Computer slowed way down

[DJW]

Today my laptop is slower then you would not believe.  Having real problems getting on to Bing even.  I just ran CC cleaner and it showed 97xx tracking items deleted and I had just run it Sunday when I did a system image.  I  am running Win 10 Pro and all the updates are in order.  Any thoughts?

Dennis

[George R]

To start open Task Manager to see what is using a lot of CPU or hitting the disk usage hard. Google the applications that are drawing the most CPU or Disk Usage. Usually there will be good advice on how to mitigate the issue your having on your PC.

Also make sure your firewall and anti-virus software is up to date. Run your a scan with your anti virus software to make sure your system is clean. I use the free version Avast anti-virus software and it seems to do a good job.

Good Luck.

[Twotoes]

That’s why I got a Mac

[DJW]

George R.

I did run both CC Cleaner and Malwarebytes and other than the 9700 tracking cookies nothing unusual.  It does seem to be running better now.  Oh and I never ever go on anything related to Google or Facebook or Twitter etc.  I spent a lot of years working with the NSA and I know what they did with the stuff they collected.  On Google and the boys they just pimp you out to the highest bidder.

Thanks

Dennis

[DJW]

Twotoes

Did you get extra secret sauce with your Mac?

Dennis

[RV_]

FDennis,

George is spot on with his advice to look in task manager. Use Norton power eraser for a final scan after Malwarebytes and Windows defender.

https://us.norton.com/support/tools/npe.html

[Biker56]

10 hours ago, Twotoes said:

That’s why I got a Mac

List of Mac viruses, malware and security flaws 

[TheDuke]

Two toes: you are really helpful. Typical Mac user. Keep the blinders on. 

[Twotoes]

16 hours ago, RV_ said:

FDennis,

George is spot on with his advice to look in task manager. Use Norton power eraser for a final scan after Malwarebytes and Windows defender.

https://us.norton.com/support/tools/npe.html

As per your link, Mac malware does exist, we describe some cases below. However, before you panic, Mac malware and viruses are very rarely found "in the wild".

[Twotoes]

6 hours ago, Biker56 said:

List of Mac viruses, malware and security flaws 

Oppps quoted the wrong post above. 

[Bill Joyce]

Back to the original problem.  I have seen slowdowns for non-virus issues, mainly driver problems.  If you updated a driver, especially a video driver, it might be the problem.  I had an AMD graphics driver update make one computer almost unusable until the next update came out and fixed it.  I also remember a McAfee anti-virus update many years ago that made my mother's computer a brick.  

[RV_]

I would go with Bill's suggestions and also to ask if you have tried to check for updates manually? I just read that AMD withdrew and then reissued the patch for their hardware. Check your installed updates start/Settings/Update and Security then click on View installed update history and see what AMD updates you have installed. Also as Bill mentioned go to your manufacturer website and see if any drivers or patches are there for Spectre and Meltdown.If they seem conflicting according to this:

https://www.bing.com/search?q=amd+patch+out&pc=MOZI&form=MOZLBR

Then you can uninstall them one by one and then reinstall whichever seems latest. I would also look to see what was installed the day or day before it slowed down. If you did load a new App or utility uninstall it. Did you do Norton power eraser and let it reboot immediately to check for Rootkits?

[RV_]

Two toes, this past September an article was posted about Macbook Pro slowdowns, and they have had issues with their other models too. http://machmachines.com/macbook-pro-running-slow-heres-how-to-fix-it/

Someone posting about a slowdown has nothing to do with brand. All the hardware is the same anyway.

Macs have been hacked and infected at every PWND competition along with all the rest of the manufacturers. Since Apple uses Intel chipsets developed for Windows, after they gave up on the Power PC chipsets they touted as superior, in 2005. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Apple's_transition_to_Intel_processors

I doubt the Mac programmers could get a full touchscreen on their Mac computers like Windows has done as an option. Our tablets cost the same or less than iPads and can run the full Windows 10, and Apps too! Which of your Apple tablets runs OSX and the full versions of all Mac OSX programs, not the cell phone OS iOS? Which of your Mac laptops and desktops run all the iOS Apps and has a full touch screen?

Didn't think so. That's why I run a Dell XPS 2720 Intel i7, 8GB and a 2 TB HD with an SSD for Windows and caching which is a 27" full ten point touch screen with Quad HD and Thunderbolt ports as well as two HDMI ports, one "IN" for my Fire TV, as well as hooking it up to a big screen with the "OUT" port. That is just my personal desktop. We have three Windows tablets and two Windows all in one touch screen desktops, my wife's is a Lenovo. All the tablets and the desktops work with their respective stylus'. All my tablets AND desktops have Micro SD card slots than can handle up to 240 GB micro SD cards. My Dell Venue 11 Pro tablet as well as my Surface Pro 3 and Surface Pro 4 tablets have full size USB 3 fast ports. The Venue 11 Pro, the oldest runs Windows 10 just as well as a new one and it has both a full size USB 3 as well as a Micro USB for charging and data. And Much more. The only difference between a Mac anything and a Windows computer is only one chip to make sure OSX is not running on another hardware system. A necessity since they came over to the dark side of the "Evil Wintel."Same hardware made in the same Taiwan or Chinese factories for Apple and all Windows computers.

