Internet Explorer 6...So Slow!

My operating system is Windows Xp the home version.
It came pre-installed on the computer I bought last year.
I have high speed connection and have had no problems up until last night....when opening anything on my desktop, things run as usual. BUT??? when I click on the Internet Exlporer (version 6) it takes forever to come up and bring up my home page, also outlook express seems to be running slow. If I try and go to any of my favorite sites the same thing happens....its as slow as molasses in January. This seems to have happened all of a sudden. One minute things were great and then soooooo slow!
I checked with my neighbor who is also on the same high speed connection as myself and they are having no problems with there system.
I have always kept up with all the windows updates.
Defragmented on a regular basis.
Disk cleanup regularly.
I did a virus scan and there was nothing there.
I'm thinking there is something wrong with Internet Exlporer???
I'm a novice at all this.
Any idea's???

Hi,

Since it only happened last night, the first thing I would try is System Restore.

Start / All Programs / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore
Make sure there is a check in "Restore My Computer......" Click "Next"
Look on the calendar for a Bold date before your problem and click it.
Click "Next" and follow instructions. It will take a little while with a reboot and a message at the end to say if successful or not.

If this does not work, post back for more help.You might have got something nasty from Internet, but try this first.

Elaine:)

A small word of caution from me about System Restore. I used it a couple of weeks ago to remove Windows Media Player 9. Worked fine but to my utter amazement a bunch of files (not recently installed programs) disappeared. One file in particular, I had three copies on two hard drives and they all disappeared. I had checked them immediately prior to the restore. So, backup anything that is vital!

You did not mention scanning for spyware and adware. Perhaps you forgot to include in the post. It's a must these days. If I get Wurld Media on my pc, the bandwidth on my modem is about zero - I can't browse the internet until I remove it.

Additional info - you may not know what spyware and adware are. They are small programs that get installed on your pc without your knowledge while surfing. They could put ads on your pc, collect information about you and where you surf, redirect your movements while surfing, hijack online sales commissions and other nasty things. Typically on pcs I have cleaned that have been surfing unprotected, 150-250 items of spyware are detected. The standard removal software used by most people are Spybot and Ad-aware, both free, run both:

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/

http://www.safer-networking.org/index.php?page=download
currently maxed out, alternative:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/spybot.html

Thank you for the ideas....
I tried a restore and set the computer back a few days.... the restore worked but system is still soooo very slow.
I downloaded the Adware and Spybot programs and ran both of them..........wow!:eek: There was lots of stuff on my system..which is now gone......but still nothing changed.
System is still running sooo very slow!

Any other ideas:confused:

Any other ideas?

Hey I'm a black hole of useless ideas. Next on the list is to delete all Temporary Internet files and cookies. That could be a huge list too - my cookie control software normally runs with a delete list of 400+. You may have some cookies that you want to keep but first the simple route.

Tools/Internet Options/Temporary Internet Files box/Delete Files/check Offline Content/Ok

same Temporary Internet Files box/Delete Cookies

If you are interested in seeing what is there before deletion hit the Settings button then look in the View Files (cookies and temp files). View Objects is usually just things like Java.


Controlling cookies and temp files are a subject in themselves. Here are a few paras from Tweakxp.com:

Quote_________Open Internet Explorer and select Tools - Internet Options - under the General tab in the Temporary Internet files section select the Settings button.

Select "Every visit to the page" and set the amount of disk space to use: to no more than 80MB. Now select the Connections tab and select LAN Settings make sure EVERYTHING there is unchecked and select OK.

Select the Privacy tab and choose Advanced check the box "Override automatic cookie handling" and for First-party Cookies - Accept, Third-party Cookies - Block and check "Always allow session cookies. Now NO MORE SPYWARE COOKIES.

Open Internet Options and under temp internet files - settings select – every visit to page. ______End_Quote

If there are cookies you need to keep, you will have to make them exceptions in Privacy or use third-party cookie managers (which is what I do). Ultimately you have to decide what to keep and what to delete. Keeping the numbers down is an ongoing task.

