[sepholdem]

hi i am runing a 2gig vista--3000hz processor.. i play alot of online poker and do pretty well at it---that is until about 1.00pm when i here my dimenssions e520 tower start working and it all slows down or freezes--this is most inconvinient as it has cost me a fortune in lost winnings. ineed help--my avg is not doing a scan--my windows updater is set to manual--my defrag is set to once a week. as i said my tower starts going nuts but often at different times-usually late at night-i dont know what is causing it---help please any ideas ? i inclded hijack this dfile if any help
Scan saved at 15:40:32, on 24/08/2007
Platform: Windows Vista (WinNT 6.00.1904)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Windows\System32\rundll32.exe
C:\Windows\sttray.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAAnotif.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\Program Files\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Registry Mechanic\RMTray.exe
C:\Windows\System32\ico.exe
C:\Windows\System32\Pmxmiced.exe
C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe
C:\Program Files\BitTorrent\bittorrent.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\INCRED~1\bin\IMApp.exe
C:\Microgaming\Poker\ladbrokesMPP\MPPoker.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\ieuser.exe
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Users\Giuseppe\Desktop\HiJackThis_v2.exe

R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = about:blank
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://g.msn.co.uk/0SEENGB/SAOS01?FORM=TOOLBR
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://mystart.incredimail.com/english
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 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant =
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,CustomizeSearch =
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Internet Explorer provided by Dell
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: Adobe PDF Reader Link Helper - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\PROGRA~1\SPYBOT~1\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Google Toolbar Helper - {AA58ED58-01DD-4d91-8333-CF10577473F7} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Toolbar Helper - {BDBD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Browser Address Error Redirector - {CA6319C0-31B7-401E-A518-A07C3DB8F777} - C:\Program Files\BAE\BAE.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Windows Live Toolbar - {BDAD1DAD-C946-4A17-ADC1-64B5B4FF55D0} - (no file)
O3 - Toolbar: &Google - {2318C2B1-4965-11d4-9B18-009027A5CD4F} - c:\program files\google\googletoolbar2.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] "C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe" -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvSvc] "RUNDLL32.EXE" C:\Windows\system32\nvsvc.dll,nvsvcStart
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: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SigmatelSysTrayApp] sttray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IAAnotif] "C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Iaanotif.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSScheduler] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\issch.exe" -start
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ECenter] c:\dell\E-Center\EULALauncher.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [ISUSPM Startup] "C:\PROGRA~1\COMMON~1\INSTAL~1\UPDATE~1\ISUSPM.exe" -startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] "C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgcc.exe" /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RegistryMechanic] "C:\Program Files\Registry Mechanic\rmtray.exe" /QS
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [PMX Daemon] ICO.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] "C:\Windows\system32\MSCONFIG.exe" /auto
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DellSupport] "C:\Program Files\DellSupport\DSAgnt.exe" /startup
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BitTorrent] "C:\Program Files\BitTorrent\bittorrent.exe" --force_start_minimized
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [AWMON] "C:\Program Files\Lavasoft\Ad-Aware SE Professional\Ad-Watch.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [IncrediMail] C:\Program Files\IncrediMail\bin\IncMail.exe /c
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Sidebar] C:\Program Files\Windows Sidebar\sidebar.exe /autoRun
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BgMonitor_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA}] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [AVG7_Run] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgw.exe /RUNONCE (User 'Default user')
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Synchronizer.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Reader 8.0\Reader\AdobeCollabSync.exe
O4 - Global Startup: WinZip Quick Pick.lnk = C:\Program Files\WinZip\WZQKPICK.EXE
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.6.0_02\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Titan Poker - {49783ED4-258D-4f9f-BE11-137C18D3E543} - C:\Poker\Titan Poker\casino.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Titan Poker - {49783ED4-258D-4f9f-BE11-137C18D3E543} - C:\Poker\Titan Poker\casino.exe
O9 - Extra button: PacificPoker - {94EDF7B4-4272-4af3-8F8B-4E2F68E225B7} - C:\PROGRA~1\PACIFI~1\pacificpoker.exe
O9 - Extra button: Ladbrokes Poker - {C2A80015-C447-4dc4-82DD-AED83D6ED57E} - C:\Microgaming\Poker\ladbrokesMPP\MPPoker.exe
O9 - Extra button: Vegas Red Casino - {D5AE2D6D-38A7-425c-86C0-E4ABBDB9EC68} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Vegas Red Casino - {D5AE2D6D-38A7-425c-86C0-E4ABBDB9EC68} - (no file)
O9 - Extra button: PartyPoker.net - {F4430FE8-2638-42e5-B849-800749B94EED} - (no file)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: PartyPoker.net - {F4430FE8-2638-42e5-B849-800749B94EED} - (no file)
O13 - Gopher Prefix:
O15 - Trusted Zone: www.ladbokspoker.com
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: avgwlntf - C:\Windows\SYSTEM32\avgwlntf.dll
O20 - Winlogon Notify: GoToAssist - C:\Program Files\Citrix\GoToAssist\480\G2AWinLogon.dll
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\Windows\system32\browseui.dll
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: AVG7 Resident Shield Service (AvgCoreSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgrssvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVG7\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: DSBrokerService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\DellSupport\brkrsvc.exe
O23 - Service: GoToAssist - Citrix Online, a division of Citrix Systems, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Citrix\GoToAssist\480\g2aservice.exe
O23 - Service: Google Updater Service (gusvc) - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Common\Google Updater\GoogleUpdaterService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Matrix Storage Event Monitor (IAANTMON) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Iaantmon.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: SigmaTel Audio Service (STacSV) - SigmaTel, Inc. - C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\C-Major Audio\WDM\STacSV.exe
O23 - Service: stllssvr - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\SureThing Shared\stllssvr.exe (file missing)

