these programs may request that you reboot your computer to complete the uninstallation. Choose to reboot later. When you are finished uninstalling all of the programs, you can then, and should, restart.

Windows Defender
DellSupport
Uniblue RegistryBooster 2009
Max Registry Cleaner
Windows Search 4.0
Google Toolbar for Internet Explorer
MSN Toolbar (Remove both the MSN toolbar and Google toolbar for now, you can re-install one, but not both later)
Java™ 6 Update 12
Nielsen//NetRatings
Apple Software Update
Digital Line Detect
Viewpoint Media Player
Modem Helper
J2SE Runtime Environment 5.0 Update 6
Sonic Update Manager
NetZeroInstallers
Java 2 Runtime Environment, SE v1.4.2_03

When your system reboots, please go to control panel -> internet options. Click the Advanced tab, and click "RESET." Select the option to remove personal data and settings and click OK. Note: This will delete any saved passwords for websites that you may have stored and also reset any cookies, thus requiring you to log in again on frequently visited websites, such as WhatTheTech.

Now, open Internet Explorer, go through the run once quick setup thing where it prompts you about some settings. When finished, navigate to www.java.com and click "Free Java Download." Please download and install the latest version of Java.

If you have a certain homepage that you prefer, you can navigate to that website, and then reset it as your default homepage by clicking the little down-arrow next to the "house" icon in your toolbar of Internet Explorer. Choose "Add or change homepage" and choose to set your current website as your only homepage.

Next, please download and install starter and post a couple pieces of diagnostic information for me, here's how:

How to use CodeStuff Starter to view services and startup items:

• Please download and install CodeStuff Starter
• Run Starter by finding it on your start menu after it is installed.
• When the program opens, you will see three tabs on the main screen (Startup, Processes, Services)
• Please click the Startup tab and make sure that All Sections is selected on the left hand side under the sections view pane.
• Once the Startup tab and all sections is selected, please click the File menu and choose Save as HTML.
• Please save the file to your desktop and call it startup.html.
• Now, please click the Services tab.
• Once the Services tab is open, please click the File menu and choose Save as HTML.
• Please save the file to your desktop and call it services.html.
• Now that both files have been saved to your desktop, close CodeStuff Starter.
• Locate the startup.html and services.html files on your desktop. Both files can be attached to the forum, as is. Please do so in your next reply.

When you are done posting the requested files, please start a defrag on your hard drive. I rarely recommend the use of defrag, but in your particular case, you have a smaller hard drive that performs quite slowly and has quite a bit of fragmentation. It may help to perform the defrag. Please read here at PCPitStop about defragging your hard drive: http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/tips/DskO…ort=Performance

Be sure to use the built in Windows Disk Defragmenter and do not use any recommended third-party tools.

Also note, I am only recommended this defrag as a one-time procedure. I do not promote frequent disk defrags, and most average user's on today's computers will rarely, if ever, require a defrag on their hard drive to improve performance. Your computer is a bit of an exception with its smaller, slower hard drive, but still should not require future defrags for a very long time.

I will analyze your starter info and get back with you on some final tune up tips.

ok, I went to the command prompt and pasted: expand %systemroot%\servicepackfiles\rundll32.ex_ %systemroot%\system32\rundll32.exe. This is what I got back: Microsoft Windows XP [Version 5.1.2600] © Copyright 1985-2001 Microsoft Corp. C:\Documents and Settings\(user name removed)>expand %systemroot%\servicepackfiles\r undll32.ex_ %systemroot%\system32\rundll32.exe Microsoft ® File Expansion Utility Version 5.1.2600.0 Copyright © Microsoft Corp 1990-1999. All rights reserved. Can't open input file: c:\windows\servicepackfiles\rundll32.ex_. C:\Documents and Settings\(user name removed)>

Ok… I'm too quick on the draw and shot myself in the foot.

I just took a look at a Dell computer (you have a Dell) to see where some of those files are. This is a little strange because the files I see stored are not compressed, like they should be.

So, lets try these commands, in this order until one is successful:

expand %systemroot%\servicepackfiles\I386\rundll32.ex_ %systemroot%\system32\rundll32.exe
copy %systemroot%\servicepackfiles\I386\rundll32.exe %systemroot%\system32
expand C:\i386\rundll32.ex_ c:\windows\system32\rundll32.exe
copy c:\i386\rundll32.exe c:\windows\system32

Try them from the top down until you don't get an error.

ok, i got the rundll.exe to copy and the add/remove programs works….yeah!!! I deleted all the files you asked me to and here are CodeStuff Starter you asked for.

Ok.. Open Starter back up.

Click the "Startups" tab, and uncheck and confirm you want to disable on the following items:

Adobe Reader Speed Launcher
Corel Registration.lnk
Desktop Application Director 9.LNK (Unless you like that little 4 colored box on your desktop.)
DVDLauncher
DWQueuedReporting
QuickTime Task
Shockwave Updater
SigmatelSysTrayApp
SunJavaUpdateSched

Now, click the "Services" tab, and right-click and disable on the following service:

Java Quick Starter

Exit Starter, reboot your computer, and tell me how it is running now.

Did you complete the defrag and IE reset?

Hi, yes I finished the defrag and IE reset. Wow, I just finished these last few modifications in 'Starter' and my computer really got a lot faster. After a long time I'm finally happy again with my computer. Thank you so much for all the help.

Your welcome…Please come again whenever you need assistance. Tell all your friends about the great help you received at whatthetech.com.