Solved computer running slow, no error msgs just slow loading apps

I did a search and found that file, I was wondering why it was in a different location

here is the contents of the file:
Volume in drive C is Kerri
Volume Serial Number is 60D8-B6E7

Directory of C:\WINDOWS\AppPatch

08/13/2007 09:48 PM <DIR> .
08/13/2007 09:48 PM <DIR> ..
08/04/2004 03:56 AM 1,852,416 acgenral.dll
08/04/2004 03:56 AM 450,048 aclayers.dll
08/04/2004 03:56 AM 137,728 aclua.dll
08/04/2004 03:56 AM 244,736 acspecfc.dll
08/04/2004 03:56 AM 116,224 acxtrnal.dll
08/04/2004 04:02 AM 216,862 apphelp.sdb
08/04/2004 04:02 AM 759,966 apph_sp.sdb
08/04/2004 04:02 AM 9,424 drvmain.sdb
10/06/2005 12:28 AM 195 mcrh.tmp
08/04/2004 04:02 AM 198,736 msimain.sdb
08/04/2004 04:02 AM 1,190,796 sysmain.sdb
11 File(s) 5,177,131 bytes

Total Files Listed:
11 File(s) 5,177,131 bytes
2 Dir(s) 22,466,408,448 bytes free

 

Appears clean, and definitely trimmed down now. Might want to do an online scan just to make sure there's nothing else hidden from view.

You know the routine.
Panda ActiveScan

 

yes I know the routine...scan and wait.. I am going to run a scan on this one as well, don't know what is going on but I have had to reboot twice and ie is giving me lots of can't find page errors. (pages I know are here like this one)

 

I gave up on mine last night, it just didn't want to co-operate with me. Here is the report from panda:

Incident Status Location

Adware:adware/24-7-search Not disinfected c:\windows\system32\unPPC.exe
Potentially unwanted tool:application/need2find Not disinfected hkey_local_machine\software\microsoft\windows\currentversion\uninstall\Need2FindBar Uninstall
Adware:adware/wintools Not disinfected Windows Registry
Potentially unwanted tool:application/mywebsearch Not disinfected hkey_local_machine\software\FocusInteractive
Adware:adware/rxtoolbar Not disinfected Windows Registry

 

Delete the following file.

c:\windows\system32\unPPC.exe

If you're comfortable editing the registry, delete the following key.

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Uninstall\Need2FindBar

Then do a search for the entries listed in the next two links and delete if found.

wintools
http://www.ca.com/us/securityadvisor/pest/pest.aspx?id=453093976

RXToolbar
http://www.symantec.com/security_response/writeup.jsp?docid=2005-040716-3445-99&tabid=2

If not comfortable with it, let me know and we can use some other methods.

 

so am I looking for wintools? and any reference to it. and rxtoolbar and any reference to it? or specific files?

 

wintools and rxtoolbar registry entries, specifically the names and the CLSIDs listed on those links. You might also just run updated Spybot and Ad-aware scans ........ one of them might find the registry entries Panda didn't give us a path to.

 

will try the scans, probably should do them anyway just to see if I missed something.

 

Ad-aware 2007 found and fixed wintools and rx toolbar as well as a few tracking cookies. (on the full scan, running a smart scan now)

edit: smart scan and second full scan clean. 0 entries found.

 

That's great! Looks like cleanup is done too. Run ATF Cleaner, clear restore points, run disk cleanup and then defrag. Let me know how it's performing after reboot.

 

finished with atf and disk cleanup..running defrag now...I also cleaned out the case lots of dust build up inside. The computer is running better than it was, it has the same processor as the one I am using and there is still a bit of a difference, (256mb memory on that one 512mb on this one) I have not upgraded the memory yet....that's on the list of things to do but haven't gotten to it yet. I think that will make the biggest difference in the speed of the machine. I also wanted to see if there is a way to dial into aol without using their software (I thought just a simple dial up, and whatever browser she prefers to use) ....me thinking out loud here I have not tried that don't know if aol will co-operate with that...

 

Sorry, you'll have to use AOL's software.

If you haven't already done so, be sure you look into the Device Manager and make sure nothing has errors. Might help to check for driver updates too, from the manufaturer's site(s) of course. Might not be a bad idea to remove and reseat the RAM as well.

You should also see what difference it makes to disable the following service.

O23 - Service: Kodak Camera Connection Software (KodakCCS) - Eastman Kodak Company - C:\WINDOWS\system32\drivers\KodakCCS.exe

Unless you're using the Kodak software, which isn't necessary to do, I recommend leaving it disabled. If the camera is recognized and supported by Windows, the scanner and camera wizard will allow retrieving pictures from it.

 

oh welll...wishful thinking on the aol thing, she actually likes aol so I don't think she will give it up, but her machine not mine just my headache when she has a problem with it.

will check out the camera software when I return the machine, she has some other camera software on here as well, has had several digital cameras and their software installed since she got the computer, not sure which are being used and which are not.

Defrag is finished checking device manager now... no problems with device manager, the only thing I see that is disabled is a network card that is not currently being used (at one time the computer had a cable modem connected but not any longer).

 

Let her know, rule of thumb, if she can connect a camera and Windows recognizes it and supports it without the software that comes with it, it's best not to install it if all she wants to do is save pictures to the drive.

Well done again!

 

I will pass along that advice. Thanks again for the help...I haven't really worked on any computers in the last 6 months, I had forgotten how much fun it can be...a bit frustrating at times as well, but definitely fun and educational (educational is always good!). I have two more that I expect within the next few days so I will probably be back.

 

You're quite welcome.