If you want general lists of tips on XP and IE, other sites worth a visit tweakxp.com, dougknox.com, mvps.org. There are lots more.

Hi bcsouth

OK. Next two things to do.

1.Check msconfig for somethig crept in.

Start/Run/ msconfig then go to link below.

http://www.sysinfo.org/startupinfo.php

Read the Key at foot of page, then click on “Here” at top. Use the Search box to check all you entries

2. Download HijackThis to its own folder. Get it to "Scan" and then to create its "Log". This log will be long but copy all of it into Notepad, and post it back to be checked. Don`t try to do this yourself.

http://mjc1.com/mirror/hjt/


Elaine:)

Re Hijack This, check the log before posting to ensure there is nothing of a personal nature in it!

As we exhaust the more common problems, communication generally will be coming up. If your ISP has some means of doing a speed test try it. If not try an online test. Here's some examples:

http://bandwidthplace.com/speedtest
http://www.dslreports.com/stest
http://www.cable-modem.net/features/oct99/speed.html

hi there, I'm having the exact same problem. The onset was pretty sudden (i.e. just this morning, working fine yesterday). I'm going to try some of the tips given here and let you know if it works.

P.S. I checked Task Manager and noticed a process called symproxyvc.exe was using 100% system resources. I tried closing it, but then regfilter.exe was bumped up to 100%. After closing that, another was boosted to 100%. No clue what's going on.

Please both of you run HijackThis in my post above.
This is used on a regular basis on this Forum with no privacy problems.

Elaine:)

Hi Dunedin & boojay,

I'm not sure if your mention of privacy refers to my comment to bcsouth about reviewing the log before posting. The log contains info on running processes which could include services you subscribe to that you want to keep private, proprietary company software that would identify where you work and could identify you to your boss etc.

I would suggest that boojay start a new thread in the Security/Anti-Virus forum. It sounds like a certain malware problem and it will get very confusing mixing it with bcsouth's issues. I could find no info on the exe program but boojay, you should run all the antivirus and spy/adware programs you have right away.

I'm UP & RUNNING AT FULL SPEED!!:D

I mentioned to someone at work the problems I was having with my system and the first thing they suggested was to try the system restore....I explained to them that I did do that....they asked how far back I went....I told them that I went back to the morning before everything starting running soooo slow...........
they suggested going back even farther, so I went back a week...and varooooooooooom..... BUT...I never did find out what caused the problem. Will I ever know:confused:
Keeping my fingers crossed that everything stays running fine.

Something has happened though since I restore back to a week ago....my Norton Interent security firewall always comes up diabled when I restart my system now??? I have to manualy start it everytime. I go in and check the options...and it shows that there is a check mark in the box * Run at system startup*:confused:

Ideas???

Hi bcsouth,

Glad all is well. No we will never know, unless you want to restore to your bad setting so we can play! Some malware tries to shutdown antivirus programs and firewalls. Since you restored to a clean point, there probably is not correlation but it is a curious coincidence that NIS is not automatically starting. I mentioned way back about Wurld Media. That and others make registry entries and had it still been there those entries would have disappeared with the restore (Wurld Media would have gone in the trash already when you did the scans with Spybot and Ad-aware).

If NIS is not starting up automatically, run msconfig and look in Services and Startup tabs. You may find the checkbox still there, unchecked. NAV starts with Services but I am not sure about the rest of the suite.

hi guys, I tried the system restore to a week prior as well and it worked. Thanks for the advice. I'll keep checking back to see if anyone has any more info on the matter.

Thanks for all the help Starman99!

Glad to hear that your up and running at full speed Boojay!

Starman.....I ran MSConfig.........and everything is checked off to run Nortons! Sitll looking for ideas on what could be causing this to happen??

