[INACTIVE] EXTREMELY slow computer with terrible startup

Result of Security Analysis by Rocket Grannie (x86) Updated: 17th December, 2016
Running from:C:\Users\user\Desktop (00:18:59 - 12/30/2016)
***---------------------------------------------------------***
Microsoft Windows 7 Home Premium X64 Service Pack 1
UAC is Enabled!
Internet Explorer 11
Default Browser: Firefox
***------------Antivirus - Antispyware - Firewall-----------***
Windows Defender (Disabled - Up to Date)
Spybot - Search and Destroy (Disabled - Not Up to Date)
Windows Firewall (Enabled)
*No other Firewall Installed*
***-------Security Programs - Browsers - Miscellaneous------***
Adobe Flash Player Plugin (version 23.0.0.207) is *out of Date*
CCleaner (version 5.25)
Firefox (version 50)
Google Chrome (version 54)
Microsoft Silverlight (version 5.1)
Spybot - Search & Destroy (version 2.4)

Adobe Flash Player 23 ActiveX (version 23.0.0.207) is *out of Date*
Java 8 Update 77 (version 8.0.770.3) is *out of Date*
Java 8 Update 91 (version 8.0.910.14) is *out of Date*
Windows Live Essentials (version 15.4.3508.1109) is *out of Date*
Windows Live Essentials (version 15.4.3502.0922) is *out of Date*

***----------------Analysis Complete-------------------------***

Please update the following programs:

Uninstall every version of Adobe Flash Player 23 (version 23.0.0.207)
Then download the new version(s) from: www.adobe.com/products/flashplayer.html *Ensure to download this for each of your browsers.

Uninstall these: Java 8 Update 77 and Java 8 Update 91
Then, download the newest version, if you wish to keep Java, from www.Java.com

If you prefer to have better protection, uninstall Spybot Search & Destroy, and please download at least a free antivirus at www.avast.com

After doing all of this, please let me know how your computer is operating.

I managed to uninstall both Adobes and the Spybot, but when I try either Java, I get this picture.

Also, status update: I am still working in Safe Mode with Networking, but the speed is already significantly better. Proof of that is the fact that I was able to upload this screenshot. I have yet to try anything in a regular boot.

Not sure if it was attached. It says:

The Windows Installer Service could not be accessed. This can occur if the Windows Installer is not correctly installed. Contact your support personnel for assistance.

Windows Installer service will not work under Safe Mode, this means that programs cannot be installed or uninstalled in Safe Mode without giving a specific command using msiexec in Command Prompt.

Are you able to work in Normal Mode?

Please visit below tutorial link to enable Windows Installer service under Safe Mode.

Make Windows Installer Service Work Under Safe Mode

That Tweaking program froze on me, I shut down and went into Normal Mode like you've asked. It's running slower than it would in Safe Mode.

Those Java updates were only able to be uninstalled after updating them. I tried downloading Java after that and I got this message:

Java did not complete
Error Code: 1618
Please refer to the Java Help Center for troubleshooting information or contact your system administrator.

Should I try Tweaking again?

Error 1618 isn’t unique to Java. It is an error from Microsoft Installer (.msi) stating that another .msi is currently being processed. You see, the Microsoft Installer, msiexec.exe, can only process one installation at a time. This error will be encountered when one MSI is attempted to be installed while another is currently processing. Reboot your computer and try installing Java.

Okay, so I rebooted and was able to download the latest Java. My browser stopped working along with everything else. I tried to click a folder or browser to open but nothing comes up. 

And to answer Dr. Jay: After uninstalling Adobe and Java, other than being able to log in normally at a decent speed, it's still posing the same problems.

Hi omicron_persei8,

Was the browser working before you have installed Java?

What else is not working?

We can try few troubleshooting to find out what is causing slow computer performance.

Create new user account and see issue resolves within new user account if it does then your user account is corrupted.

Please follow my instructions at my tutorial to boost performance of Windows OS.

"Tweaking & Optimizing Window Operating System"
http://www.geekpolice.net/t30298-tweaking-optimizing-windows-operating-system


I would like you to check the system integrity of your Windows OS installation.

• Please right click the Windows logo (formerly the start button) at the bottom left of your screen.
  
