My computer "stutters"

Hello everyone, first time poster here. I have a weird problem with my computer performance that I am hoping to get help with.

I have found in the last few weeks my computer has been very slow, but not in a way that I am used to. Whenever I use certain applications, rather than responding instantly to any input I give, whether it is by keyoard or mouse, my computer frequently pauses/freezes for a second or 2 before continuing to run the application. For example, I may be playing chess and as I move my piece to the next square, it may freeze the piece in the middle of the move for a few seconds before continuing and completing the move.

During the "freezing period" I also notice that any input I give during this time gets read by the computer and applied after the "stutter" is over. For example, I may be typing a word quickly, then look up to notice that halfway through the word the computer froze, yet after a few seconds when it has resumed it goes ahead and writes the rest of the word that i had been typing during the stutter.

Hopefully I have explained this OK, but here is another clue that may help identify the problem. During the "heavier stutter times" I have noticed that my Windows clock runs slow! The longer I go without rebooting, the slower the clock runs. After one particularly long chat session with a friend that was very heavy with the "stuttering ", my clock was a full half hour slow. Yet, after I rebooted, the clock again showed the proper time!

I use Windows ME. I would be grateful if anyone reading this could identify the problem and suggest a solution. Thanks in advance.

 

OK I assume you are sure that you have no Viri!

Then the first thing to do here is cleanup!

Step 1.

Configure CleanMgr to max settings and run
Go to Start-Run and type

cleanmgr /sageset:1
The above need only be ran once (these settings will be remembered as the default until another sageset is ran).

It will present a menu select all except compress, then

Go to Start-Run and type

cleanmgr /sagerun:1
As long as /sageset above has been ran on this computer from now on the /sagerun is the only thing that needs to run.

Step 2. (most likely the problem)

Spyware and adware removal

SpyBot http://security.kolla.de/index.php?lang=en&page=download
Run this twice delete all it finds, always run this before AdAware

AdAware http://www.lavasoftusa.com/downloads.html
Delete all it finds

BHO Demon http://www.definitivesolutions.com/bhodemon.htm
This program runs stand alone no install is required post me the items it finds

Step 3.

Startup control panel

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
This gives simple and full control of what starts at boot up. After install there will be a Startup icon in control panel.

http://www.spywareinfo.com/~merijn/files/startuplist.zip

StartupList does nothing but grab all Autoload (startups) and puts them in a Wordpad file so that you can then copy it and paste it back to us in a message so that we can advise on a problem here.

Do these and most likely not only will this fix your problem but the computer should run faster and be more stable than ever.

Mike

 

How goes it Perp?

Mike

 

Thanks so much for your efforts. So far I finished the SpyBot (ran it 4 times and it *still* finds 1 or 2 more things) I now try the lavasoft link and it doesn't work (or their site is down) Can you doublecheck the link? Thanks.

 

By the way, for the sageset there was no "compress" item to select so I just selected everything. A lot of the stuff I didn't understand, but it seems to have worked smoothly.

 

10-4 it is down!

We have been expecting this!

Forget it.

Spybot needs only 2 runs leave all after that.

BTW what did spybot find?

Do the other steps. Then let me know!

mike

 

Oh, one last thing - I should mention that around a month ago I had the Klez virus which I thought I had cleaned since my computer has been working fine since then. Is it possible there could still be "remenents" or should it get cleaned in one shot?

 

All sorts of ****. Over 150 items, mostly "Tracking cookie or cookie of tracking site ". A lot of it I don't understand, but it all seems to be tracking tools that I had no idea about. I knew they existed, but it's still incredible to see once you get an actual list of what was on your computer.

 

Slightly possible it was what Klez did.

If you have completed an updated virus scan then probably not the virus itself.

Continue the steps.

Mike

 

OK, all done. There were no BHO's listed - I don't know if that's normal or if somehow I didn't run the program properly (it almost instantly gave me the output, there was almost no processing time)

As for startup control panel, I have the Startup icon in my Control Panel now and I have my Autoload startups on a notepad. I'm not sure what you wanted me to do with this; should I look for anything in particular?

So far things seem to be running OK, but I haven't had any heavy use of applications yet (which is when the problem usually starts) Will definitely post an update soon, thanks again so much.

 

In notepad hilite and copy this and past it back in a message so that we can advise!

The BHO is correct we were looking to see if there were any and what. Some BHO's are bad.

