My computer has statrted running very slowly, but looking at the processes
running in Task Manager, only the System Idle Process seems to be using more
than 2 -3 % of the CPU. For example, using Outlook, it takes me about 10
minutes to export data to a PST file, but during this process, when I look at
Task Manager, OUTLOOK.EXE is only using 2% of the CPU. I have defragmented my
harddrive and there's about 16GB free space. I've used AVGfree to check there
are no viruses. Can anyone give me advice?

brendan wrote:
> My computer has statrted running very slowly, but looking at the
> processes running in Task Manager, only the System Idle Process
> seems to be using more than 2 -3 % of the CPU. For example, using
> Outlook, it takes me about 10 minutes to export data to a PST file,
> but during this process, when I look at Task Manager, OUTLOOK.EXE
> is only using 2% of the CPU. I have defragmented my harddrive and
> there's about 16GB free space. I've used AVGfree to check there are
> no viruses. Can anyone give me advice?

So you have made sure you have free space (16GB of how much on C?) and
defragmented (using the built-in defragmentation tool, I assume) and checked
for viruses using AVG (which version? You said AVGFree - but what is the
precise version number and how often do you update?)

First - let's get some information on your system...

Operating System name, edition, service pack level and version...

Start button --> RUN
(no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
--> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.

The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
(Operating System name) while the line starting with the word "version" will
give you the rest of the story. Post _both_ in response to this message
verbatim. ;-)

Then, for yourself but with some sharing here... Download and install
Belarc Advisor (Free) and run it. I would suggest printing the results to
store with your installation media and important computer-related
paperwork external of the machine. From that - please provide the
following information:

.. Processor (at least the first line under that section...)
.. Display
.. Memory Modules
.. Local Drive Volumes

Once you provide the requested information, you should start a general
cleanup of the system - to ensure this cannot be fixed in that manner.
(Do these things *even if* you know/think you have done them before...)

Download/install this:
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301

After installing, do the following:

Start button --> RUN --> type in:
"%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
--> Click OK.
(The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)

Reboot.

Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):

SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/

MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/

After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
if you wish.

Download and run the MSRT manually:
http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx

Reboot.

Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en

Reboot.

and...

Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
of the C:\ drive, do the following:

Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.

Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.

(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...

Reboot.

Then follow the instructions here:

How do I reset Windows Update components?
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058

Reboot.

CHKDSK
How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
* will take time and a reboot

Defragment
How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
* will take time

Disable/Uninstall any 3rd party firewall you have for now. I personally
think you will have less trouble if you uninstall any third-party firewall
you have permanently - but that is your choice.

Disable any AntiVirus software you run for now (while doing the following.)

Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet Explorer
and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
CUSTOM scan...

Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.

Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.

Reboot again.

If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time. Rebooting as needed.

The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
"Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to install
Internet Explorer 8 at this time.

--
Shenan Stanley
MS-MVP
--
How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html

Many thanks Shenan! Only only had a couple of hours to work on this last
night so this is where I am:

C: drive is 37GB, of which 16GB free.
AVGFree version is 9.0.707. I update on an ad-hoc basis, but have done so
quite recently.
System is XP Pro:
Version 5.1, Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234:Service Pack 3

Belarc Adviser results:
Processor: 3.00 GHz Intel Pentium 4
16 kb primary memory cache
1024 kb secondary memory cache
Hyper-threaded (2 total)

Display:
Intel(r) 82865G Graphics Controller (Display Adaptor)
LogMeIn Mirror Driver (Display Adaptor)
BUH LCD17TV004 [Monitor] (16.9" vis, s/n B0004082564, April 2004)

Memory Modules:
624MB Usable Installed Memory
Slot 'A0' has 128MB
Slot 'A1' has 256MB
Slot 'A2' has 256MB
Slot 'A3' is empty

Local Drive Volumes:
c: (NTFS on drive 0): 40.02 GB, 17.63 GB free
e: (NTFS on drive1): 41.10 GB, 16.91 GB free

Note this e: drive is an old hard drive from a previous computer, which a
friend installed for me when the motherboard on the old computer burned up.

