Hi all,
I am hoping someone maybe able to help me.
I have a Acer Aspire 9301AWSMi laptop,and has been running very slow recently.

It is second hand, but was running fine up until about 2 months ago.

This is the Hijackthis log:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 20:45:58, on 28/10/2009
Platform: Windows Vista (WinNT 6.00.1904)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16916)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\RtHDVCpl.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\Launch Manager\LManager.exe
C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eDataSecurity\x86\eDSLoader.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Belkin\Network USB Hub Control Center\Connect.exe
C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\ENET\ENMTRAY.EXE
C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\EPOWER\EPOWER_DMC.EXE
C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\ACER.EMPOWERING.FRAMEWORK.SUPERVISOR.EXE
C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eRecovery\ERAGENT.EXE
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Identity Protection\agent\bin\avgidsmonitor.exe
C:\Users\admin\AppData\Local\Temp\RtkBtMnt.exe
C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eDataSecurity\x86\MsnVane.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page =
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page =
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://en.uk.acer.yahoo.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://en.uk.acer.yahoo.com
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\SearchURL,(Default) =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
R3 - URLSearchHook: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - (no file)
R3 - URLSearchHook: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - c:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Skype add-on (mastermind) - {22BF413B-C6D2-4d91-82A9-A0F997BA588C} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O2 - BHO: WormRadar.com IESiteBlocker.NavFilter - {3CA2F312-6F6E-4B53-A66E-4E65E497C8C0} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgssie.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {5C255C8A-E604-49b4-9D64-90988571CECB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Search Helper - {6EBF7485-159F-4bff-A14F-B9E3AAC4465B} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft\Search Enhancement Pack\Search Helper\SEPsearchhelperie.dll
O2 - BHO: ShowBarObj Class - {83A2F9B1-01A2-4AA5-87D1-45B6B8505E96} - C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eDataSecurity\x86\ActiveToolBand.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: AVG Security Toolbar BHO - {A3BC75A2-1F87-4686-AA43-5347D756017C} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {E15A8DC0-8516-42A1-81EA-DC94EC1ACF10} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Acer eDataSecurity Management - {5CBE3B7C-1E47-477e-A7DD-396DB0476E29} - C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eDataSecurity\x86\eDStoolbar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Windows Live Toolbar - {21FA44EF-376D-4D53-9B0F-8A89D3229068} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Toolbar\wltcore.dll
O3 - Toolbar: AVG Security Toolbar - {CCC7A320-B3CA-4199-B1A6-9F516DD69829} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Toolbar\IEToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RtHDVCpl] RtHDVCpl.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SynTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvSvc] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\nvsvc.dll,nvsvcStart
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\Windows\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LManager] C:\PROGRA~1\LAUNCH~1\LManager.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [WarReg_PopUp] C:\Acer\WR_PopUp\WarReg_PopUp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eDataSecurity Loader] C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eDataSecurity\x86\eDSloader.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] "C:\Windows\system32\msconfig.exe" /auto
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PC Pitstop Optimize Scheduler] C:\Program Files\PCPitstop\Optimize\PCPOptimize.exe -boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG9_TRAY] C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\AVG9\avgtray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [msnmsgr] "C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Messenger\msnmsgr.exe" /background
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [Sidebar] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Sidebar\Sidebar.exe /detectMem (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: Belkin Network USB Hub Control Center.lnk = C:\Program Files\Belkin\Network USB Hub Control Center\Connect.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Empowering Technology Launcher.lnk = ?
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office10\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Blog This - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Blog This in Windows Live Writer - {219C3416-8CB2-491a-A3C7-D9FCDDC9D600} - C:\Program Files\Windows Live\Writer\WriterBrowserExtension.dll
O9 - Extra button: Skype - {77BF5300-1474-4EC7-9980-D32B190E9B07} - C:\Program Files\Skype\Toolbars\Internet Explorer\SkypeIEPlugin.dll
O9 - Extra button: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - C:\Programs\PartyGaming\PartyPoker\RunApp.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: PartyPoker.com - {B7FE5D70-9AA2-40F1-9C6B-12A255F085E1} - C:\Programs\PartyGaming\PartyPoker\RunApp.exe (file missing)
O9 - Extra button: WH GBP Casino - {37236812-C1A2-4529-A9CE-CFE04E3DF08A} - http://www.williamhillcasino.com (file missing) (HKCU)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: WH GBP Casino - {37236812-C1A2-4529-A9CE-CFE04E3DF08A} - http://www.williamhillcasino.com (file missing) (HKCU)
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O18 - Protocol: linkscanner - {F274614C-63F8-47D5-A4D1-FBDDE494F8D1} - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgpp.dll
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: avgrsstx.dll
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: AVG WatchDog (avg9wd) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgwdsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG Firewall (avgfws9) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\avgfws9.exe
O23 - Service: AVG9IDSAgent (AVGIDSAgent) - AVG Technologies CZ, s.r.o. - C:\Program Files\AVG\AVG9\Identity Protection\Agent\Bin\AVGIDSAgent.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Lic NetConnect service (CLTNetCnService) - Unknown owner - c:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: eDataSecurity Service - Egis Incorporated - C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eDataSecurity\x86\eDSService.exe
O23 - Service: eLock Service (eLockService) - Acer Inc. - C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eLock\Service\eLockServ.exe
O23 - Service: eNet Service - Acer Inc. - C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eNet\eNet Service.exe
O23 - Service: eRecovery Service (eRecoveryService) - Acer Inc. - C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eRecovery\eRecoveryService.exe
O23 - Service: eSettings Service (eSettingsService) - Unknown owner - C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eSettings\Service\capuserv.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Hewlett-Packard Company - c:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: ePower Service (WMIService) - acer - C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\ePower\ePowerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: XAudioService - Conexant Systems, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\xaudio.exe

--
End of file - 9900 bytes


Thanks

Dani AI

Generated

Summary: the Acer Aspire 9301AWSMi on Windows Vista is reporting persistent slowness. The HijackThis output shows many third-party startup items and an orphaned Symantec/Norton service; ran an anti-malware scan that removed two items (reported by ). flagged resource-heavy utilities while warned against registry cleaners. A later note from calls out Belkin's Connect.exe as a frequent CPU culprit—that process is worth checking early in the diagnosis.

