Multiple Malware/Antivirus Scanners Causing Performance Loss?

This is a good site for services in xp:

http://www.blackviper.com/2008/05/19/black-vipers-windows-xp-x86-32-bit-service-pack-3-service-configurations/

At the very minimum, I recommend you do the following:

1. Run AVG Remover, which may be downloaded from here:

http://www.avg.com/us-en/utilities

2. Download the installation file for either MSE (free) or the FREE version of Avira Antivirus:

http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus

OR

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials

(Both of these programs have very good reputations AND they are very light in using resources. I believe Avira is the lighter of the two.)

3. Download the Avast Uninstall Utility form here:

http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility

4. Disconnect form the Internet.
5. Uninstall Avast the usual way.
6. For good measure, run the Avast Uninstall Utility you already downloaded.
7. Here's the deal. You know my position on Advanced System Care. I think it is a waste of money and can have detrimental impact on a system. It is your choice to leave it if you wish. If it were ME, I would definitely uninstall it. Actually, why don't you do that? You can always reinstall it at a later time if you want to (again, it is not recommended!!!!!!).

In the event that you don't uninstall it, you might need to DISABLE it so that when it is time to install Avira or MSE, it won't get in the way!

8. Install Avira or MSE.
9. Re-connect to the Internet and update the definitions of Avira or MSE.
10. Report back.

EDIT: I don't believe you ever indicated whether or not Windows Search 4.0 (KB940157) is installed. It is known wrecker of systems! If you have it, unsintall it!!!!! For more info:

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/32d78348290656a8

http://groups.google.com/group/microsoft.public.windowsxp.general/msg/438726743d9c03a5

I put some new info in six small numbered sections.

and scroll down to "ANSWERS TO SOME QUESTIONS" for  responses to  your important questions. Lastly, after that is some statistics

1. Avast New Info- I have spent the last two weeks working on improving avast... Changing settings, exluding paths, turning on "Silent/Gaming" Mode, and nothing seems to really help.

My family cannot afford a new pc, They bought my Brother+Sister new high performance

laptops for collage.

2. Only PC- So this, Outdated XP is my only option haha. Found out how to check hard drive names

and the one it has is a 2001 Discontinued... They put that one in around 9 or 10 months ago

after our last needed maintenance.

3. Unnecesary Services- I think they're may be a few unnecesary "Services" for my computer, I guess you can tell meif that affects performance.

I found one yesterday for "Microsoft Office " Programs, such programs which were removedfrom the PC whenever they changed the Drive. Also saw one for a network thing, when there is no other comps on my network anymore, for about the past year or two. If you have any Links/Ideas for services, please post them  :P

4. Unknown Application List -the PC was able export a list from my computer, it calls it "Application List".

I Don't know about these:

Otto??

Data Fax SoftModem with SmartCP (our printer doesnt work  anyway, and we dont fax)

Microsoft .NET Framework 1.1 Security Update (What is .NET Framework anyway? i dont use it im pretty sure)

Microsoft SQL Server 2005 (I think that has something to do with Multi-Comp Networks? if so i dont need it, only one pc on network)

OpenAL?

Windows Media Player Firefox Plugin (I Uninstalled Firefox WTF lol)

Nero 7 Essentials??

5. A Program Won't Uninstall:

a trial i downloaded once for "Vegas Movie Studio HD Platinum 11" seems like it

will not uninstall..

it shows a message, then the uninstall progress meter goes

BACKWARDS! It basically does the opposite of what it is supposed to lol. Only have

this program doing stuff like that.

6. Java Question- I know I have old updates from Java,  and if i remember, they reccomend you uninstall all outdated plugins/versions of Java? i guess it might be a good idea.

ANSWERS TO SOME QUESTIONS

1. RAM on Task Manager "Commit Charge (K)":

some numbers are changing before i can copy them, but at least i know the

numbers in each part  RIGHT NOW

Total:1037248

Limit: 4032304

Peak:  1386088

I dont know if the amount of/ usage of the processes in Task Manager affect the numbers,

but if they do and u want to know, just ask.