Belarc also gave a list of about 15 "Missing Microsoft Security Hotfixes",
most of which were "critical" and the rest were "important".

I then ran msizap.exe (whatever it did was too fast to see in the command
window) and rebooted.

I ran superantispyware, which took about 2 hours and found some 500
"threats" - all of which appeared to be Adware Cookies.

I'll run the malware and the rest tonight, and let you know how it goes.

thanks again!
Brendan
"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

> brendan wrote:
> > My computer has statrted running very slowly, but looking at the
> > processes running in Task Manager, only the System Idle Process
> > seems to be using more than 2 -3 % of the CPU. For example, using
> > Outlook, it takes me about 10 minutes to export data to a PST file,
> > but during this process, when I look at Task Manager, OUTLOOK.EXE
> > is only using 2% of the CPU. I have defragmented my harddrive and
> > there's about 16GB free space. I've used AVGfree to check there are
> > no viruses. Can anyone give me advice?
>
> So you have made sure you have free space (16GB of how much on C?) and
> defragmented (using the built-in defragmentation tool, I assume) and checked
> for viruses using AVG (which version? You said AVGFree - but what is the
> precise version number and how often do you update?)
>
> First - let's get some information on your system...
>
> Operating System name, edition, service pack level and version...
>
> Start button --> RUN
> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
> --> type in:
> winver
> --> Click OK.
>
> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
> (Operating System name) while the line starting with the word "version" will
> give you the rest of the story. Post _both_ in response to this message
> verbatim. ;-)
>
> Then, for yourself but with some sharing here... Download and install
> Belarc Advisor (Free) and run it. I would suggest printing the results to
> store with your installation media and important computer-related
> paperwork external of the machine. From that - please provide the
> following information:
>
> .. Processor (at least the first line under that section...)
> .. Display
> .. Memory Modules
> .. Local Drive Volumes
>
> Once you provide the requested information, you should start a general
> cleanup of the system - to ensure this cannot be fixed in that manner.
> (Do these things *even if* you know/think you have done them before...)
>
> Download/install this:
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
>
> After installing, do the following:
>
> Start button --> RUN --> type in:
> "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
> --> Click OK.
> (The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be exact.)
>
> Reboot.
>
> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately) with the
> following two applications (freeware versions are the ones to use for this):
>
> SuperAntiSpyware
> http://www.superantispyware.com/
>
> MalwareBytes
> http://www.malwarebytes.com/
>
> After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
> whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
> if you wish.
>
> Download and run the MSRT manually:
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx
>
> Reboot.
>
> Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
> ( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en
>
> Reboot.
>
> and...
>
> Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
> http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
> .... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
> of the C:\ drive, do the following:
>
> Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.
>
> Start button --> RUN and type in:
> %SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
> --> Click OK.
>
> (If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
> NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
>
> Reboot.
>
> Then follow the instructions here:
>
> How do I reset Windows Update components?
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
>
> Reboot.
>
> CHKDSK
> How to scan your disks for errors
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
> * will take time and a reboot
>
> Defragment
> How to Defragment your hard drives
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
> * will take time
>
> Disable/Uninstall any 3rd party firewall you have for now. I personally
> think you will have less trouble if you uninstall any third-party firewall
> you have permanently - but that is your choice.
>
> Disable any AntiVirus software you run for now (while doing the following.)
>
> Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet Explorer
> and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
> CUSTOM scan...
>
> Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
> first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
> release the CTRL key after clicking each time.
>
> Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
> (deselect any others) and install it.
>
> Reboot again.
>
> If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
> time. Rebooting as needed.
>
> The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
> against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones or
> "Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid the
> Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to install
> Internet Explorer 8 at this time.
>
> --
> Shenan Stanley
> MS-MVP
> --
> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>
>
> .
>

A less-frequent but possible cause of a computer being very slow is that the
disk interface has reverted to PIO mode, and is not using DMA.

