Windows 7 forum: Word, Excel, and Photoshop Elements still sluggish

Hi, Bob
I looked for previous advice, but missed this post. As to what I have done:
ran Avast Anti-Virus, which is automatically updated
ran CCleaner
I clean out my temp internet files and cookies regularly

Do you suggest that I should run all those additional steps outlined in the post, such as
1 Download and run "Malewarebytes", <div>2 Download and run Ad-Aware,
3 Scan for Virus with your AV (which I have done).
4 Then download and run ATFCleaner.
5 When finished run a chkdsk.
</div>
I had the same problem more than a year ago, when you identified Spybot as the culprit.
Obviously, that's no longer on my PC.
I have a Dell XPS420 running Windows 7 Home Prem.

There are other toxic combinations. For example the Skype addon. There are far too many for me to guess so do the usual and paste a HIJACKTHIS LOG FILE for me to peek at.

Bob

Bob,
so glad to see your answer; I am expecting company for dinner, so won't be able
to do a log file today. Will do so as soon as I get a chance - hope I remember how.

I don't know where I would turn for help, if it weren't for the helpful people on C/Net;
do miss online courses a lot.

Hello, Bob
I tried last eve to run HijackThis, but nothing seemed to be happening, so I am doing it again this morning.
I click on the HijackThis icon and a window pops up telling me that it is already running. But, again, I don't see or hear anything going on.

I am getting totally confused - have tried to re-install HighjackThis via the CNet link.
That downloads an .msi installer package and gives me a Set Up Wizard.
Where is the .exe file that I think I need to run.
While trying to find my way around, I think I actually came across a log with today's date,
on Notepad. However, when I open Notepad, there is only last year's log.

The HighjackThis site has a download link to Trend Micro, but I can't find a download for
HighjackThis there.
I didn't think this was going to be easy, but I am getting so discouraged

I saw you allude to MALWAREBYTES, try booting into safe mode and run MWB is SAFE MODE. see what comes up, unless of course you have already done this.

Because the log file it makes gives me a standard way of looking at what's running and more.

Since I can't guess what causes this as there are some thousand bad combinations and maybe new ones everyday I use this to peek under the hood when the users can't tell me what's running or installed.

Something new on my radar is Skype. Go figure why.
Bob

http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=279797

Bob,
don't know how I did it, but I have a log file for you.
I kept trying things and it appeared on my screen.
I made screen shots and pasted them into a word doc. - how do I get this to you?

Hi, again
as suggested, I have uninstalled:
AVG (didn't see it listed that way, but found isearch avg and hope that was what you meant)
StartNow (couldn't find vToolbar, does it have another name?)
GoToAssist, and
Skype.

Unfortunately, so far there is no difference in the performance of word or photoshop elements.
Do you have more advice for me?
BTW, I don't know how I wound up posting this in the Win 7 forum, since I have Vista.
Must have been more confused than normally.

However I am working under the assumption that it worked fine until "something."

At the office we don't use Vista except to test our apps work there due to Vista inexplicable being slow when it runs at top speed on XP and 7. We know not to write too harshly about Vista as it always attracts folk that come to its defense but it is not a good showing by Microsoft.

Now that you have cleaned this up, let's try this again UNDER THE ASSUMPTION it did run faster before and get a fresh Hijackthis log.
Bob

Bob, my complaint wasn't that the PC wasn't running fast enough, only the lagging response to cut, copy, paste in Word and Excel, and a delayed response in PHE.
As I stated earlier, this happened for the first time since I've had this PC last August when you pinpointed Spybot as the cause. Have had no trouble since then until about 6-8 weeks ago and don't know what changed around that time.

