Need to clean up an old laptop

Hey guys, i need to clean up my sister's laptop so I can use it myself during school just to take faster notes on mc office 2007. It is so slow now, I don't know how she managed to mess it up so badly. She's not very good at computers, so she just blame the technology saying that it's because it's old... although it is about 2-3 years old. It might be viruses or other things... Even the mouse lags.

Anyway, it's a Toshiba Satellite R10 tablet laptop. Tablet PC Edition 2005
- Windows XP Version 2002 Service Pack 2
- 37.2GB Total
- 22.7 GB Free
- 1.70 GHz Intel Pentium M
- 496 MB of RAM
- i855GM GPU (lol)

I'm going to run AV and some antispyware, then try and remove programs with revo uninstaller... but wow, there are so many programs I don't know, also, the programs don't show up in add or remove programs, they only show up on revo uninstaller. - NVM they just take long *** hell, couple of minutes.

Is it possible to undervolt this. Core VID is 1.340v. I haven't done much my max temps... don't even know what they are. Says Analog Device Temps: Local 48C Remote 1 75C. ACPI THRM 74C. HDD 42C

 

If you can it might be better to just do a fresh OS install...

 

I'd would also just do a fresh clean install of XP onto the machine. If you don't mind spending JUST a little bit of money, I'd get some more RAM, it'll make the machine feel much quicker.

 

i don't think i got anything to clean install. I'm not entirely sure how to do it for XP and this laptop. I don't have a a swsetup or anything so... I do have windows XP home edition OEM software. This is a tablet PC so i'm assuming it requires some TOSHIBA software. Also, this laptop has ms office 2007 somehow, and i don't have any disks. Is there anyway to keep it?

Good call on the ram, currently at 691 MB lol. I'll see about it.

 

I don't recommend a fresh install. It's almost always the lazy answer for windows problems (exception: the actual install is messed up and you're bluescreening all over the place, for example). If you have the time and put in the effort, short of serious install problems, sector corruptions, BIOS fubared, etc, you can fix it.

Virus scan (online free ones, whatever you have), spyware scan I guess. I don't know how much troubleshooting/ad-spy-virus removal you've done, but Hijackthis is my #1 source of troubleshooting - disables startup objects, and points you toward any trouble spots in your system ('hey what's this strange file that loads in the background whenever I start up?'). Quick way of stopping viruses from loading and the like until you can fix them. Do all of this in safemode (esp the scans) and not connected to the net.

Then go through jisaac's nice XP tips & tweaks guide: http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=305223

Upgrading to 1.5gigs of ram from half a gig does amazing things to XP.

 

I agree with Tarentum. I hate doing clean OS installs, if it's avoidable.

AVG is a good free antivirus program.

Spyware Doctor is a good free spyware program.

Remember also to do a disk defrag.

Undervolting not sure what you want to do that for except to prolong battery life? I wouldn't recommend overclocking a machine like that, even if you are able.

I'll just re-iterate the RAM upgrade point.

Also download XP service pack 3. It'll clean up a few little things.

There was one person who, just to see how long it would take to really mess up his computer, decided to browse all the internet sites most known to mess it up, and it took him only 3 days.

Once you've done all that, see how it performs and come back if you're still not happy with it.

 

mattireland - undervolting does not slow a machine down in any way whatsoever. All you are essentially doing is lowering the amount of electricity being fed to your laptop.

 

If you don't mind writing a lot:
List all the programmes your not sure about and people can help you.

About the RAM - I can only agree from experience on an old Medion, it does speed things up.

And has anybody mentioned ccleaner ? It also cleans up your registry.

If your redoing/cleaning everything, you may also want to clean up old system resytore points.

 

After you boot up open the task manager and tell us what all is running on your PC. You may have a lot of programs running that are totally not necessary. Also I recommend a good antivirus (AVG), spyware program (Spybot search and destroy) and Registry cleaner (CCleaner is easy to use).

Pretty much what you want to do is turn off any unwanted/not needed programs, scan for and remove any spyware/viruses and clean your registry. This will hopefully speed up your lappy considerably. Keep us posted on all the programs that are reported under the task manager. To bring up the task manager just hit "Ctrl-Alt-Delete" keys at the same time. If you are unsure whick programs to leave running and which to turn off just post a list of all of them and I am sure we can give you a hand. There are a few more things you can do once you get past this point. And it shouldn't take long either. Makes a world of difference too.

