What laptop?

[zippy]

Thinking about buying a new laptop.

The one we have now is going really S L O W !

In fact I think its gonna grind to a halt soon, lol

 

What should we be looking for?

 

We do just the usual stuff, Amazon, Ebay, Facebook.

We do tend to have a lot of pics, from hols etc.

 

The one we have now is a 'hp' 17in, don't really want anything smaller.

Any ideas which would be a goon 'un?

 

Zippy and Zippett.:):D

[Starbuck]

Hi Zippy,

 

The one we have now is going really S L O W !

In fact I think its gonna grind to a halt soon, lol

I take this is a Win7 laptop?

Anything you buy now will almost certainly be Win10.

One of the others will have better recommendations for you as I'm not really a laptop person ( I only have a basic one for convenience)

But what I will say is that even when an old system runs very slow..... it can normally be bought back to life without re-installing the Operating system.

If you want us to talk you through trying to sort the laptop out, just say the word.

It requires very little knowledge on your side.

[KenB]

Hi Zippy,

 

As Starbuck says - if there is nothing else wrong other than a slow machine - we could take a look for you to see if things can be improved.

 

If you do want to stay with the old machine:

1. Let us know the make and model number

 

2. Let us know which operating system [ XP / Win-7 ? ] you are using.

 

3. Give us a more detailed account of the problem.

Boot-up times

Internet operation

software load times etc.

 

If you still want to scrap it - no problem - we can advise on a new machine :)

[zippy]

Many thanks. Yes, if it can be speeded up a little, that would be great!

Its HP G56 17in screen.

Windows 7.

Boot up is a little slow, but acceptable, could be faster.

Internet really slow, some sites worse than others.

Home page is yahoo, very often after typing in web address , the address bar will revert back to yahoo. Annoying.

We are running free AVG.

 

Go easy on us, lol

[Starbuck]

Hi Zippy,

 

Home page is yahoo, very often after typing in web address , the address bar will revert back to yahoo. Annoying.

So is Yahoo your preferred Home page or has this been set by Yahoo?

 

Easiest way to start is to run one of the tools we use.

Slowness could be down to Adware, Malware, Too little Ram memory, Hard Drive nearly full, Software conflicts, etc etc.

This program will give us a good indication of all these areas.

No private information is shown in the reports and nothing is removed during the initial scan.

 

Just post the reports here in this thread for now... if anything needs moving, I can take care of that.

 

Note:

There are both 32-bit and 64-bit versions of Farbar Recovery Scan Tool available. Please pick the version that matches your operating system's bit type.

 

If you are unsure what you're system bit type is..... click Here for help.

 

For x32 bit systems download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool and save it to your Desktop.

 

For x64 bit systems download Farbar Recovery Scan Tool x64 and save it to your Desktop.

 

• Double-click the downloaded icon to run the tool. Vista/Windows 7/8/10 users right-click and select Run As Administrator
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/frsticon_zpsdc3cbdc3.png
   
  
• When the tool opens click Yes to disclaimer.
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/frstdis_zps7f598f12.png
   
  
• Make sure that Addition.txt is selected at the bottom
  
• Press Scan button.
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/newfrst_zpsa63ffa3d.png
   
  
• It will make a log (FRST.txt) in the same directory the tool is run. Please copy and paste it to your reply.
  
• The first time the tool is run, it also makes another log (Addition.txt). Please copy and paste it to your reply also.
  

[zippy]

Many thanks.

Have done a scan like you said.

Thing is there is so much detail, and I mean a hell of a lot, it would fill a book!

Also there seems to be a lot of stuff that we don't understand but others may and if it got into wrong hands could cause problems? Codes etc.

Would it be better if I sent it to you private?

 

I do mean its a lot of writing...a massive amount! lol

[Starbuck]

If the reports are that big it would be best to add them as attachments.

Each post can only contain so many characters. ... so if they are huge the board software may cut the reports off.

 

Click the reply to thread button and then click the 'go advanced' button.... you will see the attachment section underneath the reply box.

