Anti Virus Programs Problem

Hello,

I recently installed a trial version of McAfee VirusScan 6.1 and when I restarted my pc immediately after the installation so that it would take effect, Windows would not start except under safe mode. This totally freaked me out and as soon as I could restart Windows under safe mode, I removed VirusScan 6.1. I then was able to restart the computer normally. Before installing McAfee VirusScan, I tried one Quick Heal, but quirky things began happening with Windows (ie. blue screens with errors, logging onto the Internet without my asking it to do so, etc.). I am now on my third anti virus program, PC-Cillin, and so far it seems to start Windows more slowly, but at least I am able to start it without having to do so under safe mode. I am starting to wonder just what is the trouble about. Is it just my pc or do all pc's experience this much upheaval with the antivirus progams?
I need a Firewall also, but I'm now afraid to get one, lest it wreak havoc with my system.

 

Bonjour Toujours,

As you're saying yourself, this is your third virus scanner already.
Most of these problems originate because of people uninstalling programs while they're still running, forgetting to reboot afterwards, installing new apps, without having removed the leftovers from the previous one, and so on.

It's very hard for us to tell you from here what you could possibly do to clean up your system.

There may be some maintenance that needs to be done.
To start with, do you defrag regularly? Run Scandisk, clear out your C:\Windows\Temp folder?

Why don't you start by posting the programs that start up when you start Windows:

Go to Start/run, and type Msinfo32, followed by OK.
Go to Software Environment/Startup Programs.
Now click Edit/'Select all', and then 'copy'
Paste the contents in your post.


Good luck,

 

Hi Tony,

I am pasting the results you asked for below. I am embarrassed to say that I don't do much maintenance of my PC. I don't defrag, etc. (I do empty the temporary internet folder regularly), I will look into this now that you mention it. But as for the other, I don't uninstall programs while they are still running, I do reboot after installing, etc. I think I'm installing the antivirus programs correctly, as far as I know.

Thanks for your help.


Microsoft Works Calendar Reminders Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\wkcalrem.exe"
Webshots Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Webshots\WebshotsTray.exe"
Microsoft Office Startup Group "C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office\OSA9.EXE" -b -l
ScanRegistry Registry (Machine Run) c:\windows\scanregw.exe /autorun
TaskMonitor Registry (Machine Run) c:\windows\taskmon.exe
SystemTray Registry (Machine Run) SysTray.Exe
LoadPowerProfile Registry (Machine Run) Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
EzAudioTray Registry (Machine Run) C:\WINDOWS\EZAUDIO.EXE TRAYAPP
LexmarkPrinTray Registry (Machine Run) PrinTray.exe
internat.exe Registry (Machine Run) internat.exe
PiDunHk Registry (Machine Run) "C:\PROGRAM FILES\PRODINET\BIN\PIDUNHK.EXE"
CriticalUpdate Registry (Machine Run) c:\windows\SYSTEM\wucrtupd.exe -startup
PCCIOMON.EXE Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\Trend PC-cillin 2000\PCCIOMON.EXE"
pop3trap.exe Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\Trend PC-cillin 2000\pop3trap.exe"
WebTrap.exe Registry (Machine Run) "C:\Program Files\Trend PC-cillin 2000\WebTrap.exe"
LoadPowerProfile Registry (Machine Service) Rundll32.exe powrprof.dll,LoadCurrentPwrScheme
3Cmlink Registry (Machine Service) c:\windows\SYSTEM\3cmlnkW.exe

 

Hi,

Your startups look OK.

You might consider getting rid of Microsoft Office and Critical Update (from startup, that is).

If you don't use the MS Office Shortcut bar, it just sits there eating System Resources, and Critical Update is also a waste of time.
You don't need to have it check every two minutes whether there are new updates available. If you visit Windows Update every three weeks or so, that's more than enough.

Go to Start/run, type msconfig, and uncheck the two on the Startup tab.
Click OK, close Msconfig, and reboot.

And not defragging may be one of the main causes of your computer slowing down.
It's good practice to do that on a monthly basis.
And C:\Windows\Temp is not the same as your temporary Internet files.
You should empty that folder regularly as well.
It accounts for slow startups and shutdown problems if you just let junk accumulate in it.

Good luck,

 

Hi Tony,

Will do. I actually started the defragmentation today, but it got interrupted. I'll do it tomorrow in its entirety. I've been somewhat lax with these tasks mainly out of fear, not laziness.

Thank you for all your recommendations/help.

ps. I like the Christmas lights and theme that have been added to the Tech Guy website.

 

Remember to disable your screensaver, or defrag will probably hang at around 10% ..I found out the hard way ! ...Rhett

 

It's a good idea to end all running tasks using Ctrl-alt-delete before defragging, or something may interfere. Just leave Explorer running.
And, as Rhett sais, disable your screensaver and APM (standby).

Good luck,

 

I finished the defragging and scan disk. Now I'm doing the disk cleanup. I will see if any of these make any difference insofar as the slow startup after installing PC-Cillin Anti Virus Program. If not, could something else be at work? I know many people have problems, even serious ones, with the anti virus programs. I read the reviews of the various programs and many people complained of this or that. I always thought McAfee was the best or most highly recommended, I can't believe it prevented Windows from loading. I was also considering getting a Firewall (Zonealarm), but now I have my doubts. I want no further problems.

 

Everything you're doing now is geared towards enhancing the performance of your system.

It can't undo everything that has been done and has happened before: damage caused by crashes, bad uninstalls, you name it.

If it doesn't improve notably, maybe you should consider backing up your data, and installing Windows on a freshly formatted drive.

Good luck,

 

Tony and Rhett,

Thanks for all your recommendations.

Happy holidays!

 

Thanks!

You too!