Computer Running Slowly

[alex]

Please help. I have a Dell PC (Dimension 5100) with Windows XP. Sometimes
it runs fine. At other times, you can hear it clicking away on something
that makes the computer basically unresponsive. This typically lasts 5-10
minutes, then it stops and runs OK. The most common times for this to occur
are: (1) at start up; and (2) when opening a new internet explorer window.
Every now and then, we get an error message saying that there is a script in
flash that is continuing to run and asking us if we want to abort, but that
happens rarely. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the flash player.
I have also run msconfig and really reduced the programs that go on at start
up.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated

 

[Patrick Keenan]

Please help. I have a Dell PC (Dimension 5100) with Windows XP.
Sometimes
it runs fine. At other times, you can hear it clicking away on something
that makes the computer basically unresponsive. This typically lasts 5-10
minutes, then it stops and runs OK. The most common times for this to
occur
are: (1) at start up; and (2) when opening a new internet explorer
window.
Every now and then, we get an error message saying that there is a script
in
flash that is continuing to run and asking us if we want to abort, but
that
happens rarely. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the flash
player.
I have also run msconfig and really reduced the programs that go on at
start
up.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated

Download and run Process Explorer. Try to duplicate the delays you are
seeing and look at what processes are that are taking hte CPU cycles.
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb896653.aspx

Windows can appear to become unresponsive if it runs into disk errors and is
trying to work around them. Consider the state of your backups, and what
you might do if you need to move to a new hard disk. Where I am, 250 gig
hard disks are under $70, so check the date that is stamped on your disk.
If it's a few years old, consider a new one.

HTH
-pk

 

[PA Bear [MS MVP]]

1. See http://miekiemoes.blogspot.com/2008/02/help-my-computer-is-slow.html

2. Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

Run a /thorough/ check for hijackware, including posting the requested logs
in an appropriate forum.

Checking for/Help with Hijackware
http://aumha.net/viewtopic.php?f=30&t=4075
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/data/prevention.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/tshoot.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

**Seek expert assistance in
http://spywarehammer.com/simplemachinesforum/index.php?board=10.0,
http://forums.spybot.info/forumdisplay.php?f=22,
http://aumha.net/viewforum.php?f=30, or other appropriate forums.**

If the procedures look too complex - and there is no shame in admitting this
isn't your cup of tea - take the machine to a local, reputable and
independent (i.e., not BigBoxStoreUSA or Geek Squad) computer repair shop.

 

[Kayman]

Please help. I have a Dell PC (Dimension 5100) with Windows XP. Sometimes
it runs fine. At other times, you can hear it clicking away on something
that makes the computer basically unresponsive. This typically lasts 5-10
minutes, then it stops and runs OK. The most common times for this to occur
are: (1) at start up; and (2) when opening a new internet explorer window.
Every now and then, we get an error message saying that there is a script in
flash that is continuing to run and asking us if we want to abort, but that
happens rarely. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the flash player.
I have also run msconfig and really reduced the programs that go on at start
up.
Any suggestions would be really appreciated

1.Clear the (IE) temporary Internet files and the history cache.
Click 'Start' and then click 'Run'... then type (or copy/paste)
"inetcpl.cpl" (w/out quotation marks) into the box, then click the 'OK'
button.
In Internet Properties panel 'General' tab, under 'Browsing history', click
'Delete...'button, in 'Delete Browsing History' panel, click the 'Delete
all...' button then place a checkmark into the box beside 'Also delete
files and settings stored by add-ons', Click 'Yes' and exit the Internet
Properties panel by clicking the 'OK' button.

2.Clean HDD
Click 'Start' and then click 'Run...' then type (or copy/paste) "cleanmgr"
(w/out quotation marks into the box, then click the 'OK' button. Select
your drive
(presumably WinXP (C and click OK.

3.Download/execute:
Malwarebytes© Corporation - Anti-Malware
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam/program/mbam-setup.exe
--and--
SuperAntispyware - Free
http://www.superantispyware.com/downloadfile.html?productid=SUPERANTISPYWAREFREE

4.Download and execute HiJack This! (HJT)
http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/tools/security_tools/hijackthis

Please, do not post HJT logs to this newsgroup.
Fora where you can get expert advice for HiJack This! (HJT) logs.

http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=3.0
http://www.spywarewarrior.com/viewforum.php?f=5
http://forums.tomcoyote.org/index.php?showforum=27
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/forum22.html
http://www.malwarebytes.org/forums/index.php?showforum=7
http://www.5starsupport.com/ipboard/index.php?showforum=18
http://www.theeldergeek.com/forum/index.php?s=2e9ea4e19d3289dd877ab75a8220bff6&showforum=29

NOTE:
Registration is required in any of the above mentioned fora before posting
a HJT log and read the 'stickies' (instructions/guidelines) for the
respective HJT forum.

5.Routinely practice Safe-Hex.
http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

Additional references:
How to optimize or reset Internet Explorer 7
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/936213
Applies to: Windows Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista

How to use Reset Internet Explorer Settings (RIES)
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/923737
Read: "What you must know"
Applies to: Windows Internet Explorer 7 for Windows XP and
Windows Internet Explorer 7 in Windows Vista

GMER - is an application that detects and removes rootkits.
http://www.gmer.net/index.php

For additional assistance in relation GMER scan results consult either
http://antirootkit.com/forums/index.php?sid=9e746bb696ac0bb38781ffe4361c3a17
--or--
http://www.thespykiller.co.uk/index.php?board=3.0

CCleaner - Free
Cleans temporary internet files, cookies, history, recent urls, application
MRUs, etc. ...(*Tune out the registry scanning/fixing option!*)
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds/downloading-slim

If Windows Defender is utilized go to Applications, under Utilities
uncheck "Windows Defender" (so it won't delete the history of WD).
If you wish, click 'Options' button the 'Settings' [check] 'Run CCleaner
when the computer starts'.
--or--
Setup CCleaner to Automatically Run Each Night in Vista or XP
http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/wind...-automatically-run-each-night-in-vista-or-xp/

Good luck

 

[Ian D]

Please help. I have a Dell PC (Dimension 5100) with Windows XP.
Sometimes
it runs fine. At other times, you can hear it clicking away on something
that makes the computer basically unresponsive. This typically lasts 5-10
minutes, then it stops and runs OK. The most common times for this to
occur
are: (1) at start up; and (2) when opening a new internet explorer
window.
Every now and then, we get an error message saying that there is a script
in
flash that is continuing to run and asking us if we want to abort, but
that
happens rarely. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the flash
player.
I have also run msconfig and really reduced the programs that go on at
start
up.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated

If the clicking is coming from inside the PC case, it could
indicate a hard drive problem, and potential drive failure.
I sounds like it is having difficulty reading certain areas
of the disk, and eventually succeeds. The flash script
issue is nothing to worry about. I get that occasionally.
If a script hogs the system and slows down IE, IE will
give you the opportunity to terminate that script.

 

[Jim]

Please help. I have a Dell PC (Dimension 5100) with Windows XP. Sometimes
it runs fine. At other times, you can hear it clicking away on something
that makes the computer basically unresponsive. This typically lasts 5-10
minutes, then it stops and runs OK. The most common times for this to occur
are: (1) at start up; and (2) when opening a new internet explorer window.
Every now and then, we get an error message saying that there is a script in
flash that is continuing to run and asking us if we want to abort, but that
happens rarely. I have tried uninstalling and reinstalling the flash player.
I have also run msconfig and really reduced the programs that go on at start
up.

Any suggestions would be really appreciated

If you hear "clicking" the hard drive might be going u/s .