Hey guys, I'm trying to fix another laptop this time (not mine), recently it has been running somewhat slow and the hard drive has been making ticking noises as if it's trying to constantly access something and not finding it, so I just want to make sure there's nothing that I haven't looked over, I ran HijackThis and not much came up:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 2:50:35 PM, on 2/23/2008
Platform: Windows Vista (WinNT 6.00.1904)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16609)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Windows\System32\WLTRAY.EXE
C:\Windows\sttray.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\CLI.EXE
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\VPTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\logishrd\LComMgr\Communications_Helper.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\QuickCam\Quickcam.exe
C:\Windows\System32\LVCOMSX.EXE
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell\QuickSet\quickset.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LogiShrd\LVCOMSER\LVComSer.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\CLI.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\CLI.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\LQCVFX\COCIManager.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\AcroRd32.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\WINWORD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM6\aim6.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM6\aolsoftware.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\AOL\Loader\aolload.exe
C:\Users\Rachel\Desktop\HiJackThis.exe

O23 - Service: SigmaTel Audio Service (STacSV) - SigmaTel, Inc. - C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\C-Major Audio\WDM\STacSV.exe
O23 - Service: stllssvr - MicroVision Development, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\SureThing Shared\stllssvr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec AntiVirus - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec AntiVirus\Rtvscan.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
O23 - Service: Dell Wireless WLAN Tray Service (wltrysvc) - Unknown owner - C:\Windows\System32\WLTRYSVC.EXE
O23 - Service: XAudioService - Conexant Systems, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\xaudio.exe

--
End of file - 2338 bytes

I was wondering what other things I could run to figure out the possible cause of the problem (34.5 gigs free, which means that it's not space problems and the CPU and mem usage is usually in the normal range; this laptop is pretty much used for regular things i.e. writing, internet, nothing fancy, no games etc.).

I have moved your Topic that includes a HijackThis log here to the Misplaced HJT Logs forum. You posted your log in a forum not intended for HijackThis logs analysis and probably missed the directions we provide to those who require assistance. We can only allow topics with such logs in the HijackThis Logs and Malware Removal forum. This restriction is to ensure you get the best help available, from those who specialize in malware anlaysis and removal. It also should prevent you from receiving ineffective or even potentially dangerous advice, whether well meaning or not.

Prior to posting a HJT log, we ask that you please read and follow all instructions in the pinned topic titled Preparation Guide For Use Before Posting A Hijackthis Log. Following the steps in this Guide will allow the HJT Team to quickly help you with specific fixes for what may remain on your system.

Please complete all the steps in the Guide. If you have performed some of them already, then just continue with the next. If you can't perform a step, then skip it and continue with the next. The last step will include downloading and using the most current version of HijackThis if the first line of your log does not appear as follows:

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2

Please note that it is important that HijackThis be run and a log created while in normal mode. If you run it and create your log while in safe mode, you will be asked to redo it again properly. When you have completed those steps, start a new topic in the HijackThis Logs and Malware Removal forum as directed in the Guide to post a new log.

Please DO NOT post any more logs to this topic, or post a log again in the wrong forum.

This Misplaced HJT Logs forum is strictly a holding area where the BC Staff can assist you with preparations for and to properly post your log. If you have a question or encounter a problem in the Prep Guide, please do post back to this topic; that is what it is here for.

When your new HJT log is posted in the proper forum, please reply to this topic with a link to your new topic. Once that is done, a Member of the HJT Team will analyze your log and assist you with step by step instructions to clean your computer or otherwise advise what needs to be done.

Thanks for your cooperation and good luck.
The BC Staff