Computer Slow, videos/audio choppy

[jholland1964]

Couple things here Dom...What audio card and what video card do you have on the computer? Have you checked for updated drivers for each? These should be drivers from the Card Manufacturer's site not just plain old Windows drivers.

Also went back over your threads from this past summer when you said the computer was running slow...at that time you said you removed thousands of emails...have they built back up? Also then you made it plain that anti virus programs slowed your system and that is why you didn't want one...even Avast or Avira which are the quickest ones out there. If that is the case, why in the WORLD do you have Norton on there? One of the most bloated programs around! And it is KNOWN that it DOES slow a computer considerably.

Look at your Services which begin when you boot the computer:

O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager (ccEvtMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager (ccSetMgr) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSvcHst.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: Symantec Auto-upgrade Agent (Smcinst) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\SmcLU\Setup\smcinst.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: Symantec Management Client (SmcService) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\Smc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Endpoint Protection (Symantec AntiVirus) - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\Symantec Endpoint Protection\Rtvscan.exe
No less that 5 services related to Symantec/Norton which start up when the computer starts.

Now for the heck of it, I just did HJT on my computer, I am running Avira. Look what I have starting in services for Avira:

O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Scheduler (AntiVirSchedulerService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\sched.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir Desktop\avguard.exe

If the av program is set to do a Boot Scan this will certainly slow the boot time. I don't have mine set to do that because even with Avira which uses practically NO resources at all having it do a Boot scan slowed boot time tremendously. Check if the Norton program is set to do this and if it is, turn it off.

These services are also not required to run at boot up:
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe

You can change those to Manual and then they run only when you need them using your CodeStuff Starter.
Bonjour can actually be uninstalled, it is considered Foistware anyway because it comes in with other programs.

You also have a bunch of webcam stuff starting in services. If you don't use that all the time those aren't required to auto start either.

I would FIRST check for updated Video and Audio Drivers. See if that works and if not then come back there is one other item you can try.

You still working on website for ND Hockey? What's the "inside scoop" on Charlie's replacement?

[DomHennig]

You made it plain that anti virus programs slowed your system and that is why you didn't want one...even Avast or Avira which are the quickest ones out there. If that is the case, why in the WORLD do you have Norton on there? One of the most bloated programs around! And it is KNOWN that it DOES slow a computer considerably.

Hey Guys, thanks for the response but I have bad news -

I go to Ferris State University, and anytime I want to get online...it is required I have Symantec Endpoint Protection...

I know, very upset. I would love to run the programs you say, but to get online we have to log into this program called Clean Access Agent, and that checks to make sure we don't have a virus and make sure we have Symantec running. BUT as I look in my bottom right hand corner right now on my taskbar...i do not see anything Symantec Running. I see my Clean Access Agent app, and my laptop charging app.

Hmmm...

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These services are also not required to run at boot up:
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe

The only one that was not already set to "Manual" on CodeStuff Starter was "Java Quick Starter" and I just set that to "Manual."

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What audio card and what video card do you have on the computer? Have you checked for updated drivers for each? These should be drivers from the Card Manufacturer's site not just plain old Windows drivers.

Really Judy, if you can tell me a way to find out I would be happy. I've been trying to find out what audio and video card I have for a while. Since you know I am in Broadcasting, I have this Audio Editing program called Adobe Audition and anytime I go to record on it, a message comes up and says:

"You currently have a DirectSound sound card driver selected (Audition Windows Sound). For best results when recording, select an ASIO sound card driver. To change your sound card driver selection, choose Edit > Audio Hardware Setup."

So when I do that, a drop down box under Audio Driver says "Audition Windows Sound" and ONLY that, nothing else.


But I really do not think that is the problem, for me to click Firefox and wait 6 minutes for it to pop up, or for me to wait 25 minutes to start the computer from pressing the button, etc. I do not think has to do with the audio/video drivers, do you?

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True, viruses do give you more head-ache's when they imbed themselfs into the system restore..

If you don't have a virus, and antivirus applications are NOT turning up infections...

Maybe there was some auto-updating taking place in the background by one of your applications that caused the conflict... That is the only reason I suggested using system restore; if you have a restore point prior to thursday/friday.. Backup your working files, then try system restore, unless, you have it turned off; and do not have system restore points..

I would prefer not to do a system restore as I have just got rid of all the useless junk on my computer and cleaned up so much free space. Unless that's the last thing it comes down too.

[jholland1964]

...i do not see anything Symantec Running.

Don't look on the taskbar, look in the Task Manager and see if you see these in there: Smc.exe, ccSvcHst.exe, Rtvscan.exe, SmcGui.exe. If you see those then it is running. They all were showing in Running Processes when you did your HJT scan. You evidently just don't have a system tray shortcut icon is all.

No, don't use System Restore. It really isn't the end all and be all it is cracked up to be anyway. The most you should really go back is a couple days and since this is an ongoing problem for quite awhile now I doubt this would help. It doesn't back most things up. In fact, System Restore actually operates only on a very few system files and settings. System Restore does not keep old copies of your files or settings. If you're looking for an "old version" of a file or program System Restore will not have it.

drop down box under Audio Driver says "Audition Windows Sound" and ONLY that, nothing else.

You aren't going to see anything else unless another driver IS installed on the computer.

You should be able to find out your audio card by doing one of the following; either go to Device Manager and checking there, OR you could download and run Belarc. This will quickly scan your computer and give full info on hardware, software, etc. Try that and see what it says.

Now have you ever read the info found HERE for proper settings to use for this Adobe Audition Software?
This tells you what settings you need to use and how to do it.

[DomHennig]

Thanks I will do that scan. But again, is not my main priority as I am almost positive that is not the reason my computer is being slow.

