windows suddenly very slow

[Hans]

Until a few hours ago everything worked very fine with my new PC. It runs XP
and I only use normal software (Office, iTunes, Google stuff etc). When I am
in Windows and click on a file, it takes 30-75 seconds to open the
application. Thereafter all runs normal in the application. Sometimes it does
not open at all. Task manager says during this period 'application not
responding'. I can even during the waiting time open the programme from the
start-programs etc and then from within the application open the required
file. Works fine.
Clicking through folders within folders goes fast. Only when it has to find
an application it slows down or does not work.
When Windows is looking for the application the CPU does not seem to be very
busy 1-3%, i.e. normal.

Any suggestions what I should do now?

I went back to 1-2 restore points, no avail. Ran a full scan with McAfee,
nothing.

 

[Gerry]

Hans

How much RAM memory?

Try Ctrl+Alt+Delete to select Task Manager and click the Performance
Tab. Under Commit Charge what is the Total, the Limit and the Peak?


--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Hans]

Hello Gerry

Thanks for your response.

I have 4Gb RAM. The Taskmanager shows total charge of ca 1000000, limit is
more than 5x that number. Peak is 10% higher so I doubt this is the reason.
Computer is only 2 weeks old and worked fine until yesterday.

Problem still exists when trying to open files (any extension) from within
Windows. Opening attachments (any type) in Outlook goes instantaneously.
Opening from within an application also immediately.

When using start-documents-file is is again slow. Time about 1 minute. I
think it has something to do with an index file in Wondows that maybe
damaged. No idea how to fix this.

I have checked somewher in a box 'allow fast indexing'.

Restoring to early point does not work. Rest all OK.


Hans

ps if you live in Stourport: beautiful area! My wife and I are members for
life of the National Trust, not many Dutch can say so!

 

[Gerry]

Hans

Are you using Windows Desktop Search?

http://apcmag.com/windows_slowdown_microsoft_forces_install_of_windows_desktop_search.htm

Stourport is a very pleasant place to live.

--



Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England
Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Hans]

Hello Gerry
Not that I am aware off. However, my problem was finally solved by going
back as a last resort to the very first restore point. That fixed it. I had
to do something because the add/remove software link in the control box would
not open anymore. I still think something got damaged in an indexing kit but
all working fine now. Only had to re-install some software, updates etc.
Thank you for thinking along on this problem. Since the PC is very new, it
could just be that something was damaged when installing the scanner software
of an old HP5300C scanner. It simply would not work. I can use the scanner
but only through windows and in a rudimentary manner (scan an A4 at the time
to a .jpg file). No OSR etc anymore. When investigating, an installer had got
damaged or moved and I had to go into the registry according to some tips on
a MS website. I refrained from that. Either HP software of Office 2003
installation occasionally seems to do that. Too complex for me!

Kind regards
Hans