Norton utilities ( not Anti-Virus or Firewall ) running continuously in
background could cause poor system performance. You should turn off
programmes using what is available in programme and not use the Msconfig
tool which is intended for short term disabling. Check that the Indexing
Service is disabled. Note the More Options option for Syosset Restore in
Disk CleanUp. Otherwise the full list of what to look at follows:
Poor system performance can be the result of a single problem or a
combination of factors. Listed below are issues, which you may wish to
examine if you are experiencing poor performance after the boot process has
completed. Some items may help with slow starting of Windows XP but the list
has not been prepared for tackling that problem. Work through the list until
you achieve an acceptable result.
Regular and effective housekeeping is essential. What you do and how often
you do it will depend on how you use your computer. A suggested routine may
include:
1. In Outlook Express empty your Deleted Items folder.
2. In Outlook Express run File, Folder, Compact All whilst OFFLINE.
3. Run Disk Cleanup. Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk
Cleanup with Temporary Internet Files, Offline Web Pages (optional), System
Restore (
more Options tab ) and Recycle Bin selected for deletion. If you have more
than one drive /
partition you may need to do this operation for each drive / partition.
4. Remove Cookies. Start, Control Panel, Internet Options, General, Delete
Cookies.
5. Run Disk Defragmenter.
Check whether you could reduce the number of days the History of sites
visited is retained. Start, Control Panel, Internet Options, General,
History.
Spyware causes many problems. If not installed download Adaware and / or
update Reference file
from
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/ and use it to remove
parasites. If Spyware persists as a problem try a Hosts file.
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/what_is_hosts.html
Slow performance resulting from insufficient memory, causing over reliance
on virtual memory, may be especially noticed by those upgrading to Windows
XP from an earlier version of Windows. Windows XP will run with 64 MB of RAM
memory. However, a minimum of 256 MB is recommended and many users will
recommend 512 MB. You may check on pagefile (virtual memory) usage with Page
File Monitor for XP:
http://www.dougknox.com/
Check how much free space you have on the hard drive / partition where your
pagefile is located.
You need a minimum of 15% but 20% or more is better.
Check your setting for the Indexing Service. Start, Administrative Tools,
Services, Indexing Service. The default setting is Manual. Check that it is
not running. More information here:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm#Indexing_Service
You can have too many programmes running in the background. Close
programmes/windows after
use. Check whether all the programmes loading when Windows is started are
really necessary.
http://aumha.org/a/loads.htm
Check whether you can identify slow performance with a particular programme.
Look in Google to
see whether others have encountered the same problem and found a solution.
http://groups.google.com/
Are there any error messages in Event Viewer? You can access Event Viewer by
selecting Start, Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching
the meaning of the error, information regarding Event ID: and Source
Description is important.
HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308427&Product=winxp
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Hope this helps.
Gerry
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FCA
Stourport, Worcs, England
Enquire, plan and execute.
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