 

I keep getting avira popping up, apparently, there are some viruses in my
C:\WINDOWS\dc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system|Fun.exe

Not sure what to do, i'm just denying access but it just keeps popping up. Move to quarantine? Delete?

 

You can safely move all files to quarantine for now without worrying about borking your system as they can be "restored" later in case you move something you shouldn't have. But pretty much if it comes up as a virus or spyware you really don't want it on your PC. You may have to scan once fully, then reboot and scan fully again to make sure you get them all. Keep us posted. P.S. are you using the latest AVG Free or something else? Thanks.

 

Tried, it just keeps popping up, guess this is badly messed up. I want to system restore. Would this fix it? And my sister has pictures/document files in here... what to do? If I store it somewhere, will it possibly have a virus?

Bleh, nvm. Latest system restore point is july, i have no disc to system restore.

I'm using avira avg. I didn't even run a scan, these just pop up.

 

Uninstall your Avira program. Download and install AVG Free http://free.avg.com/. Reboot into safe mode (hit the f8 key after the bios screen but before the WINDOWS splash screen starts. Select "safe mode" and let it boot. System restore wouldn't usually help here any way so don't worry about it. Once you are booted in safe mode run the AVG scan and quarrantine anything that gives you an error. Keep us posted.

 

System Restores can (and generally do) mess up even more things...

I think you can definitely delete the one with "fun" in it, its not a system file - the other, I don't know.

Try doing a full system scan.

Otherwise:
Try downloading Kaspersky, it will have the ability to run as a 30 day trial.
I'm using Kaspersky (3 PC licence) and I'm happy with it.

 

Oxy moron? How is spending a lot of time being lazy??

Besides, doing a clean install is easy and self explanatory...

 

Sometimes a clean instal can be a bad idea because the factoryinstallation was optimized by the manufacturer...

 

Ok first of all, the number 1 thing to do,
Start>Run>(type "msconfig") goto the startup tab, and disable EVERYTHING.
Than look through the list, things like your AV you might want to enable, (personally I wold just leave everything disabled).
Than reboot, you should notice a BIG difference.
Than use disk cleanup, remove all unneeded programs, toolbars, and what not, open IE go to options delete history, temp, and cookies.
Than run Ad-Aware by LavaSoft. than Disk Defrag, after all that your PC will be s good as new.

Also keep in mind that you don't want your HDD to be more than 65% full. So if theres alot of pictures/music/video, you might consider removing some. If you do all this, I Gaurentee you will have a faster PC.

 

this is way too messed up for me and I don't have the time right now. With my limited knowledge on this, the learning how to do it then trying to do it is going to take way too long for me. It's just too messed up. None of my computers have ever been slow, even oooooooooold 90's ones. This takes over a couple of minutes to shut down and restart. Honestly. ***.

 

It might take a little time, but is will be well worth the trouble.

 

Just follow the XP Tips and Tweaks guide in my sig, easy as that

 

Bring up task manager and google every application/process running.
Identify + nerf as many as possible.
Start > Run > msconfig: Repeat for startup programs.

Avast! Antivirus + SuperAntiSpyware + Threatfire
Install those and run their respective scans.

Disk Cleanup
Scandisk (optional)
Disk Defragmenter

XP Tweak guide.


That should have you up and running, THEN spend money on RAM if you still want more.

 

Amazing, CCleaner is taking over minutes to analyze...

 

^ That IS amazing!

 

Even though clean OS installs are a pain there are usually the best route to go to my experience.

 

Save yourself time and hassle and just do a clean install. Use a program such as Magic Jelly Bean to retrieve your keys for Windows and Office 2007. You can grab Office 2007 straight from Microsoft. You can do all the scans you want, but you aren't going to get the same effect as a clean install.

 

I'm not sure how to do a clean install with XP and how am I supposed to get my needed software on it. It's old and all I have available is the laptop and some random Windows XP Home Edition OEM Software. Looking at the laptop, it contains a lot of software that looks like it may be needed. It's a satellite tablet PC, i'm sure it needs a bit of software for that... (although i don't even know what the satellite part is).

Anyway, right now, what I have done so far is uncheck all start up services at start. I rebooted and it's running at 300MB~ so since it's not past the RAM limit, it's running pretty much alot faster now, faster shut down and no lag, or so it seems. Still though, that isn't to say there isn't still alot of crap in here. I ran avira avg and caught a couple of worms... they are under quarantine. Not sure if there are still things affecting it in there, but the avg isn't constantly giving popups of the worm in c:windows\ files.

