Intermitent Performance Issues (long story)

jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
edited April 2006 in Science & Tech
I am not sure if this is the right forum for this. All I know is I could use some professional advice!
I know I don't have spyware or anything like that. You folks here educated me on that over a year ago.
My problem is after a limited time online usually a few hours sometimes two or less, I get all bogged down and I start to feel frustated and impatient since its like being stuck in the mud. I give up on the whole process once I am waiting 40 to 100 seconds per page.
Whenever this happens on my desktop there seems to be no effect to my laptop what so ever so I am ruling out a connection issue. We did have that problem in March and Comcast had to replace our main drop took em 3 friggin weeks to get it right too!
They are both plugged into a D-Link Ethernet Router, Internet is supplied through Comcasts WebStar Cable Modem.
No sooner than Comcast getting us a new line which was about a month ago, my operating system crashed on my Desktop for no apparent reason. All attempts to get back in failed. I ultimately yanked a hard drive out of my older windows 98 system cleaned it up slaved my corrupted drive to it and installed a borrowed copy of XP on it just to extract my important data files.
I then used my 2 systems restore CD's on my hard drive.
After all the microsoft updates and installing all my desired security programs I then installed other programs that I wanted on my system.
At first things seemed fine but that quickly changed day by day.
There has to be something that I am missing or overlooking but can't seem to think of what it could be.
I decided to up my RAM since it seemed odd to me that I had one stick of 128 and one of 256, it was a good excuse to buy those 2 512's of Super RAM I wanted to try out. That really improved my boot up but didn't help much for my intermitent internet sluggishness. I have Firefox Cache set to 3000, seems like that ought to be plenty.
When things start to slow down for me I usually have to go through a restart in order to get things moving again, sometimes that works well sometimes it has only little affect.
Could somebody please clue me to something I may be missing or ignorant about?
I have spent hours patiently trying to diagnose my problem to no avail.
I will provide any info requested.

Comments

  • RWBRWB Icrontian
    edited April 2006
    It's hard to read all that... your having performance issues for internet or your whole computer?
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    Internet I think
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    I mean to the best of my knowledge.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2006
    I know you've been through the SVT drill before, but it wouldn't hurt to post a new HijackThis log. A few passes of Memtest-86 would be a good idea, too.

    We'll take it from there. :)
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    Today I took note that yes it does seem to be Internet or lets say network related. I tried IE and Opera with the same results. I am on my 5 restart now in 3 hours. Seems to be much worse today than what it was saturday.

    I feel pretty dumb right now or maybe just confused. My problem figuring this one out is that so many things have changed since the beginning of March when we moved. Thus the long winded story, Now I can't figure out at which of my steps I could have went wrong.

    Laptop still working fine.

    Ad Aware and Spybot are coming up clean, I haven't ran Ewido in at least a week running it right now.

    OK HJT log follows. My system got all jacked up again by the time I could read this post. I closed Firefox, ran HJT and tried to save the log to my shared in my laptop and it froze up.

    I'll see what I can do about memtest, as long as the Laptop is fine I will make that happen.

    Thanks for offer to help, hope I am not confusing the situation with all the details.

    Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
    Scan saved at 8:30:30 PM, on 4/26/2006
    Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
    MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

    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:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
    C:\Security Downloads\Ewido\ewido anti-malware\ewidoctrl.exe
    c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
    c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
    c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
    c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\OasClnt.exe
    C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\point32.exe
    C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
    C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
    C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
    C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\mps\mscifapp.exe
    C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
    C:\Program Files\Blue Security\bluefrog.exe
    c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsescn.exe
    C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
    C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfAgent.exe
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
    C:\Security Downloads\Hijack This\hijackthis_199\HijackThis.exe