Edited August 26, 2016 by Starbuck

[zippy]

laptop

 

Here is the attachments as asked... hope you can make heads or tails of it!

 

 

[ATTACH]1508.vB5-legacyid=2601[/ATTACH][ATTACH]1509.vB5-legacyid=2602[/ATTACH]

FRST farbar.txt

FRST farbar Addition.txt

[Starbuck]

Hi Zippy,

 

I do mean its a lot of writing...a massive amount! lol

When you said that I was expecting a lot more.... believe it not, the report size is fairly normal :)

 

hope you can make heads or tails of it!

No problem at all.

 

There's a little bit of work to do, but nothing really complicated.

 

Step 1

 

Please uninstall the following programs:

 

McAfee Security Scan Plus.

 

This is typically added when you install another free software (video recording/streaming, download-managers or PDF creators) that had bundled into their installation this program.

Most users have installed this program during the Adobe Flash Player update.

It's not worth having because if it does find any issues.... it won't fix anything until you buy the full program. (basically it's a rip off )

 

Quicktime.

 

This is now a security risk:

Apple is deprecating QuickTime for Microsoft Windows.

They will no longer be issuing security updates for the product on the Windows Platform and recommend users uninstall it.

 

And because Apple is no longer providing security updates for QuickTime on Windows, the present vulnerabilities are never going to be patched.

 

Norton Online Backup

If you no longer use this ( I see you tend to use Dropbox) you may as well remove it.

 

Step 2

Recommendation.

 

You have a few Tasks running for Dropbox, which need not really be there.

There is no need to have Dropbox running at startup as you can always start it manually when it's needed.

If the Dropbox icon is showing in the Taskbar...

Right click on the Dropbox icon >> select Settings ( the gearwheel) >> Click Preferences >> Untick Start Dropbox on System Startup.

Click Apply

 

Step 3

Please download the attached fixlist.txt file (bottom of this post) and save it to C:\Users\christine\Desktop.

NOTE.

It's important that both files, FRST and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work.

 

NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on that particular machine.

Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system

 

Re-run FRST/FRST64 (which ever is installed ) and press the Fix button just once and wait.

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/frstfix_zps7db0c905.png

 

The tool will make a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt). Please post this in your next reply.

 

 

Step 4

The event viewer logs are showing some possible problems with Internet Explorer.

I recommend that you reset this:

 

To Reset IE back to the defaults.

• Close any Internet Explorer or Windows Explorer windows that are currently open.
  
• Open Internet Explorer by clicking the Start button, and then clicking Internet Explorer.
  
• Click the Tools button, and then click Internet Options.
  
• Click the Advanced tab, and then click Reset.
  
• Select the Delete personal settings check box if you would like to remove browsing history, search providers, Accelerators, home pages, and InPrivate Filtering data.
  
• In the Reset Internet Explorer Settings dialog box, click Reset.
  
• When Internet Explorer finishes applying default settings, click Close, and then click OK.
  
• Close Internet Explorer.
  
• Your changes will take effect the next time you open Internet Explorer.
  

 

 

Step 5

Did you know that your system is set to:

Platform: Windows 7 Home Premium Service Pack 1 (X64) Language: English (United States)

This will explain how to change these settings: How to fix problems with language settings in all versions of Windows

 

Just scroll down that page for the Win7 settings.

 

Step 6

Recommendation.

 

To keep your anti virus up to date....I would uninstall AVG and download the installer for the new version (AVG 2016) from the link below.

Make sure to opt-out any programs they offer you during the installation (AVG PC TuneUp, AVG Web TuneUp, AVG Secure Search, etc.) since these are PUPs and you don't want them on your system.

 

http://www.avg.com/ww-en/homepage

 

 

In your next reply, please submit:

Fixlog.txt ( from the FRST fix )

 

Let me know if you encountered any problems and also how the system is running now.