Immediate diagnostic steps (safe, reversible):

  1. Monitor live resource use with Task Manager and Resource Monitor to find processes with high CPU, memory, or disk I/O; when a suspect process (for example, a vendor utility such as Connect.exe) is identified, end it to see if responsiveness returns.
  2. Perform a clean boot via System Configuration (run msconfig) by disabling non-Microsoft services and startup items, then reboot to see if performance improves.
  3. Boot to Safe Mode to separate driver/service problems from normal user-space apps.

Disk and hardware checks: verify free disk space (aim for 15-20% free), run Disk Cleanup, then run chkdsk /r from an elevated prompt (schedule on next boot) to repair bad sectors. Run sfc /scannow to repair system files and review Event Viewer (System) for repeated disk/driver errors. If slowness appears sporadic, test RAM with Memtest86 and check the drive S.M.A.R.T. status—failing drives typically show heavy I/O and long response times.

Cleanup and longer-term fixes: disable or uninstall unnecessary OEM utilities (Acer Empowering services) and third-party optimizers (PC Pitstop) or toolbars that run constantly. Remove orphaned services (set the Symantec "file missing" service to Disabled via services.msc; advanced users may remove it with sc delete <servicename>). Avoid registry cleaners and P2P. If hardware checks indicate problems or the machine remains sluggish after these steps, a clean OS reinstall or hardware upgrades (SSD and/or more RAM) will usually produce the most reliable speed improvement.

Recommended Answers

All 6 Replies

Your laptop might have collected a few viruses over the years, try downloading MalwareBytes anti malware and run a full scan of your computer. See what that does and there might be a few other tricks to get your system running faster.

Your laptop might have collected a few viruses over the years, try downloading MalwareBytes anti malware and run a full scan of your computer. See what that does and there might be a few other tricks to get your system running faster.

I am now running a full scan using this, will come back when complete, and let you know how i get on.

Cheers

I am now running a full scan using this, will come back when complete, and let you know how i get on.

Cheers

I have run the scan, and it found two things, and I then removed them.

The laptop is till running so slow it is becoming unusable.

Any help would be apreciated.

Cheers

hi,
im no expert by any means but from your log it seems you have quite a few programmes that are very heavy on system resources and memory i,e apple (i-tunes,quicktime) skype etc so that wont help the speed but i would bet that if you downloaded a reg cleaning tool, i use and would recommend registry mechanic, that you would see at least a 70% improvement as it doesnt appear that you have any malware now. i dont know how you feel about downloading torrents but here are a couple of links for what you will need if you dont want to pay for the programme

http://www.utorrent.com/ (download and install 1st)

(download wit h utorrent)

also it appears in the log you have had norton installed on your laptop at some point(symantec) but now are using avg if so have you completely removed norton from your laptop as it would definately conflict with avg which would also slow down your laptop
hope some of this info helped

hi,
im no expert by any means but from your log it seems you have quite a few programmes that are very heavy on system resources and memory i,e apple (i-tunes,quicktime) skype etc so that wont help the speed but i would bet that if you downloaded a reg cleaning tool, i use and would recommend registry mechanic, that you would see at least a 70% improvement as it doesnt appear that you have any malware now. i dont know how you feel about downloading torrents but here are a couple of links for what you will need if you dont want to pay for the programme

http://www.utorrent.com/ (download and install 1st)

(download wit h utorrent)

also it appears in the log you have had norton installed on your laptop at some point(symantec) but now are using avg if so have you completely removed norton from your laptop as it would definately conflict with avg which would also slow down your laptop
hope some of this info helped

Have to step in here. Using uTorrent or P2P programs is MOST DEFINITELY something we DO NOT CONDONE or recommend here and is a VIOLATION of FORUM RULES...KEEP IT LEGAL
Also the use of Registry Cleaners or Registry Editing programs are also NOT recommended.

We need to see the MBA-M log and a NEW HiJackThis scan before other determinations can be made on the next steps required. rob247 IS correct in stating you have a lot of programs running which are big resource hogs, but registry cleaning is NOT the way to deal with these. There IS an entry for a past Symantec/Norton program showing in Services, if you note it shows as File Missing, meaning the computer will try to load it but won't be able to find it. This will need to be removed from services but give us a new HJT log and that MBA-M log and we can decided the best route to follow.
Judy

Two of my three laptops are recently running slow as well and when I look at Task Manager I see that Connect.exe has my CPU pegged out. I see that you have C:\Program Files\Belkin\Network USB Hub Control Center\Connect.exe
as well. Look at Task Manager to see if Connect.exe from your Belkin router has your CPU slammed as well. I don't have a solution at the moment but am looking. When I stop Connect.exe the computers speed back up and it doesnt kill my internet connection but it does shut down the connection to the USB HardDrive I have plugged into the Belkin router for back up storage. I have had this Router for about a year and the problem just started last week. One strange coincidence that probably isn't related is that my neighbor had Verizon FIOS installed last week and they cut my FIOS line when digging to cut hers. They fixed it immediately but this is about the same time my Belkin router started pegging out my CPU on two different laptops. I can't explain why the third one is OK so far.

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