Slow to open files

[Guest]

Hi

I have what I thought was a fairly capable system yet I am experiencing
problems opening files!
It usually happens after the system has been running for a short time.
As an example I may x2 click on a small text file (txt) and the hour glass
icon will display for some time.
Maybe 20 seconds or more, then the file will open.
Sometimes the file fails to open at all!
I get the same effect when I right click on files for properties.
Another problem can be I lose the clipboard between applicatioins.

I have checked for spyware, I have made sure that only the minimum number of
things run at start up.
I have examined processes during the problem and that indicates system idle
98% most of the time.
Defrag has been done and rubhish removed.
Have run extensive memory test.

I have asked on other forums but can't get an answer.
Here is a system report:

Windows: Windows XP5.1 (Build 2600) Service Pack 2
Internet Explorer: 6.0.2900.2180
Memory (RAM): 1023 MB
CPU Info: Intel(R) Pentium(R) 4 CPU 3.20GHz
CPU Speed: 3135.2 MHz
Sound card: Realtek AC97 Audio
Display Adapters: NVIDIA GeForce 6200 TurboCache(TM) | NetMeeting
driver | RDPDD Chained DD |
Screen Resolution: 800 X 600
Network: Network Present
Network Adapters: SiS 900-Based PCI Fast Ethernet Adapter - Packet
Scheduler Miniport | WAN (PPP/SLIP) Interface |
CD / DVD Drives: G: SONY DVD RW DW-Q28A |
Default Printer: EPSON Stylus Photo R200 Series
COM Ports: COM1 | COM2 | COM4 |
LPT Ports: LPT1 |
Mouse: 3 Button Wheel Mouse Present
Hard Disks: C: 189.9GB | E: 189.9GB |
Hard Disks - Free: C: 167.7GB | E: 176.2GB |
USB Controllers: Detected: 4 host controllers.
Firewire (1394): Detected: 1 host controllers.
PCMCIA (Laptops): Not Installed
Manufacturer: Phoenix Technologies, LTD
Product Make:
Serial Number:
AC Power Status: OnLine
BIOS Info: AT/AT COMPATIBLE | 01/17/05 | AWARD - 42302e31 | |
Time Zone: GMT Standard Time
Battery: No Battery
Motherboard:
Modems:

Main security is from Norton Internet Securities, A squared, Spyware Guard
and Spyware Blaster.

 

[R. McCarty]

I noticed no modem, yet your Ports category lists 3 COM ports. I
would enter BIOS setup and turn off both Serial A/B and the Parallel
port as well - if your Epson uses USB connection.

Norton Internet Security is likely the largest contributor to your
system's sluggish response. My suggestion is remove NIS and use an
alternate AV/Firewall. However, getting NIS off a computer isn't easy
or straightforward.

 

[Guest]

Hi

I do have a dial up modem but don't use it at the moment as my BB comes via
external USB modem.
What would be the advantages of switching off the ports?

If you think NIS is the problem maybe I should take this question to the
Symantic site?

Thanks

 

[R. McCarty]

Not much reason to have ports enabled that aren't used. Prevents the
system from polling them. As to NIS & Symantec support - they won't
readily admit the performance drag of their products. Most times if the
software is running that's a satisfactory state for them.
To verify that NIS is responsible, boot to Safe Mode and test your
operations that are sluggish in Normal mode. If things work in a more
reasonable fashion then you can assume it's driver or 3rd party apps
causing the "Lag".

 

[watercress_soup]

what is your pagefile/virutal memory set at?

also, sorry, this isnt anything to do with your computers slow file opening
speed, but why do you have your resolution at 800x600? (dont mean to be
rude).

personally, and it is your machine and your choice of course, but 1024x768
looks and works much better. your pc will easily be able to handle it. if
your monitor is 15inch then maybe 800x600 will be better for you.

also set your refresh rate to 85Hz, providing your monitor supports it. will
give you a steady flicker free picture, which is much much easier on the
eyes and brain

 

[Guest]

HI

Page file is manual and is set from 3000Mb to 160000MB
I am working on this as I do a lot of sound file work and get the re size
page file warning often.
I would like just to set asside a min page file of 3000mb and have no
maximum but I can't find how to do this.
I have two drives, one has the system on it.
I think it would be best to have the page file on the non system drive but
am not sure how to do this!

Yes set at 85hz the 800x600 is simply used to increase the size of icons and
text.
I change the settings as required from nividia sys tray icon.

 

[watercress_soup]

you can have the pagefile on E: if you want. windows key + pause break, goto
virutal memory. change C: to no paging file press set, and E: with the
amount you want, press set. that should do it. restart.

also i read that its a good idea to set the pagefile with the same min and
max value to stop defragmentation. correct me if im wrong anybody...

 

[Guest]

Thnaks

My system drive is E: so I simply sawp locations then?
Going back to my original question.
I am going to ask Symantec whats going on but after I try the safe mode re
start.

Will report back later today.