 

 

Thanks.

fixlist.txt

[zippy]

laptop

 

Hi, first of all, many thanks for all the help you've given, to be honest it's not really any better, but I'm not blaming anybody lol

 

It still takes a long time to boot up,

when ever I switch on first, a box comes up asking to install Windows 11 ,

it all stops and then box says 'internet explorer is not responding, a choice of 'find a solution and close program' or 'close program' comes up, sometimes it just closes, sometimes it closes and opens again, various sites do that, e.g Yahoo, TalkTalk

very often the page is taking a long time to open, box comes up saying long running script.... stop script, doesn't make a difference sometimes if you do!

sometimes when on email, a box comes up Window Installer... saying 'preparing to install' when I am not actually doing anything.

 

I have done the 'fix' and enclose the link, again hope you can understand it!

 

zippy

Fixlog.txt

[Starbuck]

Hi Zippy,

 

have done the 'fix' and enclose the link, again hope you can understand it!

Yes, the fix ran fine.

EmptyTemp: => 7.7 GB temporary data Removed.... that's quite a hefty amount of temp files. :)

 

when ever I switch on first, a box comes up asking to install Windows 11

Do you mean IE 11? ... strange as your FRST report shows that you are already running it.

Maybe there's a problem or corruption in your version of IE 11.

It may be best to uninstall it and download a fresh copy.

 

Step 1

 

When you uninstall Internet Explorer 11 from your system..... The system will restore the previous version of Internet Explorer that was installed.

This can be IE8,9 or 10 depending on whether the browser has been upgraded in the past.

Which ever it is, you will still have a working copy of IE.

• Click on the start menu and select Control Panel from the menu that opens up.
  
• Select Uninstall a program under Programs.
  
• Internet Explorer 11 is not listed in the installed programs listing.
  It is listed as an update, so select View installed updates from the left sidebar.
  
• The browser is listed in the Microsoft Windows group.
  
• Right click on Internet Explorer 11 and select Uninstall.
  

 

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/uninstall-internet-explorer11_zpsujqzuwcw.jpg

 

This removes Internet Explorer 11 from the Windows 7 system and replaces it with the version of the browser that was installed before it.

You can then keep using that browser, or update back to IE11 from this link: Internet Explorer 11 for Windows 7

I would recommend updating back to IE 11.

 

 

Step 2

 

If the system is still running slow, it may be a software conflict......

Let's try a 'Clean Boot'.

 

Hold down the Windows key on your keyboard and press the R key.

With the Run dialogue window open, type in msconfig and click the OK button.

 

You should now be looking at the System Configuration window. Click on the Services tab.

 

On the Services tab, youll notice a long list of services available on your PC

First, check the box labeled Hide All Microsoft Services. <<<<<<<<<<< Important

Next, click the Disable All button

 

By performing these two steps, you have effectively turned off all services from third-party software developers. All Microsoft services remain intact and will be ready to load when you reboot Windows.

 

Finally, click the OK button and reboot the system

 

When you reboot, you may get messages that certain hardware and software are not unavailable. This is normal.

 

Just be sure to hide all Microsoft services before you use the Disable All button. Otherwise, you may encounter boot up errors when you reboot your PC.

 

Remember, running Windows like this is just temporary..... we need to know if the system runs better like this.

 

 

To restore Windows to a normal start up functionality:

• Start the System Configuration Utility again (MSCONFIG)
  
• On the "General" tab:
  
• Click to select "Normal Startup"
  
• Click "OK"
  
• Choose the "Exit with Restart" option to restart your computer.
  

 

Let me know how these 2 steps go.

 

Thanks

[zippy]

Hi, well I tried to uninstall Internet Explorer 11, I followed your instructions, but it was not listed under the 'Installed Updates' .....

do I carry on and do the step 2 ?

 

you said there was a hefty amount of temp files, when we sign off we always go to 'Delete browsing history', check boxes for temp internet files and website files, and download history..... so does this not delete temp files then?

 

thanks

Zippy

[Starbuck]

Hi Zippy,

 

I tried to uninstall Internet Explorer 11, I followed your instructions, but it was not listed under the 'Installed Updates' .....

do I carry on and do the step 2 ?

Yes, try option 2 for now.

Was any version of IE listed?

On searching it seems that IE 11 not showing is more common than you'd think.... I'm looking into some alternative ways of dealing with this.

