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Let's see what Norton Staff and others can suggest. I don't know how much difference is made by turning things off in NIS.
What does the UMPC run as an OS?
XP Pro.
NIS 2008 is one of the fastest around.
I would not turn any security features off however you can go to msconfig and un-check un-needed items that run in the background to lighten the resource load and this will speed up the whole system.
Thanks Levi and Stu. The only non-essentials were Messenger, Defender, and Quicktime--I removed Messenger. Can't see any improvement. Oh well.
Stu, I hear from podcasts (Leo Laporte, Podnutz, ComputerAmerica) that there are faster anti-virus solutions. But they may have old info or vested interests (Leo Laporte suggests a vendor who is also a sometimes sponsor). I don't want to test them all for fear of them leaving remnants upon removal. Maybe someday when I have to restore my PC again to factory condition.
This 1.1GHz 512MB PC with a fresh install of XP Pro got noticably slower when I installed NIS 2008, compared to no anti-virus whatsoever.
Anyway, thanks for telling me that there's no further lightening of NIS that can be done. Much appreciated.
I have seen many cases where windows defender is conflicting with our software and may cause a sever systme slow down. Try turnning off defender and see if there is any difference if not, Click start then run, type “msinfo32” on the right window, 6th one from the bottom “total phisical memory” should reflect the 1 gig. The one below it avalable phishical memory should be around 50% of that or more to be considered as heathy condition. Can you tell me what the avalable is?
Actually the 512 could be a bit of an issue. XP SP2 has a minimum 256 required so if the available memory is less then 256, the system is being taxed to heavily and more ram should fix the issue.
Levi_Smith wrote:
Actually the 512 could be a bit of an issue. XP SP2 has a minimum 256 required so if the available memory is less then 256, the system is being taxed to heavily and more ram should fix the issue.
Unfortunately:
I have a Sony UMPC from Dec. '04 (U750P, 1.1GHz, 512MB), whose memory cannot be upgraded.
I don't know whether this is a case where NAV would have a lighter load or whether, honestly speaking, an alternative solution would be best for both parties?
Nav would provide a lighter load and has internet worm protection (Inbound firewall only).
How much available ram is there? From previous question?
I think 512 is still manageable, you might look at add/remove and remove any software you do not use or need. Making sure hard drive is defragged each month and then eliminating startup items.
In the msconfig please provide me the list under the startup tab and I can give you my recommendation as to what to turn off, I will only need the list of what is currently checked.
Levi_Smith wrote:
I have seen many cases where windows defender is conflicting with our software and may cause a sever systme slow down. Try turnning off defender and see if there is any difference if not, Click start then run, type "msinfo32" on the right window, 6th one from the bottom "total phisical memory" should reflect the 1 gig. The one below it avalable phishical memory should be around 50% of that or more to be considered as heathy condition. Can you tell me what the avalable is?
I totally agree on this one, Levi
Levi,
1. msinfo32:
Total Physical Memory: 512 MB
Available Physical Memory: 192.26MB
2. msconfig .exe Startups (grouped by me by function/source):
- Windows: igfxtray, ctfmon
- Synaptics: SynTPLpr, SynTPEnh
- AlpsPoint: ApMain
- Gunze: TPSound
- Java: jusched
- Sony Vaio: reminder.exe (recovery), SPMgr (power mgmnt.), VAIOUpdt, PartSeal (recovery), RemoconDriver
- Defender: MSASCui
- Symantec: ccApp, osCheck
- QuickTime: qttask (I could remove this)
- RecentX (small app that displays recent files/folder/apps/URLs--I just added this last week, so it shouldn't add too much to the problem): RecentX
- ???: [blank] under columns "Startup Item" and "Command", under "Location" it has the same as most others: "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run"
3. Remove Defender
I still need to do this, perhaps later tonight I can get a slot of time and do measurements. Do I have to uninstall Defender? Or just uncheck in msconfig's Startup and restart the PC?
Yes, this 5" touchscreen PC's memory cannot be upgraded--many have looked but found nothing--it has an unusual connector.
And its main input is via Touchscreen, thus the Gunze, Synaptics, and AlpsPoint items.