2. Hard Drive At DMA or PIO:

It shows 2 "Primary IDE Channels" the manufacturer is Standard IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers

Primary Channel 1: Device 0 says DMA if available, and Current is "Ultra DMA Mode 5". Device 1 is Not Applicable.

Primary Channel 2: Device 0 says DMA if available, and Current is "Ultra DMA Mode 2". Device 1 says DMA if available, and Current is "Ultra DMA Mode 2"

FINAL STATISTICS aka IMPORTANT SYSTEM STATS SECTIONS

Section 1- ANTI-VIRUS Stats

Section 2- HARD DRIVE Stats

Section 3- FILE ORGINIZATION STATS (Space of diff types ect)

Section 4- MOST USED PROGRAMS

Section 5- CONTROL PANEL/ PC USAGE INFO

1. ANTI-VIRUS- 2 Programs with some lazy AVG Files

Advanced System Care 5 Full-

Features: 10+ features that don't bother me, as well as around 20 awesome "Toolbox" features for in depth help

Updates: Manual or Automatically, fast and effective

Annoyance Level: Minimal or None

Logs: Not too many, and effective

Installation: I looked up videos/discussions/ect on the software and downloaded it.

Avast Free-

Features: 2-3 features  that don't bother me

Updates: Blocks itself from updating at the server, even after checking firewall..

Annoyance Level: High- Shields aren't very affective, only 3 infected files detected in past year

Logs: Auto-Saves a log every time i Save/Open/Read/ or Execute a File/Program/Script/ or Message

Installation**: A local Computer guy** put it on without me knowing

2. HARD DRIVE- C:

Name: ST390013AS

Used Space: 57,690,112,000 bytes/ 53.7 GB

Free Space: 22,325,379,072 bytes/ 20.7 GB

Capacity: 80,015,491,072 bytes/ 74.5 GB

Drive Compressed: No

Index Service Indexing Allowed: Unchecked

3. FILE ORGINIZATION-  (Other Video Folders Exist Besides Main)

MUSIC:

My Music Folder: 1.19 GB

Main Player : Zune

VIDEOS:

My Videos Folder: 3.36 GB

Main Player: DivX Plus Player

Other Folders: Estimated 8GB

Pictures are only around 2mb lol

4. TOP USED PROGRAMS:

Google Chrome (Internet)

Zune (often for music listening)

Advanced SystemCare 5 Full (helps alot)

Freemake Video Converter (Windows Movie Maker isnt working right)

Avast (The PC tech guy had it setup to auto start with PC Startup, not my choice)

5. CONTROL PANEL SETTINGS AND PC USAGE INFO (Usage Purposes+Settings):

I Excluded Some Icons i didnt think necessary to include

Add/Remove Programs:  40-50 Listed items (Not including updates)

Automatic Updates:  "Download updates for me, but let me choose when to install them"

Display:

Desktop-Background is a Star Wars JPG

Screen Saver-Windows XP

Windows And Buttons- Windows Classic Style

The Menu "Effects" by Font Size has all Checked besides "Use Large Icons"

Flash Player:

A small amount of sites ive chosen allowed to save information on this computer

Asks when a site wants to use Camera/Mic and Peer Assisted Networking

Checks for updates automatically

Internet:

Security- Correctly set up site Zones

Privacy- default cookie setting  at "Accept All Cookies", Pop ups blocked besides carefully chosen exclusions

Java:

General- default Network Setting "Use Browser Setting". Temp files not compressed

Update- Checks automatically, notify before installation

Runtime Environments- " Platform 1.6, Product 1.6.0_31 Enabled

Power Options:

Power Scheme: Home/Office Desk (its never unplugged btw)

Advanced- prompts password when return from standby, shuts down pc when pressing power button, Hibernation is not enabled

Printers and Faxes: None to connect

Scheduled Tasks: ASC and GoogleUpdate ran most recently

Firewall: On

Exceptions: Antivirus programs, Codecs, Players, Google Chrome, My purchased video games

downloadable from steam, ect

Ive checked that the settings are correct and the right kind.

If you want ANY more details, ill probably be at the pc, so dont hesitate to post!

Nice report! :-) Which program gave you this information?

The good news is you have enough RAM. You also have enough free hard drive space.

