Resident SDHelper slow in 1.6

G

Geraud

New member
I've just installed the Spybot 1.6.0.30 and notice that Resident SDHelper is slowing down my computer a lot. This only applies to SDHelper, and not TeaTimer. TeaTimer works fine for me. It is definitely SDHelper in version 1.6 that is slowing my machine down. It did not do this in version 1.5.

I think it is affecting Explorer and IE. All I have to do is click on "My Computer" and it takes about two seconds to open the folder for viewing. If I just disable SDHelper, the folder opens instantly. I've tried toggling SDHelper on and off several times and the difference is consistent and very noticeable. I've also noticed a huge slowdown in internet browsing with the new SDHelper enabled. I think the problem is the same on my other machine as well. Is anyone else noticing this?
 
I've exactly the same problem : SDhelper slows down Explorer & IExplorer with Spybot 1.6.0.30 (was not the case with 1.5)
Disabling SDhelper option resolves the problem (but not safely I guess...)
My configuration: Windows XP Pro SP2, ZoneAlarm, Global (Hosts) vaccination OFF.

I go back to Spybot 1.5 for now...:sad:
 
SDHelper causing delay opening folders

After upgrading to v1.6 of Spybot I am seeing a 3 second delay when opening either Windows Explorer or My Computer - and this repeats on every change of folder - so flipping between folders becomes very annoying as each change has this 3 second pause. The right-hand file window remains blank during the delay.

I have tracked this delay to the SDHelper (aka Resident IE) component of Spybot - switching off the SDHelper eliminates the delay. Activating SDHelper turns the delay back on - but only for any new Windows Explorer windows - any pre-existing windows remain ok and function without the delay.

Both the computers showing this problem are using XP-Pro on a 3Ghz P4 with 1Gb Ram - so normally folders open almost instantly. I run a very lean XP setup with only 26 resident processes - the only extras being AVG Free v8 without the LinkScanner or Office plugin loaded. Normally I would see 600-700k of free RAM. The problem exists under both SP2 and SP3 and with both IE6 and IE7.

I have recently installed on two computers running XP Home without any problem.

I have already tried a full undo of all protections, uninstall and reinstall of Spybot v1.6 without any change. TeaTimer has no effect on this delay problem - but the new Beta version is a great improvement over the standard version.
 
Last edited:
I didn't link my slowed-down-explorer to SD-Helper until I stumbled on this topic. So, yes I'm suffering of the same problem. When I open explorer it needs much time to search for the files in the right window or it doesn't seem to open at all for a minute or so. Never had this before. Stopping SD-Helper makes the opening quick and easy again. I have also version 1.6 installed recently.
I have Windows XP Home SP3 and IE 6.
 
Last edited:
Delay Opening Folders caused by SDHelper

Join the club Guingion.
Glad you found the cause - took me a while and like you I just stumbled on it in the forums.
 
Geraud said:
I think it is affecting Explorer and IE. All I have to do is click on "My Computer" and it takes about two seconds to open the folder for viewing. If I just disable SDHelper, the folder opens instantly. I've tried toggling SDHelper on and off several times and the difference is consistent and very noticeable. I've also noticed a huge slowdown in internet browsing with the new SDHelper enabled. I think the problem is the same on my other machine as well. Is anyone else noticing this?
Click to expand...

OK ... my computer has slowed down to a snail's pace as well after installing 1.6. Turned this expensive piece of hardware into a joke, it did.

I don't know what happens when SDHelper is disabled (does that disable Spybot?) ... or how to disable it.

How can I get my hands on a copy of v 1.5 now that I've installed 1.6? I don't have a 1.5 backup on my system.
 
rogerfgay said:
I don't know what happens when SDHelper is disabled (does that disable Spybot?) ... or how to disable it.
Click to expand...

In IE7 go to Tools > Manage Add-Ons > Enable or Disable Add-Ons and disable the "Spybot-SD IE Protection (SDHelper.dll)". This will let you keep the new Spybot.
 
Just tried 1.6 again today and I'm also having the before-mentioned bog down problems in IE and Windows.

I want understand what I'm reading. If I untick SDHelper in Spybot will that help the Windows problem as well as the IE problem? If not, do I need to untick TeaTimer too?

And, if I untick SDHelper, what am I sacrificing? Wouldn't it be more secure to stay with 1.5.2 for the time being?
 
SDHelper Causes Delay in Opening Folders

For me unticking SDHelper removed the 3 second delay in opening folders in Windows Explorer/My Computer. I was not experiencing a slowdown in IE7 but others have stated it can also cure the slowdown seen in Internet Explorer.

As I understand it you are loosing a certain degree of first line protection provided as a Browser Helper Object. The Help file describes SDHelper as follows: A browser helper for Internet Explorer that will block download of files known as malicious (spyware installers for example).