Waiting for the paste back.

mike

 

StartupList report, 2/2/2003, 9:31:52 AM
StartupList version: 1.51
Started from : C:\WINDOWS\TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES\CONTENT.IE5\CQKEM8HG\STARTUPLIST[1]\STARTUPLIST.EXE
Detected: Windows ME (Win9x 4.90.3000)
Detected: Internet Explorer v6.00 (6.00.2600.0000)
* Using default options
==================================================

Running processes:

C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\KERNEL32.DLL
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSGSRV32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\mmtask.tsk
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MPREXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MSTASK.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SCARDSVR.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\IOMEGA\AUTODISK\ADSERVICE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\EXPLORER.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TASKMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SYSTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IRMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PROMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\IGFXTRAY.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\HKCMD.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SOUNDMAN.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\ALDAEMON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\LTSMMSG.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RESTORE\STMGR.EXE
C:\ACERTOOL\ACER\LAUNCH MANAGER\LAUNCHAP.EXE
C:\ACERTOOL\ACER\LAUNCH MANAGER\HOTKEYAPP.EXE
C:\ACERTOOL\ACER\LAUNCH MANAGER\KEYHOOK.EXE
C:\ACERTOOL\ACER\LAUNCH MANAGER\CTRLVOL.EXE
C:\ACERTOOL\ACER\LAUNCH MANAGER\WBUTTON.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\DDHELP.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\ACER\POWERKEY\POWERKEY.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\ACER\HOTIDE\HOTIDE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PRPCUI.EXE
C:\ACERTOOL\ADAPTEC\DIRECTCD\DIRECTCD.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\LOGITECH\MOUSEWARE\SYSTEM\EM_EXEC.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\WMIEXE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\LOADQM.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\COMMON FILES\REAL\UPDATE_OB\EVNTSVC.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE.COM\AGENT\MCAGENT.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE.COM\VSO\MCVSSHLD.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\INKLINE GLOBAL\PC BOOSTER\PCBOOSTER.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\AIM95\AIM.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\MCAFEE.COM\VSO\MCVSRTE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\RNAAPP.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\TAPISRV.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\PSTORES.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\OUTLOOK EXPRESS\MSIMN.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\INTERNET EXPLORER\IEXPLORE.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES\CONTENT.IE5\CQKEM8HG\STARTUPLIST[1]\STARTUPLIST.EXE

--------------------------------------------------

Listing of startup folders:

Shell folders Startup:
[C:\WINDOWS\Start Menu\Programs\StartUp]
Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

TaskMonitor = C:\WINDOWS\taskmon.exe
PCHealth = C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\Support\PCHSchd.exe -s
SystemTray = SysTray.Exe
IrMon = irmon.exe
Promon.exe = Promon.exe
LoadPowerProfile = Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
IgfxTray = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\igfxtray.exe
HotKeysCmds = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\hkcmd.exe /DeviceName:\\.\Display1
SoundMan = soundman.exe
ALDAEMON = ALDAEMON.EXE
LTSMMSG = LTSMMSG.exe
SynTPLpr = C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
SynTPEnh = C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
LaunchAp = C:\Acertool\Acer\Launch Manager\LaunchAp.exe
HotkeyApp = C:\Acertool\Acer\Launch Manager\HotkeyApp.exe
KeyHook = C:\Acertool\Acer\Launch Manager\KeyHook.exe
CtrlVol = C:\Acertool\Acer\Launch Manager\CtrlVol.exe
Wbutton = "C:\Acertool\Acer\Launch Manager\Wbutton.exe "
Powerkey = "C:\Program Files\Acer\Powerkey\powerkey.exe "
HotIDE = "C:\Program Files\Acer\HotIDE\HotIDE.exe "
PRPCMonitor = PRPCUI.exe
Launch App = c:\DMSINFO\launapp.exe
Adaptec DirectCD = C:\ACERTOOL\ADAPTEC\DIRECTCD\DIRECTCD.EXE
UniKey =
360SCProgram =
EM_EXEC = C:\PROGRA~1\LOGITECH\MOUSEW~1\SYSTEM\EM_EXEC.EXE
LoadQM = loadqm.exe
TkBellExe = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\evntsvc.exe -osboot
MCAgentExe = C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\Agent\mcagent.exe
MCUpdateExe = C:\PROGRA~1\MCAFEE.COM\AGENT\McUpdate.exe
VirusScan Online = "C:\PROGRA~1\MCAFEE.COM\VSO\mcvsshld.exe "
PC Booster = C:\Program Files\inKline Global\PC Booster\pcbooster.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\RunServices

