[sandigram]

Good morning mphenterprises, Well I have uninstalled Norton, and installed Avg, the free one. I do see a speed up when I boot first thing, and pc hasn't shut down in a couple days. The dvd writer I installed was a hpdvd840, I guess I go to hp site and see if there is a newer one? And how complicated is it to put more memory in? Right now the only thing I am doing is writing you, nothing else open and the little graph says I'm using 84% memory and 20-30 cpu, but sometimes jumps to 93%. So my next project get more memory, any suggestions as to the least expensive place?
Thanks
Sandi

[mphenterprises]

Hi SandiGram. Well, let's summarize what you have done so far:

- Dusted out the inside of the computer

- Uninstalled Norton and added AVG Free



Before you invest in memory, there was a link to all compatible memory in one of my previous posts, we need to investigate security and even the current processes. However, if we end up reaching this point, installing memory is as simple as 1-2-3-4-5:

- Open Case

- Locate Memory

- Remove Memory

- Install New Memory

- Close Case

According to your last post, your CPU Usage dropped from near 100% down to 20-30% after uninstalling Norton. So this tells me that Norton was definitely adversely affecting your computer. However, depending on when your usage spikes to 93%, there could be more problems with the computer.

Now, this next suggestion will show us all what processes are running when the CPU Usage peaks. Keep the Task Manager window open so you can keep an eye on the Usage. Periodically refer to this window during the time you are using the computer. When you see the Usage spike, please make a list of all the processes that are currently running. If the list is significant or if the spike does not last long enough for you to write all the processes down, you can take a screen shot of the Task Manager window so we can all see it. The steps to create a screen shot is listed within this Document. Click on the hyperlink to open the document.

Regarding your DVD Burner, HP offers six (6) versions of this burner. Instead of guessing which is yours, click on this hyperlink and select the appropriate version. If you still have the box, you can refer to the information on the box or the manual that came with the burner.

Without overloading you within this post, do these suggestions and post your results. We can proceed with security scans at that time.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi Sandi

:

When you say you "uninstalled" Norton, it is very important to run THEIR "Removal Tool" , which is

available at www.majorgeeks.com/Norton[uRemoval[/u]ToolSymNRTd4749.html] in ADDITION

to "uninstalling" it from your "Add or Remove Programs" section of your computer . Even remnants of

Norton can interfer with the proper functioning of other programs, especially another antiVIRUS program.

IF you could access your "Task Manager" and tell us what "Processes" show the biggest percentages

and their Names, it MAY help us help you !?

[sandigram]

Hey Mphenterprises, I went to hp for the dvd writer because mine doesn't have a letter after it, so I emailed them to see for sure which one I have. I also have task manager open and I don't see anything really running other than that avg. And if you and Spiritwind want a screen shot, I will be awhile trying to get that all done, have you looked at the directions? as the kids say OMG! I looked in the paper tday and I can get 1gb of ram for $60.00 on sale, so maybe after Christmas I will do that. And the pc hasn't shut down in a few days, maybe it was Norton, think I can get a refund, HA! Rest assured I will not renew when the time comes. I will keep both you and spiritwind updated on what I find. You guys are the greatest. Oh and am I supposede to watch cpu usage or memory usage, cause memory usage is crazy on everything.

Thanks

Sandi

[sandigram]

Hello Spiritwind, I am using the unistall tool you recommended right now and while I'm waiting I have been watching the task manager and the biggest thing I saw was swdsvc.exe and it was running between 50 and 95 on the cpu and memory ussage was 25,000 to 42,000 what ever all that means I surely don't know, but other than a couple things with very small numbers that is the one. Does this help?
Sandi

[mphenterprises]

Hi Sandi. I am glad that you have not had anymore shut downs. Do yourself a favor and compare the specifications of the memory that you found for $60 with the memory chips available on Newegg.com. Make sure that the one you found says "DDR PC2700 184-Pin." If it does not, you may end up getting memory that is not compatible with your computer.

Here is a selection of six (6) 1GB memory chips from Newegg.com, all of them are under $60:

1GB DDR PC2700 184-Pin Memory Chips




As to the Memory Usage, that has been a questionable area for me. In my opinion, if you get memory that is compatible for your computer, you should not have issue with Memory Usage (or Memory Leakage). For example, right now Firefox is using the most memory in my computer at just over 81,000KBs. Is that good of bad, honestly, I have no idea.