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.4
Scan saved at 2:53:34 PM, on 6/13/2012
Platform: Windows Vista SP1 (WinNT 6.00.1905)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v8.00 (8.00.6001.19088)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\Windows\system32\Dwm.exe
C:\Windows\system32\taskeng.exe
C:\Windows\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe
C:\Windows\WindowsMobile\wmdc.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\IAAnotif.exe
C:\Program Files\XPSMiniViewGadget\XPSMiniViewGadget.exe
C:\Program Files\Norton Save and Restore\Agent\VProTray.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intel\IntelDH\NMS\Support\IntelHCTAgent.exe
C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Sigmatel\C-Major Audio\WDM\sttray.exe
C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastUI.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\LWS\Webcam Software\LWS.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Windows\ehome\ehtray.exe
C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\wmpnscfg.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\Vid HD\Vid.exe
C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONENOTEM.EXE
C:\Windows\ehome\ehmsas.exe
C:\Program Files\Logitech\LWS\Webcam Software\CameraHelperShell.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Logishrd\LQCVFX\COCIManager.exe
C:\Windows\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\Windows\System32\mobsync.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HiJackThis\HiJackThis.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://isearch.avg.com/?cid={8F960093-4B06-4E67-8768-7CC5AB8C11E6}&mid=d19d93afe53d47d09da6d150380293db-ebf2c02fb518ef636c3078535deb586312f42197&lang=en&ds=ft011&pr=sa&d=2012-06-10 14:03:11&v=11.1.0.7&sap=hp
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
R1 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Internet Settings,ProxyOverride = *.local
R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Toolbar,LinksFolderName =
O1 - Hosts: ::1 localhost
O2 - BHO: &Yahoo! Toolbar Helper - {02478D38-C3F9-4efb-9B51-7695ECA05670} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll (file missing)
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHelperStub - {18DF081C-E8AD-4283-A596-FA578C2EBDC3} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\Acrobat\ActiveX\AcroIEHelperShim.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In SSV Helper - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: avast! WebRep - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\aswWebRepIE.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live ID Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O2 - BHO: Browser Address Error Redirector - {CA6319C0-31B7-401E-A518-A07C3DB8F777} - C:\Program Files\Dell\BAE\BAE.dll
O2 - BHO: Java(tm) Plug-In 2 SSV Helper - {DBC80044-A445-435b-BC74-9C25C1C588A9} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre6\bin\jp2ssv.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Yahoo! Toolbar - {EF99BD32-C1FB-11D2-892F-0090271D4F88} - C:\Program Files\Yahoo!\Companion\Installs\cpn\yt.dll (file missing)
O3 - Toolbar: avast! WebRep - {8E5E2654-AD2D-48bf-AC2D-D17F00898D06} - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\aswWebRepIE.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Defender] %ProgramFiles%\Windows Defender\MSASCui.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Bluetooth HCI Monitor] RunDll32 HCIMNTR.DLL,RunCheckHCIMode
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Windows Mobile Device Center] %windir%\WindowsMobile\wmdc.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [IAAnotif] "C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Iaanotif.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [StartCCC] "C:\Program Files\ATI Technologies\ATI.ACE\Core-Static\CLIStart.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Norton Save and Restore 2.0] "C:\Program Files\Norton Save and Restore\Agent\VProTray.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NMSSupport] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intel\IntelDH\NMS\Support\IntelHCTAgent.exe" /startup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [CCUTRAYICON] "C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\CCU\CCU_TrayIcon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [dscactivate] "C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\gs_agent\custom\dsca.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] "C:\Windows\system32\msconfig.exe" /auto
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DellSupportCenter] "C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe" /P DellSupportCenter
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SigmatelSysTrayApp] C:\Program Files\SigmaTel\C-Major Audio\WDM\sttray.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [DA53D413] c:\users\karin\appdata\local\micros~1\windows\tempor~1\content.ie5\g0o0gtmk\regist~1.exe /m="C:\Users\Karin\AppData\Local\MICROS~1\Windows\TEMPOR~1\Content.IE5\G0O0GTMK\REGIST~1.EXE" /k=""
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Adobe ARM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\AdobeARM.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [avast] "C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\avastUI.exe" /nogui
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [APSDaemon] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Apple Application Support\APSDaemon.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [LWS] C:\Program Files\Logitech\LWS\Webcam Software\LWS.exe -hide
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Java\Java Update\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\QTTask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Dell DataSafe Scheduler] "C:\Program Files\Dell DataSafe Online\Bin\DataSafeOnlineScheduler.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ehTray.exe] C:\Windows\ehome\ehTray.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [DellSupportCenter] "C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtcmd.exe" /P DellSupportCenter
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ISUSPM] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\UpdateService\ISUSPM.exe" -scheduler
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [WMPNSCFG] C:\Program Files\Windows Media Player\WMPNSCFG.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [Logitech Vid] "C:\Program Files\Logitech\Vid HD\Vid.exe" -bootmode
