Expert: James Filmer - 10/20/2009

Question
QUESTION: Hi James my computer is slow, especiallly on start up and opening emails + internet + spreadsheets etc. Also sometimes a box comes up with Low Virtual Memory. I am running AVG 8.5 free edtion + Spybot free + Adaware Aniversrey free. I have done scans but dosent appeared to make much difference. Please can you help? Cheers Peter

ANSWER: Peter,

There are many possible reasons why its slow. To get a better idea of why, I need to know:

1. What Firewall are you using?

2. What system?

3. Do you know about cleaning temporary files using your system Disk Cleanup?
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/windows-vista/Delete-files-using-Disk-Cleanup

4. Do you use a 3rd party temporary file cleaner like CCleaner? (see enrgy21.com/tools)

5. Do you know how or have you defragmented the volume in the last month?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Improve-performance-by-defragme

Also, you should install Malwarebytes, a-squared or Superantispyware (free or paid edition) and run a full system scan and remove all spyware. (see enrgy21.com home page for links)

And, check to make sure you have the latest Windows critical updates.

About Low Virtual Memory see: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308417 and go to "How to manually change the size of the virtual memory paging file." Make sure you read carefully, the Note:

"To have Windows select the best paging file size, click System managed size. The recommended minimum size is the same as 1.5 times the RAM on your computer, and 3 times that figure for the maximum size. For example, if you have 256 MB of RAM, the minimum size is 384 MB, and the maximum size is 1152 MB. For best performance..."

Same info, different words:
http://www.pcmag.com/article2/0,2817,2089076,00.asp
http://www.ehow.com/way_5158005_reasons-low-virtual-memory.html



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi James i running XP Home Edtion + Microsoft Firewall turned on + Mozilla Firefox. Last night i installed Malwarebytes + Superantispyware and run scans this morning and found there was 54 total of Registry problems + 5 others. This hasnt appeared to have helped. I have ATF Cleaner. Cheers Peter

ANSWER: Peter,

Traveling last few days. First chance to get back to you.  Still need to know, do you know how or have you defragmented the volume in the last month?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows-vista/Improve-performance-by-defragme

Do you have any other issues besides slowness; any signs of instability like being redirected to other sites you didn't choose? Any new software added lately? have you ever used bundled security software like McAfee, Norton or TrendMicro with a chance that it might still be active on your system. Any chance you have rogue software on your system?

Also, did you review and make sure you have the latest Windows critical updates.

And did you read Low Virtual Memory: http://support.microsoft.com/kb/308417 and go to "How to manually change the size of the virtual memory paging file."...



---------- FOLLOW-UP ----------

QUESTION: Hi James thank you.
1. Doing the defragmenting (C Disc) as i email you, this was done approx. 3-4 weeks ago for the first time.
2. The mouse cursor isn't responsive sometimes.
  About 4 weeks ago it was going slow so i deleted the AVG, Spybot,    Adaware, then re downloaded them, this worked better for awhile but then went slow again. I noticed that without the Adaware it was very fast. i downloaded the Aniversary (Adaware) version.
Can't see any other security software.
The new Antispy software picked up the rouge software.
3. Set to automatic updates.
4. Adjusted the low virtual memory (222 ram) but has just popped back up again.
I have AVG 8.5, Spybot, Adaware AE, ATF Cleaner, CCleaner, Malwarebytes, Superantispy. Do i keep all of these?

Cheers
Peter

Answer
Peter,

It sounds like Ad-Aware Pro could be starting up with your computer and conflicting with other applications. This could also be affecting your virtual memory, but can't be sure yet.

Malwarebytes and SuperAntispyware are fine to keep, as long as they're not monitoring your system (real time) and starting up automatically at the same time. Even better that neither do until you find out where the conflict is.

You don't need both temp cleaners, but having both won't hurt your system.

Try disabling Ad-Watch Live, restart; or Automatic Startup first, and restart.

http://www.lavasoftsupport.com/index.php?act=Search&CODE=show&searchid=d43c46507

Also, if you're using the advanced features SDHelper and/or TeaTimer in Spybot, that might also be creating a conflict.

You might also end all automatic startup and scan processes in all security applications except AVG, restart, and see if that makes a difference. If it does, start out one application at time enabling automatic startup and scanning. At this point, can't tell which ones you have configured that way, so hard to determine which ones might be creating a conflict  - except Ad-Aware.