Now address the other issues I mentioned and let us know.

By the way, when I ran Avast, I would turn off the mail scanning since it was unneeded and potentially a performance drag. For more discussion on configuring Avast and its "shields":

http://www.winhelp.us/index.php/general-security/free-anti-virus-programs/avast-free-antivirus/configure-avast-free-antivirus.html

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=216228

Your issue MIGHT be due to Avast. There have been Avast users that have complained about performance issues.

In the event you decide to uninstall Avast, the following links should help:

http://www.avast.com/uninstall-utility (for the Avast Uninstall Utility)

http://www.avira.com/en/avira-free-antivirus (for the FREE version of Avira)

OR

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows/products/security-essentials (also free)

Here is my Specs:

Overall
General
Operating System	Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Central Processor	Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.40GHz
User Name	Owner
Graphics
Video Adapter	NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
Video Memory	1.00 GB
Screen Resolution	1280 x 1024
Storage
Total Memory	2.00 GB
Free Memory	1.38 GB
Total Hard disk	74.52 GB
Free Hard disk	20.83 GB
I/O
Mouse	USB Human Interface Device
Keyboard	USB Human Interface Device

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Operating System
Computer System
Computer Name	OWNER-E32CD1767
User Name	Owner
Organization	N/A
Operating System
OS Name	Microsoft Windows XP Professional
OS Version	5.1.2600
Service Pack	3.0
Product ID	76487-OEM-0082353-86110
System Up Time	4/2/2012 12:14:44 AM
Internet Explorer Version	6.0.2900.5512
Microsoft DirectX Version	4.09.00.0904
OpenGL Version	5.1.2600.5512 (xpsp.080413-0845)
Registry
Maximum Size	120 MB
Current Size	8 MB
Status	OK

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Processor MainBoard
Central Processor
CPU Name	Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.40GHz
Code Name	Model 4, Stepping 1
Manufactory	GenuineIntel
Current Clock Speed	3391 Mhz
Max Clock Speed	3391 Mhz
Voltage	1.7V
External Clock	800 Mhz
Serial Number	BFEBFBFF00000F41
CPU ID	x86 Family 15 Model 4 Stepping 1
Socket Designation	Microprocessor
N/A	16 KB
N/A	1024 KB
Motherboard
Model	0C7195
Manufactory	Dell Inc.
Serial Number	..CN698614CE0AC8.
BIOS Name	Phoenix ROM BIOS PLUS Version 1.10 A04
BIOS Vendor	Dell Inc.
SMBIOS Version	A04
BIOS Date	2/9/2005
BIOS Features
PCI is supported	Yes
Plug and Play is supported	Yes
APM is supported	Yes
BIOS is Upgradable (Flash)	Yes
BIOS shadowing is allowed	Yes
Boot from CD is supported	Yes
Selectable Boot is supported	Yes
EDD (Enhanced Disk Drive) Specification is supported	Yes
Int 13h - Japanese Floppy for Toshiba 1.2mb (3.5, 360 RPM) is supported	Yes
Int 5h, Print Screen Service is supported	Yes
Int 9h, 8042 Keyboard services are supported	Yes
Int 14h, Serial Services are supported	Yes
Int 17h, printer services are supported	Yes
ACPI supported	Yes
USB Legacy is supported	Yes
LS-120 boot is supported	Yes

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Memory Device
Memory Resource
Total Memory	2.00 GB
Used Memory	636.10 MB
Free Memory	1.38 GB
Memory Usage	31%
Physical Memory
Memory Bank	N/A
Description	Physical Memory 0
Device Locator	DIMM1
Capacity	512.00 MB
Speed	533 Mhz
Manufactory	NULL
Data Width	64 bit
Memory Type	SDRAM
Form Factor	DIMM
Physical Memory
Memory Bank	N/A
Description	Physical Memory 1
Device Locator	DIMM2
Capacity	512.00 MB
Speed	533 Mhz
Manufactory	NULL
Data Width	64 bit
Memory Type	SDRAM
Form Factor	DIMM
Physical Memory
Memory Bank	N/A
Description	Physical Memory 2
Device Locator	DIMM3
Capacity	1.00 GB
Speed	533 Mhz
Manufactory	NULL
Data Width	64 bit
Memory Type	SDRAM
Form Factor	DIMM

