XP Performance Deteriorating Rapidly

In the past few days Windows XP has started giving me various kinds of performance problems. First, the sound from all sources became badly distorted. Then I noticed erratic cursor movement. Finally all computer actions/processes have been slowing down badly, to the point where I can click on a link and nothing will happen for as long as 2-3 minutes; then the desired result will usually occur, although sometimes it stops partway through, frequently leaving a blank hole in the screen display where the new program or site has begun to load but stopped. My computer is rapidly becoming unusable. This may be related to shutdown problems that I have not been able to solve, although I have tried every troubleshooting step that I can find on Microsoft and other sites. When I try to turn off the computer, it goes as far as the screen that says Windows is shutting down, then stops. I have to hold in the power key to get the computer to turn off. I am wondering this could cause damage to Windows system files that might be causing the performance to be degraded. I have also considered a virus (but Norton AV finds nothing) or intrusive adware/spyware (again, though, neither AdAware not Spybot finds anything). I would appreciate any help anyone can offer.

Here is the logfile from Hijack This:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.0
Scan saved at 8:38:42 AM, on 12/28/2004
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.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\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_06\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton GoBack\GBPoll.exe
C:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~4\GHOSTS~2.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon05.exe
C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~2\NPROTECT.EXE
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Multimedia Card Reader\shwicon2k.exe
C:\WINDOWS\ALCXMNTR.EXE
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Ghost\GhostStartTrayApp.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb05.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon04.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~2\SPEEDD~1\NOPDB.EXE
c:\Program Files\HP\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnf.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Solways Task Scheduler\tasksched.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\Program Files\AdSubtract\adsub.exe
C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton GoBack\GBTray.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPHipm11.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\2\BRQIKMON.EXE
C:\PROGRAM FILES\OUTLOOK EXPRESS\MSIMN.EXE
C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\comp\hptskmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Antivirus\OPScan.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Owner\Local Settings\Temp\Temporary Directory 1 for hijackthis.zip\HijackThis.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://us10.hpwis.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://srch-us10.hpwis.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/cus...aults/sb/*http://www.yahoo.com/search/ie.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://red.clientapps.yahoo.com/customize/ycomp_wave/defaults/sp/*http://www.yahoo.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://us10.hpwis.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://srch-us10.hpwis.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://srch-us10.hpwis.com/
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://srch-us10.hpwis.com/
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://us10.hpwis.com/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyServer = http=AdSubtract:4444
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = localhost
R3 - Default URLSearchHook is missing
O2 - BHO: Yahoo! Companion BHO - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_5_7_0.dll
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Hitware Popup Killer Lite - {604B283A-4E26-4504-98E7-72859F949547} - C:\PROGRA~1\HITWAR~1\sypcms.dll
O2 - BHO: CNavExtBho Class - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Antivirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: HP View - {B2847E28-5D7D-4DEB-8B67-05D28BCF79F5} - c:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpdtlk02.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Antivirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Copernic Agent - {F2E259E8-0FC8-438C-A6E0-342DD80FA53E} - C:\PROGRA~1\COPERN~1\COPERN~1.DLL
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Companion - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\ycomp5_5_7_0.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_06\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpsysdrv] c:\windows\system\hpsysdrv.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD05] c:\Program Files\HP\{45B6180B-DCAB-4093-8EE8-6164457517F0}\hphupd05.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon05] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon05.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [KBD] C:\HP\KBD\KBD.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [UpdateManager] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Sonic\Update Manager\sgtray.exe" /r
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PS2] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ps2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\System32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Sunkist2k] C:\Program Files\Multimedia Card Reader\shwicon2k.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AlcxMonitor] ALCXMNTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [mmtask] C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ccApp] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccApp.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [GhostStartTrayApp] C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Ghost\GhostStartTrayApp.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AcctMgr] C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Password Manager\AcctMgr.exe /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPDJ Taskbar Utility] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\drivers\w32x86\3\hpztsb05.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHmon04] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hphmon04.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HPHUPD04] "C:\Program Files\HP Photosmart 11\hphinstall\UniPatch\hphupd04.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Share-to-Web Namespace Daemon] c:\Program Files\HP\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [zzzHPSETUP] E:\Setup.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SSC_UserPrompt] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\UsrPrmpt.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] "C:\Program Files\HP\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Component Manager] "C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\hpcmpmgr.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [RestoreDesktop] C:\Program Files\Restore Desktop\RestoreDesktop.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Solway's Task Scheduler] C:\Program Files\Solways Task Scheduler\tasksched.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BackupNotify] c:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\backupnotify.exe
O4 - Startup: tasksched.lnk = C:\Program Files\Solways Task Scheduler\tasksched.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma Loader.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: AdSubtract.lnk = C:\Program Files\AdSubtract\adsub.exe
O4 - Global Startup: HP Digital Imaging Monitor.lnk = C:\Program Files\HP\Digital Imaging\bin\hpqtra08.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Norton GoBack.lnk = C:\Program Files\Norton GoBack\GBTray.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~4\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Search Using Copernic Agent - C:\Program Files\Copernic Agent\Web\SearchExt.htm
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_06\bin\npjpi142_06.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\j2re1.4.2_06\bin\npjpi142_06.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {193B17B0-7C9F-4D5B-AEAB-8D3605EFC084} - C:\PROGRA~1\COPERN~1\COPERN~1.EXE
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Launch Copernic Agent - {193B17B0-7C9F-4D5B-AEAB-8D3605EFC084} - C:\PROGRA~1\COPERN~1\COPERN~1.EXE
O9 - Extra button: Copernic Agent - {688DC797-DC11-46A7-9F1B-445F4F58CE6E} - C:\PROGRA~1\COPERN~1\COPERN~1.EXE
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://v5.windowsupdate.microsoft.c...ls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1098368917031
O16 - DPF: {64D01C7F-810D-446E-A07E-365764235644} (AtlAtomadersCtlAttrib Class) - http://kraisoft.com/files/realone/atomaders.cab
O16 - DPF: {DF780F87-FF2B-4DF8-92D0-73DB16A1543A} (PopCapLoader Object) - http://utu.popcap.com/games/popcaploader_v6.cab
O18 - Protocol: cetihpz - {CF184AD3-CDCB-4168-A3F7-8E447D129300} - C:\Program Files\HP\hpcoretech\comp\hpuiprot.dll
O23 - Service: Symantec Event Manager - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Password Validation - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccPwdSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Symantec Settings Manager - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccSetMgr.exe
O23 - Service: GBPoll - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton GoBack\GBPoll.exe
O23 - Service: GhostStartService - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~4\GHOSTS~2.EXE
O23 - Service: Norton AntiVirus Auto Protect Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Antivirus\navapsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Norton Unerase Protection - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~2\NPROTECT.EXE
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPH11 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\System32\HPHipm11.exe
O23 - Service: SAVScan - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton SystemWorks\Norton Antivirus\SAVScan.exe
O23 - Service: ScriptBlocking Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\SYMANT~1\SCRIPT~1\SBServ.exe
O23 - Service: Speed Disk service - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\NORTON~1\NORTON~2\SPEEDD~1\NOPDB.EXE
O23 - Service: Symantec Core LC - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\CCPD-LC\symlcsvc.exe
O23 - Service: SymWMI Service - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\Security Center\SymWSC.exe