• Please select  "Command Prompt (Admin)"
  
• Please type the following command and press the key: sfc /scannow  (Please note that there is a space between 'sfc" and "/scannow".)
  
• It should take about 20 minutes to run, if there are no serious errors.
  
• If the System File Checker reports that some errors were fixed, but some remain; please reboot your computer and run the System File Checker from an Administrator Command Prompt, again.
  
• If the System File Checker again reports that some errors were fixed, but some remain, please reboot your computer and run it a third time.
  
• If "Resource Integrity Violations" (errors) are reported that could not be corrected, or were not corrected after a third SFC run, then please navigate to the folder: C:\Windows\Logs\CBS and copy the file "cbs.log" to your desktop immediately.  I am asking you do that because that file is dynamic, so I want to be able to examine a copy that is unchanged from the time that the System File Checker was run.
  
• If there are errors that couldn't be corrected, let me know and I will provide you with instructions as to how to upload the file
  

 



If the issue is caused by a current running process, restart your Windows system using the clean boot method which will allow you to troubleshoot if a service or process is causing the issue to appear.

With a clean boot only the necessary services and process that are required to operate Windows are started when you boot your computer.

Follow the steps at below link to perform clean boot state.

"Clean Boot Windows"
https://www.dost-tech.com/viewtopic.php?f=10&t=109

Yes it was working better before installing Java. In general, everything was just loading up faster. It just took me 5 minutes to open up the Control Panel. 

I'll be going through your instructions as much as it lets me.

Please use Revo Uninstaller program to uninstall Java don't reinstall Java till we deal with any other issues.

Yeah so, the other account I created was just as slow.
Literally after installing Java, it went back to how it was before. I'm having the same issues again with the start up and log in screen. I just have a black screen with my mouse.

EDIT: Just realized you had replied but it went to the 2nd page. Regardless, I have to try and reboot until I log in correctly if you want me to keep working in Normal Mode.

Do what you can from Safe Mode but make sure to check the results by booting Windows in normal mode.

Please tell me when you have finish trying my suggestions!

Thank you, I will move on over to Safe Mode and try the Revo Uninstaller there. I'll log in normally after and let you know how that goes.

Okay, after uninstalling Java with Revo, I tried logging back through Normal Mode and it still gives me a black screen with the mouse. It shows me my desktop now but icons, folders, its all missing or slowly loading up.

At least through Safe Mode I was able to log in nearly right away and access a web browser.

First use CCleaner program to delete all temporary files including icon cache and thumbnails.

Have you performed clean boot method what was the result if you did?

I was able to run CCleaner again and clean out the junk. But as far as the Clean Boot part goes, I've gotten as far as checking the Hide all Microsoft services, but the Disable All button is not clickable.

Standing by. . .
In the meantime, I can try those Tweaking & Optimizing instructions you left a few posts ago.

Did you tried to perform clean boot from Safe Mode and normal mode?
After clicking Hide all Microsoft services, can you disable third party services by unchecking services check boxes?

Sorry, being a bit under the weather I wasn't too focused on the issue. I had to individually check the boxes, I had thought it would've done so after clicking Hide all Microsoft services. I was able to hit Disable All and restart.

I did it in Safe Mode and now jumping into Normal Mode.
17:13 PST - Welcome log in
17:17 - Black screen with mouse
17:23 - Background and icons now visible. Been waiting on the browser to load for about 10 minutes.

So I think it's safe to say that did not change much

Please uninstall all third party antivirus and firewall programs to see if issue resolves.

You can also if you prefer perform a repair install Windows 7 this process will preserve your user accounts, personal data, programs, and system drivers.


"How to Do a Repair Install to Fix Windows 7"
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/3413-repair-install.html

Hi @omicron_persei8


Can you please update us on you progress, if there is anything we can help you with let us know please.

Hi @omicron_persei8

How is everything progressing, do you need more assistant on this issue?

I'm still here, just have not been home to work on this.

I understand!

Hello! Sorry I have not had time to be working on this. I'm back on the repair grind now.

I've already had all antivirus programs and firewall removed from previous instructions. Everything is still running the same.
From where we left off, I should be doing the repair install for Windows 7, correct? I'll be working on that.