That's why I got Windows computers. (Android smartphones.)

 

 

[DJW]

rv

Yes I downloaded the Norton Power Eraser and it found no threats.  

I have an Intel Core i3 chip set in my HP not an AMD.  Also I checked the Task Manager and nothing is using up any power of the CPU that I can see?  The biggest memory user is contrina and I have that turned off and I don't know turn it off any more.  It was only using 49.3 MB's out of 8 Gig

Dennis

[DJW]

RV

I just went to the HP support page and did find a Bios update which I completed successfully.

Dennis

[RV_]

Great Dennis! (don't know where I got AMD from)

The manufacturers are doing patches for the hardware issues too. Did that firmware update get it running right again?

 

[DJW]

No not really but I believe I have figured out the problem.  We have ATT-Uverse and they have a combo modem/wireless router setup.  The wireless side went south.  When I hook up my laptop via a data/lan cable to the back of the modem my internet speeds run about 50.45 Mbps download and 10.45 Mbps upload.  When I go wireless my download speed drops to 3.47 Mbps and believe it or not my upload speed is 4.32 Mbps and this is with the laptop 5 feet away from the modem/router.  Att is sending me a new combo unit and it should be here on Tuesday.  I setup my old dual ban Netgear router plugged into the Att modem and the laptops and smart TV could see both the 2.4 and 5G sids but I could not get it configured correctly with the correct IP address etc.  So I dropped 2 Data cables out of the back of the modem and ran 1 to the 60 inch Samsung in the LR so we can live stream church on Sunday from Hawaii and the other so I have good speed as I host the 7am HI time chat room for the live stream on my laptop.  PIA but I can make it work.  I will post back when I get the new combo unit and let you what my speeds are.

Happy Easter

Dennis

 

[RV_]

Great Dennis, glad you have it well in hand. I'll be interested top see what the results are. I just recently

[DJW]

RV

I think  part of the problem might have been my hard drive was going south.  I ordered a new hard drive today.  I am just replacing it with another one just like it.  Question?  When I get the new one and replace it can I lay down the system image from the external HD  that I made Saturday that was good.  I restored the current hard drive this morning using that image thinking that might fix the issue which it did not.  Is there anything I need to do to the new HD before I trying laying the system image down on it?  The new HD should be here by Friday.

Dennis

[RV_]

No Dennis. But check and see if it is listed as a drive in file explorer with it an external dock which I think you have right? Some folks don't know they have to initialize "Bare" drives. Go here and click on a few explanations and videos until you find one clear to you. It's easy, but intuitive unless you've been a tech and system builder. https://www.bing.com/search?q=how+to+initialize+a+new+hard+drive&pc=MOZI&form=MOZTSB

 

[DJW]

RV

Thanks that was the guidance I was looking for.

Dennis

[DJW]

Go to go.  New hard drive installed in laptop and the newest modem/router with firm ware updates from ATT U-verse.  I pay for a 45 MBPS plan and I am now downloading 42-43 MBPS.  I was down to 22-28 MBPS with the replacement modem/router they sent me Tuesday.  I called and spoke with "Kevin in New Delhi" and he had s tech come out yesterday and replace the modem/router with the newest model.  So we are all good now.  Thanks for the help.

Dennis

[RV_]

Great news Dennis! I am so glad you got it all done. I have been out of pocket with my youngest son and first GRandson 2 year old Elliott. Thet flew down to finalize arrangement for my wife (called "The Saint" by friends who know us both for following me around the world for 27 years as a military spousal unit, and then 7 years full timing, and putting up with me for 45 years so far) to fly up and help with the new Granddaughter coming in June, if we aren't moved up there by then. We've sold the house and property they were living in and are now having yard sales and then one final estate sale  before packing it all up and going up to find a house. We'll live with our son for a few weeks until we find the perfect house for us. We want out of acres of property mowing but no subdivisions or neighbors closer than 300 feet like now. One acre seems as hard to find up there as here. It is either 4 acres or way more, or subdivision houses online. We may build new if necessary. But we'll need to stay near bases for base facilities like medical, legal office, commissary, and pharmacy. We lived in the Springs when I was teaching at the AF academy back Dec.1978 - Dec.1981and love the dry air and mountains. We have no altitude issues either. So I will be scarce for a bit except during lulls in the moving and then back as before once settled. Gotta run to the Aquarium with the kiddos, TTYL.