 

I would suggest downloading, installing and running HiJackThis, and copy/pasting a copy of the log that it creates, back here for review.

 

Welcome to the board audet,
Check in the device manager for any conflicts or exclamation or question marks.

Check the event viewer through administrative tools for any errors and information.

Are you running up to date antivirus, and having run a FULL system scan?

Do you run anti spyware programmes fully updated after installation, and on a regular basis, such as the two in my signature as well as SpywareBlaster?
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

 

System File Check
Start > Run > cmd
sfc /scannow
You will need your XP cd.

sfc - system file checker, retrieves the correct version of the file from %Systemroot%\System32\Dllcache or the Windows installation source files, and then replaces the incorrect file.

If you want to see what was replaced, right click My Computer > manage, expand event viewer > system.

Johanna

 

Hi Audet,

Have you tried opening the GoBack program and selecting to Revert the drive back to a date when this problem didn't exist?

 

A quick browse through your list, shows at least 3 "automatic updaters" running in the HKLM/software/microsoft/current version/run portion of the registry.
I suggest you start by going in to the ones named (Realplayer (EWWW!!!!), Javaupdate, Musicmatch, Ghost, HPSched, qttask, etc, and try to disable them from starting with Windows.
Next, go to Start > Run > and type in: msconfig
Go over to the Startup tab, and uncheck everything.
Restart.
Go back and recheck the ones you absolutely MUST have, and no more!
Get Realplayer alternative, quicktime alternative (Google search for them), delete QT and Realplayer (and all it's other ****).
Delete all your searchbar junk (mostly spyware anyhow).
Get Adaware and Spybot, update and run both.
Get Easycleaner from Toniarts, run the reg cleaner in it.
That's at least a good start.

 

Re: XP Performance Detriorating Rapidly

Thanks for all the suggestions. I still have not been able to solve the problem, however. Can anyone recommend a freeware or shareware utility for Windows XP that will show how much CPU time each task or process is consuming? It's easy to figure out how busy the CPU is, but not so easy to find out which task is eating up all the cycles. I'm pretty sure that something running on my system is consuming a lot of CPU cycles, probably a spyware program, but I need help identifying which one it is. "

 

You can use Process.exe to do that.

Put it somewhere on your path. Run it from a command window box.

For help type process /?

 

Information below about this process, running on your machine, taken from answersthatwork.com. C:\WINDOWS\System32\nvsvc32.exe

NVIDIA Driver Helper Service which gets installed under Windows NT4/2000/XP/2003 by the NVIDIA drivers for some of their graphics cards (or graphics cards based on an NVIDIA chipset). We do not at this stage know what this process does except consume memory ! And we also have no idea as to what a "Driver Helper Service" is supposed to do !!

Recommendation :
This service is often responsible for various glitches, from significant shutdown delays to excessive memory usage. Disabling it, however, does not result in our experience in any ill-effect in regards to the proper operation of your NVIDIA or NVIDIA chipset graphics card, so we recommend that you definitely set the Startup Mode of this service to Disabled. You can do this by going to start>run, type services.msc, hit enter. Locate the service in the list and right click>properties. Stop the service, then disable, apply and OK out.