Check under Device Manager for the transfer-mode properties of the primary
channel of the IDE controller. If it says 'DMA if available' it's OK.

If it won't let you set DMA mode then this is because errors were detected
in disk transfers, in this case check the event log.

"brendan" wrote:

> My computer has statrted running very slowly, but looking at the processes
> running in Task Manager, only the System Idle Process seems to be using more
> than 2 -3 % of the CPU. For example, using Outlook, it takes me about 10
> minutes to export data to a PST file, but during this process, when I look at
> Task Manager, OUTLOOK.EXE is only using 2% of the CPU. I have defragmented my
> harddrive and there's about 16GB free space. I've used AVGfree to check there
> are no viruses. Can anyone give me advice?

Brendan

Is your system error free?

Have a look in the System and Application logs in Event Viewer for
Errors and Warnings and post copies here. Don't post any more than 48
hours ago.

You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start, Control Panel,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning
of the error, information regarding Event ID, Source and Description
are important.

A tip for posting copies of Error Reports! Run Event Viewer and double
click on the error you want to copy. In the window, which appears is a
button resembling two pages. Click the button and close Event
Viewer.Now start your message (email) and do a paste into the body of
the message. Make sure this is the first paste after exiting from
Event Viewer.

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance
Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?


--


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

brendan wrote:
> Many thanks Shenan! Only only had a couple of hours to work on this
> last night so this is where I am:
>
> C: drive is 37GB, of which 16GB free.
> AVGFree version is 9.0.707. I update on an ad-hoc basis, but have
> done so quite recently.
> System is XP Pro:
> Version 5.1, Build 2600.xpsp_sp3_gdr.090206-1234:Service Pack 3
>
> Belarc Adviser results:
> Processor: 3.00 GHz Intel Pentium 4
> 16 kb primary memory cache
> 1024 kb secondary memory cache
> Hyper-threaded (2 total)
>
> Display:
> Intel(r) 82865G Graphics Controller (Display Adaptor)
> LogMeIn Mirror Driver (Display Adaptor)
> BUH LCD17TV004 [Monitor] (16.9" vis, s/n B0004082564, April 2004)
>
> Memory Modules:
> 624MB Usable Installed Memory
> Slot 'A0' has 128MB
> Slot 'A1' has 256MB
> Slot 'A2' has 256MB
> Slot 'A3' is empty
>
> Local Drive Volumes:
> c: (NTFS on drive 0): 40.02 GB, 17.63 GB free
> e: (NTFS on drive1): 41.10 GB, 16.91 GB free
>
> Note this e: drive is an old hard drive from a previous computer,
> which a friend installed for me when the motherboard on the old
> computer burned up.
>
> Belarc also gave a list of about 15 "Missing Microsoft Security
> Hotfixes", most of which were "critical" and the rest were
> "important".
>
> I then ran msizap.exe (whatever it did was too fast to see in the
> command window) and rebooted.
>
> I ran superantispyware, which took about 2 hours and found some 500
> "threats" - all of which appeared to be Adware Cookies.
>
> I'll run the malware and the rest tonight, and let you know how it
> goes.
>
> thanks again!
> Brendan
> "Shenan Stanley" wrote:
>
>> brendan wrote:
>>> My computer has statrted running very slowly, but looking at the
>>> processes running in Task Manager, only the System Idle Process
>>> seems to be using more than 2 -3 % of the CPU. For example, using
>>> Outlook, it takes me about 10 minutes to export data to a PST file,
>>> but during this process, when I look at Task Manager, OUTLOOK.EXE
>>> is only using 2% of the CPU. I have defragmented my harddrive and
>>> there's about 16GB free space. I've used AVGfree to check there are
>>> no viruses. Can anyone give me advice?
>>
>> So you have made sure you have free space (16GB of how much on C?)
>> and defragmented (using the built-in defragmentation tool, I assume)
>> and checked for viruses using AVG (which version? You said AVGFree
>> - but what is the precise version number and how often do you
>> update?)
>>
>> First - let's get some information on your system...
>>
>> Operating System name, edition, service pack level and version...
>>
>> Start button --> RUN
>> (no "RUN"? Press the "Windows Key" + R on your keyboard)
>> --> type in:
>> winver
>> --> Click OK.
>>
>> The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the
>> general (Operating System name) while the line starting with the
>> word "version" will give you the rest of the story. Post _both_ in
>> response to this message verbatim. ;-)
>>
>> Then, for yourself but with some sharing here... Download and install
>> Belarc Advisor (Free) and run it. I would suggest printing the
>> results to store with your installation media and important
>> computer-related
>> paperwork external of the machine. From that - please provide the
>> following information:
>>
>> .. Processor (at least the first line under that section...)
>> .. Display
>> .. Memory Modules
>> .. Local Drive Volumes
>>
>> Once you provide the requested information, you should start a
>> general cleanup of the system - to ensure this cannot be fixed in
>> that manner. (Do these things *even if* you know/think you have done
>> them before...)
>>
>> Download/install this:
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/290301
>>
>> After installing, do the following:
>>
>> Start button --> RUN --> type in:
>> "%ProgramFiles%\Windows Installer Clean Up\msizap.exe" g!
>> --> Click OK.
>> (The quotation marks and percentage signs and spacing should be
>> exact.)
>>
>> Reboot.
>>
>> Download, install, run, update and perform a full scan (separately)
>> with the following two applications (freeware versions are the ones
>> to use for this):
>>
>> SuperAntiSpyware
>> http://www.superantispyware.com/
>>
>> MalwareBytes
>> http://www.malwarebytes.com/
>>
>> After performing a full scan with one and then the other and removing
>> whatever they both find completely, you may uninstall these products,
>> if you wish.
>>
>> Download and run the MSRT manually:
>> http://www.microsoft.com/security/ma...e/default.mspx
>>
>> Reboot.
>>
>> Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
>> ( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
>> http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/d...displaylang=en
>>
>> Reboot.
>>
>> and...
>>
>> Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here
>> (x86): http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
>> .... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to
>> the root of the C:\ drive, do the following:
>>
>> Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.
>>
>> Start button --> RUN and type in:
>> %SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
>> --> Click OK.
>>
>> (If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and
>> click on NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
>>
>> Reboot.
>>
>> Then follow the instructions here:
>>
>> How do I reset Windows Update components?
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/971058
>>
>> Reboot.
>>
>> CHKDSK
>> How to scan your disks for errors
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
>> * will take time and a reboot
>>
>> Defragment
>> How to Defragment your hard drives
>> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
>> * will take time
>>
>> Disable/Uninstall any 3rd party firewall you have for now. I
>> personally think you will have less trouble if you uninstall any
>> third-party firewall you have permanently - but that is your choice.
>>
>> Disable any AntiVirus software you run for now (while doing the
>> following.)
>>
>> Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet
>> Explorer
>> and visit http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a
>> CUSTOM scan...
>>
>> Every time you are about to click on something while at these web
>> pages - first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on
>> it. You can release the CTRL key after clicking each time.
>>
>> Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
>> (deselect any others) and install it.
>>
>> Reboot again.
>>
>> If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5
>> at a time. Rebooting as needed.
>>
>> The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I
>> recommend against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office
>> Live" ones or "Windows Live" ones for now. I would completely avoid
>> the
>> Optional Hardware updates. Also - I do not see any urgent need to
>> install Internet Explorer 8 at this time.
>>
>> --
>> Shenan Stanley
>> MS-MVP
>> --
>> How To Ask Questions The Smart Way
>> http://www.catb.org/~esr/faqs/smart-questions.html
>>
>>
>> .