Is there anything else I can do in the mean time, to make it run faster? Maybe while I am not on the internet at the game this weekend to end anything symnatic?

[jholland1964]

Thanks I will do that scan. But again, is not my main priority as I am almost positive that is not the reason my computer is being slow.

Is there anything else I can do in the mean time, to make it run faster? Maybe while I am not on the internet at the game this weekend to end anything symnatic?

If the audio and graphics are not working correctly, especially the graphics it could cause the computer to be slow, especially incorrect drivers.

You are going to have to try and think back WHEN the slowness began...Your threads on this go clear back to June of this year, but is this the same computer?

Inspiron E1505 Dell Laptop. With Windows XP Media Center Edition. Version 2002 Service Pack 3. I have -

Genuine Intel(R) CPU
T2300 @ 1.66GHz
98-MHz, 504 MB of RAM

because at the end of the thread in July you had added more RAM and said the computer was running Awesome! and the said the problem is solved.
So if it IS the same computer then something you have done AFTER that thread was completed has caused the slowing. Anything, other than the Symantec have you added since then?

Is this computer slow when NOT online? The only way you can tell if Symantec is causing a significant slowing is GO OFFLINE, then disable those items I noted in my last post and see if that makes a difference.

[cauzomb]

Thanks for replying Judy. I had worked on a reply; I had it typed out, I had it ready to go; and well.. It seems like my internet stops working right when i post "reply" then the post does not show up, then the information get's lost... I got an email from the ISP, "scheduled maintenance" so I have been getting online, then putting info into notepad as a reply.. here it is. True, viruses do give you more head-ache's when they imbed themselfs into the system restore..

If you don't have a virus, and antivirus applications are NOT turning up infections...

Maybe there was some auto-updating taking place in the background by one of your applications that caused the conflict... That is the only reason I suggested using system restore; if you have a restore point prior to thursday/friday.. Backup your working files, then try system restore, unless, you have it turned off; and do not have system restore points..


Since your current antivirus application is not detecting a virus, it's useless at this time,

Download the previously mentioned applications... Avira free personal antivirus, Spybot search and destroy, crap cleaner, since you already have MBAM and it's not turning up scans.. Redowload it.. Once you have your downloads, disconnect from the internet (physically unplug the computer from the network) then completely uninstall your antivirus applicaitons, then uninstall MBAM, and any other malware application that you have.. then install Avira free personal antivirus, then run scan.... If nothing is turned up; install Spybot search and destroy SE.. Turn off spybot search and destroy's "tea timer" option... Run Spybot search and destroy; scan.. it will mostly find cookies but may find other things.. So.. you have these two baseline applications installed, and windows DEP "Data Execution Protection" Once you have these guys up and running, go back online and download Avira updates, and mbam updates and run them both, new scans, new logs etc.. if still, no viruses turn up, and you cannot figure out how to remove the slowness.. Do as Judy has suggested.. Try new drivers.. Try uninstalling mediaplayer updates... try updating to flash player xx.x try new software, if this does not work, DOWNGRADE.. re-install windows xp SP2 only, then batten down the hatches.. IF you cannot get the computer slowness to go away... you have to reconsider everything... even the opperating system.. A small file corruption due to previous virus infections can lead to continuing headaches.. Remember LOW LEVEL formatting your hard drive to zero it out is the only way to really be sure that the virus code has been removed from the disk.. a quick format leaves the "data" on the disk and overwrites the file table... same as if a file name in the table was deleted with a Dollar sign at the first letter.. The windows registry sometimes contains executable codes of viruses, instructing the processes/services where to look on the hard drive, for the rest of the virus.. this is now they avoid detection..... These things can be perssistant.. As I mentioned in the previous post, those paid for virus scanner programs are resource hogs it seems as of late.. Some are designed to be more friendly with newer Opperating systems, so you might have been updated automatically, and recieved software updates that are designs for windows vista or windows 7... This is the way that they tell you to upgrade windows, by making your software no longer work with windows xp... Get rid of it, and get the free ones, they do the same thing "help protect your computer from viruses" but at the same time, they consume less resources, and do not cause software conflicts, and may not have been designed for the market forward progress movement.

[jholland1964]

I am offline right now, and whenever I try to disable these: Smc.exe, ccSvcHst.exe, Rtvscan.exe, SmcGui.exe. This message comes up: "The operation could not be deleted, access denied"

How can you be offline if you are posting here?
You might try temporarily disabling the auto starting services for Symantec, rebooting and see if the computer is slow.
Control Panel, Administrative Tools, Services. Go through that list I gave above listing all the Symantec Services and first Stop the service by hitting the Stop button. Then change Start up type to Disabled. Reboot and see if it makes a difference in speed.
If it does you then know the culprit. If it doesn't of course we will have to look elsewhere. Once you have done the test go back into services and re-enable all those.
Since you know it happened Thursday night are you absolutely certain there was not an automatic update which was installed without your noticing?

[DomHennig]

I was offline while typing the message and playing around to see if it got better. Than when I was done I got back online and sent the post.

Attached is a list of my services. I disabled Bonjour, Ipod Services, Java Updater, and Adobe.

Can you please tell me anymore you think should be disabled?

[jholland1964]

Really don't see a lot there unneeded. You might try, as an experiment ONLY the Symantec processes just to see if things are speeded any, then you will know.
What is your Virtual Memory setting?
On Windows XP, look in Control Panel: System, Advanced, Performance, Settings, Advanced, Virtual Memory.
Generally recommended setting is about twice amount of RAM or perhaps less say 1 and 1/2 times the amount of RAM installed.

[DomHennig]

Virtual Memory:

Total Paging File Size for All Drives: 768 MB