Xarcell
Premium
join:2003-11-23
Kannapolis, NC
| Need Help Optimizing My PC...
Well, I got myself windows Office upgrade to go with my XP pro upgrade. I started out with WIN 98. I've had to quick restore my PC to factory condition twice already, and reinstall everything and have had mad problems...
So, at this point, I have reinstalled all my programs but one. Kazaa lite. Oh, and I forgot winzip. Everything else seems to be working fine.
I have used my add-remove programs to remove any unwanted programs. I have ran defrag disk, disk clean-up, spybot, ad-adware pro, and norton. What else can I do?
I also enabled "empty temp folders when windows is closed" in IE.
Now, I'm not all that good at operating WIN XP because I haven't really had it that long. I've tried getting rid of the candy-coated shell. However, when I do I can no longer access the internet. I use a cable modem and run on broadband (RR). What's the best way to close all the fancy stuff down?
I have disabled everything on the "startup"(msconfig).
I have also updated windows by downloading SP 1 and crictial updates.
What else can I do?
My PC runs on 500 mhz, and 192 meg's of ram. It's tad over 5 years old I think. I build websites and stuff and use programs like photoshop. I need my PC to run as good as I can, until I finish building my new one...
EDIT: I'm also a little concerned about secruity. I have a linksys router and I know that helps a little. I do play games online with my xbox using XBConnect. WIN FW seems to cause problems there. I'm though about enableding it anyways. However, I have no idea how I do that...
Thanks in advance,
-Xarcell |
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Xarcell
Premium
join:2003-11-23
Kannapolis, NC
| I also just downloaded and ran "hijack".
Here are the results if anyone wants to help out.
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Logfile of HijackThis v1.97.7
Scan saved at 5:24:48 AM, on 12/17/2003
Platform: Windows XP SP1 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP1 (6.00.2800.1106)
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:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\ccEvtMgr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\AdvTools\NPROTECT.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\iexplore.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Default\Local Settings\Temp\Temporary Directory 1 for hijackthis[1].zip\HijackThis.exe
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = »www.earthlink.net/partner/more/m···rch.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = »www.earthlink.net/partner/more/m···rch.html
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = »start.earthlink.net/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = »start.earthlink.net/
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = »www.earthlink.net/partner/more/m···rch.html
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = »search.presario.net/scripts/redi···&LC=0409
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = »search.presario.net/scripts/redi···&LC=0409
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = »search.presario.net/scripts/redi···&LC=0409
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = »desktop.presario.net/scripts/red···9&c=3c99
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Search,SearchAssistant = »www.earthlink.net/partner/more/m···rch.html
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Window Title = Microsoft Internet Explorer
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Local Page = c:\windows\SYSTEM\blank.htm
O2 - BHO: NAV Helper - {BDF3E430-B101-42AD-A544-FADC6B084872} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O3 - Toolbar: &Radio - {8E718888-423F-11D2-876E-00A0C9082467} - C:\WINDOWS\System32\msdxm.ocx
O3 - Toolbar: Norton AntiVirus - {42CDD1BF-3FFB-4238-8AD1-7859DF00B1D6} - C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\NavShExt.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O6 - HKCU\Software\Policies\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Control Panel present
O8 - Extra context menu item: AltaVista Home - »jump.altavista.com/avie5/home
O8 - Extra context menu item: AV Search This Term - »jump.altavista.com/avie5/search
O8 - Extra context menu item: AV Translate Selection - »jump.altavista.com/avie5/babelfish
O8 - Extra context menu item: AV Translate this Web Page - »jump.altavista.com/avie5/babelfish
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &AltaVista Home (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: &Find Pages Linking to this URL (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Find Other Pages on this &Host (HKLM)
O9 - Extra button: Translate (HKLM)
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: AV &Translate (HKLM)
O16 - DPF: {9F1C11AA-197B-4942-BA54-47A8489BB47F} (Update Class) - »v4.windowsupdate.microsoft.com/C···86412037
O16 - DPF: {D27CDB6E-AE6D-11CF-96B8-444553540000} (Shockwave Flash Object) - »download.macromedia.com/pub/shoc···lash.cab
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Thanks again,
-Xarcell |
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Xarcell
Premium
join:2003-11-23
Kannapolis, NC
| reply to Xarcell
I found this "Shields Up" thing.
I ran the file sharing thing and here are the results in short rough cut form.
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Your Internet port 139 does not appear to exist!
One or more ports on this system are operating in FULL STEALTH MODE!
Unable to connect with NetBIOS to your computer.
All attempts to get any information from your computer have FAILED.
--------------------------------------->
I then ran the "common" button. Which checks my ports to see if that are open. All were in stealth mode, this one:
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Port
Service
Status Security Implications
21
FTP
Closed Your computer has responded that this port exists but is currently closed to connections.
-------------------------------------->
Now I use WS_FTP_LE alot. It sasy closed, should it say stealth? Is this something I should be concerned with?
I now tried the "bowser headers" and got these results for "that page".
------------------------------>
Accept: image/gif, image/x-xbitmap, image/jpeg, image/pjpeg, application/vnd.ms-powerpoint, application/vnd.ms-excel, application/msword, application/x-shockwave-flash, */*
Accept-Language: en-us
Connection: Keep-Alive
Host: grc.com
Referer: »grc.com/x/ne.dll?rh1dkyd2
User-Agent: Mozilla/4.0 (compatible; MSIE 6.0; Windows NT 5.1; DigExt)
Content-Length: 32
Content-Type: application/x-www-form-urlencoded
Accept-Encoding: gzip, deflate
Cache-Control: no-cache
------------------------------->
Any suggestions?
