[fireguy109]

Hello. It's been a while since I ducked in this section of GTAF.

I'm having problems with the Anti-virus on my laptop. I use Kaspersky and am about 1/3 of the way through my subscription. In the past 2, maybe 3 weeks I've had major problems with my computer speed. I got frustrated the other day and checked my CPU. I'm using between 70 and 95 percent when nothing is running, right after booting up. Task manager says it's all Kaspersky's fault. I disabled protection for a few minutes and the CPU dropped to between 10 and 20. The thing ran super fast, booting up 3ds max took about 45 seconds instead of 10 minutes.

So...

What do you recommend I do? I've never had a problem before, and like I said I'm only 1/3 through my subscription, so I don't want to axe it... but disabling idle scans and all sorts of crap in the options didn't help at all, and I'm starting to suspect it's the reason my laptop doesn't always boot up.

Thoughts?

[kmlwin.1996]

I had that problem too.

Kaspersky 2011 got a problem. It will slow down all the PC's processes after the boot up. I just keep wait till my PC gonna run smoothly or that thing will hang down.

I solved that problem by disabling the Kaspersky's start up. So, it runs smoothly after the boot up. Then, I just enable the protection after boot up. That's all I do.

Any solutions guys? I am having that problem right here...

[Gareth Croke]

If the machine starts up quickly with the program disabled, and then you enable it and runs as it should do then there are some programs that delay the startup of a program. Unfortunately Windows doesn't natively do this, so you'll have to use a third party program, search google with "delaying a startup program" and you'll find lots of reviews with links to various tools that can do this.

However that's just using another program to cover up another programs faults. The best things to do first is run The Usual Suspects™

1) Antivirus Scan
2) Spyware Scan
3) Defrag
4) Registry Cleaner
5) Disk Cleanup
6) Updates
7) Defrag Again

Try that and see if it works, if not try uninstalling the program and reinstalling it again.

Once you've done this try and see if it runs any better, if not contact Kaspersky directly to see if it is a known issue and if there are any fixes, or suggestions from them. If that doesn't work, then cut your losses and remove it and use something else, there are plenty of free anti-virus programs that are just as good if not better.

[Slamman]

Some are hogging more resources then others, and often when reviewed, their intrusion into normal operation is taken into account. I believe they've scored well in the past, but I think part of what makes Avira compelling is it runs light, without being an intrusion to operational performance, AND it's FREE!! So, it might behoove you to look into dropping a paid subscription, using a free AV and MS' Essentials instead, add to that Prevx free CSI application, which only runs on your demands.

Should ask a question myself, I've been tethered mousically to my Acer Aspire since the touchpad died, but it occured I've already added a Blue Tooth USB dongle to a port where it stays (nearest the AC jack), I believe getting a wireless mouse that will work off any BT module like this is something I'd prefer. I have one already that uses two USB ports to power a receiver, and that's more cumbersome then having a USB mouse!! So.... What might you suggest that's the best bargain, and you can get perhaps the mouse by itself?

This post has been edited by Slamman on Sunday, Apr 22 2012, 01:56

[fireguy109]

Thank you for the replies. Kaspersky has an option to disable it at startup in its options, and I'm familiar with msconfig, so I'll try that first.

1) Antivirus Scan - done x2, with both Malwarebytes and Kaspersky. Nothing at all besides some kind of registry key error, which when fixed did not fix the problem.
2) Spyware Scan - done.
3) Defrag - done, didn't really have an affect as my computer automatically defrags once every few days.
4) Registry Cleaner - I'll look into this. Recommendations?
5) Disk Cleanup - again, I'll check this.
6) Updates - tried it, no help.
7) Defrag Again - it's scheduled for tomorrow.

Thanks for the help Gareth and kmlwin, I'll try your suggestions as soon as I can!

This post has been edited by fireguy109 on Sunday, Apr 22 2012, 02:55

[Gareth Croke]

QUOTE (fireguy109 @ Sunday, Apr 22 2012, 03:44)

... 4) Registry Cleaner - I'll look into this. Recommendations? ... Thanks for the help Gareth and kmlwin, I'll try your suggestions as soon as I can!