Until this problem is fixed I am trusting that the spyware protection in AVG v8 and TeaTimer can protect me - but I do feel a tad exposed with an integral part of Spybot disabled. So far I have been unable to isolate what added factors trigger this problem - I have two computers with the problem and two that do not - all with almost identical configurations. I am seriously considering doing a clean install of XP on one of the pc's that currently shows the fault and trying to isolate at what stage the problem appears.
 
DougCuk, I echo your equivocation.

Unless I disable SDHelper and take my chances I, like you, am not sure how much I rely on it in relation to my other security apps. This is my only machine so I'm not willing to experiment.
Looks like I'll be staying with 1.5.2 until we get a definitive fix.

BTW, I was aware of the manual entry. I thought if I expressed my question that way, I might get a little more "real world" info.

You gave me exactly what I needed. Thanks
 
MikeMcD said:
I did the same automatic upgrade (as d&ss1) to 1.6.0.31 last night and now my system is so slow it's unusable (it's my work PC), so now I'm in a panic. The worst is my email client software, Sea-Monkey, it now takes forever just to move from email to email.

1) What can I do to get the original speed back? Are there adjustments or tweaks I can do to stop the slowdown?
2) Or should I uninstall 1.6 and reinstall 1.5? Would this be the safest choice?
3) Should I have uninstalled 1.5 before I installed 1.6? (The automatic process did not present this as a choice)

Thanks!!!
Click to expand...

Above is my post in another thread, posted before I saw this...
Is v 1.6 a beta version?
So Guingion, how do you turn off SD-Helper?
Will this fix all the "slow" problems, including my SeaMonkey email?
Or would it just be better to go back to v1.5?

Thanks!
Mike
 
I have yet to establish what changes were made in this new update 1.6.0.31 as I can find nothing documented anywhere - my system is still on v1.6.0.30. There may be some new slowdown problem in this update or it may be the same problem others have seen before. At this point in time it is unclear to me.

If you wish to try disabling SDHelper to test if it is the cause here are the options.

You can disable the SDHelper (aka Resident IE Browser Helper Object) from several places.
1. Inside the Spybot program from the Advanced menu via Tools->Resident - SDHelper tickbox.
2. From the TeaTimer/SD Resident system tray icon - via the right click menu - open the Resident IE section and untick the "Use Resident in IE Sessions" option.
3. Inside IE use the Tools->Manage Addons menu and disable the Spybot-SD IE Protection item.

Reboot and check if the problem disappears - If it makes no difference turn it back on again.
 
1.6 has apparently slowed down my PC too.
I use SeaMonkey (Mozilla) browser and email client, which is unusable
Disabling SDHelper, under advanced mode, makes no difference
There does not appear to be a solution to this,
Looks like I need to uninstall 1.6 and reinstall 1.5
Anyone have a better idea?

I blame this, ultimately, on the internet, and all the sickos that put out all this nasty s_it out there. My former rocket ship P4 had been reduced to a piece of crap. I had the same experience going from AVG v7.5 to v8, it turned my PC into a rock.
 
Hello everybody, I've just registered here in order to report the same problem.

I confirm that it is SD-Helper that slows things down (that is: if you disable it as described above things get back to normal) - my browser has 8-10 second delays - not only when launching, but also when browsing to next page (often with "not responding" on title bar). Another thing I observed is that when the page features ads (banners, flash thingies) the delays probably multiply with each object (i.e. as if it was scanning it or something). Browsing is slow just like in my modem days - this is unbearable.

For the time being - until the problem is resolved - I'm switching back to 1.5.2 and suggest the same for others. Disabling SD-Helper makes you more vulnerable - Spybot removes bad software, but it's better not getting infected in the first place, right? I'd rather stick to outdated protection than no protection at all (or a very slow system).

System: WinXP Pro SP2
Browser: IE6
Hardware: P4@2.6GHz, 512MB RAM
 
Last edited:
is the SD-Helper really needed when the sites it blocks already are placed in the restricted zone and some of them in the hostsfile? i have it turned on right now.
 
I installed the new SB version, noticed IE became horribly slow, disabled the SDHelper via the SB window, and IE started to run as fast as before (when I used the previous SB version with its SDHelper).

This is a dual 3.2ghz Xeon system (4 logical processors) with 12GB of mem and 12-disk RAID5 array. IE was pegging frequently at 25-31% (meaning a bit more than one logical processor fully used) when loading web pages and with the new version's SDHelper active. Turing off the new SDHelper has eliminated all of the 'wait times.'

Is there a bit of messed-up code in the SDHelper part of the software?

Thanks!
Joe
 
Same Slow IE with S&D 1.6

I just upgraded two days ago and thought nothing of it. All of a sudden my browser was utilizing 50% CPU and I thought I had some sort of malware infection. Turns out it is indeed the new version of the resident shield. I had to disable the plugin as has been suggested here This is the first time in 3 years that I ever had an issue with one of these guy's releases. I am sure they will come up with a solution fast! At least I hope so...
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top