O4 - HKCU\..\RunOnce: [FlashPlayerUpdate] C:\Windows\system32\Macromed\Flash\FlashUtil11f_ActiveX.exe -update activex
O4 - Startup: OneNote 2007 Screen Clipper and Launcher.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office12\ONENOTEM.EXE
O4 - Global Startup: Digital Line Detect.lnk = C:\Program Files\Digital Line Detect\DLG.exe
O4 - Global Startup: Microsoft Office.lnk = C:\Program Files\Microsoft Office\Office10\OSA.EXE
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send image to &Bluetooth Device... - C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie_ctx.htm
O8 - Extra context menu item: Send page to &Bluetooth Device... - C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: @C:\Windows\WindowsMobile\INetRepl.dll,-222 - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Windows\WindowsMobile\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Windows\WindowsMobile\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @C:\Windows\WindowsMobile\INetRepl.dll,-223 - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Windows\WindowsMobile\INetRepl.dll
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: @btrez.dll,-4015 - {CCA281CA-C863-46ef-9331-5C8D4460577F} - C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: @btrez.dll,-12650 - {CCA281CA-C863-46ef-9331-5C8D4460577F} - C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\btsendto_ie.htm
O20 - AppInit_DLLs: C:\PROGRA~1\Google\GOOGLE~2\GOEC62~1.DLL
O22 - SharedTaskScheduler: Component Categories cache daemon - {8C7461EF-2B13-11d2-BE35-3078302C2030} - C:\Windows\system32\browseui.dll
O23 - Service: Adobe Active File Monitor V8 (AdobeActiveFileMonitor8.0) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Elements Organizer 8.0\PhotoshopElementsFileAgent.exe
O23 - Service: Adobe Acrobat Update Service (AdobeARMservice) - Adobe Systems Incorporated - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Adobe\ARM\1.0\armsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Alert Service (AlertService) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\CCU\AlertService.exe
O23 - Service: Apple Mobile Device - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Apple\Mobile Device Support\AppleMobileDeviceService.exe
O23 - Service: Ati External Event Utility - ATI Technologies Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\Ati2evxx.exe
O23 - Service: Automatic LiveUpdate Scheduler - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Symantec\LiveUpdate\ALUSchedulerSvc.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Antivirus - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\AvastSvc.exe
O23 - Service: avast! Firewall - AVAST Software - C:\Program Files\Alwil Software\Avast5\afwServ.exe
O23 - Service: Bonjour Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\Bonjour\mDNSResponder.exe
O23 - Service: Bluetooth Service (btwdins) - Broadcom Corporation. - C:\Program Files\WIDCOMM\Bluetooth Software\bin\btwdins.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) DHTrace Controller (DHTRACE) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intel\IntelDH\bin\DHTraceController.exe
O23 - Service: DQLWinService - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intel\IntelDH\NMS\AdpPlugins\DQLWinService.exe
O23 - Service: FLEXnet Licensing Service - Acresso Software Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Macrovision Shared\FLEXnet Publisher\FNPLicensingService.exe
O23 - Service: GoogleDesktopManager - Google - C:\Program Files\Google\Google Desktop Search\GoogleDesktop.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdate) (gupdate) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Google Update Service (gupdatem) (gupdatem) - Google Inc. - C:\Program Files\Google\Update\GoogleUpdate.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Matrix Storage Event Monitor (IAANTMON) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Intel Matrix Storage Manager\Iaantmon.exe
O23 - Service: Updater Service (IBUpdaterService) - Unknown owner - C:\ProgramData\IBUpdaterService\ibsvc.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\1050\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Software Services Manager (ISSM) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\Intel Media Server\Media Server\bin\ISSM.exe
O23 - Service: LiveUpdate - Symantec Corporation - C:\PROGRA~1\Symantec\LIVEUP~1\LUCOMS~1.EXE
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Viiv(TM) Media Server (M1 Server) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\Intel Media Server\Media Server\bin\mediaserver.exe
O23 - Service: McAfee Security Scan Component Host Service (McComponentHostService) - McAfee, Inc. - C:\Program Files\McAfee Security Scan\2.1.121\McCHSvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Application Tracker (MCLServiceATL) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\Intel Media Server\Shells\MCLServiceATL.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) NMSCore (NMSCore) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Intel\IntelDH\NMS\NMSCore\NMSCore.exe
O23 - Service: Norton Save and Restore - Symantec Corporation - C:\Program Files\Norton Save and Restore\Agent\VProSvc.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (nvsvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\Windows\system32\nvvsvc.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Quality Manager (QualityManager) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\Intel Media Server\Media Server\bin\qualitymanager.exe
O23 - Service: Intel(R) Remoting Service (Remote UI Service) - Intel(R) Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\IntelDH\Intel Media Server\Shells\Remote UI Service.exe
O23 - Service: RoxMediaDB9 - Sonic Solutions - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Roxio Shared\9.0\SharedCOM\RoxMediaDB9.exe
O23 - Service: SupportSoft Sprocket Service (dellsupportcenter) (sprtsvc_dellsupportcenter) - SupportSoft, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Dell Support Center\bin\sprtsvc.exe
O23 - Service: SigmaTel Audio Service (STacSV) - SigmaTel, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\STacSV.exe
O23 - Service: stllssvr - MicroVision Development, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\SureThing Shared\stllssvr.exe
O23 - Service: UMVPFSrv - Logitech Inc. - C:\Program Files\Common Files\logishrd\LVMVFM\UMVPFSrv.exe
O23 - Service: XAudioService - Conexant Systems, Inc. - C:\Windows\system32\DRIVERS\xaudio.exe

