Windows Explorer very slow

[HAAK]

I have a 2.8GHz machine, 512MB RAM, plenty of HD space,
fully updated XP. I run Spybot weekly and use Symantec
Corporate 8.0 A/V in the background. I am on a LAN.

I have a major slowdown problem with Windows Explorer
when I am moving around and looking for folders. Or, if
I am trying to save a document from Word or PowerPoint
etc. For example, if I click "Save As..." and try to
find a folder to put the document in there is a 30-second
or more hang (and the hourglass) where Explorer is trying
to start. Once it gets fired up it seems OK and I can
move around fairly easily and find folders quickly
(normally).

It is really weird. If it happended once in a while I
wouldn't mind, but it happens several times a day and
wastes a lot of time.

Does anyone have any idea what I should be looking for in
terms of causes? Are there any diagnostic tools that
could help me solve this problem? Thank you for your
help!

 

[Gerry Cornell]

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, 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.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Please tell the newsgroup how any
suggested solution worked for you.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Guest]

Thank you for your reply Gary. I will look into these items in detail.