Resolved Need to speed up very slow computer this weekend

I'm visiting my mother this weekend and want to speed up her very slow computer. So far, this is what I have done:
Uninstalled Bitdefender 2012
Installed Microsoft Security Essentials
Run: Malwarebytes, Ccleaner, Auslogics Defrag and Auslogics Registry Defrag, ADWCleaner, JRT.
All programs are slow to startup and run.

These are the programs that run on startup:
ctfmon.exe
Adobe ARM
DivX Download Manager
ISUSPM Startup
MSC
Quick Time Task
WMC_AutoUpdate

IE
Diagnose Connection Problems
Messenger
DivX HiQ
DivX Plus Web Player
DriveLetterAccess
Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper
JQSIEStartDetectorImpl Class

Firefox
Adblock Plus
Adblock Plus Pop-up Addon
Element Hiding Helper for Adblock Plus
IE Tab +
IE Tab 2
Adobe Acrobat
DivX OVS Helper Plug-in
DivX Web Player
Google Earth Plugin
Google Update
IE Tab Plug-in 2.0.
IE Tab Plug-in 2.2.
Java Deployment Toolkit
Microsoft® DRM
Microsoft® DRM
Picasa
Shockwave Flash
Silverlight Plug-In
Virtual Earth 3D 4.00100226006 plugin
Windows Media Player Plug-in
Windows Presentation Foundation
Yahoo Application State Plugin

Chrome
Gmail
Google Search
You Tube

Scheduled Tasks
Adobe Flash Player Updater
GoogleUpdateTaskMachineCore
GoogleUpdateTaskMachineUA
Microsoft Antimalware Scheduled Scan
MpIdleTask
PCDoctorBackgroundMonitorTask
SystemToolsDailyTest

Context Menu
Directory Browse with Paint Shop Pro
Directory MBAMShlExt
Directory WinRAR
Drive Browse with Paint Shop Pro Studio
Drive DriveLetterAccess
File MBAMShlExt
File WinRAR
File Yahoo! Mail

I'll only be here for the next 37 hours, so I need to do this quickly. What recommendations do you have?

Also, please let me know which of the startup programs don't need to be running. For instance, PCDoctor was uninstalled from this computer years ago and doesn't show up in add/remove programs, so probably could be turned off.
This is an old Dell desktop
Dell Dimension DIM3000
Intel(R)
Pentium(R) 4 CPU 2.80GHz
2.79 GHz, 1.00 GB of RAM
WinXP Home Edition SP3

 

Quick time and Adobe Arm don't need to run on startup. How are you disabling these start up items. Hope not from MSConfig. Probably doesn't need Quick Time to start with.

http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml The first one that is 59 KB is the one you want. Pretty simple to use. Look thru all the tabs when you get it downloaded and running. Stop what you want then reboot.

More RAM would not hurt either. 1 GIG isn't much. You can go to Crucial and they have a program that you can run and will show you what you have and what can be added. Don't have to get it from them. http://www.crucial.com/systemscanner/ Download the scanner. When you are finished, it will uninstall itself. It is good at what it does.

 

Just to add to Bill's suggestions, it might help to see what these two programs say about some of the installed software, too...

http://www.shouldiremoveit.com/index.aspx

http://pcdecrapifier.com/

You can also use CCleaner's startup tool to disable unwanted / unneeded startup hogs.

ctfmon.exe is a part of Microsoft Office, and it can be disabled here...

http://www.pchell.com/support/ctfmon.shtml

 

Thank you for your feedback. I used Ccleaner to disable Quicktime and Adobe ARM, along with PCDoctor and Browse with Paint Shop Pro. Any other suggestions as to what else to disable?
I talked with her about buying a 2GB kit, but she isn't ready to make that move.
What other suggestions might be out there?

 

I used http://www.shouldiremoveit.com/index.aspx and http://pcdecrapifier.com/, but they primarily focus on unnecessary programs, not ones that run behind the scenes, like startup programs. I did disable the install shield, as suggested by the second program, so I no longer have ISUSPM starting up.
What about the browser programs listed, along with the scheduled tasks and context menu?
Are there other suggestions of programs to run or changes I can make in this computer by Sunday?

 

