[DougD]

[quote name='DavesComputerTips']> > 1. defrag> > 2. startup programs!> > ...> > The easiest way to correct this is to remove the startup entries from the registry. I REALLY like a program by Mike Lin called StartUp Control Panel(free). You can download it from http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml. The program adds an applet to your control panel.> > > > Once installed (if you choose that version) go to Start>Control Panel>StartUp. Open it full screen and post screenshots of each tab. I (or someone else) can tell you which ones you can uncheck, if you are unsure.I've done the defrag twice. I did a disk check and disk cleanup today as well.I installed the StartUp Control Panel(. The items listed don't appear to be out of the ordinary.IHow do you post screenshots? I couldn't find a way to copy what the program was showing me. Thanks again for all of your help.

[SpiritWind]

{size:18px}[/size]:D Hi Doug : I feel it is time you sought the Advise of experienced, trained, volunteer Malware Experts usually found on antiSPYWARE Support Forums. They usually review the "findings" of the "HijackThis" program, so download HijackThis from: www.thespykiller.co.uk/files/HJTsetup.exe . At the download prompt, choose "Save". Navigate to the saved file and double-click the installer, HJTsetup.exe.HijackThis will be installed on your computer at C:Program FilesHijackThis, making an entry in the start menu and also providing a desktop shortcut. When the installation is complete, exit HijackThis. Then go to www.castlecops.com and "register" ; then run the program in "Normal Mode" and post its log at www.castlecops.com/f67-HijackthisSpywareVirusesWormsTrojansOhMy.html

[DougD]

[quote name='SpiritWind']{size:18px}[/size]:D Hi Doug :> > > > I feel it is time you sought the Advise of experienced, trained,> > volunteer Malware Experts usually found on antiSPYWARE> > Support Forums. They usually review the "findings" of the> > "HijackThis" program, so download HijackThis from: www.thespykiller.co.uk/files/HJTsetup.exe . > > At the download prompt, choose "Save". > > Navigate to the saved file and double-click the installer, HJTsetup.exe.> > HijackThis will be installed on your computer at C:Program FilesHijackThis, making an entry in the start menu and also providing a desktop shortcut. > > When the installation is complete, exit HijackThis. > > > > Then go to www.castlecops.com and "register" ; then run the program> > in "Normal Mode" and post its log at> > www.castlecops.com/f67-HijackthisSpywareVirusesWormsTrojansOhMy.htmlThanks for the advice. I took the steps and posted the Hijack log to[url]http://www.castlecops.com/p927260-HijackThislogforanalysis.html#927260_

[Wayfinder]

Oh, just as a note, Dave, I went to that download site for STARTUP CONTROL PANEL. What a neat little program. It doesn't do much... just lists what programs are being accessed by the computer during the Startup sequence. But that information is gold.I Googled the names of any programs I didn't recognize (and some I did). And despite all my precautions, anti-virus and anti-spyware efforts, I still had one trojan (question to Grisoft-- how does a trojan access my system and the net without AVG notifying me that's happening? Need to clean that up, folks). Anyhow, I was able to locate the trojan and wipe it off my system-- which is pretty neat. Thanks for the tip!

[DavesComputerTips]

Glad to hear it!As far as startup programs go, you would be surprised what you can disable without any ill effect (if fact usually a positive effect).Aol, office, and MANY others all try to start part of their program with windows.The easiest way to do this is using the Print Screen key on your keyboard. Pressing that key (or a combination of keys depending on the keyboard) stores a picture of your screen in the clipboard. You can then open MS Paint and click Edit > Paste WHOLLA! Instant screenshot! Then choose File > Save As and give it a name and choose jpeg as the format.

[DougD]

[quote name='DavesComputerTips']Glad to hear it!> > The easiest way to do this is using the Print Screen key on your keyboard. Pressing that key (or a combination of keys depending on the keyboard) stores a picture of your screen in the clipboard. You can then open MS Paint and click Edit > Paste WHOLLA! Instant screenshot! Then choose File > Save As and give it a name and choose jpeg as the format.[img][img]Can you tell me how to add the JPGS to this forum?

[DavesComputerTips]

I don't think you can add them here without uploading them to an outside service like PhotoBucket.com. I don't see any provision to attach images.

[DougD]

Here's the info in the scrreen shotsThe Palm and Hot Sync and Life Link are programs.Starup (user)LifeDrive managerpalmOne registrationSkyscape smART updateStartup CommonHOTSYNIC ManagerHKEYLOCALMACHINEAVG anti spywareCFSServ. exedla system32/dla/tfswcht.exedwstartepson stylusepson stylus epson stylusHPJD taskbar utility NDS tray.exenotebook maximizerpinger pinger.exesynTPEnh synaptics synTPEnhsynTPLpr.exeToshiba hotkey utilityvmon PCS security shieldVrSchedule PCS security shieldHKEYCURRENTUSERctfmon.exeMSMGS.exe

[DavesComputerTips]