LoadPowerProfile = Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
SchedulingAgent = mstask.exe
*StateMgr = C:\WINDOWS\System\Restore\StateMgr.exe
SCardSvr = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\SCardSvr.exe
360SCProgram =
ADService = C:\Program Files\Iomega\AutoDisk\ADService.exe

--------------------------------------------------

Autorun entries from Registry:
HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

AIM = C:\PROGRAM FILES\AIM95\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
H/PC Connection Agent = "C:\PROGRAM FILES\MICROSOFT ACTIVESYNC\WCESCOMMOCJ.EXE "

--------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\WININIT.BAK listing:
(Created 28/1/2003, 9:11:32)

[Rename]
NUL=C:\PROGRA~1\MCAFEE.COM\AGENT\MCAGNTPS.DLL
C:\PROGRA~1\MCAFEE.COM\AGENT\MCAGNTPS.DLL=C:\PROGRA~1\MCAFEE.COM\AGENT\SETB1D5.TMP

--------------------------------------------------

C:\AUTOEXEC.BAT listing:

if exist c:\DMSINFO\wlan.exe c:\DMSINFO\wlan.exe
if errorlevel 3 goto Wtooth
if errorlevel 2 goto WLee
if errorlevel 1 goto tooth
goto BWNO
:Wtooth
regedit c:\dmsinfo\80211.reg > NUL
goto BWNO
:WLee
regedit c:\dmsinfo\80211.reg > NUL
goto BWNO
:tooth
goto BWNO
:BWNO
if exist c:\DMSINFO\pchkcdrm.exe c:\DMSINFO\pchkcdrm.exe
if errorlevel 1 set CD=CDRM
if errorlevel 2 set CD=DVDR
if errorlevel 3 set CD=CDRW
if errorlevel 4 set CD=DVDW
if errorlevel 5 set CD=UNKNOW
goto %CD%
VDR
if exist c:\dmsinfo\LaunApp1.ini copy c:\dmsinfo\LaunApp1.ini c:\windows\LaunApp.ini /v /y >nul
if exist c:\dmsinfo\install\directcd\directcd.exe del c:\dmsinfo\install\directcd\directcd.exe >NUL
if exist c:\acertool\install\ezcdc\ezcdc.exe deltree /Y c:\acertool\install >NUL
goto END
:CDRW
if exist c:\dmsinfo\LaunApp2.ini copy c:\dmsinfo\LaunApp2.ini c:\windows\LaunApp.ini /v /y >nul
if exist c:\dvd\setup.exe deltree /Y c:\dvd >NUL
goto END
VDW
if exist c:\dmsinfo\LaunApp3.ini copy c:\dmsinfo\LaunApp3.ini c:\windows\LaunApp.ini /v /y >nul
goto END
:CDRM
:UNKNOW
if exist c:\dmsinfo\install\directcd\directcd.exe deltree /Y c:\dmsinfo\install >NUL
if exist c:\acertool\install\ezcdc\ezcdc.exe deltree /Y c:\acertool\install >NUL
if exist c:\dvd\setup.exe deltree /Y c:\dvd >NUL
goto END
:END

--------------------------------------------------

C:\WINDOWS\WINSTART.BAT listing:

C:\WINDOWS\tmpcpyis.bat

--------------------------------------------------


Enumerating Task Scheduler jobs:

Tune-up Application Start.job
PCHealth Scheduler for Data Collection.job
McAfee.com Update Check 01022003061408.job

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Download Program Files:

[Shockwave Flash Object]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MACROMED\FLASH\SWFLASH.OCX
CODEBASE = http://download.macromedia.com/pub/shockwave/cabs/flash/swflash.cab

[McAfee.com Operating System Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM\MCINSCTL.DLL
CODEBASE = http://bin.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/en-us/4,0,0,55/mcinsctl.cab

[BrowseFolderPopup Class]
InProcServer32 = C:\WINDOWS\MCBIN\SHARED\MGBRWFLD.DLL
CODEBASE = http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/Shared/MGBrwFld.cab

--------------------------------------------------

Enumerating Winsock LSP files:

Protocol #2: C:\WINDOWS\system32\wspirda.dll

--------------------------------------------------
End of report, 8,171 bytes
Report generated in 0.565 seconds

Command line options:
/verbose - to add additional info on each section
/complete - to include empty sections and unsuspicious data
/full - to include several rarely-important sections
/force9x - to include Win9x-only startups even if running on WinNT
/forcent - to include WinNT-only startups even if running on Win9x
/forceall - to include all Win9x and WinNT startups, regardless of platform
/history - to list version history only

 

Ok you have several things that I am familiar with that should not run at startup.

