Computer slow even after restoration

8 months ago, I bought an ole refurbished HP Compaq dc7100 because it was fast. I was able to watch full length movies flawlessly and was FINALLY able to play games lag-free! Well, about a month ago the power diminished so drastically that just a video on Youtube starts to buffer after only 2-3 seconds and every 3-4 seconds after that. Now everything on the computer was still running fine ie: logging on, going from site to site, etc. it was just extremely slow. Last week I finally decided to take it to get wiped clean and even after the computer was completely restored, It STILL running slow. I posted my problem first in the "Virus, Spyware & Malware Removal forum. When my HijackThis log was viewed after the restoration, I was refered here. HP Compaq dc7100 CMT Windows XP Pro Mark-in-Sac

Here is my current HijackThis log: 📎HJT_for_MKryan.1.txt

Hi mkryan1.

Lets get a good overview of what is happening now on your PC.

1.Navigate to http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/browse.asp

2.Select - OverDrive in the window at the lower left.

3.Create an account and download the small active -x to run overdrive.

4. Close active programs not required.

5.Run PCPitstop Overdrive.

6.Post the URL link to your fresh Results in your next post.

Note: The PCPitstop Full Test Results is a safe and free service, but is supported by various paid products not supported by WTT.

Cheers,
Lee

PS Edit: Please don't post another HijackThis log. We don't endorse the use of that program as a (general) diagnostic tool.

Hello Lee. Sorry about the Hijack thing, it seems to be the first thing thats asked for so i thought I'd…………..Anyway, lol.

I hope this helps and Thank you very much for taking time in helping me with this.

http://www.pcpitstop.com/betapit/sec.asp?conid=24060446

When did you first decide to use Norton Antivirus?
Is it possible that installing Norton was coincident with slow responsiveness of machine, browsing, media lag?

When did you first decide to use Internet Explorer version 8?
Is it possible that installing Version 8 was coincident with slow responsiveness of machine, browsing, media lag?

What is the rated Internet Connect Speed offered by your DSL provider?
Your speeds may be less than those to which you have subscribed.
Download: 460 Kbits/sec
Upload: 297 Kbits/sec

The above speeds may be typical of "Satellite" access, and/or wireless Cell phone access, or if actually subscribed to DSL phone line, are you in an extremely remote location?


For reference, here's th link to the Forum where you worked on the virus/spyware/ issue.
http://forums.whatthetech.com/index.php?sh…=115677&hl=

A few days ago was the 2nd time I restored the computer. The first time I had it done, Norton was thrown in for protection so now-a-days if somethings free, I'm a taker and I don't use IE. I use Firefox so IE 8 shouldn't be on my computer. What I'm worried about is that I'm pretty close to the downtown Sacramento area so no, that wouldn't be a remote area. I subscribe with AT&T/Yahoo and have their DSL. I'll give them a call and see what numbers they see on their end because it's looking as if you guys might be seeing that being my problem which would be a good thing I guess right, lol!

I called them up, they ran a test and said that there is something wrong with the line so they're sending a tech out here to treat it like a library book and, uuuuh, check it out! Thanks for your guys time. I'm sure I'll be back to this site asking how to get rid of some malware or somin, so like our Governor here in California once said………………………………………………..I'll be back. Thanks Techs!!! Mark-in-Sac

Hi again mkryan1,

Well you have a very reasonable P4 machine there that is not overloaded with software or any junkware.
Although we don't generally recommend the use of HJT (WTT Melware experts use different apps. and for a few good reasons I think), but from it I can see that your system is clean with no nasties.

I can make a few recommendations that will improve CPU and RAM utilization and performance in general.

Firstly you should remove these tracking cookies.
collarity.com
collarity.com
doubleclick.net
turn.com
IE8 on a P4 ?: Go to Tools / Internet options / under browsing history / delete tab / make sure cookies are ticked / delete / OK

System Restore could be reduced from 18GB to about 1 1/2GB (plenty as 1 restore point= about 200MB).
Control Panel / system / system restore /click on the (C:) in the window / settings / move the slider down to around 1536MB / "Okay". After restart all restore points except your latest one will be removed.

Remove these from Start Menu as they are not needed there.
hkcmd.exe
igfxpers.exe
igfxtray.exe
Start / run / misconfig / Start-up tab / un-check the above / apply / OK.

Upgrade Broadcome NetXtreme Ethernet driver to 12.2.2.0
http://www.pcpitstop.com/drivers/download/…t~Ethernet.html
Scroll down to "Windows XP 32-Bit Driver" and click on "free Download". Download to desktop.

CPU resources and RAM efficiency could be better utilized by removing Norton's which is a resource and memory hog on a P4 with only 1GB of ram. I would suggest either Windows Essentials or Avira home free version. Both are excellent and have a much smaller resource footprint that Norton's. To remove Norton's do not try to do that by using 'Add and remove programs'. Go to Nortons here and download the removal tool they suggest for your product:
http://us.norton.com/support/kb/web_view.j…EN&ln=en_US

With ram being so cheap nowadays, your system would benefit from 2 more 512MB sticks as you have 4 ram slots. Make sure they are the same type (not necessarily the same brand) as you already have, if you do add more.

Finally, make sure your Windows XP updates are recent.

Let us know how you go

Cheers,
Lee

PS Edit: I missed your last posts, they arrived while I was typing this.
PPS. I missed your post too Doug. I must be a slow typer.

One of our Tech Classroom people walked through their own Internet connection issues, ( click here ) which may be useful to you.