Windows 7 Professional 32-bit system slows to a crawl at times

My computer is running Windows 7 Professional 32-bit. My processor is a 3.30 gigahertz AMD Athlon II X3 455, 384 kilobyte primary memory cache, 1536 kilobyte secondary memory cache. I just installed a new Toshiba 500 gb hard drive and have 350 gb of free space on it. I also have 8 mb of memory installed, but windows 32-bit can only use 4 mb.

The problem I'm having is that, at times, my system seems to grind to a halt. I keep up regular scans with SuperAntispyware and MalwareBytes, and have Norton Security Premium. All show my system is clean of viruses and spy and malware.At times, task manager shows as much as 57% cpu usage, even when I'm not doing anything.

Can someone please help me figure out what is causing my system to slow down sooo much?

Edited by hamluis, 05 February 2018 - 08:02 PM.
Moved from Win 7 to Am I Infected - Hamluis.

Try this:

Use CCleaner to remove Temporary files, program caches, cookies, logs, etc. Use the Default settings. No need to use the

Registry Cleaning Tool...risky. Pay close attention while installing and UNcheck offers of Google Chrome and Avast.

After install, open CCleaner and run by clicking on the Run Cleaner button in the bottom right corner.

CCleaner - PC Optimization and Cleaning - Free Download

Post the three lists mentioned below using CCleaner.

Open CCleaner and click on Tools. Choose Startups. On that page you will see a list of Windows Startups and at the top tabs for each browser and Scheduled Tasks.

At the bottom right of that page you will see a button when clicked will allow you to Copy and Paste the list of Windows Startups and Scheduled Tasks into your next

post. Please do that.

Open CCleaner and click on Tools. Choose Uninstall. On that page you will see a list of programs installed on your computer and at the bottom right of that page you

will see a button when clicked will allow you to Copy and Paste that list in your next post. Please do that.

I did forget to mention that I do have CCleaner and do run it about once a week or so.
here are the lists that you requested. Thanks for helping.

Yes    HKCU:Run    CCleaner Monitoring    Piriform Ltd    "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe" /MONITOR
No    HKCU:Run    GarminExpressTrayApp    Garmin Ltd. or its subsidiaries    "C:\Program Files\Garmin\Express Tray\ExpressTray.exe"
No    HKCU:Run    Skype    Skype Technologies S.A.    "C:\Program Files\Skype\Phone\Skype.exe" /minimized /regrun
No    HKCU:Run    Spy Protector        C:\Program Files\Security Task Manager\SpyProtector.exe /autostart
Yes    HKCU:Run    SUPERAntiSpyware    SUPERAntiSpyware    C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe
No    HKLM:Run    FaxCenterServer    Lexmark International, Inc.    "C:\Program Files\\Lexmark Fax Solutions\fm3032.exe" /s
Yes    HKLM:Run    lxdiamon    Lexmark International, Inc.    "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 3500-4500 Series\lxdiamon.exe"
No    HKLM:Run    lxdimon.exe    Lexmark International, Inc.    "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 3500-4500 Series\lxdimon.exe"
Yes    HKLM:Run    MSC    Microsoft Corporation    "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe" -hide -runkey
Yes    HKLM:Run    RtHDVCpl    Realtek Semiconductor    C:\Program Files\Realtek\Audio\HDA\RtHDVCpl.exe -s
Yes    Startup Common    DataViz Inc Messenger.lnk    DataViz, Inc.    C:\Program Files\Common Files\DataViz\DvzIncMsgr.exe
No    Startup Common    HotSync Manager.lnk    PalmSource, Inc    C:\PROGRA~1\Palm\Hotsync.exe -logon
No    Startup User    Palm Registration.lnk    Palm/Leader Technologies    C:\PROGRA~1\Palm\register.exe /remind /language=EN /INTL="false" /PRNM="Palm"
 

