Diskwipe, then XP reinstall
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From: David on 9 Jun 2010 09:30 For context, my initial OP post, dated 30 May, is at the bottom of this post in case it has been lost from your thread. You folks gave me a lot of homework, and I have only now gotten far enough along with that to make a meaningful response. This post is directed primarily at Jose and Daave, who both encouraged me to try and fix my existing system rather than to "Diskwipe and Reinstall". I don't know whether I am up to this task, but here is an initial thrust: First of all, let me say that I feel quite sure that there is no malware problem with the system. I have had both McAfee and Webroot SpySweeper running for several years now. I know that they are resource hogs, but they have kept me out of trouble so far. I will probably take your advice though and go with "lighter" products when their subscriptions expire. I should note here, however, that the subject system slowdown has happened (albeit gradually) long after these two products were initially installed. Regarding the DMA/PIO issue, I have attempted to describe it in words but finally gave up. There appear to be four combinations of answers, not easily described, so I am just including images: (This is my first attempt to try to use an image hosting service like this with USENET, so I hope it works. If anyone has trouble viewing these, please tell me.) http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9924/primaryidechannel.jpg http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/8333/secondaryidechannel.jpg If I can presume that I have passed the malware and PIO tests, then here is a text file of my msinfo32 file: msinfo32 Summary 9 June 2010 OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600 OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation System Name [Snip] System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation System Model Dimension 4550 System Type X86-based PC Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2657 Mhz BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A03, 11/12/2002 SMBIOS Version 2.3 Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32 Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2 Locale United States Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-2111)" User Name [Snip] Time Zone SE Asia Standard Time Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB Available Physical Memory 58.03 MB Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB Page File Space 1.22 GB Page File C:\pagefile.sys And here is a text file of my CCleaner startup file: Yes HKCU:Run ctfmon.exe "C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe" Yes HKLM:Run ATIPTA "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe" Yes HKLM:Run Adobe Photo Downloader "C:\Program Files\Photoshop Elements\apdproxy.exe" Yes HKLM:Run Microsoft Works Portfolio "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe" /AllUsers Yes HKLM:Run nmctxth "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Pure Networks Shared\Platform\nmctxth.exe" Yes HKLM:Run nmapp "C:\Program Files\Pure Networks\Network Magic\nmapp.exe" -autorun -nosplash Yes HKLM:Run SunJavaUpdateSched "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe" Yes HKLM:Run mcui_exe "C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe" /runkey Yes HKLM:Run WorksFUD "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\wkfud.exe" Yes HKLM:Run SpySweeper "C:\Program Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\SpySweeperUI.exe" /startintray Yes Startup Common Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe Yes Startup Common Microsoft Office.lnk C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE Yes Startup Common Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe (If you are wondering what Pure Networks\Network Magic is, it's a "pretty-GUI" network management program for people who aren't very smart about networks. That's me.) And here is an image of my Task Manager's process tab: http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9181/taskmanagere.jpg Please note that at your suggestion I have already downloaded and ran "Autoruns.exe", and have already disabled a number of items before the above taskmanager snapshot was taken. These already appear to have increased the processing speed noticeably. Also please note that I am not so concerned about the time required for the system startup. I am much more concerned about the processing speed once startup has completed. Anything you can tell me to help to increase that speed will be greatly appreciated. Finally, I am attempting to provide you a lot of information above in ways that I have never done before, so if some of it doesn't work, or doesn't make sense, please tell me and I will try again. Suggestions welcome. Thanks again, guys! ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ On Sun, 30 May 2010 11:41:24 +0700, David <invalid(a)socrates.edu> wrote: >This question has probably been asked before, but I can't figure out how to >search for it. Apologies. If you can point me to a thread I will be happy >to go there. > >I have an old Dell PC,( vintage 2003), with XP Home Edition. It has been >updated regularly, so the XP version is current. But the machine is so >burdened with junk software that it can barely crawl anymore. I need to >wipe the disk and re-install XP. > >I have the original SP-1 reinstallation disk that was provided by Dell with >the purchase. > >My question: What is the best way to bring the re-install up to the current >release version? > >Thank you very much, in advance.