I have another question....Again I am a noivce! This might be a silly question to ask, but then I have been know do ask those types of questions!!
When I did the restore to a week ago....why is the Adware and Spybot still on my system? I thought doing a restore would remove anything that was installed after the restoration date?

(Thanks for all the help Starman99!)....dunedin too

Did you try running the two programs.? Restore should uninstall them from the registry, startup etc but does not necessarily remove the folders and files. As I think I mentioned, when I did a restore I lost files that had nothing to do with installed programs. I can only deduce that items outside of the system settings have an uncertain destiny.

Did you check in Task Manager to see if any components of NIC are running? Just because nothing is visible in the system tray or taskbar does not mean it is not running? There seem to be increasing numbers of people experiencing corruption of Norton products but that may simply be a greater awareness of the need for protection and more users. I'll have to leave the startup question to others because I don't have access to NIC, I use NAV and ZA.

YES!! and dunedin too! :D

Yes, I did try and run both Adware and Spybot after the restoration of a week previous...and they both worked?? I was surprised to see them both still on my system after the restoration?

When I restart my system....the Norton Internet Security ( which has a little blue & green small world icon in the task bar) has a Red X through it...I have to right click on it to Enable it.

Hi,

I don`t have Norton either. Are you sure you have checked all the options.
Short of reinstalling it.......
Assuming XP is on “C”, you could put a shortcut for the program in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup

Elaine:)

Duneden,

Thanks for the advice on *shortcut*....
I found a turtorial in my XP explaining on how to put a shortcut in the StartUp last night, I followed all the instructions to the letter, the shortcut was there..**shortcut for the program in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup** BUT still no start up of NIS when my computer is turned on, I still have to do it manually?

And Yes, I have made sure, several times that all the correct opitons are checked off.

Hi bcsouth,

What you are indicating still does not make sense to me. The application is appearing on the Taskbar (did you mean in the System Tray on the right hand side or the Quick Launch, usually left?). If it's only in Quick Launch, then the application is not starting. If it's in the System Tray or the main Taskbar it is starting up, but disabled. Two different scenarios.

Your description of the Start Menu item did not make much sense either (to me at least!). If there is a shortcut existing, there should be an icon in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup called Norton or whatever. It should be about 1Kb in size and if you right click, select Properties and look in the Start In box, it should refer to some Norton file in C: \Program Files. Is that what you see?

See if anything here helps.

http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT...&osv=&osv_lvl=

Elaine:)

Thanks for the quick response Starman99!

I do sound confusing:confused:
bcsouth<----- novice

I did mean the System Tray....and its on the right not in the quick launch section.

Starman99...If there is a shortcut existing, there should be an icon in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup called Norton or whatever. It should be about 1Kb in size and if you right click, select Properties and look in the Start In box, it should refer to some Norton file in C: \Program Files. Is that what you see?

There is a shortcut icon in C:\Documents and Settings\All Users\Start Menu\Programs\Startup called Norton Internet Security.....and when I right click on it ....it shows nothing in the *Start In Section*???? What I am talking about here is my Norton Intenet Security Firewall.

So I thought.... * I do think on occasion* lets do the same thing and take a look at the Norton Internet Antivirus and see what it says in his * Start in Section*.....low and behold there is something there and it says..."C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus"

So I'm guessing now that I should have something showing in the *Start In Section* of the Norton Internet Security Firewall also????

What do I need to do????

Ta dunedin. I responded to bcsouth because you should be fast asleep!

Bcsouth, check the link out. I would have thought Live Update would have already downloaded the fix but do a manual update from Norton. I had already downloaded the NIC 2004 manual which unfortunately gives no indication what the red X means (auto-protect off or firewall blocking connection?). That link page does give the purpose - autoprotect off. It was not clear either whether there are separate icons for NAV and the firewall. Just the one I guess.

I know this is very basic,

Have you Checked the options/preferences section of NIC, there is usually a setting (tick box) to enable at startup or something similar.

