Windows XP suddenly slow (apparently no virus/spyware)

Hello all,

This has been an extremely helpful site before but this time, despite searching through tons of similar threads I haven't been able to solve my problem.

I am using an Acer Aspire Laptop with Intel Centrino 1.7 Ghz and 1 GB RAM with a 100 GB hard drive running Windows XP Home (German version)

It was working absolutely fine till couple of days ago when for no rhyme or reason it just started slowing down. Startups and shutdowns are taking longer. Applications are taking way too long to start and I can't multitask on different apps at all.

Also, videos and audios are playing very choppily and I just tested it again with winamp and noticed that even though winamp was running and playing the audio, albeit choppily, the Idle Process in the task manager still seemed to use 97% of the cpu, which is why I'm assuming winamp wasn't getting any processing power to play the music smoothly. This has never happened before so I don't see a driver issue here.

Additionally, the German language Windows XP is adding to my frustration as I need to frquently translate some unfamiliar errors or messages I see.

Now, the steps I have already gone through are the following:

I did a thorough scan of the hard disk. No error showed up. Defragged it. Ran virus and spy/adware scans. Few adwares were detected which I removed successfully. I also ran a scan at trend micro which again removed couple of adwares and a scan at pcpitsop too which had nothing suspicious turn up. Just the normal advice about freeing up disk space. C: has around 10 GB and D: has around 5 GB free right now. I have worked with very low or sometimes no free space on my hard drive (mainly D:\ , C:\ always has at least 10 GB free) and haven't faced this problem before.

I also have a 120 GB Weston Digital USB drive connected and unplugging that, just for the heck of it, didn't make any difference either.

Another note - when I boot up, the windows xp welcome music also plays choppily.

I hope all you gurus out here will please help me out. Since I am an animation professional, I tend to run cpu intensive apps which will totally s**k on my system as it is right now. If it helps, I am also posting the hijack this results (though I doubt this is a Virus/Spyware problem):

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 5:35:03 PM, on 12/5/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.6000.16544)
Boot mode: Normal

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:\Programme\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
C:\Programme\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\acer\Empowering Technology\ePower\epm-dm.exe
C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eRecovery\Monitor.exe
C:\Programme\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\Programme\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Programme\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\igfxsrvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\taskmgr.exe
C:\Programme\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\rundll32.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
I:\Tools\System\HijackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://google.com/
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
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page =
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Programme\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: Spybot-S&D IE Protection - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Programme\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {8A8DC678-345F-4C3B-9682-73EA5906A3D5} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: StumbleUpon Toolbar - {5093EB4C-3E93-40AB-9266-B607BA87BDC8} - C:\Programme\StumbleUpon\StumbleUponIEBar.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\programme\google\googletoolbar3.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Veoh Browser Plug-in - {D0943516-5076-4020-A3B5-AEFAF26AB263} - C:\Programme\Veoh Networks\Veoh\Plugins\reg\VeohToolbar.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IMJPMIG8.1] "C:\WINDOWS\IME\imjp8_1\IMJPMIG.EXE" /Spoil /RemAdvDef /Migration32
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002ASync] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /SYNC
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PHIME2002A] C:\WINDOWS\system32\IME\TINTLGNT\TINTSETP.EXE /IMEName
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ADMTray.exe] "C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\admtray.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [EPM-DM] c:\acer\Empowering Technology\ePower\epm-dm.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Acer ePower Management] C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\ePower\Acer ePower Management.exe boot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eRecoveryService] C:\Acer\Empowering Technology\eRecovery\Monitor.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Programme\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\jusched.exe "
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MSMSGS] "C:\Programme\Messenger\msmsgs.exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'LOKALER DIENST')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'LOKALER DIENST')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\CTFMON.EXE (User 'NETZWERKDIENST')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [CTFMON.EXE] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe (User 'Default user')
O4 - Startup: Adobe Gamma.lnk = C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: StumbleUpon: &Blog This - res://StumbleUponIEBar.dll/blogimage
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Programme\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Konsole - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Programme\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Share in Hello - {B13B4423-2647-4cfc-A4B3-C7D56CB83487} - C:\Programme\Hello\PicasaCapture.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Share in H&ello - {B13B4423-2647-4cfc-A4B3-C7D56CB83487} - C:\Programme\Hello\PicasaCapture.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Spybot - Search & Destroy Configuration - {DFB852A3-47F8-48C4-A200-58CAB36FD2A2} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
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:\Programme\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Programme\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O15 - Trusted Zone: *.stumbleupon.com
O16 - DPF: {0E5F0222-96B9-11D3-8997-00104BD12D94} (PCPitstop Utility) - http://www.pcpitstop.com/pcpitstop/PCPitStop.CAB
O16 - DPF: {17492023-C23A-453E-A040-C7C580BBF700} (Windows Genuine Advantage Validation Tool) - http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?linkid=39204
O17 - HKLM\System\CCS\Services\Tcpip\..\{0904618D-BB67-4D30-AE16-D77ABF52F2C4}: NameServer = 202.134.160.7 202.134.160.8
O17 - HKLM\System\CS1\Services\Tcpip\..\{0904618D-BB67-4D30-AE16-D77ABF52F2C4}: NameServer = 202.134.160.7 202.134.160.8
O18 - Protocol: skype4com - {FFC8B962-9B40-4DFF-9458-1830C7DD7F5D} - C:\PROGRA~1\GEMEIN~1\Skype\SKYPE4~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Programme\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: vturrrq - vturrrq.dll (file missing)
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Event Log (EvtEng) - Intel Corporation - C:\Programme\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Programme\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: NMIndexingService - Nero AG - C:\Programme\Gemeinsame Dateien\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexingService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Registry Service (RegSrvc) - Intel Corporation - C:\Programme\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Remote Packet Capture Protocol v.0 (experimental) (rpcapd) - CACE Technologies - C:\Programme\WinPcap\rpcapd.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) PROSet/Wireless Service (S24EventMonitor) - Intel Corporation - C:\Programme\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe
O23 - Service: ServiceLayer - Nokia. - C:\Programme\PC Connectivity Solution\ServiceLayer.exe
O24 - Desktop Component 0: (no name) - http://imagecache2.allposters.com/images/MG/143692.jpg

