slow running computer

[Bob]

I'm not sure if this is a Microsoft problem or not, but
my computer is running on the slow side. I have gotten
some help from HP. They had me run several things to
increase system resources, but the problem is still
there. Basically, the computer is running slow, and in
particular, the cd and dvd burners I have are burning at
about 25% of the normal speed. I keep thinking maybe a
data cable and/or power connection might be bad. Could
this be a possible reason for the computer to be running
slow? I'm thinking maybe the data cable might not be
transmitting data at the normal speed. Any thoughts
would be greatly appreciated.
Bob

 

[austinpctech]

I'm not sure if this is a Microsoft problem or not, but
my computer is running on the slow side. I have gotten
some help from HP. They had me run several things to
increase system resources, but the problem is still
there. Basically, the computer is running slow, and in
particular, the cd and dvd burners I have are burning at
about 25% of the normal speed. I keep thinking maybe a
data cable and/or power connection might be bad. Could
this be a possible reason for the computer to be running
slow? I'm thinking maybe the data cable might not be
transmitting data at the normal speed. Any thoughts
would be greatly appreciated.
Bob

When a computer suddenly starts running slow it can often be a result a few
things. First, how much RAM do you have on your system? If you only have
128mb you are already starting out at a great disadvantage and as you add
more software it can get increasingly slower. 256mb is a good number but
512mb is even much better.

You can also experience slow performance as a result of a virus and/or
spyware. You do have a current antivirus program don't you? If not, run,
don't walk and get one now. As far as spyware is concerned, you can
download a free spyware scanning program at www.lavasoftusa.com. Click on
Ad-Aware on the left-hand side and download software on the following page.
After you install the program, be sure and click "Check for updates" before
scanning your system. After the scan completes and you get to the results
screen, right-click on any check box and choose "Select all objects". Click
next or finish and it will quarantine all the spyware and adware items it
detects. You should repeat the scan process multiple times until it finds
zero items. Some spyware can be tricky to delete and requires these
multiple scans to be removed. If you get to a point that you have a
stubborn few that still will not remove, post a notice at the help forum at
www.lavasoftsupport.com and someone will gladly help you.

You can also hit Ctrl-Alt-Del, hit the Processes tab and look under the CPU
column for any programs running that are grabbing alot of CPU resources.
Look at the program name and see if it is something you recognize so you can
work in that direction. If you don't recognize the program, you can do a
Google search for more information on it which you will lkely find. You can
also come back here and add it to this post.

Good Luck

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Bob


Poor system performance can be the result of a single problem or a combination of factors. Listed
below are issues, which you may wish to examine if you are experiencing poor performance after
the boot process has completed. Some items may help with slow starting of Windows XP but the
list has not been prepared for tackling that problem. Work through the list until you achieve an
acceptable result.

Regular and effective housekeeping is essential. What you do and how often you do it will depend
on how you use your computer. A suggested routine may include:

1. In Outlook Express empty your Deleted Items folder.
2. In Outlook Express run File, Folder, Compact All whilst OFFLINE.
3. Run Disk Cleanup. Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk Cleanup with
Temporary Internet Files, Offline Web Pages (optional), and Recycle Bin selected for
deletion. If you have more than one drive / partition you may need to do this operation for
each drive / partition.
4. Remove Cookies. Start, Control Panel, Internet Options, General, Delete Cookies.
5. Run Disk Defragmenter.

Check whether you could reduce the number of days the History of sites visited is retained. Start,
Control Panel, Internet Options, General, History.

Spyware causes many problems. If not installed download Adaware and / or update Reference file
from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/ and use it to remove parasites. If Spyware
persists as a problem try a Hosts file.
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/what_is_hosts.html

Slow performance resulting from insufficient memory, causing over reliance on virtual memory,
may be especially noticed by those upgrading to Windows XP from an earlier version of Windows.
Windows XP will run with 64 MB of RAM memory. However, a minimum of 256 MB is
recommended and many users will recommend 512 MB. You may check on pagefile (virtual
memory) usage with Page File Monitor for XP:
http://www.dougknox.com/

Check your setting for the Indexing Service. Start, Administrative Tools, Services, Indexing
Service. The default setting is Manual. Check that it is not running. More information here:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm#Indexing_Service

You can have too many programmes running in the background. Close programmes/windows after
use. Check whether all the programmes loading when Windows is started are really necessary.
http://aumha.org/a/loads.htm

Check whether you can identify slow performance with a particular programme. Look in Google to
see whether others have encountered the same problem and found a solution.
http://groups.google.com/

Are there any error messages in Event Viewer? You can access Event Viewer by selecting Start,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning of the error, information
regarding Event ID: and Source Description is important.
HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308427&Product=winxp

~~~~~~


Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FCA

Stourport, Worcs, England
Enquire, plan and execute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Bob]

I am running 512mb of RAM, so that's not a problem. All
of the things you mentioned are running or taken care of
on my computer, including Adaware, spyware removal, and
anti-virus. I have also run defrag, disk cleanup, and
scandisk. The main two things I am still noticing is
that the audio is choppy and my cd and dvd burners are
still running at about 25% of their normal burning speeds.
Any other ideas?
Thanks,
Bob

-----Original Message-----


When a computer suddenly starts running slow it can often be a result a few
things. First, how much RAM do you have on your system? If you only have
128mb you are already starting out at a great disadvantage and as you add
more software it can get increasingly slower. 256mb is a good number but
512mb is even much better.

You can also experience slow performance as a result of a virus and/or
spyware. You do have a current antivirus program don't you? If not, run,
don't walk and get one now. As far as spyware is concerned, you can
download a free spyware scanning program at

www.lavasoftusa.com. Click on