Hi Cool Steve,Certainly I remember... it was fun! I get lots of practice at this stuff. My daughter and ex-wife manage to pick up at least one mange every month or so (they use AOL and believe they are well protected LOL. I just can't comvince them that AOL is probably the worst ISP with regard to protection.)On a side note... I figured out the heat issue with my system. It wasn't easy to comprehend (I got a headache from reading about it). The short version is that it has to do with using on-board peripherals such as sound, Etherent, etc. with these AMD CPU's (don't know if all AMD CPU's are involved??). At any rate I threw my Turtle Beach souncard back in the system and all is well. But water cooling intrigues me, and I might do something next spring (gonna do a CPU/motherborad upgrade this winter first).Hope we haven't lost Alex! Alex, are you still with us?Greg

Greg-Yup... still here. Juggling a couple of things at the moment, primarily a son who is quite ill (he'll be OK, but it requires some of my time right now). Tried to post a little bit ago, but the forum didn't want to upload my attachments for some reason, so I'm tryin' again. Back to the issue at at hand.First of all. I should have mentioned earlier that Netzero IS my ISP! Total boobhead oversight on my part *:-* (Musta been the fish, or... possibly the 16 beers... :-bla )Anyhoo... I don't need any frills from 'em, just internet access, so I don't mind losing the NZSearch or toolbars, which I've done. I have left the NetZero folder intact for now.Found the PowerReg thingy. Got rid of it, then reassembled my computer... just kiddin'! Deleted it, of course.CCleaner, HJT (log attached), Task Manager (screenie attached), and MSCONFIG/Startup (2 screenies).BTW, that Google toolbar thing was something I got from the Google website that added it to IE (when I was still using it). Meant to mention this before. Don't know how I overlooked it, unless it was the Monster Burrito... mmmmmmmmmmmmm, or the 12 margaritas :-hah ... nah! Just forgot. Also, that DriversHQ item: I downloaded a little utility from them that identified all drivers that were currently installed in my 'puter. Then I went and search for updated ones. I don't mind losing this.Steve- I followed that thread. I agree, Greg knows what he's doin'! I'm gonna have to invite him to Phoenix so's we can hoist a couple

"primarily a son who is quite ill"I know how that is.You now have a new friend (though it might be one of the old fellows in disquise). It is here: O17 - HKLMSystemCCSServicesTcpip..{A52ED347-9D84-4878-A381-CA39D39D9E54}: NameServer = 64.136.28.120 64.136.20.120You should investigate this further. Hard to tell from here (because of the .. after the "Tcpip"), but be certain of what this is and whether it belongs on your system.Also, we can do a bit of house cleaning now. I notice you have 2 download accelerators... do you need both? If not choose the one you'd like to keep and uninstall the other (using the Safemode/HJT/delete the files folder routine we used above).That drivershg entry in HJT can go bye-bye.At this time I'd also like you to troubeshoot the Trend Micro PC-cillin. PC-cillan 2000/2001/2002 have been known to run amuck on some systems, to the extent that they will use up to 99% of CPU usage doing nothing. I recommend that your first try disabling the Windows XP Indexing service and then checking what happens to your CPU usage. If it still remains high then you should remove PC-cillan using the Safemode/HJT Fix/delete the folder routine we used above. If you find that CPU usage comes back down after it's removal then try installing the latest version from Trend Micro. Also, there are a number of other AV apps available, some of them free. PC-cillan on your system is located here: C:Program FilesTrend MicroPC-cillin 2000PNTIOMON.exeWe still have a bit more work to do if you wish to continue. I'm game if you are.Greg

Hi Greg-I'm extremly appreciative of your help here, and will gladly accept all the help you are willihg to offer.I'm afraid I've goofed, though, with my "new friend." I read the details, and thought it was not needed, so (of course) I deleted it. http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/92039.jpgResult: I screwed up the navigation function in my browser. So... I re-installed my browser.Got rid of "drivershq." Disabled Indexing, too. CPU usage is still high, as before.The reason for 2 download accelerators: One (Star Downloader) is set up as default for Mozilla Firefox (the resume function is handy since I'm on dial-up). Not every download seems to trigger it ,though, in which case LeechGet launches. I have a slight preference to keeping both, but getting rid of LeechGet wouldn't bother me if there is a possibility of a performance issue.Having a bit of a problem uninstalling PC-Cillin. I don't see it in HJT, and Control Panels doesn't want to launch Install/Uninstall for some reason (no "uninstall" in the Trend Micro folder, either). I'll continue working on this after this post, and I'll re-post results along with the usual attachments.