Thanks people

 

[Guest]

Mike, Windows XP Pro is a resource hog.Simply try upgrading your Memory.also
with larger hard drives comes the need for power. I have benn using 4 Gigs of
Memory for acouple of years. Dimm 2700 SDDDR. I know it's overkill but I can
open up to 86 different Applications, and still have no Problems. If you
upgrade, be sure to put your new memory in the first bank, or slot.
Respectfully: Woz

 

[Guest]

Hi

Been thinking about that!
My mother board is by Foxconn and it says "there are two 184 pin slots for
DDR"
That support 256, 512 and 1GB DDR for 8X and X16 devices.
I assume I currently have two 512mb installed meaning the most I could have
is 2Gb?

 

[Guest]

HI

I disabled NIS by msconfig, the problem of slow opening files still occured!
What else could it be?

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Been thinking about that!
My mother board is by Foxconn and it says "there are two 184 pin
slots for DDR"
That support 256, 512 and 1GB DDR for 8X and X16 devices.
I assume I currently have two 512mb installed meaning the most I
could have is 2Gb?

If you already have 1GB of RAM, unless you run very memory-intensive
applications (such as Photoshop), it's *highly* uinlikely that any more RAM
will help you. In fact it's likely that you already have more RAM than you
can make effective use of. Here's my standard message on how much RAM to
have:

How much RAM you need for good performance is *not* a one-size-fits-all
situation. You get good performance if the amount of RAM you have keeps you
from using the page file, and that depends on what apps you run. Most people
running a typical range of business applications find that somewhere around
256-384MB works well, others need 512MB. Almost anyone will see poor
performance with less than 256MB. Some people, particularly those doing
things like editing large photographic images, can see a performance boost
by adding even more than 512MB--sometimes much more.

If you are currently using the page file significantly, more memory will
decrease or eliminate that usage, and improve your performance. If you are
not using the page file significantly, more memory will do nothing for you.
Go to http://billsway.com/notes_public/winxp_tweaks/ and download
WinXP-2K_Pagefile.zip and monitor your pagefile usage. That should give you
a good idea of whether more memory can help, and if so, how much more

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup.

 

[Guest]

Thanks Ken

Yes I do a lot of photo shop (Paint Shop Pro) work and more importantly a
great deal of audio file work (800mb wav) I get the re size page file warning.
I'll grab that program and see what it reports.

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Thanks Ken

Yes I do a lot of photo shop (Paint Shop Pro) work

PSP isn't Photshop, but I meant that only as an example. If you do a lot of
image manipulation in any program, the extra RAM could be very beneficial to
you.

and more
importantly a great deal of audio file work (800mb wav) I get the re
size page file warning. I'll grab that program and see what it
reports.

Good.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

 

[Guest]

Hello again
Just took some readings with your prog
First was taken when the computer was just running IE and Outlook, then when
I was editing one of the audio files.

19/03/2006 17:51:40

Pagefile Physical Location: E:\pagefile.sys
Current Pagefile Usage: 80 MB
Session Peak Usage: 89 MB
Current Pagefile Size: 3000 MB


19/03/2006 17:56:17

Pagefile Physical Location: E:\pagefile.sys
Current Pagefile Usage: 1130 MB
Session Peak Usage: 1130 MB
Current Pagefile Size: 3000 MB

 

[Guest]

Mike I still advise you to add 1024 (400MHz CL2) CORSAIR,With heat shield
Memory. You will see a major improvment. Norton Internet Security is very
easy to remove,without any leftover shared DLL's or INF files. There is a
Program, Advanced Removal, made to work with Window's XP. It also has a force
removal setting. Respectfully:Woz

 

[Ken Blake, MVP]

Hello again
Just took some readings with your prog

It's not *my* program. Thank Bill James for it.

See below.

First was taken when the computer was just running IE and Outlook,
then when I was editing one of the audio files.

19/03/2006 17:51:40

Pagefile Physical Location: E:\pagefile.sys
Current Pagefile Usage: 80 MB
Session Peak Usage: 89 MB
Current Pagefile Size: 3000 MB


19/03/2006 17:56:17

Pagefile Physical Location: E:\pagefile.sys
Current Pagefile Usage: 1130 MB
Session Peak Usage: 1130 MB
Current Pagefile Size: 3000 MB

Not surpisingly, you were using almost no Page file at first, then jumped to
just over 1GB when you edited the audio file. So it looks like adding
another GB of RAM would be beneficial for those times you're doing that kind
of work.

--
Ken Blake - Microsoft MVP Windows: Shell/User
Please reply to the newsgroup

 

[Guest]

Ken, Thanks for the accessment. I read Mike's Specs. when I saw Duel core.(or
as stated 2 Processor's I knew Mike needed more Memory. This 512MG & 1 Gig.
stuff Has never Worked with XP. Especially,with the Manufacturer's Putting
one O/S (XP) on 200 & 250 Gig Hardrives. Take two (37 Gig. WD.Raptors),Mirror
& Stripe them.
You're running 20,000 RPM's. WIN XP Flies! Then Use you're your Larger Hard
drives for additional Storage, Or Multi Boot's, and I don't mean just two or
three.Good Luck Mike, and thanks KEN. Respectfully WOZ.

 

[Guest]

Hi

Ok you lost me there!
I read what you say about ram, it would seem the most I can have is 2Gb.
I have made enquiries about that.

Now do I understand that my two 200gb hard drives may be a problem?

Thanks, sorry for being slow :-(