Very, very slow opening images/pictures

[rtaargo20]

I'm running Windows Vista, Home Premium, 32bit.
just recently my pictures/images are taking some 40-50
seconds to open. Last week they were opening instantly,so,
I did a restore and they opened a lot better, but, back to
a slow waltz now. I tried changing "View" to small icon but
that didn't work. Would someone please help me with this
slow, slow opening. Thanks, Bob

 

[kesume]

Hi welcome to the forum.
How many pictures do you have on the computer?
What about some other specs:- model number & make of your computer?
What sort of restore was it? SYstem, or just taking back to restore point?
As much info. you can give us the better it is for the members to understand your problems.
What are your pics in win live photo gallery, sony photo suite.....?
Thank you.

 

[ilikefree]

Start with a virus/malware scan and a defrag

 

[americancritic]

Hello and welcome to the forum.

I agree please run a full updated scan using your anti-virus...

Download and run a full scan using malwarebytes here is the link and use the free version. Malwarebytes

If everything is fine with these 2 things then we can move on to your other problems...

 

[rtaargo20]

Thanks kesume, ilikefree and americancritic,
I'm working on your information and will get back to you shortly. Bob

 

[kesume]

Hi Bob,
I think I can say that we are all concerned about the possibility of virus on your computer.
With the way your computer has been acting.
Hence all my questions. What I would like you to do:-


First, to assist in the elimination of possible virus and/or malware.
I would ask you to please use your Anti-virus full scan program facilities, making sure, you have updated the software first. Please advise us of the results.

If you do not have any anti-virus loaded please go to this link and download Microsoft Security Essentials :- Microsoft Security Essentials | Protect against viruses, spyware, and other malware

Secondly, please download:- malwarebytes Malwarebytes a Malware searching program, again, an updated full scan. Notify results please. Both these programs are Freeware

If many virus are found, please do not o anything to your computer, I will inform the forum specialist if necessary. OK?
First, don't panic it will be ok, take your time with the scans, please be patient.
Thank you.

 

[rtaargo20]

I've been very busy downloading and running full scans. Here's what has happen:
• How many pictures I have? WOW! guess some 30-40GB...lots
• Ran full Virus scan using Avast v.6: No infections.
• Ran Malwarebytes: found 12 items, but, nothing serious.
• Ran full scan using Microsoft Security Essentials: found
Adware: win32/Open Candy which I quarantined. Reading the description
seems Open Candy is not a serious problem.
• Ran Spybot-search & destroy: found only 3 minor items
• Ran SuperAnti Spyware: found 42 spyware
• Ran Windows Disk Cleaner and did a defrag.
Picture/images are still taking some 50secs. to 1 minute to open !!!!

NOTE: let me add that some two weeks ago, some dude hacked into one of
my email accounts and was using my contacts addresses to send out
a fraud message of "upper case" characters...maybe 30...which had
no meaning...just aggravating. I noticed that there were other email
address that were not mine. Appears the dude got into others.
I changed my password and wiped-out all my contact address and this stopped it.
Question: Would this event cause the problem I'm having?
Thanks for all who are helping me with this problem. Bob

 

[kesume]

Hi Bob,
Re; The photo's, I asked because I wondered if sheer volume was slowing them down, in relation to the capacity of your computer with only 512mb?
You sure have been busy, but in a very productive way.
It is great you have managed to rid your computer of all the above 'nasties'.
You also have a good security system, nice to see someone with so many & organised.

Hacking etc? Well for a start you have done the right thing as soon as you realised the problem.
I would check what sort of security is in with your router/modem, & what ISP's system is. I would, if you have not already done so, inform them of this incident.
The happenings in your computer 'could' be attributable to the 'hacking', if we cannot define exactly caused the problem.
The guy hacked 2 weeks ago, you noticed it, he may have hacked before but you did not notice?
I'm saying, if you've been hacked, he could have left, goodness knows what on your computer?
But maybe, maybe by having that good cleanout, it has got rid if any 'nasties' he left.