Going into msconfig right now... what's the difference between start up and services? Also, in startup, although i disabled everything, I just rechecked right now, there are 3 start up items that were checked again, and those 3 seem to be where the file location of the worms were. C:\WINDOWS\dc.exe and fun.exe or something.. and ctfmon.

 

I your worms are quarantined - uncheck them again, try to restart.

But you honestly want to get rid of them.
So - Google every name, just to make sure, then remove them.

 

I'm not sure how to get rid of them. Do i just delete them under the quarantine tab in the AVG? I'm not sure if it just removes them from quarantine or it removes it kinda permanently. I went and look in my windows folder and i didn't find the files under those names. And yeah i unchecked them, after every reboot they get rechecked.

Also, I was scanning both my desktop and my laptop, and it seems both got some virus in something called System Volume Information.

On my desktop it's TR/Dropper.Gen - Trojan. On my laptop it's a similar malware dropper under the System Volume Information, but in addition to that, it has patterns of worms, bds... ? and a bunch of others.

Thanks for the help so far everyone.

 

System Volume information? -> every system, or every HDD formatted in NTFS (seemingly not in FAT 32) has it.
That contain the locations of all files on the HDD...

I'm not sure about your AVG - I necer used it.
Theoretically there should be 2 options - delete (as in remove from computer) and restore.

Is AVG free or is it one of those "paid-for" programmes?
I use Kaspersky... but then, I never had a virus

Possibly you'll have to Google AVG instructions, or check the "help file".
Then: You may want to run a registry scan via ccleaner.

 

Ok, i ran malwarebyte and superantispyware and caught some things. Now, there is only 1 thing left that keeps reechecking under start up. the ctfmon. It might or might not be a virus. Looked it up, it's supposed to be something for ms office but some say it showed up as a virus. Anyway, yeah, i deleted them.

So, now the laptop is running reasonably now (so that reboots don't take over 10 minutes, or opening things don't take a couple of minutes), although there are still a bit of viruses/crapware (stuff that my sister downloaded). The viruses are under quarantine and the avg is not stuck on endless loop of warnings now. It seemed it was the RAM available that was slowing it down alot. So i'm wondering, other than disabling all start up services, what about the processes in msconfig?

Lastly, this laptop uses MS office 2007. Would it be safe to transfer word/powerpoint/excel etc. files that i make for class from it to my desktop? I mean will the files possibly have viruses or anything that might infect those files or my usb drive? My desktop has ms office XP i think. The 2007 files are compatible and readable here right?

 

If I were you I would just have AVG scan a file folder with all of the files you want to transfer in it, and if AVG says they are clean then transfer away.

 

Well done

Maxybe you can post some details if you are unsure, like programmes whether you should get rid of thm ore not.

Abput rtransfering files:
Any good antivirus will check them the moment you move them.

 

What? I think you're having reading comprehension problems.

Ok, this is the other situation where a clean install is recommended. If you're short on time/patience.

I highly recommend a Hijackthis scan after you're done - it has an "analyze" this which uploads it to their website and lets you know what else is loading, and what each loading item is (and highlights any hidden viruses and spyware).

 

Did you defrag?
It''ll probably take ages, but it'll be well worth it

 

I can only agree.

After you cleaned it up, defragment it.

I speeds things up a lot.

 

Yeah defragged it with auslogics, which is pretty fast. Didn't take that long and it sped up by 9% according to auslogics.

 

I ran Hijackthis and this is my logfile. Anything out of the ordinary?

Logfile of Trend Micro HijackThis v2.0.2
Scan saved at 4:45:02 PM, on 10/6/2008
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v7.00 (7.00.5730.0013)
Boot mode: Normal

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\csrss.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:\Program Files\Windows Defender\MsMpEng.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink\KeyboardSurrogate.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\ZcfgSvc.exe
C:\WINDOWS\SYSTEM32\WISPTIS.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\System32\tabbtnu.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Ink\TCServer.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Intel\Wireless\Bin\1XConfig.exe
C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\CDANTSRV.EXE
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSvcs.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\DVDRAMSV.exe
C:\Program Files\iolo\common\lib\ioloServiceManager.exe
C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
c:\TOSHIBA\IVP\swupdate\swupdtmr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ThpSrv.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME3\Tmesbs32.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME3\Tmesrv31.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wdfmgr.exe
C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME3\TMETEMNU.EXE
C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\alg.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Auslogics\AusLogics Disk Defrag\DiskDefrag.exe
C:\Program Files\Trend Micro\HijackThis\HijackThis.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\wbem\wmiprvse.exe