Now, it seesm everything is in stealth mode. Sgould I bother running the windows FW?
-Xarcell |
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Xarcell
Premium
join:2003-11-23
Kannapolis, NC
| reply to Xarcell
I was looking at those links from the hijack results.
I can remove the presario ones can't I?
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R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = »search.presario.net/scripts/redirector..
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Bar = »search.presario.net/scripts/redirector..
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = »search.presario.net/scripts/redirector..
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = »desktop.presario.net/scripts/redirecto..
----------------------------------------->
What about all the "extra tools", extra button" and "extra menu item" stuff?
-Xarcell |
|
Xarcell
Premium
join:2003-11-23
Kannapolis, NC
| reply to Xarcell
I just found this thing in "control panel > system proformance. ( I can't find it now, everything has changed)
I changed it to "optimize for best proformance".
That's good right? Or should I have done the custom settings?
-Xarcell |
|
Shootist
Premium
join:2003-02-10
Decatur, GA
| reply to Xarcell
If you have a retain XP upgrade CD disk then use just that to install XP. You do not have to first install 98. If you are first installing 98 this could be most of your problem.
Yes if you use the XP upgrade disk you will need to show you have a qualifying previous version and that restore disk that came with your PC might not make it. So I would suggest you borrow a 98, NT4 or a 2000 disk from a friend.
--
Are You Ready--Stand By BEEP ******** |
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Xarcell
Premium
join:2003-11-23
Kannapolis, NC | I have a compaq PC. It comes with a customized WIN 98 on a restore disk.
-Xarcell |
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Xarcell
Premium
join:2003-11-23
Kannapolis, NC | reply to Xarcell
When I do the restore, it restore's the PC to factory condition. That being it runs on WIN 98.
-Xarcell |
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Xarcell
Premium
join:2003-11-23
Kannapolis, NC | reply to Xarcell
I just ran the tweak test you guys have.
I D/L and ran DR.TCP
-Xarcell |
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vice8686
join:2000-10-13
Lancaster, CA
| reply to Shootist
said by Shootist  :
If you have a retain XP upgrade CD disk then use just that to install XP. You do not have to first install 98.
He has the restoration disk, not a stand alone copy of Windows 98. |
|
vice8686
join:2000-10-13
Lancaster, CA
| reply to Xarcell
A clean install is what I recommend for you. To do a clean install, you'll need a copy of a previous version of Windows to install XP using an upgrade disc. I'm sure you can find a great deal on the web for purchasing Windows 98. Or maybe you have a friend who has a copy you can borrow for 30 seconds or so. |
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bangaroo
Premium
join:2000-08-13
1 edit | reply to Xarcell
This site has a very good list of performance XP tweaks.
»www.tweakxp.com
Here are a few other tweaks I have used from other sites. It is possible these tweaks are also on the tweakxp.com site.
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To increase the number of simultaneous connections that are allowed, follow these steps:
1. Start the Registry Editor
2. Go to HKEY_CURRENT_USER \ Software \ Microsoft \ Windows \ CurrentVersion \ Internet Settings
3. Select New > DWORD Value from the Edit menu
4. Name the new value MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server
5. Right-click the MaxConnectionsPer1_0Server value and choose Modify
6. Under Base, click the radio button next to Decimal
7. In the Value Data: box enter the number of simultaneous connections you want to set (for example 10 is a good value), and click OK
8. Repeat steps 3 - 7 using the new value MaxConnectionsPerServer
9. Exit the registry editor
»www.windows-help.net/WindowsXP/tune-120.html
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d) HardDrive Autodetection and boot times
This tweak will help reduce WinXP boot times. Apparently, WindowsXP will attempt to detect new hard drives on every boot, looking for primary and secondary drives on both IDE controllers. If (like me) you don't have primary and secondary drives on both of your IDE controllers, you can probably reduce your boot times by following this tip.
1. Right-click on my computer and choose properties.
2. Click on the hardware tab, then the device manager button about halfway down the page.
3. Find the IDE/ATAPI Controllers and double-click on them to bring up the properties.
4. Choose the advanced tab.
5. For any channel that you don't have a device on, change the device type to disabled. This will cause WinXP to NOT attempt to detect a drive on this channel.
Disabling unnecessary IDE channels
You will need to repeat these steps for the secondary IDE controller, if applicable. Once you've completed this tweak, the next time you boot you should see a decreased boot time.
»www.clankiller.com/tech/WinXP/fstweaks.php
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) Menu Display Speed
Windows XP is replete with menus. In fact, in it's base configuration, it has more menues to navigate through than any previous Windows release. Unfortuanetly, there's no good command line interface, so instead we're going to speed those menus up so they don't delay us quite as much.
This tweak requires regedit. Remember my CMA above, and proceed with caution.
1. Run regedit by going to start | run | regedit.
2. Navigate to the following key
HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Control Panel\Desktop
3. Find MenuShowDelay and change the value to 0.
You will need to restart your computer to see the change.
»www.clankiller.com/tech/WinXP/guitweaks.php
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Q: How do I Disable Disk Performance Counters? (#3070)
A: Win XP like Win2000 is set to collect physical drive data.
Most don't need this as it consumes extra drive transfer time.
To disable the disk performance counters: Go to->Start->Programs->Command Prompt Now type in: diskperf -n then reboot.
There is a space between the f and the dash (-).
»The Broadband Reports Windows XP FAQ »How do I Disable Disk Performance Counters?
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