Why is my Vista laptop so Bloomin' slow?

[Michelle]

I have a totally top of the range laptop, I am not running any of the things
like Norton that are known to cause performance problems (I use AVG
anti-virus).

I have heaps of RAM and disk-space, a fast Intel Core2 Duo chip, yet my
computer is slower than my previous seven year old one (that was running
XP).

It takes about 3 seconds to display things like the Windows Explorer window
or about 6 or 7 seconds to bring up Firefox or IE. and about 10 or 11
seconds the first time I open Outlook. That is not taking into account the
time it takes to download the web page or retieve my mail.

I am using the default settings in Vista, are there features in Vista (I
know it monitors everything) that could be slowing me down this much?

Thanks

M

 

[R. McCarty]

During the initial use, Windows Search is working in the background to
index the disk drive. The process priority should work in way that it does
not interfere with foreground program. However until the indexing finishes
it will use around 160+ Megabytes of RAM and impact performance.
Once indexing is completed and Superfetch has "Learned" usage patterns
the PC performance will improve. If you don't intend to make use of the
advanced searching features you can set the Windows Search service to
a start mode of "Disabled". You can do this with the Services.Msc snap-in
to the MMC.

 

[Straight Talk]

I am using the default settings in Vista, are there features in Vista (I
know it monitors everything) that could be slowing me down this much?

That's definitely not my experience - but so many things could be
causing this.


A few things you could try:

Check with your task manager if a specific program or process is using
a considerable amount of CPU.

Check for new drivers, for example for your graphics card.

 

[Ver!tas]

Welcome to the world of Windows Vista! I have asked this question before, and
alas...No info was very helpful. I play alot of video games on my laptop, but
with Vista I have to turn the graphic settings on its lowest just to get an
acceptable frame rate. People would always tell me that my hardware just sux,
even though im running AMD Duel core processor with 2 gigs of memory, and a
damn decent video card for a laptop...Well I ignored their rants and decided
to test XP on my system and guess what?? Everything ran 100% smoothly! I
could turn all my settings up to max and get perfect frames! It was very nice
having that, but what frustrated me was that I had to downgrade in order to
get an upgrade, ya know? I don't like downgrading. In the end I just decided
to conclude that Vista is just an OS that is made for performance computers
and such.

Since reading your post, that mind set of Vista being for high end computers
has changed. Your computer, as you state, is pretty spiffy. So why does Vista
run so slow?? Im pretty sure we are not the only ones who want an answer. Why
did it take me downgrading just to get the performance I need, and why does
this person's high end laptop not even able to run it?

 

[Saucy]

Well, I noticed a marked improvement on my laptop by adding a second gig of
RAM. You'd think 1GB is enough - no it's not. Vista craves RAM and the
second Gig turned a sluggish laptop into a little bit of a performer. If
your processor is a dual core job then you have to buy your RAM in matching
pairs. I got two 1GB sticks yesterday for just $39 a stick and it made all
the difference. Of course I don't know what to do with the two 512MB sticks
I removed .. maybe ebay.

You might note that harddrives on laptopps are often just 5400 RPM jobs ..
they work slower than the 7200 RPM harddrives typically installed to
desktops so initial loadings are a bit slower than desktops - but even
that's better with more RAM as there's much less writing to pagefiles etc.
If your laptop's harddrive isn't marked as SCSI [mine is], then you can
optimize the performance .. go to Device Manger and root around your
harddrive's settings.

I can't account for Firefox - I wouldn't run it (I think it's junk and a
decided security risk) but IE on first run might take an extra moment to
connect to the Internet for the first time.

Defrag your disk of course.

I tried Readyboost before - it was a flop - I think it actually slowed
things down but not having stop watched it I'm not sure .. but it seemed so.

Oh .. one thing I almost forgot. When I get a laptop, I download the
essential drivers for it from the manufacturer's website and burn them to
DVD/CD-R. Then I wipe the harddrive and install a *generic* copy of Windows.
All that bloat / junk /cr*p-ware gets is gone and I have a much more
pleasant experience with Windows. You might have a look to see if you are
running an arms long list of junk software on startup. A typical laptop
these days is just bloody loaded with it. So disable the junk or maybe even
get someone to do up your laptop right. Please note wiping the harddrive
might affect the warranty.