R0 - HKCU\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = www.google.com
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Page_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Default_Search_URL = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R1 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Search Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=54896
R0 - HKLM\Software\Microsoft\Internet Explorer\Main,Start Page = http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkId=69157
O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: Groove GFS Browser Helper - {72853161-30C5-4D22-B7F9-0BBC1D38A37E} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\GRA8E1~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {7E853D72-626A-48EC-A868-BA8D5E23E045} - (no file)
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [MSConfig] C:\WINDOWS\PCHealth\HelpCtr\Binaries\MSConfig.exe /auto
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-19\..\Run: [TabletWizard] %windir%\help\wizard.hta (User 'LOCAL SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-20\..\Run: [TabletWizard] %windir%\help\wizard.hta (User 'NETWORK SERVICE')
O4 - HKUS\S-1-5-18\..\Run: [TabletWizard] %windir%\help\wizard.hta (User 'SYSTEM')
O4 - HKUS\.DEFAULT\..\Run: [TabletWizard] %windir%\help\wizard.hta (User 'Default user')
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0\bin\npjpi150.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0\bin\npjpi150.dll
O9 - Extra button: Send to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: S&end to OneNote - {2670000A-7350-4f3c-8081-5663EE0C6C49} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\ONBttnIE.dll
O9 - Extra button: Real.com - {CD67F990-D8E9-11d2-98FE-00C0F0318AFE} - C:\WINDOWS\system32\Shdocvw.dll
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\iolo\common\firewall\ifw_xfilter.dll
O10 - Unknown file in Winsock LSP: c:\program files\iolo\common\firewall\ifw_xfilter.dll
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O14 - IERESET.INF: START_PAGE_URL=http://www.toshibadirect.com/dpdstart
O16 - DPF: {0CCA191D-13A6-4E29-B746-314DEE697D83} (Facebook Photo Uploader 5) - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/FacebookPhotoUploader5.cab
O16 - DPF: {163A949D-2A1F-4B4C-AE46-83D0F59BE189} (X4 Control) - http://oceancityensenada.dvrdns.org/XHD.cab
O16 - DPF: {48DD0448-9209-4F81-9F6D-D83562940134} - http://lads.myspace.com/upload/MySpaceUploader1006.cab
O16 - DPF: {5F8469B4-B055-49DD-83F7-62B522420ECC} - http://upload.facebook.com/controls/FacebookPhotoUploader.cab
O16 - DPF: {7EC687F9-9EFB-4FA3-A5BA-197C3461448A} - http://oceancityensenada.dvrdns.org/RM.cab
O16 - DPF: {9600F64D-755F-11D4-A47F-0001023E6D5A} - http://web1.shutterfly.com/downloads/Uploader.cab
O16 - DPF: {B8BE5E93-A60C-4D26-A2DC-220313175592} - http://cdn2.zone.msn.com/binFramework/v10/ZIntro.cab34246.cab
O16 - DPF: {E9A7F56F-C40F-4928-8C6F-7A72F2A25222} - http://www.imagestation.com/common/classes/SonyISUpload.cab?v=1,0,0,38
O18 - Protocol: grooveLocalGWS - {88FED34C-F0CA-4636-A375-3CB6248B04CD} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\Office12\GR99D3~1.DLL
O20 - Winlogon Notify: !SASWinLogon - C:\Program Files\SUPERAntiSpyware\SASWINLO.dll
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus Scheduler (AntiVirScheduler) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\sched.exe
O23 - Service: Avira AntiVir Personal - Free Antivirus Guard (AntiVirService) - Avira GmbH - C:\Program Files\Avira\AntiVir PersonalEdition Classic\avguard.exe
O23 - Service: C-DillaSrv - C-Dilla Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\CDANTSRV.EXE
O23 - Service: ConfigFree Service (CFSvcs) - TOSHIBA CORPORATION - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\ConfigFree\CFSvcs.exe
O23 - Service: DVD-RAM_Service - Matsu****a Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. - C:\WINDOWS\system32\DVDRAMSV.exe
O23 - Service: DvpApi (dvpapi) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Authentium\AntiVirus\dvpapi.exe (file missing)
O23 - Service: EvtEng - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\EvtEng.exe
O23 - Service: InstallDriver Table Manager (IDriverT) - Macrovision Corporation - C:\Program Files\Common Files\InstallShield\Driver\11\Intel 32\IDriverT.exe
O23 - Service: iolo FileInfoList Service (ioloFileInfoList) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iolo\common\lib\ioloServiceManager.exe
O23 - Service: iolo System Service (ioloSystemService) - Unknown owner - C:\Program Files\iolo\common\lib\ioloServiceManager.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: Pml Driver HPZ12 - HP - C:\WINDOWS\system32\HPZipm12.exe
O23 - Service: RegSrvc - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\RegSrvc.exe
O23 - Service: Spectrum24 Event Monitor (S24EventMonitor) - Intel Corporation - C:\Program Files\Intel\Wireless\Bin\S24EvMon.exe
O23 - Service: SoundMAX Agent Service (SoundMAX Agent Service (default)) - Analog Devices, Inc. - C:\Program Files\Analog Devices\SoundMAX\SMAgent.exe
O23 - Service: Swupdtmr - Unknown owner - c:\TOSHIBA\IVP\swupdate\swupdtmr.exe
O23 - Service: TOSHIBA HDD Protection (Thpsrv) - TOSHIBA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\ThpSrv.exe
O23 - Service: Tmesbs32 (Tmesbs) - TOSHIBA Corporation - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME3\Tmesbs32.exe
O23 - Service: Tmesrv3 (Tmesrv) - TOSHIBA - C:\Program Files\TOSHIBA\TME3\Tmesrv31.exe
O23 - Service: Viewpoint Manager Service - Viewpoint Corporation - C:\Program Files\Viewpoint\Common\ViewpointService.exe
O23 - Service: Automatic Updates (wuauserv) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\serivces.exe (file missing)