You could try CCleaner, it's a fairly basic program for cleaning the registry, but it does the job and will back up the registry before you clean it.

As I say you can try that out, if still doesn't do it then as I mentioned earlier, try uninstall and re-install, NB: in between the two stages run the registry cleaner, or if Kaspersky have a registry cleaner through their website for doing this then run that as well.

[Mockage]

Is there any way to dual-boot Linux Mint 12 (Lisa) and Windows Vista Home Premium (32 bit)?

[Wolf68k]

I some what disagree with Gareth's steps.
Defrag should be the last thing you do.

Disk Cleanup is redundant after using CCleaner, personally to me if you're using CC then DC is completely useless since CC will get things that DC won't get at all.

A step to add in is chkdsk. With Windows 7, not sure about Vista, using the Error-checking from the drive Properties->Tools will work just fine. Make sure nothing is checked and tell it to scan. If it reports an error then check just the auto fix, then click schedule and restart. When the system restarts it'll do an error check and be able to fix the problems.
With XP the same tool is useless because the problem has to be really bad before it'll suggest fixing anything. Mostly because I'm currently too tired right now I'll skip how to run chkdsk from command line and assume you're on 7.

My steps are: virus scan, spyware scan, reg cleaner, chkdsk, defrag.
An optional step between chkdsk and defrag is pagefile flush. System control panel->Advanced->Performance->Settings->Advanced->Change. If the auto manage is checked, uncheck it. Other wise take notes of what the settings are.
Select "no pagefile" click OK until you're out. The system might say that the changes won't take effect until you restart, so do that.
When you come back now you defrag. After the defrag go back to the pagefile settings and reset things back to the way it was. You might or might not have to restart again, you can do it anyway just to be safe. There should be no need to defrag again after you've replaced the pagefile.


@Mockage
You didn't say what is already installed. If Vista is already installed then try this guide http://apcmag.com/how_to_dualboot_vista_wi...alled_first.htm
Note they are using Ubuntu but the same steps can used with any version of Lunix

This post has been edited by Wolf68k on Sunday, Apr 22 2012, 17:26

[Mockage]

I have Vista installed first. I'm going with a LiveCD method anyway, considering I don't wanna any data loss. Thanks for the link though.

[Gareth Croke]

QUOTE (Wolf68k @ Sunday, Apr 22 2012, 18:23)

I some what disagree with Gareth's steps. Defrag should be the last thing you do. Disk Cleanup is redundant after using CCleaner, personally to me if you're using CC then DC is completely useless since CC will get things that DC won't get at all.

I only throw in a defrag in the middle, as sometimes this is all it needs without having to go through all the other steps, although there is no harm in doing the other steps as well.

And I only suggest using Disk Cleanup, as sometimes I've found in the past CCleaner has deleted some temporary files, sorry "temporary" files, that Disk Cleanup doesn't delete, and leaves me having to cleanup up after CCleaner to get things back again, which is OK if you know what you're doing, but even so it does kinda p*ss you off a little.

I also didn't recommend using chkdsk at this stage as 9/10 times, slow running computers are due to software or bloat from the OS, if there were recorded error messages then I'd go down that route.

[fireguy109]

Okay.

First I tried the chkdsk, Wolf. Nothing was brought to my attention, no bad sectors or problems or any of that stuff.

I tried turning on Kaspersky after the computer itself was already up. It produced a spike in CPU usage that went away after several seconds. The CPU then stabilized less than 20%. Memory usage by Kaspersky was around 1/10th of what it was before. However, attempts to do actions requiring administrative permissions were slow and produced a long spike in CPU usage up to around 95%, as did simply opening folders, although in those cases CPU was about 65% and for about 3 to 4 seconds. Altogether, not bad. Kaspersky is a bit jumpy though, its memory usage is increasing massively then dropping down only to repeat itself.

CCleaner brought up a ton of sh*t and I have no idea what to do with it. That includes missing shared dlls, unused file extensions, ActiveX issues, invalid icons, app paths, an unused registry key, a bunch of invalid firewall rules, an obsolete software error, and a missing MUI reference. Of those, what do I fix? As for the file extensions, at least a dozen of them are simply compiled data read by game engines, so will messing with them screw up all my PC games?