Also many that I don't recognize! But will research

Use Startup control panel to uncheck the following and reboot. Unchecking these items do not remove or uninstall only stops from running at bootup.

TASKMON.EXE

DIRECTCD.EXE

LOADQM.EXE

RNAAPP.EXE

OSA.EXE

ADService.exe

The above items are totally useless in startup. Uncheck them and reboot. Now try a real time test to see if there is improvement!

Meanwhile I will be looking at the others!

Mike

 

Is this some kind of Laptop?


The below are links to the things that get put in startup, what they do and if they are nessesary.

The more startups you have the slower and more unstable the computer becomes in most cases.

Go thu theses links look up items in Startup Control panel and remove as many as possible.

If some of these things are never used and never will uninstall them!
If you have any doubts about wether or not you need them then just uncheck them in Startup Control panel and reboot to see if everything works.

The links:

Cleaning startups
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_pages/startup_full.htm
http://jeh.ne.client2.attbi.com/TechSupport/index.htm
http://www.3feetunder.com/krick/startup/list.html
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
http://ww2.whidbey.net/djdenham/Uncheck.htm
http://www.3feetunder.com/krick/startup/list.html

Let me know the results. Remember the more you can remove the faster the computer will be.

After you get these cleaned up your autoexec.bat and config.sys are a mess.

We will tackle that if you want.

Mike

 

Wow, I am totally impressed. So far I see a huge improvement in the applications that were stuttering before. I will definitely go through those links and would be happy work on autoexec.bat and config.sys. You are very kind.

Yes, it's a laptop BTW

 

Ok do you use a removeable HD or something?

If you are impressed now wait untill you get thru the rest!

Get everything possible cleaned from the startups.

Do you use the Instant messenger?

Go thru Add/Remove and clean out old programs and things you know you will never use.

Or laptop features included that you don't use.

Mike

 

Whats happening?

Mike

 

Sorry Mike, I should have told you I was stepping out. That's great that you are taking such an interest in my problem, it's really above and beyond the call of duty!

Here's my update:

I deleted 5 out of the 6 applications you suggested from my startup menu, however, I couldn't find where/how to delete RNAAPP.EXE

I scanned those sites and determined that I could also delete these other ones:

CTRLVOL
HOTIDE
HKCMD
IGFXTRAY
IRMON
CTSMMSG
PCBOOSTER
PCHSCHD
PROMON
SYNTPENH
EVNTSVC

I'm being conservative so far and deleting only the ones I know for sure I don't need. Will now play a few games of chess and see how it goes.

 

Hi Perp

Thanks for the thanks. But you see that is the only reason I am a memeber of this board.

My version of Candy striping. Smile.

And I like to see a problem thru to completion.

I would like to compliment you also for taking the time to do the steps and follow instructions which you did very well.

A couple of things I have noticed on the BBS is that some people only want a simple 1 or 2 step answer. And that is not possible most times.

So what I get is they latch on to 1 thing I told them to do skip the steps and/or order. Don't answer all my questions etc.

Many times because my answer seemed to have too many steps etc they just ignore me. I will see them doing all kinds of other things. Sometimes they will finally get around to it. Other times I will even put in a reminder to (see message # 4 etc) and they still will not. Then later they say "Yeah finally had to reformat and start over ".

You did well!

OK to handle the Rnaapp go in to Real player Options or configurations and remove all startup, updating, send me messages etc. Realplayer will still work as always only better.

Yes I agree that as I look at the other things they should not be needed.

To finally finish this up and have your computer as lean and mean as possible you can D/L install and run these:

Registry and System cleaners

RegCleaner http://www.vtoy.fi/jv16/shtml/regcleaner.shtml
Look in first 2 cols for programs you thought you uninstalled or removed, these are the dregs left by the uninstaller. Also tag and remove any that you are POSITIVE are not supposed to be on your computer. After removing these go to the top Tools-Registry Cleanup-Do them all. Delete all it finds.

EasyClean1.7 http://gswi.com/downloads.htm
Run only unnecessary files and registry clean delete all it finds

System Mechanic http://www.iolo.com/sm/index.htm

After all this empty recycle bin do a scandisk and defrag. All the cleaning we have done has opend holes in the file system so defraging will give that final speed boost.

Mike

PS Let me know the final results.

 

Well, now that you mention it I have admit I went back to read your other posts and I see that I have neglected to answer a few questions

No I do not use a removable HD and yes, I use the instant messanger quite a bit.

Will now continue with your latest considerable effort and will give an update ASAP.