Hi @omicron_persei8,

Yes please do the repair install of Windows 7 lets us know if it will help.

Hi @omicron_persei8,

Can you please update us on your progress!

So. . following the steps here, I'm supposed to download an SP1 ISO. After entering my product key, I got this message:

Error
The product key you entered appears to be for software pre-installed by the device manufacturer.
Please contact the device manufacturer for software recovery options.

Oh my. Who would the manufacturer be, HP or Microsoft?

If the key you used was from a sticker attached to the computer in question then it is an OEM:COA key and CAN NOT be activated online against MS servers. Attempting to do so will generate an invalid key error. OEM:COA keys require OFFLINE activation requiring phoning MS's automated toll free number in order to complete the activation process. It will give you a code based upon your OEM key and the hash that Windows calculates based upon your computer's hardware. You complete the activation process by entering that code into the Windows activation dialogues.

To use OEM:COA key offline activation type slui.exe 4 + enter into the Search dialogue box of the Start menu. If UAC prompts indicate Yes and follow the ensuing dialogue windows. Note have a pen and paper handy in order to write down the confirmation code as you will need to enter it in the appropriate dialogue window if activation was SUCCESSFUL. If the process was NOT successful, stay on the line and you will be transferred to a human operator to which you can plead your case  If you get disconnected, simply phone back but this time say nothing at the automated process where it asks you to enter your key, instead wait the two repeated requests in silence and you will be transferred to a live agent.

If your machine came with Windows 7 preinstalled it used a manufacturer's OEM:SLP (System Locked Pre-installation) key and digitally signed certificates matching a BIOS SLIC entry to OFFLINE activate at the factory. The OEM:SLP offline activation requires no call to MS. Note that OEM:SLP key CAN NOT be used to activate unless both the BIOS SLIC table exists AND the correct matching certificate is available. To restore using OEM:SLP keys and certificates legally but if and only if Windows 7 came preinstalled on that computer then my post here will detail how to do so.

If you have a sticker on your computer, then it came with Windows pre-installed from the factory and that original activation used an OEM:SLP manufacturer's key and a digitally signed certificate matching a BIOS SLIC signature. It will NOT have been activated using the OEM:COA key presented on the sticker. You can activate your machine LEGALLY using that maufacturer's OEM:SLP key that is used for tens of thousands of its' machines and the digitally signed certificate matching the one in the SLIC entry of the ACPI table in your BIOS. Doing so will activate it just as the factory had done AND IS PERFECTLY LEGAL TO DO SO. If you can find the correct certificate and the manufacturer's SLP key then you can activate it using the command line and this construct. You will not need the OEM:COA key of the sticker at all.


First ensure you have a SLIC 2.1 table in your BIOS using this tool https://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/6925-SLIC-ToolKit-x86-x64-%28Includes-PKey-amp-Cert-Backup%29 It will also identify the signature where some manufacturer's have more than one signature for different models. The certificate MUST match your BIOS signature. You can find certificates here https://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads/5952-OA-2-x-SLIC-amp-OEMCERT-Collection/page105?p=514521&viewfull=1#post514521

Then once you have the correct certificate open an elevated command prompt and enter

slmgr -ilc C:\NAME.xrm-ms where C:\NAME.xrm-ms is the path and name where the correct certificate currently resides

Wait for confirmation of the cert being installed.

Next enter your manufacturer's SLP key matching the edition of Windows installed generally Home Premium. Note bit version x86 or x64 is immaterial. You can find the OEM:SLP keys here http://forums.mydigitallife.info/threads...Collection

slmgr -ipk XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX-XXXXX replace each X with the appropriate letter/number

Wait for confirmation

You will have activated Windows offline using the same process in which your manufacturer originally activated your preinstalled O/S at the factory.

You can check your activation status using the following command line sequences




There will be a pause between each command's reporting feedback. BTW in future once activated using the OEM:SLP key and certificate use ABR http://directedge.us/content/abr-activation-backup-and-restore to backup and to restore that SLP key and certificate activation for future use. Had you done so BEFORE reinstalling Windows you would have saved your self a lot of hassles

[mod]Due to lack of response, this is now closed. Please PM a moderator or administrator to have it reopened, or start a new topic. Everyone else, start a new topic.[/mod]