Yes    Task    Adobe Flash Player Updater    Adobe Systems Incorporated    C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashPlayerUpdateService.exe
Yes    Task    CCleanerSkipUAC    Piriform Ltd    "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe" $(Arg0)
Yes    Task    Driver Easy Scheduled Scan    Easeware    C:\Program Files\Easeware\DriverEasy\DriverEasy.exe --scan
Yes    Task    GarminUpdaterTask    Garmin International, Inc.    C:\Program Files\Garmin\Express SelfUpdater\ExpressSelfUpdater.exe
Yes    Task    SUPERAntiSpyware Scheduled Task 60262dee-0aa1-4bec-b868-d57a24c4a4c4    SUPERAdBlocker.com    C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASTask.exe "C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe" /TASK:60262dee-0aa1-4bec-b868-d57a24c4a4c4
Yes    Task    SUPERAntiSpyware Scheduled Task e9157d02-f403-4d84-a65f-e69eadc519d1    SUPERAdBlocker.com    C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASTask.exe "C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe" /TASK:e9157d02-f403-4d84-a65f-e69eadc519d1
Yes    Task    {4969622A-0E9E-4677-B2DD-D6638599D79F}    Microsoft Corporation    C:\Windows\system32\pcalua.exe -a "C:\Program Files\Palm\QuickInstall.exe" -d C:\Users\HICKS\Desktop

ABBYY FineReader 6.0 Sprint    ABBYY Software House    3/5/2017    116 MB    6.00.1990.41618
Adobe Acrobat Reader DC    Adobe Systems Incorporated    11/29/2017    250 MB    18.009.20050
Adobe Flash Player 28 NPAPI    Adobe Systems Incorporated            28.0.0.137
Adobe Shockwave Player 12.2    Adobe Systems, Inc.            12.2.7.197
Apowersoft Online Launcher version 1.7.0    APOWERSOFT LIMITED    1/25/2018        1.7.0
Belarc Advisor 8.5c    Belarc Inc.            8.5.3.0
CCleaner    Piriform            5.39
Documents To Go    DataViz Inc.    4/15/2017    27.4 MB    7.006.940
Driver Easy 5.5.6    Easeware    1/7/2018        5.5.6
EaseUS Todo Backup Home 10.6    CHENGDU YIWO Tech Development Co., Ltd    12/22/2017        10.6
Garmin Express    Garmin Ltd or its subsidiaries    1/16/2018        6.0.0.0
iSEEK AnswerWorks English Runtime    Vantage Linguistics    3/31/2017    4.77 MB    010.000.0101
Lexmark 3500-4500 Series    Lexmark International, Inc.            
Lexmark Fax Solutions                
LG Mobile Driver    LG Electronics    12/13/2017        4.2.0
LG United Mobile Driver    LG Electronics    12/13/2017        3.8.1
Malwarebytes version 3.3.1.2183    Malwarebytes    12/23/2017        3.3.1.2183
Microsoft .NET Framework 4.7    Microsoft Corporation    1/19/2018        4.7.02053
Microsoft Office File Validation Add-In    Microsoft Corporation    3/7/2017    10.7 MB    14.0.5130.5003
Microsoft Office Professional Plus 2007    Microsoft Corporation    1/10/2018        12.0.6612.1000
Microsoft Security Essentials    Microsoft Corporation    9/23/2017        4.10.209.0
Microsoft Silverlight    Microsoft Corporation    6/14/2017    89.3 MB    5.1.50907.0
Microsoft Visual C++ 2013 Redistributable (x86) - 12.0.30501    Microsoft Corporation            12.0.30501.0
Mozilla Firefox 58.0.1 (x86 en-US)    Mozilla            58.0.1
Mozilla Maintenance Service    Mozilla            58.0.1.6602
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB954430)    Microsoft Corporation    12/14/2017    35.0 KB    4.20.9870.0
MSXML 4.0 SP2 (KB973688)    Microsoft Corporation    12/14/2017    1.33 MB    4.20.9876.0
Norton Security    Symantec Corporation    3/4/2017        22.11.2.7
NVIDIA Drivers    NVIDIA Corporation            1.10.62.40
Online Video Converter version 1.1.0    APOWERSOFT LIMITED    1/25/2018        1.1.0
Palm    Palm, Inc.    4/15/2017    59.8 MB    4.1.0420
Quicken 2016    Intuit    3/31/2017    180 MB    25.1.11.5
Realtek High Definition Audio Driver    Realtek Semiconductor Corp.            6.0.1.8328
Shockwave                
Skype™ 7.3    Skype Technologies S.A.    3/6/2017    49.2 MB    7.3.101
SUPERAntiSpyware    SUPERAntiSpyware.com            6.0.1236
The Print Shop 12                
TurboTax 2016    Intuit, Inc            2016.0
Windows Driver Package - Dynastream Innovations, Inc. ANT LibUSB Drivers (04/11/2012 1.2.40.201)    Dynastream Innovations, Inc.            04/11/2012 1.2.40.201
Windows Driver Package - Silicon Labs Software (DSI_SiUSBXp_3_1) USB  (02/06/2007 3.1)    Silicon Labs Software            02/06/2007 3.1