<< Total Physical Memory: 512 MB
Available Physical Memory: 192.26MB >>
FWIW My experience with XP Pro on my desktop when I had 1GB of RAM – about 2/3rds used and 1/3rd free.
Recently I upped it to 2GB (with an eye on my VISTA installation on the same system, double booted) and it’s still using about 1/4th - 1/3rd leaving about 1.5GB free.
But I’m sure I’m heavily loaded with “stuff” compared with your “mini”.
FIRST ADD/REMOVE DEFENDER THEN MAKE SURE IT IS ALSO UN-CHECKED. Test NOW IF STILL NOT TO YOUR satisfaction MOVE ON TO THE NEXT STEP.
- Windows: igfxtray,
gfxtray.exe is a process which allows you to access the Intel Graphics configuration and diagnostic application for the Intel 810 series graphics chipset. This program is a non-essential system process, and is installed for ease of use via the desktop tray.
(reccomedn uncheck) Only keep if you use the icon to change vidio on the fly.
ctfmon
Ctfmon.exe monitors the active windows and provides text input service support for speech recognition, handwriting recognition, keyboard, translation, and other alternative user input technologies.
(You most likely do not need this) I recommend to un-check.
- Synaptics: SynTPLpr, SynTPEnh (KEEP)
- AlpsPoint: ApMain (KEEP)
- Gunze: TPSound (KEEP)
- Java: jusched (Unchecked) If its not broke lets not fix it. 
- Sony Vaio: reminder.exe (recovery), SPMgr (power mgmnt.), VAIOUpdt, PartSeal (recovery), RemoconDriver (KEEP)
- Defender: MSASCui (uncheck)
- Symantec: ccApp, osCheck (KEEP)
- QuickTime: qttask (I could remove this) (Unchecked)
- RecentX (small app that displays recent files/folder/apps/URLs--I just added this last week, so it shouldn't add too much to the problem): RecentX (your choice)
- ???: [blank] under columns "Startup Item" and "Command", under "Location" it has the same as most others: "HKCU\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run" (uncheck) I never trust a blank and never saw an issue un-checking these.
Remember you can always re-check one back if needed, The above would be my best recommendation and should give you the best chance for performance. Next add/remove un-needed software and you can try the following document.
you've already done step 3 above..
Basic guide to optimizing system resources: CLICK HERE
Next do the following:
To run chkdsk do the following:
- Click start then mycomputer.
- Right click on the c: or the drive you wish to run the scan on.
- Select properties then tools.
- Click the check now button.
- Make sure both check disk options are selected then click Start.
- Click yes to the warning then close all windows and reboot the computer.
It is advised to run the scan 4 times error free.
Defrag the system.
Click start then programs or all programs, next click accessories then system tools then disk defragmenter,
If you do all of the above it will be about as good as it is going to get. If it is still too slow the Internet securty has a 60 day money back guerenty and you could try just antivirus as it will have less processes that run and may also help.
Hope this helps as this would be all I have on my list.
My system runs 2 gigs with 1.3 free Around 60% doing the above. any thing less then 40% free the sysmte will get noticably slower..
Best Wishes,
[Edit: Converted long link to hyperlink for scrolling issue]
First of all, Levi and huwyngr, I really appreciate the attention you gave my problem.
After a long day of learning and doing the recommended steps, there is some improvement. It took me hours to figure out that unchecking in Startup of msconfig isn't permanent in XP. The temporary unchecking didn't affect the figures much, so I didn't include them (because the PC was in a different mode, Diagnostic mode vs. Normal mode).
Below are the results, given as four times (in each column) for 3 states (the rows). The PC was initially off. The times are measured from pushing the "On" button of the PC, to
A. Appearance of Start button in lower left corner
B. Appearance of IE (blank) window (bad measurement, because it involved my speed in opening IE)
C. Changing of IE URL bar contents to home URL of AOL.com
D. Appearance of AOL.com content in IE window.
Original --> After Removed Defender --> After 4 chkdsk operations, 1 defrag, and deselecting "check availability of updates at startup" in Quicktime app (the best I could do--qttask still appears in Startup and is checked)
A. 1:48 1:37 1:29
B. 2:14 1:56 1:44
C. 3:24 2:13 2:00
D. 3:28 2:21 2:16
Available Physical Memory in msinfo32 went from the original 192.26MB to 229.29MB after removing Defender. I checked at various times after that and got varying readings: 217.82, 218.43, 225.56MB.