"Result: I screwed up the navigation function in my browser. So... I re-installed my browser."Ouch!!"The reason for 2 download accelerators: One (Star Downloader) is set up as default for Mozilla Firefox (the resume function is handy since I'm on dial-up). Not every download seems to trigger it ,though, in which case LeechGet launches. I have a slight preference to keeping both, but getting rid of LeechGet wouldn't bother me if there is a possibility of a performance issue."Good enough. If you have need for both then certainly you should keep them."Having a bit of a problem uninstalling PC-Cillin. I don't see it in HJT, and Control Panels doesn't want to launch Install/Uninstall for some reason (no "uninstall" in the Trend Micro folder, either). I'll continue working on this after this post, and I'll re-post results along with the usual attachments."Not good that Windows doesn't want to launch Add/Remove. I'll stay tuned here to see how this all goes. At this point I believe we must rule out the possibilty that PC-cillan is causing the CPU usage problem.Greg

OK! Rebooted the computer, got down on my knees, asked Control Panels VERY nicely, and it worked. PC-Cillin is gone. Feeling kind of exposed, though!!Ran CCleaner. Rebooted. Definitely making progress in terms of performance. Still seeing wild fluctuations in CPU usage, but not nearly as much time pegged at 100%. Windows are opening faster, although still getting the flashlight icon sometimes... BUT, it doesn't stay as long. Launching apps still taking a while, but not as long as before deleting PC-Cillin.Overall... a man-size step in the right direction. Thanks! (Beginning to do a 1-man wave in your direction!)I intend on defragging, then seeing if FS9 will run. If you are still so inclined (hate to impose TOO MUCH on your generosity, but you have my highest respect!), will implement any other suggestions as far as 1)other steps to take at this point, 2)AV software suggestions (which I can easily research myself), either freeware or payware.

OK...Rebooted the computer, got down on my knees, asked real nice, and it worked! Removed PC-Cillin. Feeling a little exposed, though!!Ran CCleaner. Rebooted. And a definite improvement in performance. ;) Windows open quicker, although I still get the flashlight icon, just not for as long. CPU usage spending considerably less time pegged at 100%. Applications still seem kind of slow to launch, BUT... a man-size step in the right direction. Thanks! (Starting a 1-man wave in your general direction!) HJT log and Task Manager reports attached.I intend on defragging, then seeing if FS9 will run. Will post back.

Good news, Alex!!I'm thinking that somehow your PC-cillan went awry. We have more work to do.In becoming a bit more familiar with your system it's clear that you have a number of apps running in the background. While no one can guide you on what you want running on your system, I'll offer some suggestions.First, if you don't already have RegCleaner I recommend you download and install it. http://www.majorgeeks.com/download460.html It is useful for doing some rudimentary registry cleaning and a few other chores. You can quickly configure your start-up items with it, too. I use it frequently.One of the next things you should do is decide what apps you want to run at start-up. At your last HJT log you had:D:PROGRA~1LEXMAR~1ACMonitor_X83.exeD:PROGRA~1LEXMAR~1AcBtnMgr_X83.exeThese are for your Lexmark printer. Do they need to be running at start-up?C:WINDOWSSystem32spoolDRIVERSW32X863printray.exeNot sure what this is other than it is for your printer. I don't have anything like this on my system (HP printer). You might look at this app closer.C:Program FilesJavaj2re1.4.2_04binjusched.exeThis is an update scheduler for SunJava. You should disable this and all automatic updates on your system. Do not leave yourself open to any vendor updating their stuff automatically. All updates should only be installed at your discression.C:WINDOWSSystem32NvCpl.dll,NvStartupnwiz.exe /installC:WINDOWSSystem32NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInitThese three are for your nVidia card. You should research them more, but I would be surprised if any of them need to be running at start-up.D:Program FilesMotherboard Monitor 5MBM5.EXE"C:Program FilesWebrootSpy SweeperSpySweeper.exe" /0D:Program FilesCCleanerccleaner.exe" /AUTOThese three are apps that you've installed since we started this hunt. They can all be removed from the start-up list. They'll work just fine when you do need them (which isn't at start-up).Real-time Monitor.lnk = ?NaturalColorLoad.lnk = ?No idea what these are. You should research them.C:Program FilesCommon FilesAdobeCalibrationAdobe Gamma Loader.exeNot knowing what you use your system for other than gaming, only you can decide if this needs to be running at start-up.Just as a point of reference here is my Task Manager after start-up:http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/92045.jpgExcluding task manager and FSScreen in this screenie I have 13 services. At start-up I have 1 app running... it is my AV. That's it for me.Press on. I'll keep monitoring this thread. Please post back here with your progress so that we may all gain some more experience at this (can never have too much of that).Please post another HJT log and any other relevant screenies when you post back.Cheers,Greg

