Please help - machine has slowed to a snails pace

[khval94]

Hello PCHF!

Thanks to this wonderful community and (Malnourished Mod) I have had tremendous help over the years and I am now back (unfortunately).

With the last fix, my computer was running oh so smooth and super fast, from startup to shut down and everything in between.

Recently, my computer has slowed tremendously… almost to the point of being unuseable. Computer seems to be working hard, fan running at all times, etc. Could you please help me assess and fix the issue, as well as help me prevent this slow-down from happening again?

[khval94]

frst files:

[Bruce]

Until Mal jumps on, show us a snapshot of Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del and click Task Manager)
On the Processors tab, click the Memory column header to sort descending (biggest hog on top) and show a snapshot.
Then repeat for CPU, and Disk.

From those you should be able to see what is using all the resources.

[Malnutrition]

Open PowerShell as admin:

Copy the content of the code box below:

[ICODE]iwr -useb https://christitus.com/win | iex [/ICODE]

Paste into the open powershell window.
Hit enter:
Then under tweaks-- Select standard.

[ATTACH alt=“1731551567538.webp”]14619[/ATTACH]

Then under Advanced:

[ATTACH alt=“1731551659972.webp”]14620[/ATTACH]

Select these if you do not use one drive ETC.

Then click run tweaks.

[ATTACH alt=“1731551796867.webp”]14622[/ATTACH]

Then under updates:

[ATTACH alt=“1731551715098.webp”]14621[/ATTACH]

After this reboot the machine.

Let me know how things are.

[Malnutrition]

Use Geek Uninstaller, and remove anything you do not use, including MS Apps

Also, after the above I’d like to see logs from a couple other tools that look a bit more in depth than FRST:

I’ll make a fix for FRST based off of the current Frst & Addition.txt, ZHP and Autlogger report. I do not see anything jumping out at me, but we can remove all redundant items from your machine…

ZHP Diag Scanner.

Download ZHP Suite to your desktop.
Right Click Run as admin.
Hit the scanner button.
Once it is complete a file name ZHPdiag.txt will be on your desktop.
Attach it.

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Download Autologger to your desktop.
Disable your Anitivirus/Defender prior to running.

[ul]
[li]Unzip it there. – If you are unsure how to unzip a program, then use ---- http://www.7-zip.org/ ----[/li][li]Right click Autologger and run as admin. (Xp user double click)[/li][li]AVZ4 will open and scan your machine, allow this to complete.[/li][li]Upload Collectionlog.zip to your next reply.[/li][/ul]

[khval94]

Hey Mal, good to see ya.

After reboot i’d say things are running much more smoothly, but startup was still very slow - maybe 20% faster.

[Malnutrition]

I will check everything after work tomorrow. (y)

[khval94]

I will check everything after work tomorrow. (y)

Sounds good, thank you very much!

[Malnutrition]

[COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)]FRST Fix.

Download attached fixlist.txt file and save it to the Desktop. NOTE. It’s important that both files, FRST/FRST64 and fixlist.txt are in the same location or the fix will not work. NOTICE: This script was written specifically for this user, for use on that particular machine. Running this on another machine may cause damage to your operating system Run FRST/FRST64 and press the Fix button just once and wait. If for some reason the tool needs a restart, please make sure you let the system restart normally. After that let the tool complete its run. When finished FRST will generate a log on the Desktop (Fixlog.txt). Please post it to your reply.[/COLOR]

[Malnutrition]

Uninstall with Geek Uninstaller:

Malwarebytes
RogueKiller

These can be reinstalled later if you want, there is no need for them now, as there is no malware present on your machine.

Download the everything search engine.
Type [COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)]Mcafee[COLOR=rgb(243, 121, 52)] into the search window of the program.
Click Edit Select all.
Right Click highlighted items.
Copy Full name to clipbaord.
Post here.[/COLOR][/COLOR]

[Malnutrition]

@khval94 if you need help with these instructions, let me know.

[khval94]

OK, heres the log and mcafee clipboard:

[Malnutrition]

Download and Save then unzip DeleteMcafee.bat to your desktop.
Right click and run as admin.