 

Do you have any browsing issues when using an alternative browser?

I see that Firefox was once installed and that Google Chrome is still installed.

 

there was a hefty amount of temp files, when we sign off we always go to 'Delete browsing history', check boxes for temp internet files and website files, and download history..... so does this not delete temp files then?

Not all temp files are from your browser.

The applications that you’re running create temporary files..... to store files while the application is working on them—whether it’s downloading files, storing files that you’re currently editing, or just caching files so the next time you open the application the files will be more quickly accessible.

 

The problem is that most applications don’t seem to clean up after themselves, or if they do, they definitely don’t do it very well.

That’s why your temporary folder gets really huge over time, and needs to be cleaned out..... the 'Empty Temp' command in the fix is designed to do just that.

Take a look at the section of the fix report that shows what was deleted and from where:

 

=========== EmptyTemp: ==========

 

BITS transfer queue => 8388608 B

DOMStore, IE Recovery, AppCache, Feeds Cache, Thumbcache, IconCache => 123572133 B

Java, Flash, Steam htmlcache => 3792 B

Windows/system/drivers => 1177455400 B

Edge => 0 B

Chrome => 80132607 B

Firefox => 0 B

Opera => 0 B

 

Temp, IE cache, history, cookies, recent:

Default => 66228 B

Public => 0 B

ProgramData => 0 B

systemprofile => 66356 B

systemprofile32 => 83255 B

LocalService => 132244 B

NetworkService => 66228 B

christine => 6627001155 B

john => 167740691 B

Guest.MAGICBOX => 133669357 B

 

RecycleBin => 29047 B

EmptyTemp: => 7.7 GB temporary data Removed

[zippy]

Hi Zippy,

 

 

Yes, try option 2 for now.

Was any version of IE listed?

On searching it seems that IE 11 not showing is more common than you'd think.... I'm looking into some alternative ways of dealing with this.

 

.........no version of IE listed

 

Do you have any browsing issues when using an alternative browser?

I see that Firefox was once installed and that Google Chrome is still installed.

 

.......we haven't used any other browser

 

Not all temp files are from your browser.

The applications that you’re running create temporary files..... to store files while the application is working on them—whether it’s downloading files, storing files that you’re currently editing, or just caching files so the next time you open the application the files will be more quickly accessible.

 

The problem is that most applications don’t seem to clean up after themselves, or if they do, they definitely don’t do it very well.

That’s why your temporary folder gets really huge over time, and needs to be cleaned out..... the 'Empty Temp' command in the fix is designed to do just that.

Take a look at the section of the fix report that shows what was deleted and from where:

....sorry can't make head or tails of report!!

 

Have done step 2 as you said, tried it for a while, it didn't make it better, if anything slower..... now reverted back and it's just the same, thinking of getting a big hammer!!

 

What seems to happen is for the first say half hour, it's ok, then whatever we are doing on any site it says 'not responding due to long running script' we click on 'stop script' then It comes back with not responding... fix and close or close, then it just gets slower and slower and gradually grinds to a halt, we couldn't for example decide to buy anything on 'ebay' we'd never last out the bidding!

 

Hope you have some more ideas for us to try, thanks for your help so far,

zippy

[Starbuck]

Hi Zippy,

 

sorry can't make head or tails of report!!

Ok, let's just take a small section: (The registered user accounts)

 

christine => 6627001155 B

john => 167740691 B

Guest.MAGICBOX => 133669357 B

The numbers are actuall 'bytes' removed.

 

With 1,000000 bytes to a megabyte this roughly equates to:

 

christine => 6.6 Gb (that's a lot)

john => 167.7 Mb

Guest.MAGICBOX => 133.6 Mb

 

Let's run a double check on your system.......

 

Please download RogueKiller Anti-malware (Free) onto your desktop.

• Close all open programs and internet browsers.
  
• Double click on RogueKiller Anti-malware to install the tool.
  Vista/Windows 7/8/10 users right-click and select Run As Administrator.
  
