Computer SLOOOWWWW

[Shady12]

I'm not 100% sure this is the right section for this..but here goes. Since I got up yesterday morning and checked on the computer it has been very slow. Doing anything on the computer, accessing programs, files, the internet, everything is very slow. I defragged it, ran adaware(which took 12 hours!!), still the same this morning. Could it be a virus or what??

[kram 2.0]

What Antivirus do you use, have you updated then ran it? Also, what's your sys specs? Did it just start happening yestarday?

kram

[Shady12]

Well, I had Norton but didn't renew it. It's a p4 1.8ghz with 512mb sdram.

If I turn off or reset the computer, a 'not responding' box pops up and it's called Notification Wnd for RNAdmin. That had never happened before yesterday either. Related? And what is that?

[Force Flow]

Try booting up in *safe mode* and running spybot and adaware. Slowdowns are usually attributed to spyware/malware.

[Shady12]

How do I boot in safe mode? My comp when I start it goes straight to the 'welcome' then desktop. And when I bring up the turn off computer screen there is 'stand by' 'turn off' and 'restart.' So how do I reboot in safe mode? Thanks.

[bigandy]

While your computer is booting, press the [F8] key.

Also, since you did not renew Norton, it would be a good idea to check out AVG, at least temporarily, so that you have some sort of AV.

[Shady12]

Also..I downloaded and ran Spybot, and when I clicked on 'fix problems' it pops up something that says (heading)Spybot - Search & Destroy: SpybotSD.exe - Unable to Locate Component

then

This application has failed to start because WDENGINE.dll was not found. Re-installing the application may fix this problem.

then there is an Ok button, when clicked the box pops right back up. So Spybot doesn't work.

What does that message mean?

[Force Flow]

Try uninstalling spybot, then reinstalling it.

[GaryRouth]

Hi shady12

Just to make sure you've seen the basic ABC's of "the Internet is a Dangerous Place, & How to Protect Your PC", when you have time make sure to visit Microsoft's overview:
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/secu...t/default.aspx

Your slowdown might be due to a problem with RealPlayer:
. . . here's a post from nocrash.com: "From: Dave on 09/26/2003 -->
Using XP Pro operating system on a P4. Xp has been working GREAT. But overnight my computer started running very SLOW.I get the blue screen. Reboot and get " Notification WND for RNAdmin"
Checking on the internet I find a solution. Go into add/remove programs and remove Real Player One. I don't even use Real Player One, so I remove it and reboot my computer. Now everthing is back to normal."
Here's the link to the full thread: http://www.nocrash.com/ncbbs/msgs/3550.shtml

[sidenote: RealPlayer One, also called RealOne, was a little famous for it's "almost spyware" background processes - the more recent version is said to be a less egregious offender ]

. . . Gary

[Shady12]

Well I'll be! Deleting the RealOne player took care of it! Thanks!