--
End of file - 8407 bytes

 

Hey, about the ram, this has 2x PC2700 256MB DDR ram, but why does it only see 496MB under computer specs? Also, I should have no problem just buying a 1GB or a 512MB DDR PC2700 or PC3200 and sticking it in there? On my desktop, since the ram I tried putting was not the same, they didn't work as well, but i believe that's because of the dual channel thing.

My concern mostly is about the 496MB though, why is it only showing that? Is that my laptop's limit?

 

Well, fo once:
You buy 256MB, you get 256 000 000 Bytes - which you should divide by 1024 twice.
Instead companies divideit by 1000....

i.e. you buy a 250GB HDD - you get 230GB

For 512 000 000Bytes - this is (divided by 1024) 488.28125

Therefore, that's actually OK.

By the way - before upgrading RAM, check that your hardware supports it.
Normally it will support at least one upgreade - from 256GB to 512GB, from 512MB to 1GB.

 

I know that the actual is less than the stated, but i thought the computer would show it. I've only been looking at things over 1GB, so on my desktop it states 2.00GB and my returned laptop was 4.00GB. Thought it would actually show it. Eh.

Anyway, yeah, i was wondering how about how to check if I can upgrade it. I don't know how to check if it supports it. I thought it just depended on the OS, so this should at least detect 3GB no?

 

OS and Hardware.
The OS will support up to 3,someting GB (close enough to 3GB)
However your hardware may support less than that.

Easiest thing:
Post exact model number here and hope for the best.

Or:
Phone manufacturer.

Or:
Find a shop that will let you try in store. Possibly a privately owned shop.

 

Searching around Toshiba Satellite R10 i saw it was initially upgradeable to 1GB, and i found it supports up to 2GB according to http://www.funponsel.com/blog/archives/2006/03/13/toshiba-satellite-r10-tablet-pc/

 

There you go.
It may be an idea to verify the 2GB information though.

This could have been due to later hardware upgrades (from the manufacturer).

I think someone had a question about an HP laptop.
The answer he/she got was "which letter are in your laptops name" because there were 6 or so, odd versions of it.

 

I tried to install windows xp sp3. No luck and caused crashes.