• Select Accept the User Agreement then continue to click Next then finally click Install
  
• Click Finish
  .
  
• When the program opens..... click Scan
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/rk1_zpsn7bfbew7.png
   
   
  
• Click Start Scan
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/rk2_zpszu8aygv0.png
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/rk4_zpsj0fwsy1w.png
   
   
  
• Double check anything found and tick to select items to be removed
   
  http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v708/starbuck50/rk3_zps0k0uqbtb.png
   
   
  
• Click Remove Selected
  
• When the items have been removed.... Click Open Report >> Open TXT.
  
• Copy and paste that report into your next reply.
  

[zippy]

Hi,

 

We've done the Anti-Malware scan and enclose report, there were about 20 found, removed them, at last we thought we may have been getting somewhere! but it is just the same as before, no faster, no slower! .......... but at least we know there is no malware now though .... many thanks for that..... any more ideas? we'd be grateful for anything, thanks again,

 

zippy RogueKillerV12.6.4.0 (x64) [sep 26 2016] (Free) by Adlice Software

mail: http://www.adlice.com/contact/

Feedback: http://forum.adlice.com

Website: http://www.adlice.com/download/roguekiller/

Blog: http://www.adlice.com

 

 

 

OperatingSystem : Windows 7 (6.1.7601 Service Pack 1) 64 bits version

Startedin : Normal mode

User: christine [Administrator]

Startedfrom : C:\Program Files\RogueKiller\RogueKiller64.exe

Mode: Delete -- Date : 09/26/2016 20:17:34 (Duration : 01:38:30)

 

 

 

¤¤¤Processes : 0 ¤¤¤

 

 

 

¤¤¤Registry : 14 ¤¤¤

[PUP](X64) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{1A53AD8B-D0B9-4E7F-88E4-50C07A65F2DC}(C:\Windows\COUPON~2.OCX) -> Deleted

[PUP](X64) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\CLSID\{A85A5E6A-DE2C-4F4E-99DC-F469DF5A0EEC}(C:\Windows\COUPON~2.OCX) -> Deleted

[PUP](X64) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Sample.BrowserHandler -> Deleted

[PUP](X64) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Sample.YTBPartnerSample -> Deleted

[PUP](X64) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Yahoo.AntiSpyPlugin -> Deleted

[PUP](X64) HKEY_CLASSES_ROOT\Yahoo.PopupBlockerPlugin -> Deleted

[PUP](X86) HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\SlimWare Utilities Inc ->Deleted

[PUP](X64)HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1926554716-681892527-4014982718-1000\Software\SlimWareUtilities Inc -> Deleted

[PUP](X64)HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1926554716-681892527-4014982718-1000\Software\YahooPartnerToolbar-> Deleted

[PUP](X86)HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1926554716-681892527-4014982718-1000\Software\SlimWareUtilities Inc -> Deleted

[PUP](X86)HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1926554716-681892527-4014982718-1000\Software\YahooPartnerToolbar-> Deleted

[PUP](X86)HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Explorer\BrowserHelper Objects\{FDAD4DA1-61A2-4FD8-9C17-86F7AC245081} -> Deleted

[PUM.SearchPage](X64)HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1926554716-681892527-4014982718-1000\Software\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Main | Search Bar : Preserve -> Replaced(http://search.msn.com/spbasic.htm)

[PUM.SearchPage](X86)HKEY_USERS\S-1-5-21-1926554716-681892527-4014982718-1000\Software\Microsoft\InternetExplorer\Main | Search Bar : Preserve -> Replaced(http://search.msn.com/spbasic.htm)

 

 

 

¤¤¤Tasks : 0 ¤¤¤

 

 

 

