Multiple users slowing computer down?

[Steve]

My sisters computer has her computer setup so each member of the family
logs onto a separate account. Even with Fast User Switching turned off,
can this slow a computer down? If so, is there anything that can be done
to speed it up again?

 

[R. McCarty]

Multiple users ( or Profiles ) working in a "Log Off" mode will not load
the PC. It's likely the PC just needs maintenance operations done on it.
Over time, the computer drive becomes fragmented - this accounts for
a big part of the performance loss. Also, Startups & Watchdogs take
up more and more system resources and cause the PC to run slower.
If the PC has any Malware it will certainly cause the PC to slow down.
The situation you describe is why so many PC users get caught in the
"Occasional Re-install" Trap. Some performance loss is expected by
simply installing/running more and more applications. That's what an
Operating System is - a platform for running other things.

 

[Steve]

Multiple users ( or Profiles ) working in a "Log Off" mode will not load
the PC. It's likely the PC just needs maintenance operations done on it.
Over time, the computer drive becomes fragmented - this accounts for
a big part of the performance loss. Also, Startups & Watchdogs take
up more and more system resources and cause the PC to run slower.
If the PC has any Malware it will certainly cause the PC to slow down.
The situation you describe is why so many PC users get caught in the
"Occasional Re-install" Trap. Some performance loss is expected by
simply installing/running more and more applications. That's what an
Operating System is - a platform for running other things.

Actually, it's very unlikely. I do routine maintenance myself on her
computer regularly. But her computer will run faster if there is only
ONE user. Add more users, and the computer slows down.

 

[Malke]

Steve wrote:

Actually, it's very unlikely. I do routine maintenance myself on her
computer regularly. But her computer will run faster if there is only
ONE user. Add more users, and the computer slows down.

The slowness your sister's computer experiences upon adding another user
has nothing to do with the number of users. It is far more likely that
it has to do with the additional user (teenager, perhaps?) not
practicing "Safe Hex" and getting the computer infested with malware.

Malke

 

[Steve]

Steve wrote:



The slowness your sister's computer experiences upon adding another user
has nothing to do with the number of users. It is far more likely that
it has to do with the additional user (teenager, perhaps?) not
practicing "Safe Hex" and getting the computer infested with malware.

Malke

I have already mentioned that this is unlikely, because I maintain the
computer and have never found any spyware, malware, or viruses.

The computer simply runs faster with one user than with many, regardless
of how the computer is treated.

 

[Malke]

Steve wrote:

I have already mentioned that this is unlikely, because I maintain the
computer and have never found any spyware, malware, or viruses.

The computer simply runs faster with one user than with many,
regardless of how the computer is treated.

All righty, then. Since you are so sure, all I can say is that your
experience with multiple users isn't the same as all the other XP users
on the planet, but oh well. There really isn't anything else to say
about it.

Malke

 

[Guest]

Steve wrote:



All righty, then. Since you are so sure, all I can say is that your
experience with multiple users isn't the same as all the other XP users
on the planet, but oh well. There really isn't anything else to say
about it.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User

Well -- make that every other user except one. I have done scans with a
couple of packages and found no malware etc. My system runs somewhat slower
when there are a 2 or 3 people logged in but the real killer is switching
from one account to another. That can take several minutes -- maybe as many
as 8 or 9.

I haven't tried defragging so I'll give that a try.