Evan, WMC_AutoUpdate refused to be disabled, so any suggestions you may have would be appreciated. It didn't respond at all. I was hesitant to disable SystemToolsDailyTest, as it looks like it is part of the Dell system, but I did disable it, along with the other items. I'm posting the Hijack This log, and then I'll restart the computer for the disk check. Thanks.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 2:04:35 PM, on 11/9/2013
Platform: Windows XP SP3 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.18702)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
c:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
c:\WINDOWS\Microsoft.NET\Framework\v3.0\WPF\PresentationFontCache.exe
C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\millie\Desktop\HijackThis.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://www.dell4me.com/myway
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://search.piccshare.com/?channel=sfus304
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
O2 - BHO: Increase performance and video formats for your HTML5 <video> - {326E768D-4182-46FD-9C16-1449A49795F4} - C:\Program Files\DivX\DivX Plus Web Player\npdivx32.dll
O2 - BHO: Use the DivX Plus Web Player to watch web videos with less interruptions and smoother playback on supported sites - {593DDEC6-7468-4cdd-90E1-42DADAA222E9} - C:\Program Files\DivX\DivX Plus Web Player\npdivx32.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Site Guard - {5C8B2A36-3DB1-42A4-A3CB-D426709BBFEB} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: DriveLetterAccess - {5CA3D70E-1895-11CF-8E15-001234567890} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\dla\tfswshx.dll
O2 - BHO: PCTools Browser Monitor - {B56A7D7D-6927-48C8-A975-17DF180C71AC} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: JQSIEStartDetectorImpl - {E7E6F031-17CE-4C07-BC86-EABFE594F69C} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\lib\deploy\jqs\ie\jqs_plugin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: (no name) - {0B53EAC3-8D69-4b9e-9B19-A37C9A5676A7} - (no file)
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSC] "c:\Program Files\Microsoft Security Client\msseces.exe" -hide -runkey
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Spyware Doctor] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe" /Q (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [Spyware Doctor] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe" /Q (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: + &Download Express: download this file - C:\Program Files\Download Express\Add_Url.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Add to Google Photos Screensa&ver - res://C:\WINDOWS\system32\GPhotos.scr/200
O9 - Extra button: Spyware Doctor - {2D663D1A-8670-49D9-A1A5-4C56B4E14E84} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @xpsp3res.dll,-20001 - {e2e2dd38-d088-4134-82b7-f2ba38496583} - C:\WINDOWS\Network Diagnostic\xpnetdiag.exe
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://software.canon-europe.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: http://www.usa.canon.com
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.dell.com
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Browseui preloader - {438755C2-A8BA-11D1-B96B-00A0C90312E1} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe Flash Player Update Service (AdobeFlashPlayerUpdateSvc) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashPlayerUpdateService.exe
O23 - Service: DSBrokerService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\DellSupport\brkrsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate1cb078bb810eb5a) (gupdate1cb078bb810eb5a) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: Java Quick Starter (JavaQuickStarterService) - Sun Microsystems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jqs.exe
O23 - Service: Mozilla Maintenance Service (MozillaMaintenance) - Mozilla Foundation - C:\Program Files\Mozilla Maintenance Service\maintenanceservice.exe
O23 - Service: Intel NCS NetService (NetSvc) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\PROSetWired\NCS\Sync\NetSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: Skype Updater (SkypeUpdate) - Skype Technologies - C:\Program Files\Skype\Updater\Updater.exe

--
End of file - 6149 bytes

 

I forgot to mention last time, but all the updates are current. I did install Spyware Doctor on this computer many years ago, but I also uninstalled it. Apparently, not everything was removed.
Checkdisk went through without a hitch and showing no signs anything needed to be fixed.

Should these be removed, also?
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [Spyware Doctor] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe" /Q (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [Spyware Doctor] "C:\Program Files\Spyware Doctor\swdoctor.exe" /Q (User 'Default user')

Here is the Autoruns logon page:

 

I've removed the items. The Internet seems to be working a bit faster, while loading programs is just very slightly faster. Other than it still is quite slow, we have created one slight glitch. Microsoft Security Essentials no longer loads at startup, requiring a manual startup. Should I just place a shortcut in Start Menu, Programs, Startup, or would you recommend a different approach?
Thanks for the help.

Are there other options to explore or are we talking about needing to double the RAM from 1GB to 2GB?

 

For what it's worth, I am running XP Home on a 10 year old MSI board with a 1.73gz AMD processor and 1GB of Crucial RAM (I used the scan tool MrBill mentioned above), and I have never used the whole 1GB of RAM that I know of. I also ran Auto Desk 2008 on that machine at one time, and that program uses a lot of resources.

You could open Task Manager (Ctrl, Alt, Delete) and see if the RAM maxes out. Mine never did. Course, your mother's Dell may beg to differ, and I am not disputing MrBill's advice either.

 

What I find strange is sometimes programs open quickly and other times they just hang for a minute or so. When I just opened up Task Manager, all the following programs seemed to start quickly. The Available and System Cache memories never get close to the Total Memory, yet the Paged and Nonpaged Memory always equal the total Memory, though that may be true for everyone. I've never looked at that before. Maybe there is a memory test I could run that would determine the actual needs of this computer. My mother is 91 years old, and not very computer savvy, so we don't need a hot rod for her. She just gets a bit impatient and frustrated when she has to wait.

I do notice the CPU Usage frequently maxing out.

 

FWIW Usually the best thing to do is flatten and re-install.

 

That's me in a nutshell.

I usually reinstall the whole nine yards about every two years or so.

 

Evan, it looks like you hit the nail on the head. Everything appears to be working much better. Thank you. Now the question is what do we do about Microsoft Security Essentials?

I attempted to save a Word document and the CPU peaked out, freezing out the operation for about 15 seconds (a straight line across the top of the CPU Usage History window), but overall, things are working much smoother.

 

Download a fresh copy and reinstall. I had to do that with one of my XP comps last year. Neil.

 

I assume you are talking about Microsoft Security Essentials?

I assume I am to uninstall the program before reinstalling it.

 

When the CPU peaks out, the process hogging all the resources appears to be MsMpEng.exe. Any suggestions on that?