 

A ton of programs are loading at startup, most of them from your manufacturer With 500megs that really slows down your notebook. Here are some specific ones:


Viewpoint Service is a very common semi-spyware/bloatware added on by many major computer sellers (Dell, Toshiba apparently) and it's hard to remove; totally unneeded toolbar ("Viewpoint displays contextual advertisements while searching the web"). Remove the program & hope it uninstalls completely. It often doesn't, so google "Viewpoint Toolbar removal."

There are quite a few Toshiba utilities that don't need to be running all the time, nor loading every time you start off. Same thing with your wireless drivers, but I don't know which ones are useless and which ones are semi useful but all of the above are definitely dragging down your system. They're not dangerous or anything, however.

You don't need *any* of the R0, R1, O2, etc... all the way up to O12s (except: keep the O4s). Some are leftover "cannot find file" entries that run when your notebook starts up (just takes up time), a couple are leftover blank registry entries (virus? spyware leftovers), some are useless internet explorer toolbar plugins, and some are just useless (do you need Acrobat or Windows Live always loading? no, never)

All the O16s are facebook or myspace plugins (ew!!). I would yank them out, and I can't imagine what they would break, as they're just website specific commands. Another reason to never use IE - lots of crap ends up loading with your PC every time it starts up.

O23 - Service: C-DillaSrv - C-Dilla Ltd - C:\WINDOWS\system32\DRIVERS\CDANTSRV.EXE Is a copy protection remnant leftover from a game or other software that uses CDilla. Get rid of it, ideally uninstall it. If the game stops working, you can always reinstall the copyprotection (it likely will install itself again anyway whenever you insert the CD ).

A LOT of the O23 services don't need to start up every time your computer runs, but you can decide that (lots of Toshiba & Intel stuff loading, most of which aren't needed, I bet).

O23 - Service: Automatic Updates (wuauserv) - Unknown owner - C:\WINDOWS\system32\serivces.exe (file missing) Is a virus leftover remnant. At least the virus is removed! However, this entry means it keeps looking for it every time the notebook starts up.


Just to give you an idea of what *MY* HJT log displays: it's 4 entries - 2 for my firewall, and 2 for my antivirus. I yanked everything else out. Some of your things are needed at start up (ipod service, your antivirus, firewall) must almost everything else *isn't.* You can test it out, and always restore stuff if something stops working.


Looks virus and spyware free, however! (Just a couple of copy protections, a lot of Toshiba & Intel bloatware, one semi-spyware program (Viewpoint) that gets added by Toshiba).

I notice you're using iolo & Avira as firewall & antivirus. I recommend somewhat better programs - try either Comodo or Online Armor (I <3 the latter) free firewalls (smaller, better imo, more stable) and try Avast or AVG free antivirus (I use Kaspersky Antivirus (-not- internet suite), which is awesome, but not free).

HijackThis is my favorite method of checking what gets added when I install a program and streamlining startup programs If something is not removable (usually a O23 service) then it adds itself into the "msconfig" startup menu - not sure where that is on Vista, if it even exists, but most things are removable with HJT.

 

Kaspesky Internet Security is what I use

The msconfig?
Eindows Logo + r (or via startmenu) and type in "msconfig" without the ".

 

Your onboard video uses some of your system memory. Apparently 16meg

 

Here's an additional recommendation on what you can do.

Download and install Spybot (one of the best programs for spyware out there ... and it's free).
After you installed it, update it, but don't run it just yet.

Since you downloaded AVG, make sure you updated it's detection scanner to the latest.

Next, restart the laptop and go into Windows Safe Mode ...
Once there, scan your system with Spybot first ... fix/clean all of the problematic garbage it detects (if some of it is still inside the Os, it will find them).
After that, scan your hdd with AVG and clean up potential viruses and problems it encounters.

The reason why sometimes you cannot remove some viruses/spyware and the likes from the OS, is because such actions require usage of system files which are locked in standard mode operation of Windows.
Once in Safe mode, the OS starts with minimum of programs and you have access to system files (which is why it's usually recommended to remove garbage like viruses and spyware from Safe mode).

 

bump, why am i not able to upgrade to windows xp sp3? keeps crashing.

 

No idea.
Corrupted Windows files?
Could you lend a CD from someone and run the repair function?
(As you have a legal copy on your laptop that shouldn't be a legal issue)

This would repair you Windows copy - may however be problematic with company specific applications.
(Messed up my SZ - at one point it corrupted its files, Windows Vista !! repair got rid of the Sony functions)