 

You have a rogue security program in Windows Startup. You can delete that using CCleaner by clicking on SpyProtector and choose Delete on the right.

I am going to ask that this topic be moved to the Am I Infected.....Forum before offering further suggestions.

Before offering further suggestions on the 3 lists above....please do this:

Malwarebytes - Clean Mode

• Download and install the free version of Malwarebytes
  Note: If you have Malwarebytes already installed, you don't need to install it again. Simply start from the next bullet point
• Once Malwarebytes is installed, launch it and let it update its database. You might have to click on the little arrow by Scan Status in the middle right pane for it to do so
• Once the database update is complete, click on the Scan tab, then select the Threat Scan button and click on Start Scan
• Let the scan run, the time required to complete the scan depends of your system and computer specs
• Once the scan is complete, make sure that the first checkbox at the top is checked (which will automatically check every detected item), then click on the Quarantine Selected button
  • If it asks you to restart your computer to complete the removal, do so
• Click on Export Summary after the deletion (in the bottom-left corner) and select Copy to Clipboard. Paste the content in your next reply

Download AdwCleaner by Xplode onto your desktop. (compatible with Windows 7, 8 and 10)

• Close all open programs and internet browsers.
• Double click on adwcleaner.exe to run the tool.
• Click on Scan button.
• When the scan has finished click on Clean button.
• Your computer will be rebooted automatically. A text file will open after the restart.
• Please post the contents of that logfile with your next reply.
• You can find the logfile at C:\AdwCleaner[S1].txt as well.

Download and run the FREE online scanner from Free Virus Scan | Online Virus Scan from ESET | ESET

• Place a checkmark in YES, I accept the Terms of Use, then click Start. Wait for ESET Online Scanner to load its components.
• Select Enable detection of potentially unwanted applications.
• Click Advanced Settings, then place a checkmark in the following:
  • Remove found threats
  • Scan archives
  • Scan for potentially unsafe applications
  • Enable Anti-Stealth technology
• Click Start to begin scanning.
• ESET Online Scanner will start downloading signatures and scan. Please be patient, as this scan can take quite some time.
• When the scan is done, click List threats (only available if ESET Online Scanner found something).
• Click Export, then save the file to your desktop.
• Click Back, then Finish to exit ESET Online Scanner.

I'm sorry about taking a while to do this next step. I'm a nurse and work night shift. I do have MalwareBytes Premiom installed and scans once daily. Here's the results of the scan you asked for.

ESET has been running for about 12 hours now, so I'm sending the results of the first two scans. I will send ESET when it completes. So far, it has found 69 infected files. I'm thinking about stopping it and restarting it, because it seems to be hung. It has run overnight and has not moved since I got up this morning.