--
End of file - 8684 bytes

Thank you and hoping for some feedback!

-Sachin

 

I'm not really sure whats going on but... it sounds like the CPU might be throttling down. Centrinos will do that if they run hot. So, until somebody comes up with something else, you might check into that.

To find out what speed and temp the CPU is running at, download and run RMClock (free for personal use). If it shows that the CPU is running far below it's rated speed, I'd suspect either a problem with the fan or it may need a good cleaning. A dust problem seems unlikely though given the fact that this seems to be something that just started happening suddenly. To check the fan speed, perhaps there's fan monitor in the bios?

Also, if you have a flat room fan of some kind, you might try setting the laptop on it and then see if it acts the same way.

FWIW, I ran Winamp here and had a look at CPU usage. It doesn't use much. Usage jumps from 0-3% and the system idle process is at 96-98% the entire time it's playing so what you are seeing there would appear to be normal.

 

Is your 1GB memory 2x sticks??
If yes, are both showing/registering as available to system. At times this can be a cat and mouse game. I have had sticks that until "warm enough" would not register. On reboot would become available.

Try booting up in safe mode.
If a dramatic improvement, this would suggest your hardware is good and we we can focus our attention to software / configuration issues. If little improvement, go into BIOS and check settings ... starting with CPU.

Have you tried uninstalling / reinstalling current drivers for both graphic and audio cards??

 

Thank you Zander and Dennis for your response.

I booted XP in safe mode but it didn't seem to change anything radically. In fact every time I tried running winamp it hung and I had to reboot again.

Dennis, I don't know how many sticks of RAM this laptop has. There's no info in the BIOS. But I doubt its got anything to do with that. I oo suspect this could be a heat issue.

I went into the BIOS but settings seemed fine to me. And there's no cpu temperature displayed in the BIOS. Anyway, I downloaded RMClock (thank you Zander for the link) but the reports look normal to me. Both the Core Clock and Throttle are around 1.7 GHz but the core temperature is N/A (is not available a danger sign?). Here's the diagnostic info it generated, its all Greek to me:

RightMark CPU Clock Utility CPU info dump
-----------------------------------------

System CPU #0 (physical/1st core)

CPUID EAX EBX ECX EDX
00000000 00000002 756E6547 6C65746E 49656E69
00000001 000006D6 00000816 00000180 AFE9FBBF
00000002 02B3B001 000000F0 00000000 2C04307D
80000000 80000004 00000000 00000000 00000000
80000001 00000000 00000000 00000000 00000000
80000002 20202020 20202020 65746E49 2952286C
80000003 6E655020 6D756974 20295228 7270204D
80000004 7365636F 20726F73 30372E31 007A4847

MSR EDX EAX
0000002A 00000000 44480000
0000002C FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFF
0000002D FFFFFFFF FFFFFFFF
00000198 06121128 06001128
00000199 00000000 00001128
0000019A 00000000 00000002
0000019B 00000000 00000000
0000019C 00000000 00000000
0000019D 00000000 00010612
000001A0 00000000 00111488
000001A1 00000000 00000000

Argggh! Its painfully slow. This is what slow motion in real time is!

-Sachin

 

Hi,
I doubt you will be able to run Winamp in Safe Mode, the main audio drivers should not be loaded.

You should be able to do other tasks in Safe Mode though, for example, run a word-processing program (but not print), run the photo viewer, run checks with antivirus, connect to the internet if your internet connection runs as a network connection and you are using "Safe Mode with networking ". Are these other things "slow" in Safe Mode?

Matt

 

Temperature?
Pentium CPUs have thermal sensors to control fan speed. A laptop I was working on seemed to have temperature problems.

I cleaned the dust out of the cooling system and the owner has not reported any further problems with it.

Matt
System information...try "system" or "system information" in Help and Support.

 

Thanks Matt! I'll try these out and post the results here.

-Sachin