Dennis

Dunden....
Thanks for the link....I tried everything they suggested, minus the AOL stuff as I am not on AOL. Still nothing has changed.

I go to live update everyday....so I have the latest of downloads on my system.

Starman99...There is 2 seperate icons for Nortons Antivirus and Nortons Firewall.

Dennis....thanks for joining me with my little problem. Everything in the options section of my Norton Security has a check to start when the computer comes on.

Let me clarify...my Norton Antivirus is starting up, I have never had a problem with that...its the Norton Firewall that is also in my Norton Internet Security that is always disabled on startup.

This really is quite a problem. We may have to fix it ourselves. It would really help if someone who has the software and has it working could butt in so we can crib the settings.

First, bcsouth, manually try a Live Update. Every dialog box that opens, open the branches to see if there is a fix somewhere that is not checked. If there is none, abandon the update. I note that the link dunedin posted is 2002 - perhaps in your version it is supposedly fixed.

Bcsouth, I messed up slightly, instead of the Start in Box I should have said Target. For NAV on my pc it is:

"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\NMain.exe" /dat:C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navui.nsi

As you correctly suggested we probably need the equivalent for the firewall, which is why some assistance would be good. In that second startup icon, does the Target row have something like the line above, probably a lot shorter? If it does not, can you go through the Symantec Shared folder noting other exe programs (we are trying to find the firewall) and post.

Sudden idea: Bcsouth, go to Start/Programs/Norton/ and see if there is an icon for the firewall. If there is, right click, Properties and get the Target and Save in data.

Can you confirm that you have checked the following.

1. Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services.
There should be an entry for the Norton Firewall (symantec) set to automatic.

Dennis

Hi Starman99

I should indeed have been fast asleep, but I am a bit of a night bird as I don`t sleep too well.
I know that link was to the 2002 version, but I could not find anything relevant to a more recent version. It also had a few other things to check, so I thought it was worth posting.

Elaine:)

Quote:

---

Originally posted by bcsouth
Dunden....
I go to live update everyday....so I have the latest of downloads on my system.

---

hiya, this is more of a comment than any useful piece of info I bet - I remember manually running live update just prior to my comp becoming sluggish, i.e. right after restarting my comp. Although that probably wasn't the cause otherwise Norton would go out of business real fast lol!

Dennis.....Can you confirm that you have checked the following.
1. Control Panel/Administrative Tools/Services.
There should be an entry for the Norton Firewall (symantec) set to automatic.

I have gone to this location and this is what I found....
1. Internet Connection Firewall (ICF)/Internet Connection......Started.......Automatic
2. Norton Antivirus Auto Protect Service......Started......Automatic
3. Norton Internet Security Account Manager.... Started......Automatic
4.Norton Internet Security Proxy Service......Started.....Automatic
5.Norton Internet Security Service......Started......Automatic


Starman99.....Bcsouth, I messed up slightly, instead of the Start in Box I should have said Target. For NAV on my pc it is:
"C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\NMain.exe" /dat:C:\Program Files\Norton AntiVirus\navui.nsi

Starman99, I have returned to that location and this is what it says in the Target...."C:\Program Files\Common Files\Symantec Shared\NMain.exe" /nosysworks /dat:C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security\NISPLUG.NSI
Start in has nothing in it....

My udates are up to date...

As for the link from dunden.....When I purchased my computer the Norton Internet Security was from 2002....yearly as my subscription is due I renew it at the Symantec site....and it case anyone is wondering.....yes I am update.... my subscription is not due for another 6 months

:)

Hi bcsouth,

My read of your settings is that you theoretically have the firewall up but in practice not.

That second target that ends nisplug.nsi sound like it could be the firewall. I found some info at Norton which explains what has to go into the Start In box.

To Norton

I think you're looking for the path of the NIS folder to put in the Start In box which seems to be C:\Program Files\Norton Internet Security.

If this fix does not work, can you say if the firewall icon does not come up at all on startup or is that the one that comes up with the red X.