From: Daave on 9 Jun 2010 10:50 Assuming you are indeed malware-free and that your hard drive is still in the correct mode (DMA), you either need to add more RAM or uninstall McAfee and Webroot and go with better replacements. (A Clean Install will *not* help you with your performance if you intend to reinstall McAfee and Webroot!) I would use Avira AntiVir for your antivirus program and MalwareByte's AntiMalware and SUPERAntiSpyware for your non-viral anti-malware programs. But, again, to determine if you are relying too heavily on your pagefile (a definite cause of sluggishness!), open Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) and click the Performance tab. Then note the three values under Commit Charge (K): in the lower left-hand corner: Total, Limit, and Peak. (In your screen shot, at the bottom, I was able to see Total and Limit. But Peak is important, too!) The Total figure represents the amount of memory you are using at that very moment. The Peak figure represents the highest amount of memory you used since last bootup. If both these figures are below the value of Physical Memory (K) Total, then you probably have plenty of RAM. In case you want to explore this further, you may run Page File Monitor for Windows XP: http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm David wrote: > For context, my initial OP post, dated 30 May, is at the bottom of > this post in case it has been lost from your thread. You folks gave > me a lot of homework, and I have only now gotten far enough along > with that to make a meaningful response. > > This post is directed primarily at Jose and Daave, who both > encouraged me to try and fix my existing system rather than to > "Diskwipe and Reinstall". I don't know whether I am up to this task, > but here is an initial thrust: > > First of all, let me say that I feel quite sure that there is no > malware problem with the system. I have had both McAfee and Webroot > SpySweeper running for several years now. I know that they are > resource hogs, but they have kept me out of trouble so far. I will > probably take your advice though and go with "lighter" products when > their subscriptions expire. I should note here, however, that the > subject system slowdown has happened (albeit gradually) long after > these two products were initially installed. > > Regarding the DMA/PIO issue, I have attempted to describe it in words > but finally gave up. There appear to be four combinations of > answers, not easily described, so I am just including images: (This > is my first attempt to try to use an image hosting service like this > with USENET, so I hope it works. If anyone has trouble viewing > these, please tell me.) > > http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9924/primaryidechannel.jpg > > http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/8333/secondaryidechannel.jpg > > If I can presume that I have passed the malware and PIO tests, then > here is a text file of my msinfo32 file: > > msinfo32 Summary 9 June 2010 > > OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition > Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600 > OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation > System Name [Snip] > System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation > System Model Dimension 4550 > System Type X86-based PC > Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2657 Mhz > BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A03, 11/12/2002 > SMBIOS Version 2.3 > Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS > System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32 > Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2 > Locale United States > Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 > (xpsp.080413-2111)" > User Name [Snip] > Time Zone SE Asia Standard Time > Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB > Available Physical Memory 58.03 MB > Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB > Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB > Page File Space 1.22 GB > Page File C:\pagefile.sys > > And here is a text file of my CCleaner startup file: > > Yes HKCU:Run ctfmon.exe "C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run ATIPTA "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI > Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run Adobe Photo Downloader "C:\Program Files\Photoshop > Elements\apdproxy.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run Microsoft Works Portfolio "C:\Program > Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe" /AllUsers > Yes HKLM:Run nmctxth "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Pure > Networks Shared\Platform\nmctxth.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run nmapp "C:\Program Files\Pure Networks\Network > Magic\nmapp.exe" -autorun -nosplash > Yes HKLM:Run SunJavaUpdateSched "C:\Program > Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run mcui_exe "C:\Program > Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe" /runkey > Yes HKLM:Run WorksFUD "C:\Program Files\Microsoft > Works\wkfud.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run SpySweeper "C:\Program > Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\SpySweeperUI.exe" /startintray > Yes Startup Common Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk C:\Program > Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe > Yes Startup Common Microsoft Office.lnk C:\Program Files\Microsoft > Office\Office10\OSA.EXE > Yes Startup Common Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk C:\Program > Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe > > (If you are wondering what Pure Networks\Network Magic is, it's a > "pretty-GUI" network management program for people who aren't very > smart about networks. That's me.) > > And here is an image of my Task Manager's process tab: > > http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9181/taskmanagere.jpg > > Please note that at your suggestion I have already downloaded and ran > "Autoruns.exe", and have already disabled a number of items before the > above taskmanager snapshot was taken. These already appear to have > increased the processing speed noticeably. > > Also please note that I am not so concerned about the time required > for the system startup. I am much more concerned about the > processing speed once startup has completed. Anything you can tell > me to help to increase that speed will be greatly appreciated. > > Finally, I am attempting to provide you a lot of information above in > ways that I have never done before, so if some of it doesn't work, or > doesn't make sense, please tell me and I will try again. Suggestions > welcome. > > Thanks again, guys! > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > On Sun, 30 May 2010 11:41:24 +0700, David <invalid(a)socrates.edu> > wrote: > >> This question has probably been asked before, but I can't figure out >> how to search for it. Apologies. If you can point me to a thread I >> will be happy to go there. >> >> I have an old Dell PC,( vintage 2003), with XP Home Edition. It >> has been updated regularly, so the XP version is current. But the >> machine is so burdened with junk software that it can barely crawl >> anymore. I need to wipe the disk and re-install XP. >> >> I have the original SP-1 reinstallation disk that was provided by >> Dell with the purchase. >> >> My question: What is the best way to bring the re-install up to the >> current release version? >> >> Thank you very much, in advance.