Thank you all for your help so far. By the way, I forgot to mention I am indeed on Windows 7.

This post has been edited by fireguy109 on Monday, Apr 23 2012, 01:52

[Slamman]

Trust CCleaner (CRAP CLEANER is the actual name!) If it's scanning for problems and asks you if you want it to fix them, Registry or other, do it, it should still offer a Registry Back Up option, which is good normally

[Wolf68k]

@Gareth
The thing is that if there is a problem with the file system defrag won't (shouldn't) run. That's the only reason I suggest running chkdsk before ever running defrag. Better do it before rather than get half way through and defrag stops because of a problem that chkdsk will fix. Better safe than sorry.
I have seen cases where after running chkdsk the system runs smoother because of a file system error, sometimes it was fixed while still in Windows but not everything was fixed so a schedule run on restart was required. Just because something like fireguy's case might not seem a need to run chkdsk doesn't mean that running can't hurt anything either just make sure...again better safe than sorry.

You confused me a bit on the DC vs CC thing. The only temp files that CC, and even DC, should be cleaning up are in the Temp folder. If however you're talking about some other files in some other location, please give an example. But in the mean time check the settings, you might be able to simply disable the files you don't want deleted; example browser cookies or history.


@fireguy
It defiantly sounds like the av is the problem. Get rid of it completely and try switching to Avast or Avira or even MSE and see if that fixes your problem and yet still keeps you safe.

As for the CC issue, when you tell it to fix whatever it finds in the registry it'll ask you if you want to back those things up first. Tell it yes. I create a folder in MyDocs called CCleaner and let it use the file naming system it uses which is date and time; YearMonthDay_24hourMinutesSeconds If ever have a problem with a program and you think it's because of something that CC cleaned out of the registry you can easily replace it.
If you would let explanations to what each of those types are, just ask and I'll explain as best I can either here or in PM. I can tell you in a cliffnote though that most of those are a non-issue for you to worry about. The ActiveX and App path might or might be an issue with some programs, it's all with varying degrees.

[Slamman]

Missing files that it reports may sound like it's uber important, when it's just a refuse file that's been found by CC

[finn4life]

@fireguy if you are getting a new anti-virus try MSE, I use it and it is very low resource and effective.

[Slamman]

Microsoft's full Essentials is finally up to the challenge of the competitors out there, fo' sho'

[_____]

I have a problem with my monitor...I think. For the last two days my CRT monitor sometimes fades out, the image fades out in like ten seconds and the power light blinks red. When that happens, I unplug it for a minute or so and plug it in again and it works fine.

[Wolf68k]

QUOTE (_____ @ Monday, Apr 23 2012, 04:14)

I have a problem with my monitor...I think. For the last two days my CRT monitor sometimes fades out, the image fades out in like ten seconds and the power light blinks red. When that happens, I unplug it for a minute or so and plug it in again and it works fine.

Replace it. I know that's not the answer you wanted to hear but look at the facts; LCDs are cheap these days, the cost to even have a CRT looked at might cost you more than getting a LCD monitor.

Go on Amazon you can find monitors that will do 1920x1080 starting at $120. Low end average is around $140 but that's not to say they are a POS either.

[Slamman]

I was looking to download Live Essentials for Win8, My Consumer version is still nothing but trouble so I have a temp that does work of the Developer Preview, though I'm not sure I'd be sticking with it
The reviews I Googled said they were just not sure what fixes were done to Live Essentials or if it's been finalized yet, what do you make of it, anyone using the package with success?

Did I read right that Windows 8 should include some form of Office that's free and part of Windows?

[Gareth Croke]

@Wolfy: Point taken about Chkdsk, it's usually one of things I don't usually do.

As for CCleaner, it's probably due the fact that a few years ago, I first tried out CCleaner and deleted half a ton of temp files, cookies, website and form data when I told it not to do it, I did check several times before I told it to clean up (due to me trying out of the first time) but it did it anyway... since then I've not really trusted it that much since then as it took me weeks to get things back the way they were. I only really trusted it with the registry as I would back it up manually anyway, plus it does a back up itself.