Slow CPU Response

[Nick98]

I am helping troubleshoot a PC that has only been in use for a few months.
The PC is running Vista Home Basic. It is using an AMD 64 3500 CPU (2.0
GHz), w/ 2GB RAM(just upgraded from 512 today). The 160 GB hard drive is
partitioned into two 80 GB sections.

The CPU was running all programs slowly until I upgraded the RAM. Now
Internet Explorer and other programs run slightly faster, but I see high CPU
usage, continuous 80%, when running simple games or copying large photos
files from DVD to PC.

In addition, several of the programs become unresponsive when moving mpeg
photos.

Anyway to speed up the system?

Since I am new to the Vista OS does anyone have any suggestions?

Nick

 

[Malke]

I am helping troubleshoot a PC that has only been in use for a few months.
The PC is running Vista Home Basic. It is using an AMD 64 3500 CPU (2.0
GHz), w/ 2GB RAM(just upgraded from 512 today). The 160 GB hard drive is
partitioned into two 80 GB sections.

The CPU was running all programs slowly until I upgraded the RAM. Now
Internet Explorer and other programs run slightly faster, but I see high CPU
usage, continuous 80%, when running simple games or copying large photos
files from DVD to PC.

In addition, several of the programs become unresponsive when moving mpeg
photos.

Anyway to speed up the system?

Since I am new to the Vista OS does anyone have any suggestions?

1. Make sure the computer is virus/malware-free:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

2. If this is an OEM machine (HP, eMachines, etc.) then uninstall
unwanted preinstalled trial and OEM programs that may be running at
startup. Optimize the startup for those programs you want to keep but
which don't need to be running in the background. This includes programs
that may be checking for updates.

3. If the machine is running a Norton or McAfee product, uninstall it
and replace with a better antivirus such as NOD32, Kaspersky, or even
Avast if a free one is needed. The built-in Windows Firewall is adequate
for most people.

If you don't know how to do any of the above (and please don't take that
as an insult to your Mad Skilz - I don't know whether you are a
professional or just a presumably knowledgeable friend) then have your
friend take the machine to a computer professional. This will not be a
BigComputerStore/GeekSquad type of place.


Malke

 

[Nick98]

I ran the CCleaner last night per caretaker's suggestion and I am letting the
PC index.
I will try several of the options that you suggested. The PC is running
Norton so I will uninstall it and load Spysweeper when I have a chance. I
have used that in the past on my PCs with no problems.

I reviewed the processes running in the background and it only appears to be
about 43 applications, (30 System and 13 User). Most of these don't appear
to be CPU or RAM hogs, but I will check each one out to see if they can be
turned off in the msconfig start-up screen.

Good call on the Updates. I know that my in-laws have their PC update at
the maximum frequency.