'Hope this helps,
Saucy

 

[IkidUnot]

It is good advice to check what's being run when Windows starts. There is
the potential of lots of little things that just aren't really necessary.
Sidebar gadgets can add up too.

Another thing I've found is that Windows' Indexing Service takes a lot of
resources. It can make your computer busy for over six minutes at startup.
This is especially true with a new PC whose contents have not been indexed.
You may elect to put up with or to turn off indexing service.

There are some applications that can help in seeing what's going on. If you
go to sysinternals.com you can try out "Process Explorer" or the even more
powerful "Process Monitor;" another good one is "Autoruns" which can help
you see what starts when Windows starts. Good luck, and let this forum know
what you find - it can help other people.

 

[Gary Mount]

" If your processor is a dual core job then you have to buy your RAM in
matching pairs."

You are mistaking dual channel ram with a dual core cpu. I am running a
Pentium 4, single core (but with Hyperthreading) and I am running my ram in
dual channel. I can also run my computer in standard/non dual channel mode.
If you want to run your ram in dual channel mode, you need two matching
sticks of ram. Not dual cores.
If you don't care about the small performance boost you might get with dual
channel, you can mix and match your ram in any configuration you like. The
type of CPU you are running doesn't matter with regards to either option you
choose.
If you happen to be running the new skultrail system from Intel, you can use
4 channel ram. But not many people will be running an somewhat expensive
system like that,

Well, I noticed a marked improvement on my laptop by adding a second gig
of RAM. You'd think 1GB is enough - no it's not. Vista craves RAM and the
second Gig turned a sluggish laptop into a little bit of a performer. If
your processor is a dual core job then you have to buy your RAM in
matching pairs. I got two 1GB sticks yesterday for just $39 a stick and it
made all the difference. Of course I don't know what to do with the two
512MB sticks I removed .. maybe ebay.

You might note that harddrives on laptopps are often just 5400 RPM jobs ..
they work slower than the 7200 RPM harddrives typically installed to
desktops so initial loadings are a bit slower than desktops - but even
that's better with more RAM as there's much less writing to pagefiles etc.
If your laptop's harddrive isn't marked as SCSI [mine is], then you can
optimize the performance .. go to Device Manger and root around your
harddrive's settings.

I can't account for Firefox - I wouldn't run it (I think it's junk and a
decided security risk) but IE on first run might take an extra moment to
connect to the Internet for the first time.

Defrag your disk of course.

I tried Readyboost before - it was a flop - I think it actually slowed
things down but not having stop watched it I'm not sure .. but it seemed
so.

Oh .. one thing I almost forgot. When I get a laptop, I download the
essential drivers for it from the manufacturer's website and burn them to
DVD/CD-R. Then I wipe the harddrive and install a *generic* copy of
Windows. All that bloat / junk /cr*p-ware gets is gone and I have a much
more pleasant experience with Windows. You might have a look to see if you
are running an arms long list of junk software on startup. A typical
laptop these days is just bloody loaded with it. So disable the junk or
maybe even get someone to do up your laptop right. Please note wiping the
harddrive might affect the warranty.

'Hope this helps,
Saucy

I have a totally top of the range laptop, I am not running any of the
things like Norton that are known to cause performance problems (I use AVG
anti-virus).

I have heaps of RAM and disk-space, a fast Intel Core2 Duo chip, yet my
computer is slower than my previous seven year old one (that was running
XP).

It takes about 3 seconds to display things like the Windows Explorer
window or about 6 or 7 seconds to bring up Firefox or IE. and about 10 or
11 seconds the first time I open Outlook. That is not taking into account
the time it takes to download the web page or retieve my mail.

I am using the default settings in Vista, are there features in Vista (I
know it monitors everything) that could be slowing me down this much?

Thanks

M

 

[Robinb]

also go to "run" and type: msconfig

then click on the "startup tab"
there might be a bunch of stuff running in there that you really do not
need, for example:
These do not need to be in startup:
quicktime
adobe reader
a few graphic programs (you need to check on your computer which ones)
your cd burning software doesn't need to startup
Live Messenger
AOL if you use that- you can click on the icon to get online
If you are not sure you can post here what you have there and i and others
can tell you which ones you can uncheck.
Once you uncheck them you will need a reboot
Once it reboots the system utility will come up and all you do is check it
so it doesn't always come up each time you start your computer

robin