Tmasys.exe And Pcmservice.exe

My computer has been acting funny and Little Eagle has gone through my HJT logs and resolved some of the issues, but there are still slowness problems he can't find the answer to.
I was looking at my 'puters Windows Taskbar/Processes menu and found the following 2 programs I couldn't identify that were consuming a majority of my memory usage:
Tmasys.exe and PCMService.exe

I have run ATF Cleaner regularly and have AVG enabled and Spyware guard while the free trial lasts.
I've run Cureit and recently ran Adaware and Spybot.

Can you identify what these .exe programs do and if/how I can get them to do it more efficiently??
My computer screen freezes from time to time and my internet connection drags (these were not resolved with t e HJT reviews I id with Little Eagle, then will crash all together. I have to restart the whole computer to get it back.

Let me know what I can do, if anything.

Hi kdobens,

You appear to has quite a few unnecessary and/or optional processes running at StartUp.
Some of the optional items appear to be related to the Media Center features of your Dell.

How much RAM is physically installed in that machine?
____________

Specifically related to the two "offending processes" tmasys.exe and Pcmservice.exe………

Pcmservice.exe is "optional" and can be safely disabled via System Configuration Utility (MSCONFIG)

Tmasys.exe – "appears" to be related to your TrendMicro security and probably should NOT be disabled, at least until we discover a little more about its purpose <— it may be the main scan engine and necessary.
Do you have TrendMicro set to perform automatic scans in the background?
_____

Regarding "disabling" unnecessary and optional processes…….

In general, it is safe to use MSCONFIG to disable all items in StartUp(tab) with the exception of your AntiVirus and Firewall.
When processes are "disabled" in MSCONFIG, they are not "uninstalled" and they can be run "manually" at any time the owner/user decides. They just don't get "loaded" at startup.

Now for "specifics":

I've found that the following…
SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
can be tremendous resource hogs.
SpywareGuard is a competent protective utility, but can slow computer down significantly.
I use SpywareBlaster (by the same company: JAVACOOL Software) SpywareBlaster is "passive" and works much like your Host Files, and does not consume resources like SpywareGuard does.
_________

It would probably be a good idea to "disable" in MSCONFIG, any items related to:
Sonic
Music Match
JAVA updater — jusched.exe
Dell Support
Southwest Airlines
Print Tray
igfxtray.exe
igfxpers.exe
hkcmd.exe
Pcmservice.exe
SpywareGuard\sgmain.exe
SpywareGuard\sgbhp.exe
___________

A specific case of frequent "resource hogging" is ctfmon.exe, requires different steps to disable.
Control Panel - Regional and Language Options - Languages - Details - Advanced - checkmark/tick the box that says "Turn off advanced text services"
Consider disabling this Language Accessibility item, unless you use specific Disability Access features for input to your machine.
__________

I am not a fan of the Yahoo Browser add-ons that get installed by Comcast.
An "oversimplification" would state that Yahoo browser is simply a second instance of IE, but with a ton of Advertising, branded logos and features, and optional services.
Consider "uninstalling" any/all items related to Yahoo Browser - unless you specifically prefer to use Yahoo products.
IE will still remain, and your internet connection with Comcast will not be damaged, you just won't be seeing the Yahoo Portal presentation.
____________

Regarding "tmasy.exe" —-
If TrendMicro is running a VirusScan in the background at the time that you see tmasy.exe consuming large amounts of resources in your Task Manager…….. then that is probably "normal" and should not be disabled.
—Please do not take any action to disable tmasy.exe

Instead, consider disabling the other items that I've listed above.

Then post back with an update of how your machine is running and answer the RAM question.

Best Regards

Thank you. RAM = 512 Re: Trend Micro - I added it during another Forum repair effort. I only have a trial version set to expire soon so disabling it will be inevitable anyway. I did all you explained to do - I'll have to wacth and see how it performs and post again if I still have troubles. Thanks for your help - I'm tentative to fiddle witht he msconfig without guidance.

Hi kdobens,

Glad you're making progess.

Download AVG AntiSpyware 7.5 now and just keep it saved in a location where you will easily remember.
When you're ready to remove TrendMicro, you can log-off the internet, uninstall TrendMicro and Install AVG AntiVirus in a brief sequence.

Regarding MSCONFIG……… you can make a Screen-Shot of your System Configuration Utility - StartUp(tab) and post it here.

Then we'll be sure what you're working on.

Here's a screenshot of this machine as an example:
[external image: Posted Image]

I don't know how to prepare the screen shot you're asking for. How can I do this? I did the rest.

Go to: Start - Run - (type)MSCONFIG - Enter Select the StartUp(tab) next: press and hold "alt-key" then press "Print Screen" next: Open "Paint" (Start - All Programs - Accessories - Paint next: While in "Paint" - Select - Edit - Paste next: Save this image (picture of your MSCONFIG) and post it to PhotoBucket (link in my signature) next: Post the image here into this thread in your next reply

I don't have paint for some reason so I had to attach it as a word doc below. Irony here is, I did all of the tings you asked for and Applied all the new setting with certian thins unselected. I shut down and restarted this morning and many of the deselected files are checked again. How do I make these changes permanent?