Yep, Task Manager is looking alot better.In my previous post I forgot another important link : Hmmm, trying to link you to BlackViper's site but it's not coming up at the moment. At any rate, you can Google BlackViper and take a study at his section that explains what all the services are and do in XP. His is a very nice guide... he does a pretty good job of explaining things and offering suggestions on how to set each service. Just don't go hog-wild changing things, though. Take a step (or service :-) ) at a time, reboot, and then make sure all is well. It is a tedious process, but moving too quickly can be disasterous.Greg

Hi Greg and Alex,Alex, it sounds like the ''Guru'' is indeed on the way to sorting you're issues out for ya, I remember the fun and games we had on my system, bugger me, it seems like ages ago now,but thats life for you, there's always someone out there that wants a piece of you're personal computer for themselves by means of a virus/Trojan/spyware etcI myself use Webroot's Spy sweeper and swear by it. I also use HJT as well on a regular basis, but I have since learnt to set up my Norton Internet Security 2004 PROPERLY now, this is a great tool for peeps that are not that well up on the pitfalls of web browsing,and what gets permission to access YOU'RE machine,I can't recommend it enough, I have had the last few versions off them now and think it gets better each version, and it has Norton Anti virus 2004 built into it too.Greg.I am going to attach a screen of my Task manager for you to look at, I wondered what you thought about whats running on my sys at start-up. I thought I had stopped everything that was not necessary,but mine is somewhat larger than yours is.(the task manager that is, LoL)hope you both don't mind me jumping in here,Alex, Greg is exactly spot on with regard to those things you have running at the start-up, a lot of apps and companies just seem to think it's OK to attach those things to you're start-up processes without you selecting them, how rude of them, not to mention arrogant, I turn them ALL off, except the vital ones,again, as Greg said, up-date them when YOU want, not when THEY say YOU should. it's so easy just to double,or single click an app to start it without it permanently residing in you're system tray JUST in case you MIGHT want to run their program, get rid of them either through the 'reg edit' way, or through start up menu,Steve.Edit: the Notepad and Rapid shot should be discarded as they do not run at start up, I just forgot to turn them off for this pic,oops.new shopping list reminder . . Brain, Beer, Cigarettes, Blond with very very large thingies. . . (*;*),( Alex, how do you put those nice little pics / icons in you're posts?, I can't seem to do it.http://forums.avsim.net/user_files/92075.jpg

Hey there, Greg and Steve!Can't say how much it means to me that you're willing to help and encourage me like this. I'm learning quit a bit here, though I wish it wasn't due to a problem on MY computer (but, is there any other way... for most of us?). Status right now is that I have defragged several times, and reduced my services. While there is definite improvement, I need to figure out more before performance is restored. (FS9 opens quicker, but frame rates are 0-1 fps, all sliders full left, 800 x 600, etc.)Greg-I re-read through this thread, and noticed I missed part of one- the one about RegCleaner and startup apps. I get going on those after this post. I have used BlackViper before, but it'd been a while so I revisited and scaled back some more services.Of the startup apps you mentioned, the only one I have to figure out about is this one:C:WINDOWSSystem32spoolDRIVERSW32X863printray.exeAlso, these two are for my Samsung monitor: Real-time Monitor.lnk = ?NaturalColorLoad.lnk = ?Will post back later with HJT and TM screens. My ISP is having issues (they deny this)- took me over an hour to connect to their server this morning, so can't say how long it will take before I post back.Steve-Thanks for the encouragement, man! If your question has to do with the smileys x( :-( :) :( :D next time you post, click on the "Smilies lookup table" (left side of the box). You'll get a palette window. Click on one and it will appear in you post!TTFN, guys!

