LandzDown Forum

Security => Analysis and Malware Removal => Topic started by: Brynn on December 31, 2006, 10:12:03 PM

Title: which running processes to remove from startup (to speed things up)
Post by: Brynn on December 31, 2006, 10:12:03 PM
Hi Folks,
In another thread, in another LzD forum (http://www.landzdown.com/index.php?topic=13029.0), in which the author (not me) wanted advice about adding ram, one reply contained this suggestion:
Quote"might run a HJT and post it in that area on the forum and ask if there are any things that you might kill????
all the programs that start at bootup take away performance and if you don't use them all the time , it might be easier to just click and start some than have them pre-loaded
 
each running process sucks up memory ! and that affects cps and system performance
"
I think that was from mitch.

So I'm wondering if someone can have a look at my running processes, and guide me through removing those I don't use much and don't need at startup?

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 9:19:02 AM, on 12/31/2006
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\avgamsvr.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\avgupsvc.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Sunbelt Software\Personal Firewall\kpf4ss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Sunbelt Software\Personal Firewall\kpf4gui.exe **
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\Program Files\Sunbelt Software\Personal Firewall\kpf4gui.exe **
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wuauclt.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\hkcmd.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Works Shared\WkUFind.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ltmsg.exe
C:\Program Files\Hewlett-Packard\HP Share-to-Web\hpgs2wnd.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mm_tray.exe
C:\Program Files\MUSICMATCH\MUSICMATCH Jukebox\mmtask.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\AVG\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Restore Desktop\RestoreDesktop.exe
C:\Program Files\Green Eclipse\StickyPad\StickyPad.exe
C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy2\TeaTimer.exe
C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\HEWLET~1\HPSHAR~1\hpgs2wnf.exe
C:\Program Files\CallWave\IAM.exe
C:\Program Files\GlidePoint\glidesvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Hijack This\HT v1.99.1\Hijackthis\HijackThis.exe

** Not sure why there are 2 of these -- are both necessary?

The red ones, I know I definitely do not need to run from startup.
The purple ones, I'm not sure what they are, but I'm pretty sure don't need to run from startup.  (Please correct me if I've guessed wrong about them.)
Blue ones I know I definitely do want to run from startup.
Regular black text are the ones I have absolutely no clue about, and would appreciate advice.

Will taking these few processes out of startup really result in much improvement, or should I not bother?  I notice there are even more Running  Processes listed in the Task Manager.  Would it be beneficial to address them as well?

I'm not sure what info about my system or stats might be needed for this.  So I'll list what seems relevant, and if you need more, just name it and I'll post it  :thumbsup:

Dell Dimension 4500S
Pentium 4, 1.8 GHz
40 GB hard drive, 12 GB used, 28 GB free
256 MB RAM, newly upgraded by 1 GB for total of ? 1.25 GB??
(planning to add an external hard drive for image type of backup)
(also planning to get I think it's called usb drive to store large amounts of photos)
Windows XP SP2, IE 6 (very soon to be IE 7)
modem is the highest number for dialup, I forget it exactly just now

As always, sincere thanks for your help  :D
Title: Re: which running processes to remove from startup (to speed things up)
Post by: mitch on January 01, 2007, 12:02:34 AM
as usual my disclaimer first

"i'm not a expert, but" ;-D

you have 1.26 gig of memory now ;-D

running process are taking up memory!and cpu time
so i don't know the size of those files but they can knock the heck out of your "free memory"
and you might have noticed a improvement in say photo edit now that you have that gig added?

you can just google the file and find out what it is (yep it takes a lot of time)
but like this one you mentioned you don't know
hpgs2wnf.exe

well a google told me it is used for sharing a image on the net so think it is not needed

and you can click my sig
go to the newbie/oldie page and then go down to

START UP and RUNNING PROGRAMS INFO and HOW TO


mitch
Title: Re: which running processes to remove from startup (to speed things up)
Post by: Corrine on January 01, 2007, 12:23:53 AM
That's why I like WinPatrol.  It is so easy to disable (note disable, not remove) programs from startup and just as easy to restore.  See http://www.winpatrol.com/startup.html

All features are listed at http://www.winpatrol.com/features.html
Title: Re: which running processes to remove from startup (to speed things up)
Post by: Brynn on March 05, 2007, 12:11:49 PM
Hi again mitch and Corrine,
I finally got this issue sorted out -- no problems to report, and MUCH faster restarts now!  :mitch:  I know this thread has been inactive for months, but still, it would be rude ( :beg: ) not to say THANKS for your help and support.  So

THANKS!   for your help and support   :flowers:
Title: Re: which running processes to remove from startup (to speed things up)
Post by: Corrine on March 19, 2007, 05:07:30 PM
:rose: