Computer has been running slower than normal.

[orange gojo]

I don't know what I do, maybe its my curiosity, but I always find myself back here asking for help. Two weeks ago I installed 4gb of RAM. I know 3gb is only used, but I saw an increase in performance up until now. Programs have been opening and running at a slower pace. Here are my four logs...

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 10:52:30 AM, on 10/21/2009
Platform: Windows Vista SP2 (WinNT 6.00.1906)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18828)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP QuickTouch\HPKBDAPP.exe
C:\Program Files\TortoiseSVN\bin\TSVNCache.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\SolidWorks Installation Manager\Scheduler\sldIMScheduler.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons\QLBCTRL.exe
C:\Program Files\IDT\WDM\sttray.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\VistaOSX09\RKLauncher.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\DC++\DCPlusPlus.exe
C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\egui.exe
C:\Windows\explorer.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
C:\Windows\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
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://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Int ernet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveShellExtensions.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OnScreenDisplay] C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP QuickTouch\HPKBDAPP.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UCam_Menu] "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\YouCam\MUITransfer\MUIStartMenu.ex e" "C:\Program Files\CyberLink\YouCam" UpdateWithCreateOnce "Software\CyberLink\YouCam\2.0"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GrooveMonitor] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SolidWorks_CheckForUpdates] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\SolidWorks Installation Manager\Scheduler\sldIMScheduler.exe" /scheduler
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QlbCtrl.exe] C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons\QlbCtrl.exe /Start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SysTrayApp] C:\Program Files\IDT\WDM\sttray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Malwarebytes Anti-Malware (reboot)] "C:\Program Files\Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware\mbam.exe" /runcleanupscript
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [egui] "C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\egui.exe" /hide /waitservice
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Steam] "C:\Program Files\Steam\Steam.exe" -silent
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [WindowsWelcomeCenter] rundll32.exe oobefldr.dll,ShowWelcomeCenter (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - Startup: Dock.lnk = C:\VistaOSX09\RKLauncher.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O16 - DPF: {7530BFB8-7293-4D34-9923-61A11451AFC5} (OnlineScanner Control) - http://download.eset.com/special/eos...ineScanner.cab
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\GrooveSystemServices.dll
O23 - Service: Andrea ST Filters Service (AESTFilters) - Andrea Electronics Corporation - C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\stw rt.inf_e2247046\aestsrv.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\bin\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Com4QLBEx - Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Quick Launch Buttons\Com4QLBEx.exe
O23 - Service: ESET HTTP Server (EhttpSrv) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\EHttpSrv.exe
O23 - Service: ESET Service (ekrn) - ESET - C:\Program Files\ESET\ESET NOD32 Antivirus\ekrn.exe
O23 - Service: hpqwmiex - Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\Shared\hpqwmiex.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\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: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe
O23 - Service: SlingAgentService - Sling Media Inc. - C:\Program Files\Sling Media\SlingAgent\SlingAgentService.exe
O23 - Service: Audio Service (STacSV) - IDT, Inc. - C:\Windows\System32\DriverStore\FileRepository\stw rt.inf_e2247046\STacSV.exe
O23 - Service: Steam Client Service - Valve Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Steam\SteamService.exe
O23 - Service: TeamViewer 4 (TeamViewer4) - TeamViewer GmbH - C:\Program Files\TeamViewer\Version4\TeamViewer_Service.exe

--
End of file - 6731 bytes

[cauzomb]

Try turning off steam and see if that makes a difference. Other than that, it looks as though you have more than one anti-virus application installed/running; NOD32, Eset and windows defender.. General rule of thumb is to only have one anti-virus application installed/running at any given time. Try uninstalling all but one anti-virus application, in the mean time, I'll look through the list of services/applications and see if I can come up with some more suggestions.

[cauzomb]

After looking through your logs, I noticed "viewpoint media player" in your install list.

This application is considered "foistware" It's usually included with some other application and installed without your concent, and may pose a security risk because it connects to the internet and searches for updates.

It is suggested to uninstall this application; however, the application that installed it may stop working, or may try to re-install the viewpoint application/toolbar.

To uninstall viewpoint media player; first open the task manager by right clicking on the clock in the system tray, then select task manager, click on the PROCESSES tab/button in the task manager window, then look for viewmgr.exe, if you find it, click on it then select "end task" then open the control panel, select add/remove programs, find and uninstall any of the following: "viewpoint manager" "viewpoint media player" "viewpoint toolbar"

[orange gojo]

Hokay, I've uninstalled viewpoint media player. There were no running processes to stop so just the un-installation happened. My current active antivirus is "ESET NOD32 Antivirus." Maybe thinking there are two different ones are from the online scan, just a thought.

[cauzomb]

probly right about the AV entries showing in the HJT log.. I skimmed through and saw multiple AV app's listed, mainly (windows defender) and (eset/nod32) so that I why I suggested to have just one AV installed/running.. Thats OK if it was just an AV online scanner that doesn't have realtime protection/background processes that continue to run, after the scan's are done, but the HJT log shows that there are still multiple AV services running, If you are using nod32, and keep it updated, I don't think you need windows defender.

Have you tried turning off the steam service? I noticed major slowdowns on a couple other computers that had steam installed/running in the background, after closing the application/stopping the steam service, the computer/s were back to normal.

[edit], another option that I've read about regarding nod32+defender is that you uninstall nod32, then temporarily disable/turn off windows defender, (you want to be unplugged from the internet durring this time) then re-install nod32, update it, then re-activate defender, reboot=both programs working on one machine without conflicts.

[orange gojo]

Sorry, I forgot to say in my last post that I completely uninstalled steam. I'll try your method of uninstalling NOD32 and going through that process.

[cauzomb]

Thanks for the status update, the logs look clean, only other thing I can suggest is to find the applications that are running in the background; that you are not currently using, or don't need to run, untill you are going to use them, then search for information on how to configure that application and it's service/s to only start when you run the application executable from say, start menu, or quicklaunch bar.. I can look into the list of running processes and suggest which applications that I think should not be running, untill you want to use them, if you want to do that. It will free up some system resources that other applications could use.

Has there been any improvement after disabling/uninstalling steam?