Slow computer help.

[SERE Bear]

I have a HTPC that I use for our home theater. It's basic functions are Torrents, XBMC, converting video formats and web browsing.

Over the years this PC has slowed down on its response time for tasks and I see the spinning blue wheel for no reason at times. Right now with only using chrome to browse CCS the processor shows a 72% usage.



Here are the specs of the PC. Ram is maxed out at 4gbs, I added a lot to this PC (better video card,power supply, Bluray, ect)




I assume there are processes running in the background that I am unaware of. What software would you recommend to clean up my PC?

 

[Omeletpants]

Get a Mac you wont have those issues

 

[ShiftyDevil]

Personally I'd do it myself.

First, check what processes are running in processes tab in Task Manager. Sort by CPU. If it's all MS tasks then you may need to just do basic maintenance.

Check MSConfig as well. Run -> Type msconfig

Check the services tab, sort by running. Unless it's made by a hardware manufacturer (often they install bloatware so, caveat there) or Microsoft, or, a publisher/developer that does software you actively use, you probably don't need it.

Check the start up tab next. Same deal, if you don't know what the software is, you probably don't want it starting up.

Once you look into those things, if your usage is still high then grab MS Security Essentials. MS SE is actually a really solid product, it's not perfect, but it's better than shitware like Symantec.

And for the love of god don't touch ANY of those "Speed up my PC" services, don't ever, ever touch those things. Ever.

 

[ShiftyDevil]

Get a Mac you wont have those issues

That attitude will bite you in the ass. Getting a Mac, on installing anti-virus, or anti adware or what have you is -no- substitute for basic computer knowledge.

 

[SERE Bear]

Thanks ShiftyDevil.

the irony is that Apple had a lot of programs running in the backround. I am now at 24% after stopping all the crap in the backround. I assume when I restart them will all be back again so I need to figure out how to stop them from running unless I initiate it.

 

[SERE Bear]

How do you feel about AVAST for protecting my HTPC?

 

[malcore]

Avast has gotten bloaty. Going with MS security essentials should be fine for the casual surfer.

 

[Ares]

Beyond Shifty's advice.... if I saw serious performance degradation like you are seeing I would think I got malware off a torrent.... it happens all the time and then eats up resources in the background.

My standard steps for trying eliminate any possible malware:

1. Get/run Rkill to kill and keep dead any malware processes
2. Get/run TDSSKiller which will find/remove any rootkits
3. Get/run Microsoft Security Essentials full scan
4. Get/run Malwarebytes Anti-Malware full scan
5. If all above fails, save anything you cannot lose to an external HD and then wipe your HDs and reinstall your OS.

Not a fully comprehensive list, but generally what I will do unless I know exactly what kind of malware I am dealing with and I have info on how to specifically go about removing that malware.

 

[SERE Bear]

this PC is running like a champ now, single digit CPU usage when web browsing... wow!

I will try your recommendations too Ares

 

[SERE Bear]

Avast has gotten bloaty. Going with MS security essentials should be fine for the casual surfer.

my torrent usage probably makes me more than a casual surfer... aarrr

 

[malcore]

my torrent usage probably makes me more than a casual surfer... aarrr

I torrent a fair bit myself, but mostly from private trackers. I used to be a big Avast fan, but I found it bloated up and began to slow things down, unless you disabled certain features. MSSE is pretty good, although lately its detections have fallen in comparison tests. I find MSSE with the occasional MBAM scan has worked like a prince for me though.

 

[Omeletpants]

That attitude will bite you in the ass. Getting a Mac, on installing anti-virus, or anti adware or what have you is -no- substitute for basic computer knowledge.

Pfttttttt.......I have been using Macs for 10 years without any of the issues described. I'm coming from an environment where they were one of the leaders of the Intel revolution so I have seen everything from MS 3.1 to 6 hour support calls to computers barely crawling forward. I have done well on my Macs without any of the nasty shit found in the MS world

 

[Nail Polish]

Gotta disagree with Shifty on one issue...I use "Speedy PC", and it works like a champ..Ive had it for 2 years, and it does the job

 

[malcore]

Someone has a problem with their PC. So another poster starts chest puffing about Macs. Thanks Cutler.

 

[ShiftyDevil]

Pfttttttt.......I have been using Macs for 10 years without any of the issues described. I'm coming from an environment where they were one of the leaders of the Intel revolution so I have seen everything from MS 3.1 to 6 hour support calls to computers barely crawling forward. I have done well on my Macs without any of the nasty shit found in the MS world

Cool, I'm a Database Administrator for a Fortune 500 company, I have a stupid amount of time in every major OS there is.

If you are relying on software instead of yourself then you're being silly.

 

[ShiftyDevil]

Gotta disagree with Shifty on one issue...I use "Speedy PC", and it works like a champ..Ive had it for 2 years, and it does the job

https://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/Speedypc.com

Let me do you a favor Bud:

http://www.malwareremovalguides.info/speedy-pc-pro-removal-uninstall-guide/

All that shitware is, is a registry cleaner. You don't need a registry cleaner.

 

[malcore]

https://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/Speedypc.com

Let me do you a favor Bud:

http://www.malwareremovalguides.info/speedy-pc-pro-removal-uninstall-guide/

All that shitware is, is a registry cleaner. You don't need a registry cleaner.

Placebo effect.

 

[Nail Polish]

https://www.mywot.com/en/scorecard/Speedypc.com

Let me do you a favor Bud:

http://www.malwareremovalguides.info/speedy-pc-pro-removal-uninstall-guide/

All that shitware is, is a registry cleaner. You don't need a registry cleaner.

Here is what I know Shifty

After I use it, my PC runs much better

Noticeably better

 

[Hbkrusso]

this PC is running like a champ now, single digit CPU usage when web browsing... wow!

I will try your recommendations too Ares

think speed bro....

 

[SERE Bear]

After following Shifty's advice the PC is blazing along like new again. After running all the scans that Ares recommended I haven't seen anything to be concerned about reported so I will probably stick with Avast as is must have been doing its job.

Now I need to turn those processes off for startup.


Thanks again Shifty and Ares.