[quote name='DougD']HKEYLOCALMACHINE> > AVG anti spyware Is this the paid version of AVG anti spyware? If not then uncheck.[quote:1de47e646d]dla system32/dla/tfswcht.exe[/quote:1de47e646d]I've not seen this one before. try it unchecked.[quote:1de47e646d]CFSServ. exe[/quote:1de47e646d]This is a toshiba utility you can probably uncheck.[quote:1de47e646d]epson stylusepson stylus epson stylus[/quote:1de47e646d]If this is only a printer I would uncheck and try it. Usually this don't need to run.[quote:1de47e646d]HPJD taskbar utility [/quote:1de47e646d]Unsure of this without knowing the full path. Do you have an HP camera or printer?[quote:1de47e646d]NDS tray.exe[/quote:1de47e646d]Another Toshiba utility you can probably uncheck.[quote:1de47e646d]notebook maximizer[/quote:1de47e646d]Another Toshiba utility you can probably uncheck.[quote:1de47e646d]pinger pinger.exe[/quote:1de47e646d]This is the Toshiba update utility. It doesn't need to run (uncheck) if you can manually check for updates occasionally.[quote:1de47e646d]Toshiba hotkey utility[/quote:1de47e646d]If you don't use (or don't know what hotkeys are) you can uncheck this.[quote:1de47e646d]MSMGS.exe[/quote:1de47e646d]Uncheck.That's about 10 programs you can disable. Should speed things up considerably.

[DougD]

II went through MSCONFIG and went to the STARTUP area.I unchecked a couple of entries that I couldn't figure out what they were.They were labled lin empty squares- like hollow boxes ( I can't find on this keyboard how to replicate it here ).Now when I start the computer a series of 4-5 error messages appear immediately upon startup that says the file can't be found or should be removed from the registry, etc.I ran CC cleaner. I hoped that would end that.Any ideas how to remove these messages?Again, thanks for all the help here.

[DavesComputerTips]

you're going in the wrong direction here Doug.Undo what you did in msconfig.Do what I suggested in Startup Control Panel.

[MarineDude007]

another program to try is Uniblue's Proccess Library, you can download it from Pc World and it shows all running processes and links to a online library of what that process is and if it is ok to terminate or if it is part of os, and warns of spyware and viruses that can initiate a process like this. Let's you know what's running in the back ground in task manager the link for library site is http://www.processlibrary.com/

[Harmonic7]

Services info:BlackViper: http://blackviper.co...g.htmElderGeek: http://www.theeldergeek.com/servicesguide.htmss64.com: http://www.ss64.com/...s.htmlTechSpot: http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/winxpservices/services-2.shtmlz123.org: http://www.z123.org/...rvices.htmThere are usually 'tons' of unneeded services that MS has set to Automatic by default. And there are often unneeded services installed by the prgs you use. Moving what you don't need to Manual or Disabled makes a huge difference in sys performance. It's sorta tricky in that you have to set them up according to the way your machine is configured, how you use it, & what programs you run. Also, you have to be careful not to shut down something that's critical or has dependencies. Tricky but well worth the effort. (Gotta agree w/ recommendations to do services tweaking in "Services" rather than using msconfig, tho. Just sayin'.) When you're thru, it might be a good idea to take a few screenshots for future reference (depending on your memory or familiarity w/ services - I know I need a few!).

[DougD]

I don't want to overstay my welcome, but I'd like to see if I can fix this problem.I found a TOSHIBA RECOVERY and APPLICATIONS/ DRIVERS DVD.Would that help?The computer has WIN XP Home Edition, which came loaded when we bought it at Office Depot. I can't find the XP disk, though.I also see there's an accompanying booklet that says the computer has a limited 1-year warranty. Would this problem qualify?Thanks again for all the help here.Post 27 of 27 | Back to top

[DavesComputerTips]

Doug,The recovery CD will restore your computer to the state it was in at purchase. Any personal data or changes you have made will be lost unless you back them up and restore them manually.

[mphenterprises]

[quote name='DougD']I also see there's an accompanying booklet that says the computer has a limited 1-year warranty. Would this problem qualify?Well, to be honest, I do not think so. Most manufacturer warranties cover defective parts or malfunctioning components. From what I have read here, your problem is neither. You mentioned the Recovery CD. Dave indicated to you that the Recovery CD will wipe your entire computer clean. Maybe that would be the best course of action for you at this point.Any valuable files should be back'd up before you run the recovery. You can use anything from CDs/DVDs to Flash Drives to Online Storage. Just back up everything that you want to keep and wipe the rest of it.

[Harmonic7]

DougD:You should phone Toshiba & request another copy of the XP disc. Since you're still on warranty, you should be able to get it w/out charge. If they give you any static, just keep up the pressure (works w/HP & Dell even after warranty expiration if you're persistent enough - just keeping them on the phone until they agree to send it gratis seems to work :twisted: ).Good luck!

[mphenterprises]

Harmonic, may I ask you a question? What is the advantage of another XP CD? Won't the final outcome be the same - a fresh system wiped clean of everything except that which was backed up? What would contacting the manufacturer accomplish that the Recovery CD won't?

[Harmonic7]

Sorry if I've misread DougD's post, but I was under the impression that he couldn't find his XP recovery disc. But since he has a recovery DVD instead of CDs, I could easily be wrong. DougD?

[swwaltw]

I too am having this problem with my hp 8408 512MB ram. Doug shut down your computer and turn it back on go to task manager and see what memory is free. I only have like 128mb free on boot up. I have been looking into svchost.dll as i have been reading about an up from microsoft that could be causing the problem. all of my problems seem to have started a couple of weeks ago. please keep us posted