Diagnostic software for Windows XP

[peternoon]

Is there a software I can download to find out what is wrong with my
PC running XP?

The support people, where I bought the PC, are being lazy and do not
want to check the PC until I have run the CD to take it back to
factory settings "Then we will know there is something wrong with the
PC itself" But this is a nuisance as I will have to start installing
all programmes and settings again.

The PC runs very slowly and the mouse can hardly move the pointer and
click. If I go on it will stop responding. Task mananger shows use of
the processor up to 95% even when I am not carrying out any tasks.

 

[Al Dykes]

Is there a software I can download to find out what is wrong with my
PC running XP?

Look in Event Viewer to see is anything is logged.

I would use a Knoppix/Linux CD to check all the hardware. The syslog
entries show all the drivers being loaded and log errors in some
hardware is broken. If Knoppx boots and runs and can see the
internet, your hardware is healthy and you can focus on XP.

If you can't get on the internet, I'd do the above.

Once you can see the internet, my no-charge diagnosis is that your
system is spyware-saturated. Download Ad-aware or Spybot and run one
or both of them.

 

[db]

there are a number
of issues that can cause
a pc to run slow.

first check to see
if it acts the same way
in safe mode.

take a test drive in safe mode
and document results.

then take a test drive in safe mode
with networking options and
document your results including
using the internet....

then provide us with a status...

- db
Is there a software I can download to find out what is wrong with my
PC running XP?

The support people, where I bought the PC, are being lazy and do not
want to check the PC until I have run the CD to take it back to
factory settings "Then we will know there is something wrong with the
PC itself" But this is a nuisance as I will have to start installing
all programmes and settings again.

The PC runs very slowly and the mouse can hardly move the pointer and
click. If I go on it will stop responding. Task mananger shows use of
the processor up to 95% even when I am not carrying out any tasks.

 

[frodo]

find a different support "person", those are, indeed, lazy.

----

It's a big topic, but you can help yourself if you want to take the time.

the usual steps are use a free spyware scanner (AdAware, SpyBot), use
safe-mode, use a startup manager (Startup Control Panel), and chip away at
it.

unfortuantely, there is no single piece of software that can solve all the
problems, we all wish there was.

Patience, and Good Luck.

 

[Ron Martell]

Is there a software I can download to find out what is wrong with my
PC running XP?

The support people, where I bought the PC, are being lazy and do not
want to check the PC until I have run the CD to take it back to
factory settings "Then we will know there is something wrong with the
PC itself" But this is a nuisance as I will have to start installing
all programmes and settings again.

The PC runs very slowly and the mouse can hardly move the pointer and
click. If I go on it will stop responding. Task mananger shows use of
the processor up to 95% even when I am not carrying out any tasks.

When task manager shows the high processor usage go to the Processes
tab and click twice on the CPU column header. That put the processes
using the highest percentage of the CPU time at the top of the list.
Make note of the 4 or 5 items at the top of the list and the CPU usage
percent shown for them, and post that information back here. Ignore
the "System Idle Process".

Good luck

Ron Martell Duncan B.C. Canada
--
Microsoft MVP (1997 - 2006)
On-Line Help Computer Service
http://onlinehelp.bc.ca
Syberfix Remote Computer Repair

"Anyone who thinks that they are too small to make a difference
has never been in bed with a mosquito."

 

[peternoon]

Thanks for the feed-back. The latest is I finally managed to get the
support people to run a test over the phone with me. I saw myself
forced to reverting the PC back to factory settings. Still the problem
was there. The computer just started making bleep sounds every time I
moved the mouse, even in the BIOS settings. So, like told them the
first time, they agree it must be a hardware fault. They are coming to
collect the PC on Monday. Will I see it again this year? watch this
space.

I have found that Spybot is better at finding problems than Norton,
which is a bit rubbish at it. There was only 1 virus found, the one
called Movieland that causes those annoying pop up windows to appear

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks for the feed-back. The latest is I finally managed to get the
support people to run a test over the phone with me. I saw myself
forced to reverting the PC back to factory settings. Still the problem
was there. The computer just started making bleep sounds every time I
moved the mouse, even in the BIOS settings. So, like told them the
first time, they agree it must be a hardware fault. They are coming to
collect the PC on Monday. Will I see it again this year? watch this
space.

I have found that Spybot is better at finding problems than Norton,
which is a bit rubbish at it. There was only 1 virus found, the one
called Movieland that causes those annoying pop up windows to appear

I am far from being a fan of anything Norton, but let me point out that, if
by "Norton," you mean Norton Anti-Virus, you are comparing apples and
oranges.

Norton Anti-Virus and Spybot Search and Destroy are two very different
programs designed to do very different things. NAV looks for and removes
Viruses, but SS&D looks for and removes spyware. There is little, if any,
overlap in what they do and you need programs of both types (although not
necessarily these particular ones) to protect you.