You have major problems, maybe 25, 30 processes, tops, on bootup. Anything more, and you have spyware/a virus, that's just not right dude.
 
What AVP are you using, and what anti-spyware?

And while you are about it, you could run hijack this in order to list the processes, some of which many of us can identify as spyware.

So I cleaned up some ad/spyware infections, and got a little speed back. My processes are between 40 and 50 now, yet my biggest problem seems to be REDUNDANT processes. Is this normal?
Here's my list:

Man man!!! That's a lot of programs running in the background, and all of them look legit. Dude, you have to clean up your startup files, you don't need all of these sitting in your systray, nor running in the background.
 
If they run in the background, they do start faster, but at the same time, they're eating resources.
 
It's late here, like 1am, and I have to work in the morning, but I'll zip through these tomorrow, and tell you how to shut a bunch of them down, if someone else doesn't beat me to it. Easy cleanup for you, you just have too many programs running when you start up.

Like Sampson said please go to this address and download Hijack this. Then post your Hijack this log in this thread for all of us to see. It will help us help you faster. When you install this program DON'T install it to your desktop pick a folder to install it to.
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=3155

Originally posted by Cormac:

Quote:When you install this program DON'T install it to your desktop pick a folder to install it to. 
HUH????
 
Hijackthis is just an exe you run without any kind of install and it does not matter where you run it from.
 
 
 

K, here's my Hijack This log. Is it of note that I use Firefox and not MSIE?
------------------------------------
Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 12:58:23 PM, on 11/22/2005
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\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\wltrysvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\bcmwltry.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 52\StarWind\StarWindService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Tablet.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\UStorSrv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\hpq\HP Wireless Assistant\HP Wireless Assistant.exe
C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
C:\Program Files\Hp\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
C:\Program Files\HPQ\Quick Launch Buttons\EabServr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\bcmntray.exe
C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPageSE2.0\OpwareSE2.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\MouseWare\system\em_exec.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\LEXMAR~1\ACMonitor_X83.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\LEXMAR~1\AcBtnMgr_X83.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS2\ControlPanel\VersionCueCS2Tray.exe
C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\Program Files\HPQ\SHARED\HPQWMI.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OUTLOOK.EXE
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\WINWORD.EXE
C:\Program Files\InterVideo\WinDVD\WinDVD.exe
C:\Program Files\WinRAR\WinRAR.exe
C:\DOCUME~1\BENJAM~1\LOCALS~1\Temp\Rar$EX00.219\HijackThis.exe
 
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3...n&pf=laptop
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3...n&pf=laptop
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3...n&pf=laptop
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = C:\WINDOWS\pchealth\helpctr\System\panels\blank.htm
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Connection Wizard,ShellNext = http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3...n&pf=laptop
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 6.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [sunJavaUpdateSched] C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [hpWirelessAssistant] C:\Program Files\hpq\HP Wireless Assistant\HP Wireless Assistant.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ATIPTA] C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI Control Panel\atiptaxx.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [synTPLpr] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPLpr.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [synTPEnh] C:\Program Files\Synaptics\SynTP\SynTPEnh.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [HP Software Update] C:\Program Files\Hp\HP Software Update\HPWuSchd2.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Cpqset] C:\Program Files\HPQ\Default Settings\cpqset.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LSBWatcher] c:\hp\drivers\hplsbwatcher\lsburnwatcher.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [eabconfg.cpl] C:\Program Files\HPQ\Quick Launch Buttons\EabServr.exe /Start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [broadcom Wireless Manager UI] C:\WINDOWS\system32\bcmntray
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DeadAIM] rundll32.exe "C:\PROGRA~1\AIM\\DeadAIM.ocm",ExportedCheckODLs
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OpwareSE2] "C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPageSE2.0\OpwareSE2.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Logitech Utility] Logi_MwX.Exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark X83 Button Monitor] C:\PROGRA~1\LEXMAR~1\ACMonitor_X83.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Lexmark X83 Button Manager] C:\PROGRA~1\LEXMAR~1\AcBtnMgr_X83.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PrinTray] C:\WINDOWS\System32\spool\DRIVERS\W32X86\3\printray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe Version Cue CS2] "C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS2\ControlPanel\VersionCueCS2Tray.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AIM] C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.exe -cnetwait.odl
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Gamma.lnk = C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Calibration\Adobe Gamma Loader.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Logitech Desktop Messenger.lnk = C:\Program Files\Logitech\Desktop Messenger\8876480\Program\LDMConf.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_02\bin\npjpi150_02.dll
O9 - Extra button: AIM - {AC9E2541-2814-11d5-BC6D-00B0D0A1DE45} - C:\Program Files\AIM\aim.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
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://ie.redirect.hp.com/svs/rdr?TYPE=3&tp=iehome&locale=EN_US&c=Q305&bd=pavilion&pf=laptop
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - "C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\msgrapp.dll" (file missing)
O23 - Service: Adobe LM Service - Adobe Systems - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe Systems Shared\Service\Adobelmsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe Version Cue CS2 - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Adobe Version Cue CS2\bin\VersionCueCS2.exe" -win32service (file missing)
O23 - Service: Ati HotKey Poller - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: HP WMI Interface (hpqwmi) - Hewlett-Packard Development Company, L.P. - C:\Program Files\HPQ\SHARED\HPQWMI.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPodService - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: LightScribeService Direct Disc Labeling Service (LightScribeService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\LightScribe\LSSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: StarWind iSCSI Service (StarWindService) - Rocket Division Software - C:\Program Files\Alcohol Soft\Alcohol 52\StarWind\StarWindService.exe
O23 - Service: TabletService - Wacom Technology, Corp. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Tablet.exe
O23 - Service: UStorage Server Service - OTi - C:\WINDOWS\system32\UStorSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Broadcom Wireless LAN Tray Service (wltrysvc) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\System32\wltrysvc.exe
-------------------------------

I scan from desktop, check log then delete the Hijackthis executable.
 