From: Mike S on 9 Jun 2010 17:46 On 6/9/2010 7:50 AM, Daave wrote: > Assuming you are indeed malware-free and that your hard drive is still > in the correct mode (DMA), you either need to add more RAM or uninstall > McAfee and Webroot and go with better replacements. (A Clean Install > will *not* help you with your performance if you intend to reinstall > McAfee and Webroot!) I would use Avira AntiVir for your antivirus > program and MalwareByte's AntiMalware and SUPERAntiSpyware for your > non-viral anti-malware programs. > > But, again, to determine if you are relying too heavily on your pagefile > (a definite cause of sluggishness!), open Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del) > and click the Performance tab. Then note the three values under Commit > Charge (K): in the lower left-hand corner: Total, Limit, and Peak. (In > your screen shot, at the bottom, I was able to see Total and Limit. But > Peak is important, too!) > > The Total figure represents the amount of memory you are using at that > very moment. The Peak figure represents the highest amount of memory you > used since last bootup. If both these figures are below the value of > Physical Memory (K) Total, then you probably have plenty of RAM. > In case you want to explore this further, you may run Page File Monitor > for Windows XP: > > http://www.dougknox.com/xp/utils/xp_pagefilemon.htm > > > > David wrote: >> For context, my initial OP post, dated 30 May, is at the bottom of >> this post in case it has been lost from your thread. You folks gave >> me a lot of homework, and I have only now gotten far enough along >> with that to make a meaningful response. >> >> This post is directed primarily at Jose and Daave, who both >> encouraged me to try and fix my existing system rather than to >> "Diskwipe and Reinstall". I don't know whether I am up to this task, >> but here is an initial thrust: >> >> First of all, let me say that I feel quite sure that there is no >> malware problem with the system. I have had both McAfee and Webroot >> SpySweeper running for several years now. I know that they are >> resource hogs, but they have kept me out of trouble so far. I will >> probably take your advice though and go with "lighter" products when >> their subscriptions expire. I should note here, however, that the >> subject system slowdown has happened (albeit gradually) long after >> these two products were initially installed. >> >> Regarding the DMA/PIO issue, I have attempted to describe it in words >> but finally gave up. There appear to be four combinations of >> answers, not easily described, so I am just including images: (This >> is my first attempt to try to use an image hosting service like this >> with USENET, so I hope it works. If anyone has trouble viewing >> these, please tell me.) >> >> http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9924/primaryidechannel.jpg >> >> http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/8333/secondaryidechannel.jpg >> >> If I can presume that I have passed the malware and PIO tests, then >> here is a text file of my msinfo32 file: >> >> msinfo32 Summary 9 June 2010 >> >> OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition >> Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600 >> OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation >> System Name [Snip] >> System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation >> System Model Dimension 4550 >> System Type X86-based PC >> Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2657 Mhz >> BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A03, 11/12/2002 >> SMBIOS Version 2.3 >> Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS >> System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32 >> Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2 >> Locale United States >> Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 >> (xpsp.080413-2111)" >> User Name [Snip] >> Time Zone SE Asia Standard Time >> Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB >> Available Physical Memory 58.03 MB >> Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB >> Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB >> Page File Space 1.22 GB >> Page File C:\pagefile.sys >> >> And here is a text file of my CCleaner startup file: >> >> Yes HKCU:Run ctfmon.exe "C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe" >> Yes HKLM:Run ATIPTA "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI >> Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe" >> Yes HKLM:Run Adobe Photo Downloader "C:\Program Files\Photoshop >> Elements\apdproxy.exe" >> Yes HKLM:Run Microsoft Works Portfolio "C:\Program >> Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe" /AllUsers >> Yes HKLM:Run nmctxth "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Pure >> Networks Shared\Platform\nmctxth.exe" >> Yes HKLM:Run nmapp "C:\Program Files\Pure Networks\Network >> Magic\nmapp.exe" -autorun -nosplash >> Yes HKLM:Run SunJavaUpdateSched "C:\Program >> Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe" >> Yes HKLM:Run mcui_exe "C:\Program >> Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe" /runkey >> Yes HKLM:Run WorksFUD "C:\Program Files\Microsoft >> Works\wkfud.exe" >> Yes HKLM:Run SpySweeper "C:\Program >> Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\SpySweeperUI.exe" /startintray >> Yes Startup Common Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk C:\Program >> Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe >> Yes Startup Common Microsoft Office.lnk C:\Program Files\Microsoft >> Office\Office10\OSA.EXE >> Yes Startup Common Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk C:\Program >> Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe >> >> (If you are wondering what Pure Networks\Network Magic is, it's a >> "pretty-GUI" network management program for people who aren't very >> smart about networks. That's me.) >> >> And here is an image of my Task Manager's process tab: >> >> http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9181/taskmanagere.jpg >> >> Please note that at your suggestion I have already downloaded and ran >> "Autoruns.exe", and have already disabled a number of items before the >> above taskmanager snapshot was taken. These already appear to have >> increased the processing speed noticeably. >> >> Also please note that I am not so concerned about the time required >> for the system startup. I am much more concerned about the >> processing speed once startup has completed. Anything you can tell >> me to help to increase that speed will be greatly appreciated. >> >> Finally, I am attempting to provide you a lot of information above in >> ways that I have never done before, so if some of it doesn't work, or >> doesn't make sense, please tell me and I will try again. Suggestions >> welcome. >> >> Thanks again, guys! >> >> ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ >> >> On Sun, 30 May 2010 11:41:24 +0700, David<invalid(a)socrates.edu> >> wrote: >> >>> This question has probably been asked before, but I can't figure out >>> how to search for it. Apologies. If you can point me to a thread I >>> will be happy to go there. >>> >>> I have an old Dell PC,( vintage 2003), with XP Home Edition. It >>> has been updated regularly, so the XP version is current. But the >>> machine is so burdened with junk software that it can barely crawl >>> anymore. I need to wipe the disk and re-install XP. >>> >>> I have the original SP-1 reinstallation disk that was provided by >>> Dell with the purchase. >>> >>> My question: What is the best way to bring the re-install up to the >>> current release version? >>> >>> Thank you very much, in advance. You can breathe new life into your system, I would consider the following: - get at least 2GB of RAM total - remove the items below from the startup - if you can *overclock it I would research that so you understand how to protect your cpu from overheating while getting more performance out of it. *http://support.dell.com/support/edocs/systems/dim4550/specs.htm#1101572 Intel� Pentium� 4 microprocessor that runs at 1.80, 1.90, 2.0, or 2.20 GHz internally and 400 MHz externally; or 2.26, 2.4, 2.53, 2.66, 2.8, or 3.06 GHz internally and 533 MHz externally - tell us what kind of video card you have You can use Mike Lin Startup cpl if you want a nice gui (it will place a new icon "Startup" in the control panel and you can check or uncheck startup entries quickly, easily, and reversibly). ATIPTA "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe" Adobe Photo Downloader "C:\Program Files\Photoshop Elements\apdproxy.exe" Microsoft Works Portfolio "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe" /AllUsers nmctxth "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Pure Networks Shared\Platform\nmctxth.exe" nmapp "C:\Program Files\Pure Networks\Network Magic\nmapp.exe" -autorun -nosplash SunJavaUpdateSched "C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe" WorksFUD "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\wkfud.exe" Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe Microsoft Office.lnk C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe Mike
From: Mike S on 9 Jun 2010 18:38 On 5/29/2010 9:41 PM, David wrote: > This question has probably been asked before, but I can't figure out how to > search for it. Apologies. If you can point me to a thread I will be happy > to go there. > > I have an old Dell PC,( vintage 2003), with XP Home Edition. It has been > updated regularly, so the XP version is current. But the machine is so > burdened with junk software that it can barely crawl anymore. I need to > wipe the disk and re-install XP. > > I have the original SP-1 reinstallation disk that was provided by Dell with > the purchase. > > My question: What is the best way to bring the re-install up to the current > release version? > > Thank you very much, in advance. RAM discussions you may find interesting: http://social.technet.microsoft.com/Forums/en/itproxpsp/thread/83584c69-a000-42cd-9f16-d40cd69d8011 http://www.computerworld.com/s/article/9011523/Buying_a_new_PC_Windows_Vista_Capable_barely_hits_the_mark http://answers.yahoo.com/question/index?qid=20080408225454AAwpTgy Also visual effects can impact performance http://articles.techrepublic.com.com/5100-10878_11-5030748.html http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/setup/personalize/performance.mspx