    R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://www.yahoo.com/
    O2 - BHO: HelperObject Class - {00C6482D-C502-44C8-8409-FCE54AD9C208} - C:\Program Files\TechSmith\SnagIt 8\SnagItBHO.dll
    O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
    O2 - BHO: McBrwHelper Class - {227B8AA8-DAF2-4892-BD1D-73F568BCB24E} - c:\program files\mcafee.com\mps\mcbrhlpr.dll
    O3 - Toolbar: McAfee VirusScan - {BA52B914-B692-46c4-B683-905236F6F655} - c:\progra~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcvsshl.dll
    O3 - Toolbar: SnagIt - {8FF5E183-ABDE-46EB-B09E-D2AAB95CABE3} - C:\Program Files\TechSmith\SnagIt 8\SnagItIEAddin.dll
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [BluetoothAuthenticationAgent] rundll32.exe irprops.cpl,,BluetoothAuthenticationAgent
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HotKeysCmds] C:\WINDOWS\System32\hkcmd.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IntelliPoint] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft IntelliPoint\point32.exe"
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPFExe] C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfTray.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCAgentExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcagent.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MCUpdateExe] C:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mcupdate.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VSOCheckTask] "C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\VSO\mcmnhdlr.exe" /checktask
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [VirusScan Online] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\mcvsshld.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OASClnt] C:\Program Files\McAfee.com\VSO\oasclnt.exe
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MPSExe] c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\mps\mscifapp.exe /embedding
    O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_06\bin\jusched.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Microsoft Works Update Detection] C:\Program Files\Microsoft Works\WkDetect.exe
    O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Blue Frog] C:\Program Files\Blue Security\bluefrog.exe
    O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
    O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
    O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
    O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.emachines.com
    O16 - DPF: {0713E8D2-850A-101B-AFC0-4210102A8DA7} (Microsoft ProgressBar Control, version 5.0 (SP2)) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/Shared/ComCtl32/6,0,80,22/ComCtl32.cab
    O16 - DPF: {4ED9DDF0-7479-4BBE-9335-5A1EDB1D8A21} (McAfee.com Operating System Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcinsctl/4,0,0,101/mcinsctl.cab
    O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1143678914135
    O16 - DPF: {6E32070A-766D-4EE6-879C-DC1FA91D2FC3} (MUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/microsoftupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/muweb_site.cab?1143679043241
    O16 - DPF: {BCC0FF27-31D9-4614-A68E-C18E1ADA4389} (DwnldGroupMgr Class) - http://download.mcafee.com/molbin/shared/mcgdmgr/1,0,0,26/mcgdmgr.cab
    O23 - Service: ewido security suite control - ewido networks - C:\Security Downloads\Ewido\ewido anti-malware\ewidoctrl.exe
    O23 - Service: McAfee WSC Integration (McDetect.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\program files\mcafee.com\agent\mcdetect.exe
    O23 - Service: McAfee.com McShield (McShield) - McAfee Inc. - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\vso\mcshield.exe
    O23 - Service: McAfee Task Scheduler (McTskshd.exe) - McAfee, Inc - c:\PROGRA~1\mcafee.com\agent\mctskshd.exe
    O23 - Service: McAfee SecurityCenter Update Manager (mcupdmgr.exe) - McAfee, Inc - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\Agent\mcupdmgr.exe
    O23 - Service: McAfee Personal Firewall Service (MpfService) - McAfee Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\McAfee.com\PERSON~1\MpfService.exe
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2006
    jagerbombmeister wrote:
    C:\WINDOWS\system32\NOTEPAD.EXE
    This one could be a potential problem. (Or it could be nothing at all. Don't get too worried just yet.)

    Notepad.exe is a part of windows, but it's also a frequent target of viruses. Are you running any programs which would cause it to be in use while doing the HijackThis scan?

    Also, what is the exact size of the file in bytes? Do a search for notepad.exe and list the size both of the one in C:\WINDOWS\system32 and the one in C:\WINDOWS
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    No I am not running anything that I can think of that would cause that. In fact I had to restart and ran HJT right off as soon I was fully booted.

    Search for notepad.exe revealed 5 entries

    notepad.exe C:\\WINDOWS 67.5 KB
    notepad.exe C:\\WINDOWS\$Nt ServicePackUninstall$ 64.5 KB
    NOTEPAD.EXE-336351A9.pf C:\\WINDOWS\Prefetch 15.6 KB
    notepad.exe C:\\WINDOWS\system32 67.5 KB
    notepad.exe C:\\WINDOWS\ServicePackFiles\i386 67.5 KB

    memtest went through 1 pass just fine, I'll put it through a few more.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2006
    That's the right size for WinXP. If it had been anything else I might have figured that something rotten was going on.