Hi all,"FS9 opens quicker, but frame rates are 0-1 fps, all sliders full left, 800 x 600, etc."Jeez, Alex, that sucks!! Are you using a FF joystick? If so, you should try disabling the FF features within the sim. Go to OPTIONS>CONTROLS>JOYSTICK FORCES.If you're not using a FF stick then you should check the motherboard chipset drivers. Go to Start>Run> type "dxdiag" and then the DirectX Diagnostic Tool will come up. After it stabilizes click on the "Display" tab. You'll then see a section on the left titled "DirectX Features". If all of those 3 features IS NOT enabled then the problem is with your chipset drivers. Head on over to the Sony site to get the latest and greatest for your system.Steve... Yep, you indeed have a busy Task Manager. The two I see that I always shut down in services are both titled "ati2evxx.exe" in your Task Manager. These two are shown as "ATI Hotkey Poller" and "ATI Smart" in the Services section of XP. You can safely disable both (though one of these is for ATI's Overdrive function... if you use OD it will be lost as long as one of these services-- can't remember which-- is disabled). Note: You will have to shut down these 2 services each time you install VC drivers.With regard to all the other stuff you have running, the best course for you to follow is to Google each one, learn what it does, and then decide if you indeed want it running at start-up. Only you can decide how you want your system configured. Advice on which of your services/programs you might want running at start-up would be a waste of your time.Yet another powerful tool all gamers should use is Ken Salter's FSAutoStart. Of course it's here in the Avsim library. A must have as far as I'm concerned."Brain, Beer, Cigarettes, Blond with very very large thingies. . ."LOL I like this one!! Though I'm still working on filling the brain (still have alot of room available :-), Beer is good anytime anywhere for any reason, Damn cigarettes... can't get away from them, and the Blond with big thingies I got (though she's not blond... and lucky me, she's not here to see me type this :-) ).Cheers,Greg

:-hang *:-* :-violin :-bat hey Alex, you were right, fancy me not knowing about something right in front of me . . loL, well we live and forget...I mean learn... no, I was right the first time I thinkGreg, yes I will have a look at those suggestions,thankstake care chaps,Edit: Greg, you lucky guy, and you know what I'm on about don't you . . .(clue- thingies):-kewl

Well... RegCleaner made a substantial difference! Performance is very good, for the most part. HJT and TM attachments are appended to this post. I checked dx features- all 3 were enabled.I can (FINALLY!) run FS9. :-yellow1 I'm definitely gonna have to play around with settings, as I was just concluding a (for me) major project of adding AI (76 airlines and I don't remember how many aircraft). Even though my computer is older, I hate 800 x 600 resolution, so I bump it up to 1024 x 768. I am fully aware that AI traffic has tremendous impact on fps/smoothness, but I got soooo tired of not having some degree of (more or less) realistic traffic in the sim. I tried 50% traffic just to see what I would get- fps in the high single digits to mid-teens (most of my display settings are low to medium-low). Dropping to 10% traffic doesn't help much.So... I'm probably gonna have to decide how bad I want the traffic (and other things) and make a upgrade vs. "get a new computer" decision (I was actually recognising that I might want to evaluate my options as I was working on my AI project... then my current, albeit fading, performance issues hit).I only scratched the surface here, but I've read that I could upgrade to an ASUS P4C800 Deluxe mobo, which supports P4 3.2+ on 800mhz FSB, dual DDR... ATI Radeon 9700 PRO... Shucks, I'm gonna have to really edumacate myself here. I want high, but not necessarily cutting-edge, performance (in other words, bang for the buck). Maybe I should build my own rig. Sorry if I'm overstepping the boundaries of this thread, although opinions would be appreciated......AS IS MY THANKS FOR YOUR HELP! I do enjoy improving my knowledge in technical areas (and I learned quite a bit here), but try to always know when it is limited, as it was in this case. THANK YOU! THANK YOU! THANK YOU!:-beerchug :-yellow1

Congrats! Congrats! Congrats!I think you've done alot to get the most out of your current system. I notice your HJT log is much shorter than the first one you posted here. There's a simple rule of thumb about HJT logs... small log= happy computer. Yours looks to be very happy now.Your Task manager also looks much better. Short, sweet, and all you need to make the computer compute.Yes, you might want to consider an upgarde or new build. My opinion... build your own. Having worked with you here on getting your system squared away there's no doubt you could do a fine job assemblying your own box.YOU DONE REEEAAALLL GOOD!And with that I'm off to have a long tall cool one,Greg