I am running ESET again, since it had stopped moving. Would it be wise to buy this program, since it seems to be finding files that other programs missed?

Malwarebytes
www.malwarebytes.com

-Log Details-
Scan Date: 2/7/18
Scan Time: 2:59 PM
Log File: d20be160-0c49-11e8-a12a-003067e20a2a.json
Administrator: Yes

-Software Information-
Version: 3.3.1.2183
Components Version: 1.0.262
Update Package Version: 1.0.3892
License: Premium

-System Information-
OS: Windows 7 Service Pack 1
CPU: x86
File System: NTFS
User: System

-Scan Summary-
Scan Type: Threat Scan
Result: Completed
Objects Scanned: 207529
Threats Detected: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Threats Quarantined: 0
(No malicious items detected)
Time Elapsed: 7 hr, 20 min, 26 sec

-Scan Options-
Memory: Enabled
Startup: Enabled
Filesystem: Enabled
Archives: Enabled
Rootkits: Disabled
Heuristics: Enabled
PUP: Detect
PUM: Detect

-Scan Details-
Process: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Module: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Key: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Value: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Registry Data: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Data Stream: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Folder: 0
(No malicious items detected)

File: 0
(No malicious items detected)

Physical Sector: 0
(No malicious items detected)


(end)

# AdwCleaner 7.0.7.0 - Logfile created on Thu Feb 08 04:33:34 2018
# Updated on 2018/18/01 by Malwarebytes
# Running on Windows 7 Professional (X86)
# Mode: clean
# Support: https://www.malwarebytes.com/support

***** [ Services ] *****

No malicious services deleted.

***** [ Folders ] *****

No malicious folders deleted.

***** [ Files ] *****

No malicious files deleted.

***** [ DLL ] *****

No malicious DLLs cleaned.

***** [ WMI ] *****

No malicious WMI cleaned.

***** [ Shortcuts ] *****

No malicious shortcuts cleaned.

***** [ Tasks ] *****

No malicious tasks deleted.

***** [ Registry ] *****

No malicious registry entries deleted.

***** [ Firefox (and derivatives) ] *****

No malicious Firefox entries deleted.

***** [ Chromium (and derivatives) ] *****

No malicious Chromium entries deleted.

*************************

::Tracing keys deleted
::Winsock settings cleared
::Additional Actions: 0



*************************

C:/AdwCleaner/AdwCleaner[C0].txt - [1280 B] - [2017/5/28 22:26:59]
C:/AdwCleaner/AdwCleaner[S0].txt - [1389 B] - [2017/5/28 22:26:11]
C:/AdwCleaner/AdwCleaner[S1].txt - [1316 B] - [2017/5/31 21:22:0]
C:/AdwCleaner/AdwCleaner[S2].txt - [1155 B] - [2018/2/8 4:31:5]


########## EOF - C:\AdwCleaner\AdwCleaner[C1].txt ##########

Edited by trucol, 08 February 2018 - 12:21 PM.

Yeah...that sounds a bit too long for Eset scanning. I suggest stopping it, rebooting, performing the disabling, uninstalling below...

rebooting and then try running the scan again.

Suggest Disabling these Startups: Use CCleaner by clicking on each item and choosing Disable on the right.

Yes    HKCU:Run    CCleaner Monitoring    Piriform Ltd    "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe" /MONITOR

Yes    HKCU:Run    SUPERAntiSpyware    SUPERAntiSpyware    C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe

Yes    HKLM:Run    lxdiamon    Lexmark International, Inc.    "C:\Program Files\Lexmark 3500-4500 Series\lxdiamon.exe"

Yes    Startup Common    DataViz Inc Messenger.lnk    DataViz, Inc.    C:\Program Files\Common Files\DataViz\DvzIncMsgr.exe

Disable these Tasks: Use CCleaner by clicking on each item and choosing Disable on the right.

