Why is XP running so slowly?

[Guest]

I'm running Windows XP with service pack 2 and about a month ago, my computer
slowed down quite drastically. Simple tasks like opening a program or
clicking on the start menu take ages. However, games run at normal speed
although after a while, I'll get an error message saying "cannot execute
memory" and then the memory address and then the program will close.

I've tried defragmenting the hard drive and running a windows memory test,
and I scan for viruses and adware/spyware regularly but it hasn't helped. I
don't know what could have caused the slow-down. The only thing I can think
of that changed anything is Windows Update.

Any ideas of what could have caused this or how I can fix it would be
greatly appreciated.

 

[On Holidays]

If you gave us some information we might help

Like what the configeration of your PC is ?

Memory.Vidcard ect ect ect. We cant read minds.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

You need to do a little maintenance on your computer..

Start by using Disk Clean, then Defragmenter..

Check your internet browser.. does it open on the home page that you have
set, or does it load something else..

Is your firewall updated?.. is your anti-virus program updated?..

Have you run anti-spyware programs recently?

Is your hard drive filling up?.. do you get 'virtual memory' warnings?..

I can give you instructions on how to remove spyware.. it is a bit of a
list, but does not take too long to do and it leaves you with tools that can
be re-used.. only carry out the procedure if what I have stated already
appears to have no effect..

So, here goes..


Some programs, like Kazaa for instance, will always give you problems.. even
if you install the so-called spyware free versions, files downloaded from
these services can be devastating.. there are users of these services that
deliberately make infected files available to the unwary.. others just do
not realise that their systems are infecting those of others in a covert
manner..



Please try the processes below.. and do them in order.. none of the
processes are beyond the abilities of a newbie user..



You would be better advised to work on the problems rather than start over
now, have the same things happen again, and then have to repeat the
process.. maintaining a computer should be done regularly, and will only
take a few minutes per week..



OK.. start by turning OFF the System Restore function.. click on the Start
button.. right click on 'My Computer', then select Properties.. now select
the 'System Restore' tab..

Check the box "Turn off System Restore" or "Turn off System Restore on all
drives".. now click on 'Apply'.. you will be asked if it is ok to lose all
restore points.. answer YES to this.. now click on 'OK'



Now to the removal process..



Run a one shot virus remover.. I have found that McAfee Stinger works for
people.. download and run it..



http://vil.nai.com/vil/stinger/



Another alternative is ..



http://housecall.trendmicro.com/housecall/start_corp.asp



Finish this process first..



You will also need to download Spyware removal software.. Spybot and Adaware
are available at these websites.. both are free.. download and run them..
don't forget to check for updates after you have started them..



http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html



http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/



.... and this link is for the latest Microsoft helping..



http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx



Spybot has the ability to immunize a system, but there is better for this
function, so download and run Spyware Blaster too.. again, check for
updates..



http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/



Time to turn ON System Restore.. this is obviously like turning it OFF, so
just reverse the procedure..



If you have any sense, you will now remove any programs that are known
carriers of all things bad.. some, like Patchou's MessengerPlus can be
installed such that the sponsor software does not get installed with it..
the sponsor software, if left, will re-infect your system immediately it is
run again.. use ADD/REMOVE PROGRAMS to un-install and then re-install,
taking care to check the box that gives you the option of NOT accepting the
sponsor crap.. if a program installation process does not allow you to do
this, forget about it.. leave it well alone..



If you have had your Internet browser hijacked, that is to say, you get
redirected through a search engine NOT of your choosing, you will need
different tools..



HijackThis is a popular and effective tool.. download it from here..



http://www.spychecker.com/download/download_hijackthis.html



CWShredder will eliminate CoolWebSearch and variants.. there is a free
download here..



CWShredder.. http://www.intermute.com/spysubtract/cwshredder_download.html



About:blank.. http://www.securiteam.com/securityreviews/5RP0L0UD5U.html or

http://www.pchell.com/support/aboutblank.shtml



For other tools in the fight against spyware, visit this website and
bookmark it..



http://www.pchell.com



Mark Hasting has put much work into this site.. it is an invaluable site,
both for reference and fix-its..



You must also run a firewall and anti-virus program.. here are some links
for you..

http://www.mcafee.com

http://www.symantec.com

http://www.zonealarm.com

http://www.kerio.com

http://www.sygate.com

http://www.avast.com

http://www.grisoft.com



If you do not run a firewall and anti-virus solution, you are leaving
yourself open to attacks of all kinds.. these two types of program are your
first line of defence..



So by now, your system should be in reasonable shape.. you will have tools
'locked and loaded', ready for weekly use against those who seek to destroy
your pleasure.. incorporate these into a housekeeping policy that includes
running Defragmenter and Disk Cleanup, and you will be able to easily
maintain your system..



Please return to this thread and provide feedback.. it is the only way that
helpers here can determine how effective the advice given has been..



Good luck..



--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

 

[Guest]

You need to do a little maintenance on your computer..
Start by using Disk Clean, then Defragmenter..
Check your internet browser.. does it open on the home page that you have
set, or does it load something else..
Is your firewall updated?.. is your anti-virus program updated?..
Have you run anti-spyware programs recently?
Is your hard drive filling up?.. do you get 'virtual memory' warnings?..
I can give you instructions on how to remove spyware.. it is a bit of a
list, but does not take too long to do and it leaves you with tools that can
be re-used.. only carry out the procedure if what I have stated already
appears to have no effect..

