laptop is suddenly running very slowly

[Guest]

Hi

I have a laptop with 11 GB of hd space and 35% free. I'm running XP home and
I haven't loaded any new programmes on to it but it is suddenly running VERY
slowly. Programmes are taking upwards of half an hour to open and the desktop
icons keep refreshing at a very slow rate.

I've checked the defrag option but it doesn't need to be defragged. I've got
rid of all the temporary files and other rubbish. It hasn't made a bit of
difference. Does anyone know what I can do to speed things up?

 

[Guest]

Install and run AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy.

 

[beb]

Check it for virus and adware. Check Task Manager for any processes using an
unusual amount of cpu time. Check device manager for any indication of a
problem. Check eventviewer application log and system logs for any warnings
or errors.

 

[Guest]

Hi

Have both running and removed all the spyware they found. Any other
suggestions?

 

[Guest]

Ok. I'll do that. Can you remind me how to get to the event viewer? I was
only looking at it last week but I have forgotten!

 

[R. McCarty]

Have you checked your drive for inconsistencies ? (Chkdsk).
If run and indicates a corrective run with the /F or fix qualifier
be sure to have your personal data backed up. While Chkdsk
can fix issues with drives it can also remove data to make the
drive error free.
Start, Run (Type) Cmd [Enter]
From within the Command Prompt (type) Chkdsk C:
If issues are found with the Read-Only mode of Chkdsk it will
suggest a more comprehensive run using Chkdsk C: /F This can
only be done prior to XP fully loading and will queue up the job
to run at the next system boot. Answer Y, when prompted to
do so.

 

[Guest]

Hi

Thanks. I'll try that and let you know how I fair.
--


Many thanks
JD

Have you checked your drive for inconsistencies ? (Chkdsk).
If run and indicates a corrective run with the /F or fix qualifier
be sure to have your personal data backed up. While Chkdsk
can fix issues with drives it can also remove data to make the
drive error free.
Start, Run (Type) Cmd [Enter]
From within the Command Prompt (type) Chkdsk C:
If issues are found with the Read-Only mode of Chkdsk it will
suggest a more comprehensive run using Chkdsk C: /F This can
only be done prior to XP fully loading and will queue up the job
to run at the next system boot. Answer Y, when prompted to
do so.

Hi

Have both running and removed all the spyware they found. Any other
suggestions?
--


Many thanks
JD

 

[Mungo Bulge]

To open Event Viewer, click Start, click Control Panel, double-click
Administrative Tools, and then double-click Event Viewer.
There is this marvellous tool on the Start Menu called Help and
Support, believe it or not, it usually works.<{

| Ok. I'll do that. Can you remind me how to get to the event viewer?
I was
| only looking at it last week but I have forgotten!
| --
|
|
| Many thanks
| JD
|
|
| "beb" wrote:
|
| > Check it for virus and adware. Check Task Manager for any
processes using an
| > unusual amount of cpu time. Check device manager for any
indication of a
| > problem. Check eventviewer application log and system logs for any
warnings
| > or errors.
| >
| > | > > Hi
| > >
| > > I have a laptop with 11 GB of hd space and 35% free. I'm running
XP home
| > > and
| > > I haven't loaded any new programmes on to it but it is suddenly
running
| > > VERY
| > > slowly. Programmes are taking upwards of half an hour to open
and the
| > > desktop
| > > icons keep refreshing at a very slow rate.
| > >
| > > I've checked the defrag option but it doesn't need to be
defragged. I've
| > > got
| > > rid of all the temporary files and other rubbish. It hasn't made
a bit of
| > > difference. Does anyone know what I can do to speed things up?
| > > --
| > >
| > >
| > > Many thanks
| > > JD
| >
| >
| >

 

[typical computer geek]

also check to make sure that auto indexing is turned off...this sucks up
resources.

 

[Guest]

Hi

Thanks for the reminder!

 

[Guest]

Hi typical computer geek

where would I find auto indexing?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

I have a laptop with 11 GB of hd space and 35% free. I'm running XP
home and I haven't loaded any new programmes on to it but it is
suddenly running VERY slowly. Programmes are taking upwards of half
an hour to open and the desktop icons keep refreshing at a very slow
rate.

Sounds like malware. Run an antivirus program and *several* anti-spyware
programs that have been updated with the latest definitions.

 

[typical computer geek]

it would be in the services console...as well check for a service called Web
Client. it is not needed unless you are acting as a server for web pages.
disable both Web client and autoindexing and set it to manual start.

go start/run/services.msc

 

[Guest]

Hi

I've stopped the web client but I can't see auto indexing. Does this mean
it's not running?

 

[Guest]

cheers Ken
--


Many thanks
JD

Sounds like malware. Run an antivirus program and *several* anti-spyware
programs that have been updated with the latest definitions.

 

[typical computer geek]

sorry it is now called Indexing service. and it is in the Services.msc
console.

 

[Guest]

Hi

Found it. It was on manual so I guess I can rule that out

 

[Guest]

Hi

Yes there is something strange in device manager. It says 'Other' and
'Unknown device'. I have no idea whatit's referring to. The only things I
have plugged into the laptop are my network card and cd rom. Both these are
already accounted for in device manager. What do you suppose the 'other'
device is?

 

[typical computer geek]

have you run more than one spyware product on it? running just one will not
necessarily catch any or all spyware.

the other possibility is a virus. If your virus scanner did not catch then
try an online one like antivirus.com or any other. Antivirus.com also checks
for spyware and trojans.

 

[typical computer geek]

delete the unknown devices and run the new hardware wizard....if the
hardware manager finds them again perhaps there is something going on that
you may not realize.