¤¤¤Files : 6 ¤¤¤

[PUP][File]C:\Windows\CouponPrinter.ocx -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Windows\couponprinter_x64.ocx -> Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare Utilities Inc -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\ignores.dat -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\Images\acer.png -> Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\Images -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\Logs\2012-08-15 18-38-59 0.log -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\Logs\2012-08-16 10-46-44 0.log -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\Logs\2012-08-16 14-13-56 0.log -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\Logs\2012-08-17 07-04-54 0.log -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\Logs\2012-08-17 09-22-29 0.log -> Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\Logs -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\rupdates.db -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\settings.db -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\supdates.db -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\SWDUMon.cat -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\SWDUMon.inf -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\DriverUpdate\SWDUMon.sys -> Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare Utilities Inc\DriverUpdate-> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare UtilitiesInc\Installers\US-131173175395421473.log -> Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\Users\christine\AppData\Local\SlimWare Utilities Inc\Installers ->Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\ProgramData\Ask -> Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\ProgramData\Ask\APN-Stub\ORJ\Local -> Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\ProgramData\Ask\APN-Stub\ORJ -> Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\ProgramData\Ask\APN-Stub -> Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG Secure Search -> Deleted

[PUP][File]C:\Program Files (x86)\AVG Secure Search\TBAPI.dll -> Deleted

[PUP][Folder]C:\Program Files (x86)\DriverUpdate -> Deleted

 

 

 

¤¤¤WMI : 0 ¤¤¤

 

 

 

¤¤¤Hosts File : 0 ¤¤¤

 

 

 

¤¤¤Antirootkit : 0 (Driver: Loaded) ¤¤¤

 

 

 

¤¤¤Web browsers : 0 ¤¤¤

 

 

 

¤¤¤MBR Check : ¤¤¤

+++++PhysicalDrive0: ST9500325AS +++++

---User ---

[MBR]30a004e31f4898de795c549814b1eec7

[bSP]f6eea1832b74ac1fc6ac77d2e8da5ae8 : HP|VT.Unknown MBR Code

Partitiontable:

0- [ACTIVE] NTFS (0x7) [VISIBLE] Offset (sectors): 2048 | Size: 199 MB[Windows Vista/7/8 Bootstrap | Windows Vista/7/8 Bootloader]

1- [XXXXXX] NTFS (0x7) [VISIBLE] Offset (sectors): 409600 | Size:460973 MB [Windows Vista/7/8 Bootstrap | Windows Vista/7/8Bootloader]

2- [XXXXXX] NTFS (0x7) [VISIBLE] Offset (sectors): 944482304 | Size:15663 MB [Windows Vista/7/8 Bootstrap | Windows Vista/7/8 Bootloader]

3- [XXXXXX] FAT32-LBA (0xc) [VISIBLE] Offset (sectors): 976560128 |Size: 103 MB

User= LL1 ... OK

User= LL2 ... OK

[Starbuck]

Hi Zippy,

 

Is your AVG the free version or the paid for version?

[zippy]

Its the free version

[Starbuck]

Its the free version

lol that actually makes things easier.

AVG has been known as a resource hog, so I'm going to recommend that you uninstall it and install a different AV.

Obviously we wouldn't have done this if you had the paid for version.... as you would then have been out of pocket.

 

Please uninstall AVG using the normal add/remove in Control Panel.

Then.... because AVG doesn't always cleanup properly....

 

Download the AVG removal tool from:

Here (England)

or

Here (USA)

 

Choose: AVG Remover .

 

download to your desktop.

then double click to start the uninstaller.

Windows 7,8 and 10 users... right click on the downloaded file and select Run as Administrator

 

Follow any prompts.....

 

These are free Anti Virus programs that I recommend:

• Avira AntiVir
  
• Bitdefender Free
   
  

Install only one of these, update the definitions and then run a full scan.

 

See if the system runs any faster after a change of AV.

[zippy]

Hi, removed AVG and installed Bitedefender, at first, we couldn't believe how fast it was, but only after a couple of days it's slowed again, maybe not as slow as before, it seems when we do repetitive things, ebay or going through emails etc., is what slows it the most... thanks for all your help so far

 

lol that actually makes things easier.

AVG has been known as a resource hog, so I'm going to recommend that you uninstall it and install a different AV.

Obviously we wouldn't have done this if you had the paid for version.... as you would then have been out of pocket.

 

Please uninstall AVG using the normal add/remove in Control Panel.

Then.... because AVG doesn't always cleanup properly....