From: Jose on 9 Jun 2010 20:24
On Jun 9, 9:30 am, David <inva...(a)socrates.edu> wrote: > For context, my initial OP post, dated 30 May, is at the bottom of this > post in case it has been lost from your thread. You folks gave me a lot of > homework, and I have only now gotten far enough along with that to make a > meaningful response. > > This post is directed primarily at Jose and Daave, who both encouraged me > to try and fix my existing system rather than to "Diskwipe and Reinstall".. > I don't know whether I am up to this task, but here is an initial thrust: > > First of all, let me say that I feel quite sure that there is no malware > problem with the system. I have had both McAfee and Webroot SpySweeper > running for several years now. I know that they are resource hogs, but > they have kept me out of trouble so far. I will probably take your advice > though and go with "lighter" products when their subscriptions expire. I > should note here, however, that the subject system slowdown has happened > (albeit gradually) long after these two products were initially installed.. > > Regarding the DMA/PIO issue, I have attempted to describe it in words but > finally gave up. There appear to be four combinations of answers, not > easily described, so I am just including images: (This is my first attempt > to try to use an image hosting service like this with USENET, so I hope it > works. If anyone has trouble viewing these, please tell me.) > > http://img295.imageshack.us/img295/9924/primaryidechannel.jpg > > http://img693.imageshack.us/img693/8333/secondaryidechannel.jpg > > If I can presume that I have passed the malware and PIO tests, then here is > a text file of my msinfo32 file: > > msinfo32 Summary 9 June 2010 > > OS Name Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition > Version 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3 Build 2600 > OS Manufacturer Microsoft Corporation > System Name [Snip] > System Manufacturer Dell Computer Corporation > System Model Dimension 4550 > System Type X86-based PC > Processor x86 Family 15 Model 2 Stepping 7 GenuineIntel ~2657 Mhz > BIOS Version/Date Dell Computer Corporation A03, 11/12/2002 > SMBIOS Version 2.3 > Windows Directory C:\WINDOWS > System Directory C:\WINDOWS\system32 > Boot Device \Device\HarddiskVolume2 > Locale United States > Hardware Abstraction Layer Version = "5.1.2600.5512 > (xpsp.080413-2111)" > User Name [Snip] > Time Zone SE Asia Standard Time > Total Physical Memory 512.00 MB > Available Physical Memory 58.03 MB > Total Virtual Memory 2.00 GB > Available Virtual Memory 1.96 GB > Page File Space 1.22 GB > Page File C:\pagefile.sys > > And here is a text file of my CCleaner startup file: > > Yes HKCU:Run ctfmon.exe "C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run ATIPTA "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI > Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run Adobe Photo Downloader "C:\Program Files\Photoshop > Elements\apdproxy.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run Microsoft Works Portfolio "C:\Program > Files\Microsoft Works\WksSb.exe" /AllUsers > Yes HKLM:Run nmctxth "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Pure > Networks Shared\Platform\nmctxth.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run nmapp "C:\Program Files\Pure Networks\Network > Magic\nmapp.exe" -autorun -nosplash > Yes HKLM:Run SunJavaUpdateSched "C:\Program > Files\Java\jre6\bin\jusched.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run mcui_exe "C:\Program > Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe" /runkey > Yes HKLM:Run WorksFUD "C:\Program Files\Microsoft > Works\wkfud.exe" > Yes HKLM:Run SpySweeper "C:\Program > Files\Webroot\WebrootSecurity\SpySweeperUI.exe" /startintray > Yes Startup Common Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk C:\Program > Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe > Yes Startup Common Microsoft Office.lnk C:\Program Files\Microsoft > Office\Office10\OSA.EXE > Yes Startup Common Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders.lnk C:\Program > Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe > > (If you are wondering what Pure Networks\Network Magic is, it's a > "pretty-GUI" network management program for people who aren't very smart > about networks. That's me.) > > And here is an image of my Task Manager's process tab: > > http://img441.imageshack.us/img441/9181/taskmanagere.jpg > > Please note that at your suggestion I have already downloaded and ran > "Autoruns.exe", and have already disabled a number of items before the > above taskmanager snapshot was taken. These already appear to have > increased the processing speed noticeably. > > Also please note that I am not so concerned about the time required for the > system startup. I am much more concerned about the processing speed once > startup has completed. Anything you can tell me to help to increase that > speed will be greatly appreciated. > > Finally, I am attempting to provide you a lot of information above in ways > that I have never done before, so if some of it doesn't work, or doesn't > make sense, please tell me and I will try again. Suggestions welcome. > > Thanks again, guys! > > ~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~ > > > > On Sun, 30 May 2010 11:41:24 +0700, David <inva...