Slow Response When Saving Files. Etc

[JR]

Hell all:

Don't know if this is the right conference to post this in or not, but I'm
having a slow response when I try to open a file, folder, change folders,
save files, etc. My Pentium machine will not respond, and if I click on the
object I'm doing again, a "Not Responding" appears in the bar at the top of
the dialogue box. This problem seems to come and go and is not specific to
any one program. Any ideas or suggestions?

Thanks.

Jim

 

[R. McCarty]

While I can't give you a single specific solution - I'd do some general
cleaning on the PC. Slowness can be a result of Malware, but also if
the disk drive is highly fragmented slow response times occur. This is
also a symptom of Context menu hooks that may interfere with normal
navigation. First thing to do is a cursory or Read-Only Chkdsk on the
drive. From Explorer, Right Click the drive's Icon - Left click Properties,
then the Tools (TAB). Click the "Check Now" button.
If Chkdsk doesn't recommend a /F(ix) run, I'd proceed to Disk Defrag.
If you haven't cleaned/purged Temp folders and IE Caches, you may
want to do that before defrag.
Other things such as updating drivers and all programs will help. Many
people neglect to do updates on things like Java, Adobe Reader and
other standard apps. It would also be a good idea to check both of
the Event Logs and see if your System is experiencing errors.
Click Start, Run (Type) EventVwr.Msc [Enter]
If you don't use Adware, Spybot and Windows Defender, those are
good applications to detect/remove/prevent Malware. I'd also run an
online AntiVirus/Spyware scan to do a sanity check on your resident
protection.
Trend-Micro has good online tools (That will remove any infectors):
AV Scan- http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
Spyware Scan - http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/

 

[Roberto]

Clean out all temp files, then run a full virus scan of your machine
with uptodate anti virus software - do this in safe mode, and see what
[if anything] turns up.

rgds
Roberto

 

[xubomber]

For spyware/adware, use Spybot-S&D and Adaware (by Lavasoft). Be
careful only to use trusted spyware/adware/virus scanners, recently
fake spyware scanners that are themselves spyware have started
appearing all over the place.

 

[jodie]

Check your free space and the condition of your drive.. do som
housecleaning such as clearing out the temporary files, run chkds
and defragment, this can help improve application response
http://www.pctechguide.com/tutorials/HDDMaint.htm#Scop
Make sure ur system isnt infected. Ensure that you have enuf RAM t
support ur applications

 

[JR]

Thanks to all who responded. Here's a report:

While I can't give you a single specific solution - I'd do some general
cleaning on the PC. Slowness can be a result of Malware, but also if
the disk drive is highly fragmented slow response times occur. This is
also a symptom of Context menu hooks that may interfere with normal
navigation. First thing to do is a cursory or Read-Only Chkdsk on the
drive. From Explorer, Right Click the drive's Icon - Left click
Properties,
then the Tools (TAB). Click the "Check Now" button.
If Chkdsk doesn't recommend a /F(ix) run, I'd proceed to Disk Defrag.

Chkdsk didn't report any problems. I also use Diskeeper which runs when my
screensaver is on, and it reports my volume is slightly fragmented. I have a
111 GB drive that is about half full.

If you haven't cleaned/purged Temp folders and IE Caches, you may
want to do that before defrag.

I purge temp folders and IE Caches at startup.

Other things such as updating drivers and all programs will help. Many
people neglect to do updates on things like Java, Adobe Reader and
other standard apps. It would also be a good idea to check both of
the Event Logs and see if your System is experiencing errors.
Click Start, Run (Type) EventVwr.Msc [Enter]

I checked these logs. The "Applications" and "System" log show some errors,
principally with the firewall's "true vector" service, but there doesn't
appear to be anything that would account for my problem. Are there any
particular problems I should be looking for?

If you don't use Adware, Spybot and Windows Defender, those are
good applications to detect/remove/prevent Malware. I'd also run an
online AntiVirus/Spyware scan to do a sanity check on your resident
protection.
Trend-Micro has good online tools (That will remove any infectors):
AV Scan- http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp
Spyware Scan - http://www.trendmicro.com/spyware-scan/

I regularly scan my drive with a spyware detector furnished with my
Zonealarm Firewall. But last night I ran Spybot with no results. Any other
ideas?

Again I appreciate the comments of all who responded. Any other ideas?