 

Download the AVG removal tool from:

Here (England)

or

Here (USA)

 

Choose: AVG Remover .

 

download to your desktop.

then double click to start the uninstaller.

Windows 7,8 and 10 users... right click on the downloaded file and select Run as Administrator

 

Follow any prompts.....

 

These are free Anti Virus programs that I recommend:

• Avira AntiVir
  
• Bitdefender Free
  

Install only one of these, update the definitions and then run a full scan.

 

See if the system runs any faster after a change of AV.

[Starbuck]

Hi Zippy,

 

Ok, so a slight difference... but not permanent?

There are a few other things we can look into:

 

Step 1

Let's check for any problems with the hard drive:

 

You can do this by running the Scandisk utility within Windows.

• Click Start >> Computer
  
• Right click on your main drive (usually 'C')
  
• Select Properties
  
• Click on the Tools tab
  
• Under Error Checking.. Click Check Now
  
• Tick the options that you require ( Please tick both options )
  
• Click Start
  
• On the screen that comes up.. Click Yes then OK
  
• Now restart your computer.

Note: Be patient. Analyzing the drive can be a lengthy process

 

Step 2

Let's also check that there's no corrupt system files:

 

Click Start >> All Programs >> Accessories,

Now right-click Command Prompt, and then click Run as administrator.

If you are prompted for an administrator password or for a confirmation, type the password, or click Allow.

Type the following command, and then press the ENTER key on the keyboard: (the space is meant to be there between the c and the / )

sfc /scannow

 

The sfc /scannow command scans all protected system files and replaces incorrect versions with correct Microsoft versions.

Note:

Run the sfc /scannow command at least twice...... it doesn't always get all the problems on the first run.

 

 

Step 3

Let's give the system a good defrag ... usually helps with older systems.

 

Download Puran Disc Defragmenter

Save it to your 'Desktop'.

Run the program...Vista/Windows 7/8/10 users right-click and select Run As Administrator.

 

Do NOT allow it to install the Babylon toolbar or any other 3rd party software. ( Click skip on that section of the install if asked)

On the last screen UNtick to show the help page.

Now from the main 'Puran Defrag' screen, click on the 'C' drive to highlight it.

Then click on 'Defrag'.

 

This program is faster than the built in Windows Defrag and is more efficient.

Do not use the m/c while the defrag is running.

 

See if the system runs any faster afterwards.

[zippy]

Hi,

Done what you said, installed Bitdefender free,

still hasn't made a difference so I re-read all your instructions, searched for int exp 11 and found it! un-installed and re-installed from your link, it started but a box came up to say it was not finished, but had installed internet explorer trouble shooting on desktop, but I can't seem to do anything with it.... I can't get to emails as it says browser out of date.... so I'll keep checking back on here for your reply.....many thanks

[Starbuck]

Hi zippy,

 

I can't get to emails as it says browser out of date

Have you tried an alternative browser?

Firefox or Chrome for example.

 

With these ongoing problems I think that maybe the time has come to reset the system back to factory settings.

This will set the system back to how it was on the day it was bought.

Before you restore your system, (if you decide to go this route ) you’ll want to backup important information that you don’t want to lose to usb sticks, CD's, external HD etc.

This obviously includes documents, photos, music and movies.

 

Your system does have the recovery partition which enables you to do this.

 

Drive d: (RECOVERY) (Fixed) (Total:15.3 GB) (Free:2.2 GB) NTFS ==>[system with boot components (obtained from drive)]

 

This link will explain what you need to know.

 

HP Notebook PCs - Using System Recovery, Factory Reset and Minimized Image Recovery Options

[zippy]

We have been using 'Chrome' for a while and it seems a lot better.

Not perfect, but its ok.

 

Should we be getting rid of the internet explorer?

 

Thanks for help so far,

 

Zippy

[KenB]

Hi Zippy,

 

Whilst it IS possible to delete IE updated versions, Internet Explorer is an integral part of Windows so deleting IE 11 say, will only revert IE to an earlier version.

 

Starbuck should be able to give you a bit more information on this :)