Minor tidbits: I didn't try to remove igfxtray (this tiny 5" PC has a "Zoom" hard button for changing resolution when docked) nor ctfmon (this PC relies on handwriting recognition). Also didn't try to uncheck jusched after reading on internet from Sun employee that it's only 87K and stops running after checking--I don't believe the latter, as the process is still showing in Task Manager a half hour after startup.
Conclusion: Removing Defender did help in Available Memory and speed. Still seemed kinda slow on these and other operations that I didn't time. But that's compared to no anti-virus at all.
I think I'll try huwyngr's suggestion, and try some free anti-virus to see if that helps (and always connect through a router). I'll still use NIS on two other PCs. My big desire was to use Identity Safe on this PC, because most user interaction is not via keyboard, but via stylus and hand-writing recognition (ritePen). Calling up a virtual keyboard and tapping to enter logins/passwords and to fill forms is tedious.
Thanks again. It's impressive to get such extensive help. Much appreciated.
One thing that may speed-up your startup a bit is to cut back on the number of bookmarks you have
And to empty the cache just before shutting down.
Some systems run a check on bookmarks to see if they are still viable and emptying the cache can often help with slow to boot systems.
I don't know which browser you are using so I can't advise how to do this apart from in the Opera browser which I use habitually..
Maybe someone else would know how to empty Internet Explorer's or Firefox's cache.
This may help you regain a little speed at boot up.
Yes it looks like your near the end with out upgrades like a hard drive with 4,8, or 16 meg buffer that can also help speed. It all depends on exactly where the choke points are. You can also make sure you are being a hardware firewall I the modem or router and try just antivirus butt that is not advisable if you put personal information on the system as you will want a full firewall to protect your important information.
Usually in IE or firefox you click tools then you can find an option to clean out casch but it will only help internet speed not over all performance.
RobertR: I didn't plan my tests well as you can see below, and I may have had timing errors. So I'll have to test later after the browser builds up some cache again. I didn't remove my IE bookmarks, because I only have a few. I have hundreds of bookmarks in Firefox, will have to test that later.
IMHO, because of my bad tests, it's inconclusive. But I'm gonna watch both of these, cache and bookmarks, in case I see delay.
Levi, thanks for your appraisal. Even though the tests were poorly designed, nevertheless they all resulted in surprisingly good times. Maybe the work we did in this thread did improve my PC to an adequate speed.
Awaken from hibernation, no apps. running: 15 seconds.
Awaken from standby, Wordpad running:
- wireless on: 5 sec.
- wireless off: 3 sec.
--------------------------------------------------------
Cleared out private data from IE and Firefox
--------------------------------------------------------
Awaken from Standby, Wordpad running:
- wireless on: 2 sec.
- wireless off: 3 sec. (measurement error? or happenstance?)
Awaken from Standby, IE running:
- wireless on: 5 sec.
- wireless off: 6 sec. (measurement error? or happenstance?)
Too bad I didn't do the "IE running" test before clearing out the cache.
If I switch to a weaker anti-virus, I'll take your advice and not put personal info on this PC. Right now, with these test times, I'm thinking of keeping NIS 2008. I only wish Identity Safe were accessible without the Norton toolbar There's no space on this 5" 800x600px PC to add any extra toolbars, and it's hit or miss whether I can tap in the Identity Safe popup's entry box before it disappears.
Thanks again, everyone.
Joe
NIS 2008 is faster than ever before, but it is not as fast as Avira, Dr. Web, and NOD32. These programs run lighter on older computers, but if you have a fast new one, NIS 2008 will still be a bit more of a load than the AV programs I mentioned.
BunkhouseBuck1 wrote:
NIS 2008 is faster than ever before, but it is not as fast as Avira, Dr. Web, and NOD32. These programs run lighter on older computers, but if you have a fast new one, NIS 2008 will still be a bit more of a load than the AV programs I mentioned.
Do you have any actual measurements on this? There's a lot of perceived wisdom about but little actual measurements that I've come across ..... even in the magazines.