There is a further security I would like you to do with one that the forum security specialist uses within the forum.
If that is ok with you? Please download the following:-

Free ESET Online Antivirus Scanner
Like all scanners it will take it's time so continue to be patient. See if this brings anything out. If it does please inform us of what it is.
Below is a couple of links re: Hacking security, you may find them of some use.
What Are The Effects Of Computer Hacking?
How to Recover When Your Email Account Is Hacked - Your Security Resource

 

[americancritic]

Hello

Delete all of your restore points and start new ones since malwarebytes found issues on your system. You will reinfect it if you don't....

 

[kesume]

EXCELLENT POINT americancritic.

 

[rtaargo20]

Result of scan with ESET on 4-07-2011:


Top of list under "Manage Quarantine"

Bottom Part

 

[rtaargo20]

List of bad stuff

View attachment Bad Stuff found on ESET Online Scan of 4-07-2011.txt

What should I do with these that have been quarantined?

 

[kesume]

HI BOB,
SORRY FOR THE DELAY.
You can get rid of them, delete from quarantine.
Not funny how they still hide! In view of the troubles you've had, plus the hacking, I would like to refer this to someone more skilled than I, a security specialist to look at before commencing any further, with anything, just to make sure.
The logs will be looked at, analysed and then we progress as directed.
Meanwhile again I ask you to be patient, as you have so far, as the specialists are not always readily available.
Get back to you as soon as practical.

 

[Jacee]

Looks like Eset did a good job!

Please download TFC by Old Timer TFC - Temp File Cleaner by OldTimer - Geeks to Go Forums and save it to your desktop.
Save any unsaved work. TFC will close ALL open programs including your browser!
Double-click on TFC.exe to run it. If you are using Vista/Windows 7 right-click on the file and choose Run As Administrator.
Click the Start button to begin the cleaning process and let it run uninterrupted to completion.
Important! If TFC prompts you to reboot, please do so immediately. If not prompted, manually reboot the machine anyway to ensure a complete clean.

 

[rtaargo20]

Jacee, thanks for you help, but before I follow your instruction, may I add one more
thing that I noticed:
I tried to open a small picture..32bit (338x253 on Desktop)...the hour glass spun around maybe
three times, cursor returned and just sits there. 50sec. to 1 minute later the little picture
opens !!!! (this has happen from the first post), Thank, Bob
ps: will run TFC later.

 

[kesume]

Hi Bob,
Your picture information is interesting, but I think it may be difficult to asses the significance of this, at this stage.
Once you have carried out Jacee's instructions & the results, then progress can be made.
Your continual patience is appreciated.
Thank you.

 

[americancritic]

Hello Jacee is a security expert until she is done taking care of the security issues none of our suggestions will do any good at this time, so please follow her instructions first then we will help with the rest of your system needs...

 

[rtaargo20]

When I tried running TFC, Advast Virus protection gave me this pop up..
Here are the Option: 1) Open in sandbox (recommended) 2) Open normally
3) Cancel opening.
What should I do ?

 

[kesume]

Hi Bob,
I'm pretty sure what the answer will be, but I will try & get a message to Jacee.
Please await my or Jacee's message. OK?

 

[Jacee]

TFC is very, very safe! Choose to open normally. It was developed by one of our top malware experts. Tell Avast to allow the program to run and to remember your answer!!

TFC (Temp File Cleaner) will clear out all temp folders for all user accounts (temp, IE temp, java, FF, Opera, Chrome, Safari), including Administrator, All Users, LocalService, NetworkService, and any other accounts in the user folder. It also cleans out the %systemroot%\temp folder and checks for .tmp files in the %systemdrive% root folder, %systemroot%, and the system32 folder (both 32bit and 64bit on 64bit OSs). It shows the amount removed for each location found (in bytes) and the total removed (in MB). Before running, it will stop Explorer and all other running apps. When finished, if a reboot is required the user must reboot to finish clearing any in-use temp files.
TFC only cleans temp folders. TFC will not clean URL history, prefetch, or cookies. Depending on how often someone cleans their temp folders, their system hardware, and how many accounts are present, it can take anywhere from a few seconds to a minute or more. TFC will completely clear all temp files where other temp file cleaners may fail. TFC requires a reboot immediately after running. Be sure to save any unsaved work before running TFC.


/Jacee grumbles at Avast