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Drives
Disk Drives
Name	ST380013AS
Media Type	Fixed hard disk media
Capability	74.53 GB
Interface Type	IDE
Partitions	1
Total Cylinders	9729
Total Heads	255
Total Sectors	156296385
Total Tracks	2480895
Tracks Per Cylinder	255
Bytes Per Sector	512
Sectors Per Track	63
S.M.A.R.T Support	Yes
Current Temperature	0C (32F)
CD-ROM Drive
Name	LITE-ON DVDRW SHW-160P6S
Drive	D:
Transfer Rate	2391.4590747331
Status	OK
CD-ROM Drive
Name	TSSTcorp CD/DVDW TS-H652L
Drive	E:
Transfer Rate	2849.31506849315
Status	OK
CD-ROM Drive
Name	KFIHKPI QFWDQJ0XMB SCSI CdRom Device
Drive	Volume{24753655-e51f-11df-abb0-00173104fd49}
Transfer Rate	NULL
Status	OK
CD-ROM Drive
Name	KFIHKPI QFWDQJ0XMB SCSI CdRom Device
Drive	K:
Transfer Rate	NULL
Status	OK
CD-ROM Drive
Name	KFIHKPI QFWDQJ0XMB SCSI CdRom Device
Drive	L:
Transfer Rate	NULL
Status	OK
CD-ROM Drive
Name	KFIHKPI QFWDQJ0XMB SCSI CdRom Device
Drive	J:
Transfer Rate	NULL
Status	OK
IDE Controller
Name	Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 266F
Manufactory	Intel
Status	OK
IDE Controller
Name	Primary IDE Channel
Manufactory	(Standard IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers)
Status	OK
IDE Controller
Name	Intel(R) 82801FB Ultra ATA Storage Controllers - 2651
Manufactory	Intel
Status	OK
IDE Controller
Name	Primary IDE Channel
Manufactory	(Standard IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers)
Status	OK

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Display
Video Adapter
Name	NVIDIA GeForce GTS 450
Video Processor	GeForce GTS 450
Manufactory	NVIDIA
Video Architecture	VGA
DAC Type	Integrated RAMDAC
Memory Size	1.00 GB
Memory Type	Unknown
Video Mode	1280 x 1024 x 65536 colors
Current Refresh Rate	60 Hz
Driver Version	6.14.12.9610
Driver Date	2/29/2012 11:58:00 PM
Monitor
Name	Plug and Play Monitor
Screen Height	1024
Screen Width	1280
Status	Error

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Network
Local Area Connection 3
Product Name	Broadcom NetXtreme 57xx Gigabit Controller
Service Name	b57w2k
Manufactory	Broadcom
MAC Address	00:11:43:B4:74:1E
Wireless Network Connection
Product Name	Wireless LAN PCI 802.11 b/g adapter WN5301A
Service Name	WN5301
Manufactory	Liteon
MAC Address	00:C0:A8:AE:6F:3D

Other Device
Sound Device
Name	NVIDIA High Definition Audio
Manufactory	NVIDIA
Status	Error
Mouse
Name	USB Human Interface Device
Manufactory	(Standard system devices)
Buttons	7
Status	OK
Keyboard
Name	USB Human Interface Device
Description	Enhanced (101- or 102-key)
Function Keys	12
Status	OK
USB Controller
Product Name	Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 2658
Manufactory	Intel
Protocol Supported	Universal Serial Bus
Status	OK
USB Controller
Product Name	Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 2659
Manufactory	Intel
Protocol Supported	Universal Serial Bus
Status	OK
USB Controller
Product Name	Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 265A
Manufactory	Intel
Protocol Supported	Universal Serial Bus
Status	OK
USB Controller
Product Name	Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB Universal Host Controller - 265B
Manufactory	Intel
Protocol Supported	Universal Serial Bus
Status	OK
USB Controller
Product Name	Intel(R) 82801FB/FBM USB2 Enhanced Host Controller - 265C
Manufactory	Intel
Protocol Supported	Universal Serial Bus
Status	OK