HARD DRIVing me crazy- with more specifics

[Immel]

I realized that just saying 'my computer has been slow' is a bit broad of a description. It's been especially slow as of the past two weeks or so. I recently installed both Spybot and Zone Alarm- perhaps that has something to do with it. I am also wondering if maybe my computer has been hacked and that is what's causing the problem. Also, often enough the progams (Instant Messenger for example) that I am running will end up freezing and finally disconnecting. I believe I do have Norton Antivirus but I think I will run Housecall anyway. Waiting to hear what the experts have to say!

[Ranger Bob]

I would suggest that you download and run Hijack This and post the log into this thread so we can take a look at it. How much memory are you running on this PC?

http://www.tomcoyote.com/hjt/

[Immel]

Sounds like a good idea to me- but first could you tell me what HiJack this does?

[teststrips]

HiJackThis is a program that searches for all programs that run at bootime, and for programs that have attached themselves to internet explorer. It will tell you more information than about any other program out there, but you have to do quite a bit of reasearch to find out what each program does. Some are legit, like norton antivirus, microsoft needed programs, and some programs such as multimedia keyboard drivers. Some won't be legit, things that you really don't need running, such as viruses and adware, plus programs like AOL instant messanger, Realplayer, and Quicktime which you don't neccessarily want to run durring the boot process.

Once you run the program, hit the Scan button, which should change to Save Log... save it to your desktop, then copy/paste the results to the forum.

[Ranger Bob]

Again. How much memory are you running on this PC? It can make a difference with Windows XP.