My computer runs very slow after a while and it would become difficult to shut programs. I would then go to the task manager to close the program only to see that the cpu is running at 100% and it won't let me do anything.
AMD Anthlon 2600+
256MB
40GB HDD
64MB Geforce2 MX400
Which OS are you running? Which anti-virus? Have you checked for adware/spyware lately? Are you running the Windows fast-switcher PowerToy? Are you on broadband or dial-up? Are you using a firewall? Any weird toolbars, pop-ups, or changed start-pages lately?
Please help us help you. Read the malware article in m\y signature, below. If you feel that you are up to runningHijackThis, post a log here before you try to fix anything. In any case, we need more information.
TallCool1
Practically a Posting Shark
865 posts since May 2003
Reputation Points: 149
Solved Threads: 45
Sometimes weird toolbars come up but I get rid of those programs.
It certainly sounds like a spyware/malware issue- exactly how are you removing the offending programs, toolbars, etc.? There have been a number of posts here in the last few days which deal with effectively getting rid of malware- take a look through those for solutions. What is the Windows switcher power toys?Fast user switching- this Google search will give you info on that: http://www.google.com/search?hl=en&ie=UTF-8&oe=UTF-8&q=windows+%22power+toy%22+%22fast+user+switching%22&btnG=Google+Search
In Task Manager, look in the "processes" tab and see if you can determine which process is chewing up your resources.
Does this happen randomly, or does it seem (think carefully) to be related to running a certain program or performing a certain task?
Close down any programs you don't need and disable items in your system tray (anti-virus, etc.). If that cures the problem, restart the applications you closed one at a time to see if you can pinpoint the culprit.
DMR
Wombat At Large
7,229 posts since Dec 2003
Reputation Points: 221
Solved Threads: 370
OK- I'll bet you've probably picked up a bunch of spyware/malware, and that's what is clogging up your system. Download, install, and run the following (free) malware removal tools:
Ad Aware: www.lavasoftusa.com
SpyBot Search & Destroy: http://www.safer-networking.org/
SpywareBlaster: http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
HijackThis: http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/downloads.html
I would suggest running Ad Aware and SpyBot together; run one of them, reboot to make sure the fixes take effect, and then immediately run the other. Close all unnecessary program before doing the runs.
Also, you should use Window's Automatic Update function to install the latest security patches and bug fixes for the operating system, Internet Explorer, and Media Player- Microsoft has recently posted some new updates which, among other things, can help make your system more immune to the effects of malicious programs like spyware/adware/malware.
DMR
Wombat At Large
7,229 posts since Dec 2003
Reputation Points: 221
Solved Threads: 370
How does getting rid of ads and spyware affect my procesor?
Does spyware run in the background or something?
Yes, that's the whole idea of malware programs. Depending on the particular program, it might also be generating network/Interent traffic that you aren't even aware of.
How much memory do you have in your system? If you've got 256 or more and you're still experiencing slowdowns, I would seriously check your system for spyware/malware.
DMR
Wombat At Large
7,229 posts since Dec 2003
Reputation Points: 221
Solved Threads: 370
Many of the malware programs do make registry modifications, and the removal utilities (including SpyBot) will detect those- that's part of their job. I've never had a problem with SpyBot or Ad Aware deleting something they shouldn't, but if you're unsure about deleting any entries those programs found, let us know and we can you if they're safe to delete or not.
DMR
Wombat At Large
7,229 posts since Dec 2003
Reputation Points: 221
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In terms of svchost, you can think of it as program/service "launcher", much like run32.dll. An explanation is here:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;250320
It's often normal to see multipe instances of svchost running for the reason given above, but malware programs can be launched by svchost as well, so I'd go ahead with SpyBot and see what happens from there.
DMR
Wombat At Large
7,229 posts since Dec 2003
Reputation Points: 221
Solved Threads: 370
A system restore might work, but than again it might not.
Sorry for the short and cryptic response, but I'm just on my way out the door to make meeting with a client; I'll try to get back to this as soon as I can.
DMR
Wombat At Large
7,229 posts since Dec 2003
Reputation Points: 221
Solved Threads: 370
Do u think that a reinstallation might be good. I talked to the company that I got the computer from and they said that I may have to reinstall:sad: but I dont want to. Is there any last hope type thing I could do to try to fix this problem without having to reinstall or do a system restore?
A reinstall should always be your last resort- if you haven't done this already, run SpyBot again and let it fix the problems it finds. Many of the spyware removal programswill make changes to your registry, because the programs they're designed to remove altered your registry in the fist place. SpyBot does flag some things that aren't necessarilly threats (only questionable objects), but I've never had it remove something it shouldn't, and I have used it a lot.
DMR
Wombat At Large
7,229 posts since Dec 2003
Reputation Points: 221
Solved Threads: 370