 
FDLxStudios: Log looks clean to me.
 
[Edited by American Zombie on 2005-11-23 05:11:53]
 

FDLxStudios, how a person likes to run their computer is as individual as the computer user. You had complained about your machine slowing down. I don't see any viruses, but you could improve your startup folder and save a little ram and perhaps some memory swapping by not allowing them to load up front. This would mean that the programs might load a little slower, but if during the day, you don't load a particular piece of software, you would have more ram and less juggling of your resources.
 
Some suggestions you might consider not loading at bootup are the iTunesHelper, the Java jusched, the Apple qttask. iTunes helper just speeds up itunes help file. The Java jusched just goes out to look for updates to your java runtime edition (apparently, not working since the latest is _05. and qttask just makes Quicktime come up faster. Disabling these from your msconfig will help.
 
I would call the following programs discretionary since they don't have to be loaded but if you use these programs frequently you could leave them as is. However, if your use is occasional, disable them from your startup. The programs associated with them will work fine without loading them when the computer first boots up. The following are good candidates - AIM, Windows Messenger, Adobe Version Cue and even OSA-Windows Office Startup, and iPod Service.
 
By getting rid of some of these startups, your machine will "breath" a little easier. Because several of them cause Windows to run svchost, it will not need to be loaded reduntantly.

O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [OpwareSE2] "C:\Program Files\ScanSoft\OmniPageSE2.0\OpwareSE2.exe"
 
 
This one is just for Omnipage unattended scheduled scanning and if you have a flatbed scanner there is no way you could do unattended scanning anyway. I suppose you could but it would just scan the same page over and over.
 
I always remove this after installing Omnipage.

I see you are using Firefox. Unlike other browsers when you minimize them, Firefox does not always release the memory. You can do the following to force it to do so:
Step 1. Use about:config to create a new, Boolean value. Type or paste the following string into the dialog box that appears:
config.trim_on_minimize
Step 2. Click OK to close the dialog box. Change the value from "false" to "true" and restart Firefox.
Generally, this will reduce Firefox from about 69,000kb to around 6,000.

Thanks to everyone for your advice. My computer's doing a bit better. Does anyone reccommend any further reading on memory and processor optimization?

Download and Install Startup Control Panel http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml It's a free program. With it you can easily disable startup programs. Then go here http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm and look for all the programs that come up in Task Manager which you then disable using Startup Control Panel.

You might want to consider XP-Antispy. It is a remarkable program for allowing your to toggle several kinds of things that will make XP be a little less bulky.

You could go on this site and tweak your memory.
 
http://www.techspot.com/tweaks/memory-winxp/
 
Its a lengthy read.

It sounds like you are getting your running programs/processes under control. If you need additional help knocking the number down, take a look at our free MSCONFIG tutorial at:
 
http://www.schrockinnovations.com/msconfig.php
 
But when it comes to RAM you typically either have it or you don't. I have seen some optimization programs and RAM defraggers out there, but nothing beats having more RAM memory than you need. Installing additional memory is not complicated and RAM prices are lower than ever.
 
We also have a free tutorial on installing your own RAM. Feel free to take a look at it if you would like. You can view it at:
 
http://www.schrockinnovations.com/installram1.php
 
It will show you step by step how to install additional memory. Trust me, its worth the time and money!

Originally posted by tschrock:

Quote:It sounds like you are getting your running programs/processes under control. If you need additional help knocking the number down, take a look at our free MSCONFIG tutorial at: 
http://www.schrockinnovations.com/msconfig.php
 
But when it comes to RAM you typically either have it or you don't. I have seen some optimization programs and RAM defraggers out there, but nothing beats having more RAM memory than you need. Installing additional memory is not complicated and RAM prices are lower than ever.
 
We also have a free tutorial on installing your own RAM. Feel free to take a look at it if you would like. You can view it at:
 
http://www.schrockinnovations.com/installram1.php
 
It will show you step by step how to install additional memory. Trust me, its worth the time and money!
 
Dude, you're promoting your site, which is called SPAM.
 
On top of that, your "suggestions" for "fixing" XP startup probs are generic to be kind. In reality, as in "how helpful are they?", they're a freakin joke!
 
Scroll through the list. All items that have a check mark are programs that start when you start Windows. Uncheck all unnecessary startup items.
If you are not sure which items to uncheck, your computer manufacturer or a consultant may be able to assist you in making the selection.
When you are finished, click Apply, and then click OK.
When you are prompted to restart the computer, click Yes.
 
Yeah, well now, that sure as hell narrows it down!
 
I'm sure people are going to donate to your cause because you told them to contact their "computer manufacturer or a consultant", great advice. Man you rock!
 
You suck.
 
PLONK this mofo.