Mike Hall ...

Just in case someone forgets to express their appreciation for your
extremely helpful post, the let me be the first. THANK YOU.

 

[Guest]

Thanks very much to everyone who's replied. I've already tried defragmenting
the hard drive and (as I mentioned in my original post), I regularly use
antivirus and anti-spyware/adware programs which are regularly updated.

Sorry I didn't include more information about the configuration of my
computer in my previous post. What else do you need to know?

OS: Windows XP with Service Pack 2

Antivirus/anti-spyware software: Avast! Antivirus and AdAware (both are
regularly updated). I also use Trend Micro Housecall regularly.

112MB RAM - This struck me as strange because it should be 128MB but this is
what was displayed in system properties.

1.40 GHz

I quite often get "virtual memory too low" warning messages and I downloaded
and ran Windows memory test but there were no errors. Let me know if any more
information would be of help.

Many Thanks,
Mooncinder

 

[Leythos]

Thanks very much to everyone who's replied. I've already tried defragmenting
the hard drive and (as I mentioned in my original post), I regularly use
antivirus and anti-spyware/adware programs which are regularly updated.

Sorry I didn't include more information about the configuration of my
computer in my previous post. What else do you need to know?

OS: Windows XP with Service Pack 2

Antivirus/anti-spyware software: Avast! Antivirus and AdAware (both are
regularly updated). I also use Trend Micro Housecall regularly.

112MB RAM - This struck me as strange because it should be 128MB but this is
what was displayed in system properties.

There is your problem - 112MB means you are running 128MB, but your
video card is using some of that for itself. In addition to that, 128MB
of RAM is WAY TO LITTLE for XP. You need at least 256MB to make XP
usable for most people, more like 512MB if you use a few memory hungry
applications.

1.40 GHz

I quite often get "virtual memory too low" warning messages and I downloaded
and ran Windows memory test but there were no errors. Let me know if any more
information would be of help.

See above, you don't have enough real memory.

 

[Guest]

There is your problem - 112MB means you are running 128MB, but your
video card is using some of that for itself. In addition to that, 128MB
of RAM is WAY TO LITTLE for XP. You need at least 256MB to make XP
usable for most people, more like 512MB if you use a few memory hungry
applications.


See above, you don't have enough real memory.

That sounds like a reasonable explanation except I haven't just installed XP
or anything like that. It suddenly slowed down about a month ago but before
that, it had been running perfectly at normal speed for a good two years!
Trouble is, I haven't changed anything system-wise so I can't figure out what
could have caused it to slow down so drastically.

 

[Leythos]

That sounds like a reasonable explanation except I haven't just installed XP
or anything like that. It suddenly slowed down about a month ago but before
that, it had been running perfectly at normal speed for a good two years!
Trouble is, I haven't changed anything system-wise so I can't figure out what
could have caused it to slow down so drastically.

So, in the two years you've not applied any service packs, not installed
any new software, not run any updated programs?

I hear the "it worked before and I've not changed anything" so often I
would be rich if I got a nickle for each time where the user had changed
something and not remembered it or was unaware of it.

Something changed, the memory and VM error is a clear indication that
you don't have a lot of RAM. You could open the TASK MANAGER and look at
processes - this would be indication of what you have running and how
much memory you are using.

Another thing - look at the tasks on the right side of the task bar, do
you have more than a couple application icons there? Each of those is a
running application that consumes memory.

While you may think that 128MB of shared memory is enough, I've got
hundreds of experiences that indicate it's not even close to enough for
even a stripped down computer solution.

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

Moon

You need more RAM for sure.. I was working with a machine today that had
256mb fitted, and it ran like a dog.. I was sooooooooooo frustrated with
it..

Look to get 512mb minimum and you will notice a huge difference..

Also, if you can live without the XP theme, open Control Panel, click on the
'Performance' icon and set your system for 'best performance'.. you will
lose the eye candy effects, but the performance gain is worth it..

I have yet to set up anybody, unless they really do protest, with the XP
theme and colours in place..

 

[Mike Hall \(MS-MVP\)]

My pleasure..

--
Mike Hall
MVP - Windows Shell/User

 

[Guest]

So, in the two years you've not applied any service packs, not installed
any new software, not run any updated programs?

lol, no I didn't mean that! Sorry, I should have been clearer. What I meant
was that I hadn't changed anything near the time that the problem started.

Something changed, the memory and VM error is a clear indication that
you don't have a lot of RAM. You could open the TASK MANAGER and look at
processes - this would be indication of what you have running and how
much memory you are using.

Well yes, something's obviously changed. I'm just trying to find out what.
There's never any more than 3 or 4 taskbar icons running. I know "it worked
before and I've not changed anything" sounds like a pathetic excuse but I was
at university from January and when I came back home at Easter was when I
noticed the problem.

Thanks for all your help so far. If you could think of anything else at all
that could have caused the computer to slow down, I'd really appreciate
hearing about it.

Thanks again,
Mooncinder