Yes    Task    Driver Easy Scheduled Scan    Easeware    C:\Program Files\Easeware\DriverEasy\DriverEasy.exe --scan
Yes    Task    GarminUpdaterTask    Garmin International, Inc.    C:\Program Files\Garmin\Express SelfUpdater\ExpressSelfUpdater.exe
Yes    Task    SUPERAntiSpyware Scheduled Task 60262dee-0aa1-4bec-b868-d57a24c4a4c4    SUPERAdBlocker.com    C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASTask.exe "C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe" /TASK:60262dee-0aa1-4bec-b868-d57a24c4a4c4
Yes    Task    SUPERAntiSpyware Scheduled Task e9157d02-f403-4d84-a65f-e69eadc519d1    SUPERAdBlocker.com    C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASTask.exe "C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SUPERAntiSpyware.exe" /TASK:e9157d02-f403-4d84-a65f-e69eadc519d1
Yes    Task    {4969622A-0E9E-4677-B2DD-D6638599D79F}    Microsoft Corporation    C:\Windows\system32\pcalua.exe -a "C:\Program Files\Palm\QuickInstall.exe" -d C:\Users\HICKS\Desktop

Uninstall these programs:

Adobe Acrobat Reader DC    Adobe Systems Incorporated    11/29/2017    250 MB    18.009.20050 (OR UPDATE)

Belarc Advisor 8.5c    Belarc Inc.            8.5.3.0

Driver Easy 5.5.6    Easeware    1/7/2018        5.5.6

SUPERAntiSpyware    SUPERAntiSpyware.com            6.0.1236 (Lost its favor among security pros years ago)

Did you intentionally install this...it is recent is the reason I'm asking

Apowersoft Online Launcher version 1.7.0    APOWERSOFT LIMITED    1/25/2018        1.7.0

I did install Apowersoft Oline Launcher. I had some video files that I needed to convert. Is it an issue?

I checked, and Adobe Acrobat DC is up to date. Should I uninstall it anyway/

Belarc Advisor is a program that gives you a complete profile of your system, including license numbers, etc. The info is useful at times. If it's an issue, I will get rid of it. I don't know if you're familiar with it, or not. It is an on demand program, runs only when you want. I'm going to post a scan of my system for you to look at. I will definitely uninstall it it is a problem.

Keep Belarc and Reader. Often a recently installed program is the one that brought along some bundled adware or worse.

Just wanted to make sure you wanted the program and wasn't bundled with another program.

Please continue with the other instructions.

If you have a large amount of data then Eset can take hours to scan all. Allowing it to scan while all programs are closed helps

speed it up and the computer's resources plays a part, too.

Best to get drivers from the manufacturer's websites. Those driver programs are usually ad intensive, sometimes spyware, don't fully function 

unless you purchase and often cause problems.

Understood about the drivers.

ESET has been running for 22 1/2 hours without any other programs running. I have 2 drives. My C drive is new, and cloned from what is now D drive. ESET seems to be hung on D drive.The very first scan that had run overnight showed 69 infected files, and when I restarted it, it has not found anything. What now?

Stop Eset. Scanning the drive that boots is good enough.

Tell me about how the computer is performing now.

Sorry about taking so long to reply, I've been at work, night shift.

Before I stop ESET which is hung anyway), I have a question. Like I said, the very first scan found 69 infected files. Is there any way now to find out what these files were. This scan shows nothing. Is there anyway to find out what these files are, before I delete them?

Sorry about taking so long to reply, I've been at work, night shift.

Before I stop ESET which is hung anyway), I have a question. Like I said, the very first scan found 69 infected files. Is there any way now to find out what these files were. This scan shows nothing. Is there anyway to find out what these files are, before I delete them? or does it matter?

My wide uses the computer more than I do, and she says that Firefox tabs still crash at times and will hang while she's reading something and scrolling. That may be a Firefox issue.

I have to work tonight, but will be off for the next 2 days. I will answer any questions you might have, in the morning when I get home.

I appreciate your patience!

Edited by trucol, 11 February 2018 - 06:44 PM.