In your situation, I would keep an eye on it after you get the new memory. If you see something that looks completely off in your opinion, let us know and we can do some investigation. There are certain things we can do to try and stabilize Memory Leakage.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi Sandi :


Yes, your Info helps quite a bit . Unless you have "Smart Watchdog Service" on your computer,

"swdsvc.exe" is connected to your Spyware Doctor program . I will start by asking WHAT SPECIFIC

Version of this program do you have ? Several have Posted on these Forums of problems, some of

them MAJOR Ones, having Spyware Doctor on their computers . I recommend NOT having this

program, especially based on WHAT it is doing on your computer . There are 2 FREE programs

that would provide the same coverage, except for the "real-time" protection, which most likely is NOT

needed IF you do "safe" surfing, and they are the FREE version of "SUPERAntiSpyware" from

http://www.superantispyware.com AND the Good & FREE "SpywareBlaster" from

http://www.javacoolsoftware.com ; there is a "Tutorial" on this program at

www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial49.html ( I would NOT bother with the "System

Snapshot" portion of the program ) .

You really should have a software FIREWALL, such as Zone Alarm, to "replace" the only half a

firewall built-in Windows One; the Windows One does NOT provide "Outbound" protection .

[coastie65]

Hi spiritwind, you just made day as I'm using only the windows firewall. I have one in my router that was both inbound and outbound, but the router died so had to bypass it and wire direct to the computer until Verizon gets me a new one ( Tuesday). :p coastie65

[sandigram]

Evening Spiritwind, well I uninstalled spyware Dr. and installed super antispyware. I had Zone alarm before and somethings on pc wouldn't run, I was advised to uninstall. Is there any other free firewall? I'm going to wait a few days now and see what happens, as far as shutdowns. Thanks for all your help.

Sandi

[sandigram]

Well Mphenterprises, I have uninstalled everything I bought for protection, and am running free programs on the pc. Thanks for the heads up on the memory, I will look into it after the holidays. As I just told Spiritwind I'm going to wait and see what happens. Hey if this works it's way better than doing that reformat thing. It was great help you and Spiritwind gave me, as I'm not to quick when it comes to the pc. I will keep you both updated.

Sandi

[mphenterprises]

With pleasure, Sandigram. :-)






We all try to provide the best assistance possible. If you need anything else, please post and we will do the best we can to help you.

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi Sandi :


You said nothing about IF you installed the Free SpywareBlaster I mentioned in my previous Post !?

This is an excellent program recommended by many Malware-fighters .

There are 2 other FREE Firewalls I recommend, namely Sygate ( which I use ) and Sunbelt Kerio ;

both are available at www.filehippo.com/software/firewalls . IF you select Sygate, let me know

and I will provide a link to its "SetUp Guide" . IF you do successfully install a software firewall, you

will then need to "disable" the built-In Windows One . Best to "test" all newly installed firewalls at

[http://www.grc.com] and run their "Shields Up" program .

[sandigram]

Hello Spiritwind, I in stalled super anti spyware, you mentioned. Is spyware blaster better? It sounds like installing that firewall is tricky, should I do it, you know I'm not the brightest bulb, when it comes to pc's. I'm going to look into getting more memory after Christmas, I hope that will help. Since I have uninstalle spyware dr. and norton I haven't had a shutdown, so we can only hope they were the cause. I will keep you posted, and Thanks for all the great advice.

Sandi

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi Sandi :


SUPERAntiSpyware and SpywareBlaster function differently from each other; I have BOTH on my

computer . One Scans for spyware & will "detect" and "quarantine" what it finds; the other "Prevents"

certain spyware from getting on a computer, so they complement each other .

Each software firewall has its "idiosyncrasies" ; Sygate's is primarily in its "Act As Service" setting,

which is adequately explained in its "SetUp Guide" , available at

www.kotiposti.net/string/SPF_eng/SPFGuide.html . IF you have problems I am here to try & help .

Just skip the "Installation" portion of the "Guide".

Since the "presence" of Norton and/or Spyware Doctor MAY have caused problems getting that

Updated eMachines Chipset "Driver" we attempted to get a while back, I would like you to try again

to see IF you may be successful this time . However, I would recommend you click on the "Download"

that is besides the "Read Me File" just above the line I mentioned before and copy or print out its

Info as a Guideline .

P.S. I will not deny that I am surprised that the "presence" of Norton and/or Spyware Doctor would

cause that Error Message you posted in your 1st Post .