Some system operations suddenly slowed down

[Doug Gordon]

I run XP Home on a 2.8GHz HP Pavilion. In the last few days, for no apparent
reason (no new s/w installed, etc.), some operations have slowed to a crawl.
One example is in the Windows Explorer. I can select a file, then press Del,
and it takes 10-12 seconds for it to finally put up the "Do you want to..."
dialog box! Similarly, launching applications from the Office Shortcut Bar
now takes the same 10-15 seconds, but they launch instantly if I do it from
an icon on the desktop.

None of the apps that I normally use seem slow once they are running -- it
just can take a long time to launch them and Explorer operations are slow. I
also notice the disk being a LOT busier lately when I boot and log on. I
checked my startups using msconfig and don't see anything new in the list. I
ran a full Norton Anti-Virus scan that came up clean.

Any ideas where to go from here in troubleshooting this? Could a hardware
problem be behind it?

Doug G

 

[Carey Frisch [MVP]]

This bulletin may be applicable if you have Norton installed:

After updating to the January 7th or 8th virus definitions, your computer slows
down and Microsoft Word and Excel will not start
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/sharedtech.nsf/docid/2004010810205113

--
Carey Frisch
Microsoft MVP
Windows XP - Shell/User

Be Smart! Protect your PC!
http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/

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| I run XP Home on a 2.8GHz HP Pavilion. In the last few days, for no apparent
| reason (no new s/w installed, etc.), some operations have slowed to a crawl.
| One example is in the Windows Explorer. I can select a file, then press Del,
| and it takes 10-12 seconds for it to finally put up the "Do you want to..."
| dialog box! Similarly, launching applications from the Office Shortcut Bar
| now takes the same 10-15 seconds, but they launch instantly if I do it from
| an icon on the desktop.
|
| None of the apps that I normally use seem slow once they are running -- it
| just can take a long time to launch them and Explorer operations are slow. I
| also notice the disk being a LOT busier lately when I boot and log on. I
| checked my startups using msconfig and don't see anything new in the list. I
| ran a full Norton Anti-Virus scan that came up clean.
|
| Any ideas where to go from here in troubleshooting this? Could a hardware
| problem be behind it?
|
| Doug G
|
|

 

[Jupiter Jones [MVP]]

Doug;
Follow this link:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/Slowcom.htm
Perform step 9 first if it is applicable.

 

[Doug G]

Thanks. This sounds like it might be related since it just suddenly started
happening a couple of days ago and I do use Norton 2003.

 

[Doug G]

Makes sense that this is what it is. For one thing it is inconsistent --
sometimes a long delay, sometimes normal. Also, during the delay the system
does not appear to be busy, as in a lot of thrashing on the disk, so it
wouldn't surprise me if it is waiting on a long network timeout. Thanks --
you guys are really on top of things!