(a)socrates.edu> wrote: > >This question has probably been asked before, but I can't figure out how to > >search for it. Apologies. If you can point me to a thread I will be happy > >to go there. > > >I have an old Dell PC,( vintage 2003), with XP Home Edition. It has been > >updated regularly, so the XP version is current. But the machine is so > >burdened with junk software that it can barely crawl anymore. I need to > >wipe the disk and re-install XP. > > >I have the original SP-1 reinstallation disk that was provided by Dell with > >the purchase. > > >My question: What is the best way to bring the re-install up to the current > >release version? > > >Thank you very much, in advance. That is all very good information. You can see from TM where your Virtual Memory is going (at least you do not have the Spybot Teatimer!), but if you are not getting the infomational message that XP s increasing the size of your paging file (are you?) then XP would seem to be happy. If you have some $$$, get a meg or two, but you have more than me so I am jealous. You do have some things running you probably do not need. The good part is, you can now use CCleaner to just disable the startup items, reboot and see how things look. I have zero startup items, but sometimes you need to have some depending on your situation and the way you like to operate. Disabling things does not uninstall things. If you reboot and something is not right, reenable the item and reboot. Before disabling things you may want to research them a bit and see what they do and if they help or hurt your perfomance. Right away I would disable: ctfmon (read about it and see if you ever use it - probably not). reader_sl.exe (Adobe Speed Launcher installs automatically when you install their reader - boo!) jusched.exe (the Java updater) I usually see disabling this shave 15-30+ seconds off a reboot time and you can still update Java when I feel like it and I see no degradation in any WWW page performance (and I measure carefully). It is a reboot/startup pig. That McAfee stuff gives me the creeps. I don't like McAfee personally and don't remember if it installs Services along with those startup items, but you can see from Task Manager it is a virtual memory hog. I am not going to install McAfee to find out either, but you can disable them temporarily and see how things look after a reboot. Ditto on SpySweeper - don't know how it will effect your day to day stuff, disable it, reboot and see. I have no kind of real time protection for the Internet by choice - it slows me down and I don't go places I am likely to pick up anything - unless I do it on purpose for testing. That bare naked environment may not be right for you, but the more protection you have going on, the slower things are going to be - but better performance comes with some risk for some folks. More protection is not always good - you can overdo things by applying too many layers (this happens a lot). I don't recall if you can disable just parts of McAfee or not - you probably do not want it scanning emails for example or all your Internet traffic, etc. You will have to look at the options or somebody else can tell you more about it. It may do "everything" on a default install.. You can certainly disable it all right now, reboot and browse the Internet intelligently and safely and test your usual activities you like to do and maybe you will say - wow, this is great but I feel too vulnerable and will pay the penalty in performance for more protection. With CClearner you can disable everything and turn them back on one at a time, or turn them off one at a time (I would definitely turn off the 3 I mentioned before). Some things I do not recognize, but you probably do and you can disable them, reboot and enable them again and take a look at things now. Now you know how to look at your Task Manager a bit and see what effects the changes have (this is good to know). You can post screen shots now too - this is a big help so we are not guessing what is going on. You have the tools now to start adjusting things. Make some changes, see how it goes and come back with results, problems, questions... When you get settled down with some adjustments, we can take a look at your XP Services - waayyyyy too many probably. |