extremely slow computer

[Guest]

My computer has over the last 2 weeks just suddenly slowed down to a crawl at
times. It takes 45 seconds to open the internet and I'm on cable for a
provider, which was very fast. I have Norton internet security and spyware
protection in place and even went as far as to disable all the extra
microsoft programs that run in the background for networking and workplace
type applications. When I try to close a window or the internet itself, it
sometimes takes 20 + seconds and will cascade slowly down the screen or
portions of the window will remain on the screen until it finally closes. I
run Windows XP professional on an e machine with 2 GHz with an AMD Athlon
processor. All the virus sweeps and spyware runs have shown nothing on the
computer. Does anyone have any advice on how to fix this?

 

[Guest]

all sorts of things can sow down a computer. And the suggestions are many.
One thing that might help is to disable all your startups (temporarily) and
reboot. Then see if you maching is more responsive.

If so, then the problem lies in your startups.

If not, then I would download a software like systemmechanic and run the
couple of dozen options it has that will cleanup/tuneup your system.....
Then see if you still get the problem.

If you do, then you next posting might be easier to find a solution...

 

[Will Denny]

Hi

Please try the following article:

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm

--


Will Denny
MS-MVP Windows Shell/User
Please reply to the News Groups

 

[Guest]

If I had a handle, it would be I can type fast Mark, but I also have no
knowledge of how to temporarily disable all the startups. Can you provide
the method for this and then I can get back with you?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

My computer has over the last 2 weeks just suddenly slowed down to a
crawl at times. It takes 45 seconds to open the internet and I'm on
cable for a provider, which was very fast. I have Norton internet
security and spyware protection in place and even went as far as to
disable all the extra microsoft programs that run in the background
for networking and workplace type applications. When I try to close
a window or the internet itself, it sometimes takes 20 + seconds and
will cascade slowly down the screen or portions of the window will
remain on the screen until it finally closes. I run Windows XP
professional on an e machine with 2 GHz with an AMD Athlon processor.
All the virus sweeps and spyware runs have shown nothing on the
computer. Does anyone have any advice on how to fix this?

Exactly which "virus sweeps and spyware runs" have you run? What products do
you use and are they up-to-date? The biggest suspect in situations like this
is always malware. Read here:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

 

[Richard in AZ]

Go to START then RUN and type in "msconfig" (without the quotes) and click OK.
There you will have the option to disable all startup programs.
When you close you will be given the option to restart and the modified configuration will be used.
You will also see a STARTUP tab that lists what is starting at boot on your computer.

Remember to use MSCONFIG to reset your computer when you are through testing.

 

[Daave]

Good site, Will!

Mark, if there's no virus or spyware, I suspect it's probably a bloated
browser cache. Step #7 in the list at the site that Will mentioned
covers deleting temporary Internet files, among other things.
Personally, I like running a nifty freeware program called CCleaner
(which basically takes care of Step #7); easily accessed by
right-clicking the Recycle Bin. You can find it at
http://www.ccleaner.com/ And defragging the hard drive after deleting
large amounts of data (Step #9) can make a difference, too. Before you
do a defrag, you'll need to close all your programs and probably disable
your screensaver.

FWIW, I've heard that many people ironically experience a slower PC
*because* of Norton! Just something to consider...