Hi bcsouth,

Services

Quote:

---

1. Internet Connection Firewall (ICF)/Internet Connection......Started.......Automatic

---

If you are running the Norton Firewall this should be disabled otherwise there could be conflicts. Please go and disable this service.

Elaine:)

dunedin....If you are running the Norton Firewall this should be disabled otherwise there could be conflicts. Please go and disable this service.
I went back and disabled the Internet Connection Firewall (ICF)/Internet Connection......restarted my computer and still the firewall is disabled and has to be manually enabled by right clicking on the icon.

Starman99..... I went to the site in your post and followed the directions..... still disabled on startup....the icon is still there....this would be the Internet Security Icon ( blue & green cirlce) and yes it still comes up with a *red x* on it until I manually right click on it and enable it!

I have never had to uninstall my Norton Internet Security....what about unistalling and re-installing??? I have the software that came with my system * Norton Internet Security 2002* ???

I run the IE firewall and ZA firewall together no problem.

My next suggestion was going to be to reinstall NIC. There are good instructions at Symantec. I add a word of caution. If software like NAV and ZA hang up during uninstall, they can be very difficult to remove due to the protections they have against viruses. The more damaged the existing installation, the higher the chance of problems. It's a small risk but it is there.

You might want to create a System Restore point prior to uninstalling.

:mad: :mad: :mad:

I went to the Symantec site...... and saw this section and thought OK...lets see what if *anything* it can find.....


The Automated Support Assistant will identify the Symantec products that are installed and check for known issues.

You have an unsupported version of Norton Internet SecurityNorton Internet Security 2002 Standard is no longer supported. As a result you will not be able to contact Symantec representative if you have technical issues with your software. Please upgrade to the latest version.

:eek: my version is not supported:confused:
Hey!! I paid good money for this...and every 12 months have repaid to keep the service and protection and NOW??? my version in not supported and you want me to PAY and upgrade to a newer version??? :mad: :mad: :mad:

Starman99.....you mentioned *My next suggestion was going to be to reinstall NIC. There are good instructions at Symantec.*

I seemed to be missing the simple things....I could not find anything on *reinstall NIC*? Probaly was staring me in the face....direction please on where I can find it on the site?

Another question? If my version is not supported, does that mean...just contacting Symantec in regards to my version OR that my version is going to be *extinct*???

I had quite a job retracking my history. There are two pages worth reading. First is the 2003 page. The relevant portion is applicable to 2002 and is no surprise (Add/Remove Programs). The second is a tool to use if removal fails.

really long link

slightly shorter link

I used "uninstall norton internet security" for search

In my previous mail I was not trying to put you off reinstalling but don't do it if you have some important work to do on the pc in the next few days.

I'm just guessing, but it is likely they cannot support versions more than a few years old because it is too difficult to protect the old program against attack and to deal with new virus definitions. Free upgrade would be nice.

bcsouth

How much longer does your current subscription last?
In view of all the problems you are having with this firewall, especially since it is no longer supported, I would be inclined to just get rid of it and install one of the good free firewalls which do every bit as good a job as Norton.

Zone Alarm is good but some people (myself included) have problems with it, and perhaps you don`t want to take that chance.

http://www.zonelabs.com/store/conten...eeDownload.jsp

I use the free Sygate and it is really first class. I highly recommend it.

http://soho.sygate.com/default.htm

Elaine

Thank You....Thank You All!

Whooooooooopie! Running around the room doing *Cartwheels*

I uninstalled using the real long link that you gave me Starman...followed the directions to the *T* and installed Nortons.............and everything is working the way I am use to...got all the updates....:D

Everything comes up on restart working on its own.... :D

I appreciate all the time that you took trying to help me take care of my problem.. although I'm sure it will not be my last, it is so very nice to know that there is a place that you can go and ask and receive constant help with a problem until its resolved!

Once again thanks for all your help!!!!!!
Starman 99:D
dunedin:D
devans:D
boojay:D