--

[Wintings]

If this happens after your PC has been on for a while, I wonder if it is overheating? Maybe a memory chip is on the blink or is not properly seated? Worth checking....

[seanwal111111]

Click the Vista Start button, type SERVICES in the search box, press <enter>, then disable the services having the following names:

Windows Backup
Volume Shadow Copy
Superfetch
ReadyBoost
Windows Search
Windows Defender

I have a further 20 or so other Vista services disabled on my machine. But the ones listed above are the ones that cause the hard disk to grind in the middle of the night (and sometimes grind in the middle of the day). I suggest you disable all six of them now. If at some future time you find youself inconvenienced by any one of them having being disabled, you can re-enable it.

Disabling Windows Backup and Volume Shadow Copy means you have to use some other way to back up, of course.

Superfetch and Readyboost maintain memory caches that are supposed to improve the machine's responsiveness in certain situations, but the benefit is very small at best. They cause grinding on the hard disk at times when they think the computer is idle.

Windows Search contains some serious bugs that cause the disk to grind terribly. You should probably disable it until a later version of Vista. Not everybody experiences these serious bugs with Search. For example if you change Power Management settings away from their defaults you are more likely to experience the bugs, believe it or not.

I'd argue that Windows Defender and any similar type of program is more of a nuisance than a benefit, and should only be used after you know you've got malware, or maybe used once a year. Not once a day.

Anyway the above are the chief culprits for unasked-for disk grinding, considering only culprits in the OS.

[sepholdem]

thanks will try this--sounds like good news

[seanwal111111]

I forgot to clarify that to disable a service you have to set the service's Startup Type to Disabled; it's not enough to Stop the service, because the next time the OS re-boots the service will be started up again (assuming its Startup Type is Automatic).

A separate point is that disabling the Volume Shadow Copy service will eliminate significant unasked-for disk grinding but it's probably advisable to enable Volume Shadow Copy just before you install any new software program, especially one you don't trust. Then disable the service again after the program has installed. When the Volume Shadow Copy service is enabled, Windows automatically makes a copy of the your system's state just before a program installation. If the install proves to be problematic (e.g., you decide you don't like the progam and you try to uninstall it but it doesn't uninstall itself cleanly) you can use the Volume Shadow copy to get back the OS system's state prior to the installation. Disabling Volume Shadow Copy doesn't delete shadow copies. It just prevents new ones from being created. Vista makes shadow copies on a daily basis, which is truly unnecessary. On my machine it made it used to make them late at night and the grinding used to distress me, until I disabled it.

[cuttlefish]

Have you had a look at Task Manager during these go slow activities?

Suggest you go there and then click on the Process Tab - click on the CPU tab and also the Memory Tab.

This will sort them into ascending/descening order and make it easier to see just which process is hogging the resources.

Agree to turning off Defender - crap part of Vista anyway!!!

Just for something different to do, go to this link and get a free (and good) scan of yer PC for spyware and that sort of stuff:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/ (click mon the Scan now. Its free!)

Incredimail had/has a bad reputation for spyware though others may disagree on this.

[seanwal111111]

Another angle of investigation for a machine that's slow only at nighttime is to look at Windows Vista Task Scheduler. The Task Scheduler lets you, or any program, schedule a task to be performed at a particular time and date, either once-off or on a regular, repeated schedule. A "task" is a program that does some work and exits by itself when it's finished, but it can't launch itself. It's launched by Task Scheduler.

You can see what tasks are scheduled by clicking on the Start button on the bottom left corner of your screen, then typing TASK SCHEDULER in the search box (and press <enter>). Then look around. One thing to take a look at is: follow the path Microsoft --> Windows --> SystemRestore --> Triggers --> Highlight a trigger in in the UpperBox and doubleclick it --> pick Triggers again --> Highlight a trigger --> click Edit --> Uncheck the ENABLED checkbox.

That disables a scheduled task in System Restore.

[sepholdem]

thanks bud-it was actually the automatic back up--it was backing up twice a day and i have alot of files on my system--cancelled the automatic back up and running very nice now---thanks again