Windows XP SP2 working very slow

[Guest]

I am having the brand new ThinkPad which i have just now explored and loaded
Antivirus software and all other custom softwares like MS office XP. I found
system is very very slow, TP has the configuration of
Centrino/1.73Ghz/40GB/256MB RAM

I have checked in Taskmanager for any heavy CPU & Memory Usage and found
only 2-10% (CPU) & Commit Chage 276MB / 499MB only. Also i have set the
virtual memory size as 256 * 1.5 % only.

Eventhough, TP is working very slow.

Can any one help me out to isolate this OS slow performance issue.

 

[Ted Zieglar]

The correct size for virtual memory is "system managed size".

Don't expect snappy performance with 256MB of RAM. You'll need at least
twice that to be happy with the computer's performance.

Top four reasons for slow performance:

1. Viruses and spyware.
2. Too many programs start with Windows.
3. Hardware not up to the task.
4. User misconfiguration.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Saravanan

Select Start, All Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk CleanUp, More
Options, System Restore and remove all but the latest System Restore points?
Restore points can be quite large.

You should use Disk CleanUp regularly to Empty your Recycle Bin and
Remove Temporary Internet Files. Whenever you remove redundant files you
should always run Disk Defragmenter by selecting Start, All Programs,
Accessories, System Tools, Disk Defragmenter.

Next check the pagefile in use as 256 mb is generally considered to be
insufficient when using Windows XP. What reading do you have at the end of
a session.

You may check on pagefile (virtual memory) usage with
Page File Monitor for XP:
http://www.dougknox.com/

Make sure you study the readme.txt file carefully to ensure
you get the utility to work as it should.

Have you installed Norton or McAfee utilities?

--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Jared Foster]

256MB is enough RAM for Windows XP...it's what I'm running at the moment and
it serves me just fine.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Jared

Can be but not for most people.


--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Jared Foster]

Having run XP with 128MB prior to the current config, I strongly disagree.
256MB is plenty of memory for XP...I'm guessing the problem would be the
specific applications he is running, and not the operating system itself.
Brand PCs are loaded with so much garbage out of the box and Antivirus
software (Norton anyone?) will eat up a good deal of the memory. I would
say to clean up the start up programs and see how it runs before going out
and buying another stick of RAM.

 

[Gerry Cornell]

Jared

However, strongly you disagree not many knowledgeable users
will agree with your point of view.

Most users want to run applications not remove them. Whilst it is
sensible to avoid loading unnecessary programmes you can only
take that philosopy so far.

See how much use of the pagefile your system is using.

You may check on pagefile (virtual memory) usage with
Page File Monitor for XP:
http://www.dougknox.com/

Make sure you study the readme.txt file carefully to ensure
you get the utility to work as it should.

This utility demonstrates the overall amount of the pagefile
in use. It does not say which application is using it.



--

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~
FCA
Stourport, England

Enquire, plan and execute
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

 

[Jared Foster]

I'll pass on your download, but thanks anyways. I'm not saying to remove
all applications, but to only startup at boot those that one uses a lot.
There are a lot of systems out of the box that would run just fine if it
wasn't for the extra programs and services that run at startup. If he finds
out that indeed he does need more memory, then by all means, get it.
However, there are a lot of cases where a little cleaning in msconfig can
make a huge difference. Anyhow, good discussion, and peace.