--
End of file - 13122 bytes

Where's Service Pack 2?

http://windows.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/help/end-support

I checked my update history and I don't see SP2 added -
do you know when it became available?
My PC has been set for automatic updates from the beginning and so I don't understand
why it was not installed.
Thank you for the link you provided; I have downloaded SP2 and understand that you
recommend that I install it now.

SP2 installed!
Did a quick test of my problem functions in Word, Excel and PHE and they seem to be
running well once more.
What a relieve!
Thank you so much for looking in on this thread and reading through all the confusing
info I had provided.

No.

Now that you have SP2 other things should update (automatically) like Office, Word, etc. If not, check for a new service pack for the version of Office you run.

Bob knows what he is doing. Good job.

http://en.community.dell.com/support-forums/desktop/f/3514/p/19327471/19677766.aspx#19677766 notes a small item. Optional it seems.

But I still see a mix of Norton and other software. Remember while there is no overlap I know of, I've learned to not mix Symantec, McAfee, etc. with each other.

NOW IS THE TIME TO USE MSCONFIG. You can for a test run disable this and that to see what it is. The list looks a lot cleaner. But I see IBSVC which, unless you have a good reason for it may want to eject.
http://www.help2go.com/forum/spyware-help/108730-what-should-i-remove-2.html

Oh, it's also time to make a NEW ADMIN CAPABLE ACCOUNT and see if the speed is account specific.
Bob

Bob,
I will follow up tomorrow on the additional items you have provided and do what you suggest
to the best of my ability.
Even though I get so confused and feel lost among all the expert information, I keep trying
and learn a lot along the way. It is thrilling to discover new things and I thank you for all your
patience and advice.
Should I start a new thread to address question I may have regarding your last things to do?
(and this time in the correct forum for Vista)
Best, Karin

And again, DON'T PANIC.

I have cleaned up this thread as we go so it's a little cleaner and I don't see an old log and mess up by writing about an old log file.

Take your time and keep up your hope that we figure out which app it is.

In closing, I hope you've scanned like Grif notes at the next link. The pests are so wild today that I find myself using Grif's fine advice when I am scratching my head over this topic.

-> http://forums.cnet.com/7726-6132_102-5098912.html?tag=posts;msg5099421

Bob,
did you see my reply to Vista mchainmchain above?
It seems like I am back on track and am getting something done again .

Good to read it's come back to form.