[spiidey]

My sister has asked me to have a look at her PC as it is running extremely slow and she is getting a number of odd error messages on start up and every time she tries to run a program (see pictures below).

I've ran:-

• CCleaner;
• Malwarebytes (having downloaded the most recent update);
• MSE

and deleted what each of them found, but the problem still persists.

Any ideas what to do next?

http://postimage.org/image/ir1qofoin/
http://postimage.org/image/7l3fro27f/
http://postimage.org/image/3jstypwht/
http://postimage.org/image/iqukuhiph/
http://postimage.org/image/4jn9ol9on/
http://postimage.org/image/ussj4t5sp/

[anniebrion]

Looks like the PC may have had AVG installed at some time an it needs cleaning up, look on the AVG site for a removal tool.

Found this using google: http://www.file.net/process/avgrsstx.dll.html

[spiidey]

Originally Posted by anniebrion

Looks like the PC may have had AVG installed at some time an it needs cleaning up, look on the AVG site for a removal tool.

Found this using google: http://www.file.net/process/avgrsstx.dll.html

Apologies if I'm being a bit thick but do I simply click on the "Click to Run a Free Scan for avgrsstx.dll speed issues" on the page you linked?

[anniebrion]

Originally Posted by spiidey

Apologies if I'm being a bit thick but do I simply click on the "Click to Run a Free Scan for avgrsstx.dll speed issues" on the page you linked?

No I was just giving you the information so you know what the DLL causing the problem was.

You need to go to the AVG website and get an uninstaller utility or contact their support.

There maybe other information if you google the DLL name as I did earlier.

[spiidey]

Originally Posted by anniebrion

No I was just giving you the information so you know what the DLL causing the problem was.

You need to go to the AVG website and get an uninstaller utility or contact their support.

There maybe other information if you google the DLL name as I did earlier.

Ah ok, thanks for that, I'll have a hunt around on the AVG site and report back

[spiidey]

Have downloaded the AVG uninstaller utility and ran it and it has cleared up the issue re the error messages appearing.

However, the laptop is still running incredibly slow.

I've taken screenshots of the Task Manager Processes Tab and these are as shown in the attached document.

Any advice?

https://www.filesanywhere.com/fs/v.a...8e5f676dbcaa69

[cmorris]

Siidey please read my PM

[spiidey]

Originally Posted by cmorris

Siidey please read my PM

I did but I don't have the back up disks to allow me to wipe the Laptop and then do a full restore.

Any other suggestions?

[max99]

There is a load of unnecessary stuff running, which can all contribute to a slowdown. But as you were getting all those errors with AVG, we can't be sure exactly what else is going on. The machine could be full or Malware or it might just need a bit of a clean-up.

The question is: how much effort are you prepared to put into fix someone else's machine? If not much, a system recovery might be the quickest option for you. All files will have to be backed up first and then you can run the Acer eRecovery from the Start Menu. This will put everything back to the way it was when first bought.

[Batwing]

Originally Posted by spiidey

I did but I don't have the back up disks to allow me to wipe the Laptop and then do a full restore.

Any other suggestions?

Most computers come with a hidden partition on your hard drive that is there for you to restore your system from. Each manufacturer it seems has a different f key to hit on start up to bring up the restore options. What brand computer is it and how old?

[spiidey]

Originally Posted by max99

There is a load of unnecessary stuff running, which can all contribute to a slowdown. But as you were getting all those errors with AVG, we can't be sure exactly what else is going on. The machine could be full or Malware or it might just need a bit of a clean-up.

The question is: how much effort are you prepared to put into fix someone else's machine? If not much, a system recovery might be the quickest option for you. All files will have to be backed up first and then you can run the Acer eRecovery from the Start Menu. This will put everything back to the way it was when first bought.

Ah ok, so this can be done using the Acer eRecovery from the Start Menu, I didn't realise this was the case.

Laptop is an Acer Aspire 5535.

That would definitely be the best option. How do we back up all files? (i.e. how do we find them and what are options for back-up - cloud or via usb stick?

EDIT: However, the AVG error messages have now disappeared and MSE, MalwareBytes and CCleaner have all been run. Is there any processes that are shown on Task Manager that could simply be disactivated which would then speed the machine up?

[anniebrion]

If you have 2.5GB or less of data to backup then you could use DropBox: http://db.tt/6jLrBjI this is free.

Other backups methods are USB Stick/CDs/DVDs/External HDD etc...

[spiidey]

Originally Posted by anniebrion

If you have 2.5GB or less of data to backup then you could use DropBox: http://db.tt/6jLrBjI this is free.

Other backups methods are USB Stick/CDs/DVDs/External HDD etc...

How can I tell how much data I need to backup? i.e. total file size that requires backup?

[anniebrion]

Originally Posted by spiidey

How can I tell how much data I need to backup? i.e. total file size that requires backup?

You need to add up the size of the folders that contain important files ie. Pictures, Music, Documents etc... Usually is it the My Documents folder but users are known to keep files in other places too.

[spiidey]

Originally Posted by anniebrion

You need to add up the size of the folders that contain important files ie. Pictures, Music, Documents etc... Usually is it the My Documents folder but users are known to keep files in other places too.

Thanks, I'll need to speak to my sister about what she has backed up and where when she's back from her holiday.

Thanks for all the help.

[LION8TIGER]

Originally Posted by spiidey

EDIT: However, the AVG error messages have now disappeared and MSE, MalwareBytes and CCleaner have all been run. Is there any processes that are shown on Task Manager that could simply be disactivated which would then speed the machine up?

Don't stop any processes in Task Manager unless you know 100% what it is, otherwise you can get into trouble.
As you have Ccleaner installed, go to tools, startup and disable things you don't need starting up .... I'm on XP and have everything disabled except my Antivirus and Comodo firewall. This suits me fine as I don't have things like sidebar and Aero . They can all be started by opening them if needed but having them starting up and running will slow me down.

[cmorris]

Originally Posted by spiidey

I did but I don't have the back up disks to allow me to wipe the Laptop and then do a full restore.

Any other suggestions?

Do a System Restore?

[cmorris]

Actually sorry the poster who posted about hidden recovery partition i correct.

When the machine boots up press and hold either F2, F7 or F10 to enter recovery menu. From hee you can recover the machine to Factory Reset

[cmorris]

All machines (laptops) come with a Recovery partition built in which is hidden from user view.

When the machine boots up press and hold either F2, F7 or F10 to enter recovery menu. From hee you can recover the machine to Factory Reset

When it boots up read the text in white at the bottom of the post screen as it should tell you how to enter the restore system