Computer is running slow during Burning\installing a program AND M

[Guest]

I'm currently running windows XP Home Edition(the same has happened on 2
other computers I hav had) and they all ended up running slow during
installation and burning DVD's and CD's. I don't own a slow CD burner. And
when I burn now it takes over an hour to burn a DVD-R or +R. Normally it
takes 10 minutes :S
Another thing is when I am installing new programs and they are
installing(etc Battlefield 2) The computer is running extremely slow. The
mouse lags and so on.

Does anyone have any suggestions on this?=)

 

[R. McCarty]

Assuming ATAPI/IDE controllers - How many devices are used & how
are they configured (Primary/Secondary - M/S/CS) ? Also which burning
app are you using. It sounds to me like the Optical is not operating in
it's
native mode (DMA 2). You need to check your Device Manager, IDE
Controllers category, Secondary, Advanced (TAB) and see what current
operating mode is being used. I'd also check System & Application logs
to see if the optical is experiencing error(s). This could also be an issue
with your hard drive(s). I'd download & run DiskSpeed32 to check on
it's performance (Access Time, Burst, Sustained Throughput).
DiskSpeed32 download here:
http://www.geocities.com/vgrinenko/DiskSpeed32/
I wouldn't rule out some Malware that might be causing Performance loss

 

[Rick \Nutcase\ Rogers]

Hi,

Check for malware:

AdawareII www.lavasoft.de
Spybot www.safer-networking.org

From MVP Richard Harper on cleaning up malware infested systems:
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software
http://support.microsoft.com/?kbid=827315

--
Best of Luck,

Rick Rogers, aka "Nutcase" - Microsoft MVP

Associate Expert - WindowsXP Expert Zone

Windows help - www.rickrogers.org

 

[Guest]

Hi and thanks for quick responses=)

I am using a Laptop computer from DELL. (Dell XPS)
It can't be the harddrive because it runs normally when I'm Playing games.
Thats whats so strange. I have checked my computer with all kinds of software
ad Anti Virus tools. (AVG, AD-Aware,Sone Labs Security Suite, Spybot S&D.
I also only have one CD\DVD-Recorder.
=)

 

[Guest]

PS:
I Checked the Advanced tab in Secondary devices IDE.
It is set to PIO mode. Isn't it supposed to stay on DMA?
How do I change that?=)

 

[R. McCarty]

Not under all circumstances. XP has a provision where if Optical
devices report errors, XP will step-back the operating mode of the
device to try and reach a speed where errors do not occur. To fix
the current state, you can Uninstall the CD/DVD & reboot. XP will
re-enumerate the device and it's operating mode will default to DMA.

However, if you use the device and errors again happen, XP will
do the same step back, so you need to monitor the System Event
log. There is a Registry Key you can add that will Clear the counter
on a successful transfer. But you need to resolve the basic issue of
why the error(s)/Step-back is occurring.

On DVD type optical drives, a Firmware Flash may resolve some
kinds of persistent errors. Not universally recommended, but in some
cases should be considered.