Old Laptop Slow Startup

[KWP]

Thank you Patio, Dairyman, Programming Pat, and 2K Dummy. I ran Stinger in normal and safe mode. It did not find any infected files. I still get the popup box RUNDLL, Error loading  C:\WINDOWS\system32:ufjcxsh.dll when booting. The specified module could not be found. There is a click OK box, then boot continues. I believe this file was associated with Backdoor.Afcore, a trojan, that was removed by AVG Spyware. I also get the warning that the system is low on virtual memory. The msconfig operation may be a little above my pay grade. Msconfig startup does show, SysTray.exe (unsure about this one), system32:ufjcxsh (unsure about this one), WPN511 (this is wireless card), ashDisp (Avast, Alwil AV), and Tea Timer (Part of Spybot). These items are all checked to run. The items unchecked are CFD, PSFree, RealPlay, RecoverFromReboot, Dragdiag, mobsync, tgcmd, Microsoft Office, and Connection Manager. Thanks guys.

[dairyman]

I also get the warning that the system is low on virtual memory.

Add some more RAM.

[patio]

system32:ufjcxsh (unsure about this one)

....turn this off in MSConfig.
Turn mobsync back on.
Re-boot and see...

[KWP]

Thank you Patio and Dairyman. Unchecking C:\WINDOWS\system32:ufjcxsh.dll and rechecking mobsync did nix the annoying pop up box for system32:ufjcxsh upon start. Msconfig General Tab shows button filled for Selective Startup, with checked, Process System.INI File, Process WIN.INI File, Load System Services. Load Startup Items is grayed out.  Button filled for Use original BOOT.INI. Does this look OK? I now get the system configuration utility pop up that says the utility is running in diagnostic or selective startup mode. Box says to choose normal startup and undo changes. Should I choose the option to not launch system configuration utility at Windows start?

[2k_dummy]

Should I choose the option to not launch system configuration utility at Windows start?

Yes.

[tommy gusack]

Buy a new one or get new hardware or delete some dang *censored*

[patio]

Buy a new one or get new hardware or delete some dang *censored*

Please consider if you are adding anything helpful before you hit the Post button.

patio.

[KWP]

I certainly could use a new one Tommy. I wish there was some *censored* to delete. Just not that simple. I did choose the option to not launch system configuration utility at Windows start. Thank you Patio and 2K Dummy.

KWP

[KWP]

I would like to add my sincere thanks to Patio, Dairyman, 2KDummy, and Programming Pat for their expert help with my old laptop. It is running better, and I believe it is relatively free of viruses and spyware. It does still take about 5 minutes to boot, and I have about 600 MB of free disk space with no anti-virus or spyware program installed. I have downloaded all of the Microsoft updates and Hot Fixes through SP4. I only use the machine occasionally, and I do not download music, porn, or emails from people I do not know. My question is, should I use an AV program, with the accompanying slowdown and memory requirements, and could I remove some of the MS updates, SPs, and Hot Fixes? Would a reboot of Windows 2000 run better? What is the best, free, low resource AV? I have Word, PP, and Excel from my legal Office 2003 CD. I believe that I need Windows 2000 with at least SP3 to run Office 2003. Thanks again for your help.

KWP

[patio]

To free up space you can safely get rid of all the $NTUninstaller$ files. These are in case there is a problem with an update and you need to uninstall the original.
Win2K is almost done with updates and none of them to my knowledge had problems so go ahead and uninstall those.
As far as AV programs i'd suggest AVG Free. Nice powerful and not a resource hog.
You can schedule it to update and run at a set time each day. Lot's of people here recommend it as well. I've used it for years and both my personal machine and my testbench remain clear of pests.

You will want to un-install whatever AV program you have as having 2 of them is redundant and they can bang heads causing problems.

You've come a long way to resolve your issue and should be commended for sticking with it.
We'll do what we can to keep that machine purring like a cat...

p.s. After getting rid of the uninstaller files i recommend running Disk defragmenter...whenever you remove a sizeable amount of data this should be done.

[KWP]

Thank you Patio for your help and support. What is the best way to safely get rid of all the $NTUninstaller$ files? Patio, thank you for your suggestions.

[patio]

Highlight the first one by clicking it once with the mouse in WINDOWS Explorer...
Then hold down the shift key and use the down arrow to scroll to the end of the list which will highlight them all as a group...
Then right clik on the highlighted group and select Delete.

[ojas25]

You might find these programs and info helpful <link removed --zylstra>

[KWP]

I would like to add my sincere thanks to Patio, Dairyman, 2KDummy, and Programming Pat for their expert help with my old laptop. It is running better, and I believe it is relatively free of viruses and spyware. Special thanks to Patio for your thoughtful suggestions and support.

KWP

[patio]

No problem...you're more than Welcome. And good to hear things are running alot smoother.
Keep in touch...we'll be here.