Upload Fresh FRST and addition.txt logs, and tell me how the machine is running now please.

[Malnutrition]

@khval94
Download the the ClearLNK utility . Unzip to desktop.
Copy the code below.
Right click ClearLNK and run as admin.
Paste the content of the code box below by clicking paste from clipboard.
Then click Cure

>>>  "C:\Users\khval\AppData\Local\Packages\Microsoft.Office.Desktop_8wekyb3d8bbwe\LocalCache\Roaming\Microsoft\Office\Recent\clients.xlt.LNK"         -> ["C:\Users\khval\OneDrive\Desktop\clients.xlt"]
>>>  "C:\Users\khval\OneDrive\Desktop\Kristian\Astrology for Windows.lnk"        -> ["C:\winastro\Ast4win.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\khval\OneDrive\Desktop\Tools\NCH Suite.lnk"   -> ["C:\Program Files (x86)\NCH Software\Doxillion\doxillion.exe"  =>> -suite]
>>>  "C:\Users\khval\OneDrive\Desktop\Tools\Doxillion Document Converter.lnk"    -> ["C:\Program Files (x86)\NCH Software\Doxillion\doxillion.exe"]
>>>  "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessories\Windows Fax and Scan.lnk"     -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\WFS.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\Kristian\Links\Desktop.lnk"         -> ["C:\Users\Kristian\OneDrive\Desktop"]
>>>  "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\Memory Diagnostics Tool.lnk"   -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\MdSched.exe"]
>>>  "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\RecoveryDrive.lnk"   -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\RecoveryDrive.exe"]
>>>  "C:\ProgramData\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Administrative Tools\System Configuration.lnk"      -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\msconfig.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\Kristian\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\VoiceAccess.lnk"   -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\voiceaccess.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\Kristian\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\On-Screen Keyboard.lnk"      -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\osk.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\Kristian\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\Narrator.lnk"      -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\narrator.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\Kristian\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\LiveCaptions.lnk"  -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\LiveCaptions.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\Kristian\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo\Fax Recipient.lnk"        -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\wfs.exe"  =>> /SendTo]
>>>  "C:\Users\Kristian\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group3\09 - Mobility Center.lnk"        -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\mblctr.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\khval\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\VoiceAccess.lnk"      -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\voiceaccess.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\khval\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\On-Screen Keyboard.lnk"         -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\osk.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\khval\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\Narrator.lnk"         -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\narrator.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\khval\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\Start Menu\Programs\Accessibility\LiveCaptions.lnk"     -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\LiveCaptions.exe"]
>>>  "C:\Users\khval\AppData\Roaming\Microsoft\Windows\SendTo\Fax Recipient.lnk"           -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\wfs.exe"  =>> /SendTo]
>>>  "C:\Users\khval\AppData\Local\Microsoft\Windows\WinX\Group3\09 - Mobility Center.lnk"           -> ["C:\WINDOWS\system32\mblctr.exe"]

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Look in the autologger folder created when you ran autologger.
Right Click Hijackthis and run as admin.
Fix only these items then reboot the machine.

O22 - Task (.job): CCleanerCrashReporting.job - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleanerBugReport.exe (file missing)
O22 - Tasks: (disabled) CCleaner Update - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCUpdate.exe (file missing)
O22 - Tasks: (disabled) CCleanerCrashReporting - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleanerBugReport.exe --product 90 --send dumps|report --path "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\LOG" --programpath "C:\Program Files\CCleaner" --guid "6ed30874-c85c-4ab3-8435-16a065c5c583" --version "6.27.11214" --silent (file missing)
O22 - Tasks: (disabled) GoogleUpdateTaskUserS-1-5-21-2544099675-2571443181-3956208610-1001Core - C:\Users\khval\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe /c (file missing)
O22 - Tasks: (disabled) GoogleUpdateTaskUserS-1-5-21-2544099675-2571443181-3956208610-1001UA - C:\Users\khval\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe /ua /installsource scheduler (file missing)
O22 - Tasks: CCleanerSkipUAC - khval - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe $(Arg0) (file missing)
O22 - Tasks: OneDrive Standalone Update Task-S-1-5-21-2548962678-2227627121-3813296117-500 - C:\Users\khval\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDriveStandaloneUpdater.exe (file missing)
O22 - Tasks_Migrated: (disabled) AMHelper - C:\Program Files (x86)\Zemana\AntiMalware\AntiMalware.exe /UPDATE (file missing)
O22 - Tasks_Migrated: (disabled) GoogleUpdateTaskUserS-1-5-21-2544099675-2571443181-3956208610-1001Core - C:\Users\khval\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe /c (file missing)
O22 - Tasks_Migrated: (disabled) GoogleUpdateTaskUserS-1-5-21-2544099675-2571443181-3956208610-1001UA - C:\Users\khval\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe /ua /installsource scheduler (file missing)
O22 - Tasks_Migrated: (disabled) QBScheduledReport - C:\Program Files (x86)\Common Files\Intuit\QuickBooks\ScheduledReports\ScheduledReports.Scheduler.exe (file missing)
O22 - Tasks_Migrated: \Microsoft\Windows\SettingSync\BackgroundUploadTask - {59B9640B-3F70-4D1C-B159-F26EEB8A4C87} - (no file)
O22 - Tasks_Migrated: CCleaner Update - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCUpdate.exe (file missing)
O22 - Tasks_Migrated: CCleanerCrashReporting - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleanerBugReport.exe --product 90 --send dumps|report --path "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\LOG" --programpath "C:\Program Files\CCleaner" --configpath "C:\Program Files\CCleaner\Setup" --guid "6ed30874-c85c-4ab3-8435-16a065c5c583" --version "6.12.10490" --silent (file missing)
O22 - Tasks_Migrated: CCleanerSkipUAC - khval - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe $(Arg0) (file missing)
O22 - Tasks_Migrated: HPCustParticipation HP Officejet 5740 series - C:\Program Files\HP\HP Officejet 5740 series\Bin\HPCustPartic.exe /UA 17.6 (file missing)
O22 - Tasks_Migrated: OneDrive Standalone Update Task-S-1-5-21-2548962678-2227627121-3813296117-500 - C:\Users\khval\AppData\Local\Microsoft\OneDrive\OneDriveStandaloneUpdater.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service S2: Apple Mobile Device Service - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service S3: CCleaner Performance Optimizer Service - (CCleanerPerformanceOptimizerService) - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleanerPerformanceOptimizerService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service S3: Mozilla Maintenance Service - (MozillaMaintenance) - C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Maintenance Service\maintenanceservice.exe (file missing)

[khval94]

O22 - Tasks: (disabled) CCleaner Update - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCUpdate.exe (file missing)

O22 - Tasks: (disabled) GoogleUpdateTaskUserS-1-5-21-2544099675-2571443181-3956208610-1001Core C:\Users\khval\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleU pdate.exe /c (file missing)

O22 - Tasks: (disabled) GoogleUpdateTaskUserS-1-5-21-2544099675-2571443181-3956208610-1001UA - C:\Users\khval\AppData\Local\Google\Update\GoogleU pdate.exe /ua /installsource scheduler (file missing)
O22 - Tasks: CCleanerSkipUAC - khval - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe $(Arg0) (file missing)

O22 - Tasks: CCleanerSkipUAC - khval - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleaner.exe $(Arg0) (file missing)

O23 - Service S2: Apple Mobile Device Service - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service S3: CCleaner Performance Optimizer Service - (CCleanerPerformanceOptimizerService) - C:\Program Files\CCleaner\CCleanerPerformanceOptimizerService .exe (file missing)

O23 - Service S3: Mozilla Maintenance Service - (MozillaMaintenance) - C:\Program Files (x86)\Mozilla Maintenance Service\maintenanceservice.exe (file missing)

These items were not on the list in HijackThis. ^^[1]
The HiJackThis.log below was recorded before fixing the suggested items.

Startup was much quicker. Overall things are faster but suboptimal, lagging to open up programs or dialog boxes. Even typing this the text is lagging slightly.

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1. /B ↩︎