Hi kdobens,

[external image: Posted Image]

Remove the checkmark/tick for items marked with RED
Keep the checkmark/tick for items marked with BLUE

Next - Click - Apply
Next - Click - Close
Next - Click - Restart
___________

Use the Scroll Bar to scroll down to view additional items.
Remove the checkmark/tick from in front of all items except your AVG and Firewall
(post a new screen-shot if you are uncertain about specific items)
____________

Want to have Paint available?
GoTo:
Control Panel - Add/Remove Programs - (in the left-colum click on - Add/Remove Windows Components)
In Windows Components Wizard - Double-Click on - Accessories and Utilities
In Accessories and Utilities - Double-Click on - Accessories
Scroll down to - Paint
Place a checkmark/tick in front of - Paint
Click - OK - OK - Next - Finish
"Voila'" …. You now have Paint available!

Best Regards

OK - I got paint as you instructed - thanks for that! I couldn't get the upload of the paint files to here however so I put them in a Word doc again. It's attached. Look good?

Yes, Looks very good indeed!
How is the machine running for you at this point?
_____________

Now to get an "overview" of the machine's functioning, please do the following:

Run the Full Tests at http://www.pcpitstop.com
Click on Full Tests in the left-hand column.
Register and create a password.
Run the Full Tests (accepting the necessary ActiveX component is SAFE)

When you receive your Results, you will notice a list of options in a brown-background listing in the upper right hand portion of any of the Results pages.

The last item in that list is "Share Results withTechExpress" Link.

Double-Click on that item, then copy/paste the TechExpress link here into this thread.

We'll have a look and may be able to provide additional recommendations to improve the performance of your machine.

Best Regards

OK - finally had time to sit with this.
Here you go!

TechExpress link for your current results:
http://www.pcpitstop.com/techexpress.asp?id=437THW9AALWS6U7W

Looking Good. Right-Click on your Desktop Select Properties Select - ScreenSaver(tab) Click - Power Select - Hiberate(tab) Remove the checkmark/tick from in front of "enable hibernation" ____________ GoTo: Control Panel - Internet Options Select - Security(tab) Click on Restricted Zone Click to Select Default Settings Next: Scroll through the items in the settings window of Restricted Zone "If" any items for: (scripts, JAVA, ActiveX, download, or install) are set for "allow" - Change the setting to "prompt" ___________________ Consider turning off eye-candy (if you prefer the visual settings to be active you can turn some or all back on) I leave mine off and don't notice the difference. To turn off eye-candy: Right-Click on My Computer Select - Properties - Advanced(tab) Click on Performance - Settings place a check in the circle in front of "Adjust for Best Performance." __________________ Turn off - SNMP Service GoTo: Start - Run - (type)services.msc - Enter Browse throught the list to: SNMP or Microsoft SNMP Agent Double-Click on the item Select - Stop Select - Manual click Ok Exit Services using the X at the upper right corner of the panel ____________ Reboot to SAFE Mode Run your System Defrag (3) three times in a row. _________ When you can, post another PCPitstop Full Test Techexpress I think you'll like the results. Best Regards

Well it took more than 12 hours (that 60 minutes times 12…really…that long) just to run 1 defrag.
Here's the Pitstop report after one.
I'll have to run the others at night when I don't need the computer.

Don't know if I did everything right, but I tried to follow the instructions as best I could.

TechExpress link for your current results:
http://www.pcpitstop.com/techexpress.asp?id=437THW9AALWSET7W

Wow! That's a huge Hard Drive. About 500gb total between C:\ and E:\ ??? is that right? Wow. And E:\ is 99% empty? __________ looks like this is still enabled to run: SNMP Service Microsoft Corporation C:\WINDOWS\System32\snmp.exe __________________ Turn off - SNMP Service GoTo: Start - Run - (type)services.msc - Enter Browse throught the list to: SNMP or Microsoft SNMP Agent Double-Click on the item Select - Stop Select - Manual click Ok Exit Services using the X at the upper right corner of the panel ____________ Follow the Pit Test instructions for securing your Restricted Zone settings. Otherwise, looks good. How's it running? Have you considered Adding RAM? You might notice a considerable difference in performance with as little as 1gb RAM. Watch the sales at local big-box stores for reduced prices, and get more RAM when you can. Best Regards

Can you tell me how to make MSCONFIG stop disabling Win Patrol? Per the steps you gave me, I left ON/Enabled the AVG tool and WinPatrol (ctfmon,exe). I went back into the startup in MSCONFIG and win Patrol was de-selected so I followed your steps again and again and again, restarting each time with AVG and ctfmon.exe selected and when the machine finishes the re-start, ctfmon.exe is de-selected. Very frustrating!