    Try clicking Start>>Run and typing in msconfig then clicking "OK". Go to the "Startup" tab and click "Disable All", reboot, then see if things improve. You don't want to run the computer for too long like this since it's likely going to disable your anti-virus program. Do it just long enough to see if it makes a difference. If it does, add the disabled items back in one at a time until things turn lousy again. When that happens you'll know which one is causing the trouble.
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    Yeah that sounds like a good idea. Wish I had the time tonight to start working on that. I will on Friday though, in the mean time still welcome any more suggestions.
    I know a friend at work is saying it could be my router so I am going to try connecting straight from my Cable Modem to my system. Don't think that is the prob though with the laptop working just fine. Plus I already tried switching from Port 1 to Port 3 on my router to no avail.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2006
    jagerbombmeister wrote:
    ... I know a friend at work is saying it could be my router so I am going to try connecting straight from my Cable Modem to my system. Don't think that is the prob though with the laptop working just fine. Plus I already tried switching from Port 1 to Port 3 on my router to no avail.
    That is certainly worth a try. :thumbsup:

    You might also check out your Network Card driver and any of the advanced settings available for it.
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    OK I tried all that and it didn't seem to work. I picked a restore point that was only 5 days after I reinstalled the OS, that didn't seem to help either so i reversed it.
    Now I went back into startup and only selected all McAfee products and the program for my wireless mouse.
    On a hunch I unistalled that blue frog that doesn't seem to be helping me with my spam anyway.
    At this moment, seems better but time will tell. I check it out for a couple hours and see what gives and get back with details
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2006
    I'm crossing my fingers for you. :)
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    Crap that was wishful thinkiing on my part. only lasted about 20 to 30 minutes.
    I just spent 20 minutes trying to get into this forum to add to this thread and that was after a restart. I am starting to get the kind of crazy thought that I usually try to talk others out of, like throwing this computer in the trash and buying another one.
    I notice today that after every restart I get the yellow shield in my tray as if I am getting windows updates but it always says 0% then eventually disappears.
    I am so lost now.
    I uninstalled my Network driver and allowed it to reinstall through install wizard, also checked online for updates and nothing available. I also used Comcast's installation disc incase there was a driver or maybe some settings for this modem on it that wasn't working properly.
    I don't want to give up on this thing, I am really running out of ideas though.
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    putting in that comcast software really seemed to screw things up. I decided to remove Comcast software, restart and re install fresh and wouldn't you know it that is what I needed to get things back up.

    Thanks for suggesting network drivers that is what kept inching me in this direction.
    I'M FREE !!!
    WHOOOPEE!!!

    Much bettter I am bringing up pages about 2 seconds a piece now.
  • profdlpprofdlp The Holy City Of Westlake, Ohio
    edited April 2006
    Glad to hear that you got it beat. :thumbsup:
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    I wish this was over but it's not.
    Everything was going great. I still hadn't configured Opera to my liking since when I was having all those problems Opera wouldn't recognize Comcast.net as my home page it would only give me a blank screen.
    I opened Opera yesterday evening and everything froze, my network performance is now just like it was prior to Saturday morning.
    I uninstalled Opera through Add/Remove then used CCleaner to get all the other crap off. Ad Aware came up with nothing, Spy Bot came up with 2 entries of Hitbox which look like comcast tracking cookies, but they were attached through Opera. Comcast would never work through Opera and I had un installed Opera.
    I am still suffering, going to try a system restore to mid day yesterday I have 3 available other than that I don't know what else to do short of wiping out this hardrive and starting over again. Which is going to suck since my version of XP is from 03 and needs like 50 online updates.
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited April 2006
    have you tryed a new network card

    what is the one you are using now?
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    No I hadn't tried a new one, could that be the problem? I mean do they go bad or have a particular life span?

    I am have Realtek RTL8139 Family PCI Fast Ethernet NIC
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited April 2006
    it can go bad and cause all sorts of problems with the lan and comp
  • jagerbombmeisterjagerbombmeister No.VA.
    edited April 2006
    I don't doubt this information. Just one question. Would device manager tell me that this device is working fine even if it actually went bad?

    Also as I am researcing NIC's, have any suggestions or recommendations?

    Thanks
  • gibbonslgibbonsl Grand Forks AFB
    edited April 2006
    yes it can

    IMOP any network card is fine just look for 10/100 T cards

    dlink and linskeys cards are pretty good
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