XP Pro, after format, its going slow

[Guest]

I upgraded from my ME which had ok performance, then i had a problem with XP
Pro, and i had to format my comp. since i did that, whenver i try to open a
program, or minimize and maximize a program, it goes slow. i think that when
i formated i changed an option in my control panel or something, making my
comp go slow, but i may b wrong. can anyone give an explanation and a fix to
my slow performance problem?

 

[Mike Hall]

Xp is a much heavier OS than ME and will need more resources to run it.. the
minimum specification to run XP will not allow easy running although it will
still work.. you may also have problems with a virus or spyware..

Perhaps you might like to post back with specs/error messages,, this will
save me or anybody else posting long and possibly inappropriate
suggestions..

 

[Guest]

ok, almost like its on timed intervals, a message pops up from a program
called Messenger Service, like 4 different kinds. one says that there are 10
spyware programs and i can go to a website to get rid of them, another says
something about a buffer over run affecting every comp except from ME, and a
few otehrs. they all have a different website at the bottom. Either they are
really from the XP, or they are spyware. which one? as well, i have 384 megs
of ram, and 900 mhz processor. is that good enough? If not, are there any
useless background programs that i can turn off? Ive been trying to find some
but no luck so far. Thnx....

 

[Mike Hall]

The Windows Messenger Service (no connection to Windows MESSENGER) is
exploited by spammers which is where the messages originate.. this issue
would be resolved by the installation of a firewall.. I assume that you are
running a firewall and ant-virus program of some description.. tell me that
you are..

If you haven't already, install SP2.. the first of the four links will tell
you how.. the other three explain why..

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/spackins.htm

http://www.microsoft.com/technet/prodtechnol/winxppro/maintain/winxpsp2.mspx

http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/features.mspx

http://www.eweek.com/article2/0,1759,1724107,00.asp


Spyware/Adware/Scumware has become a major player in compromising
computers.. not only do they attempt to send out information about you, but
they also slow your computer down..

The worst of it is that you probably downloaded the spyware, albeit
inadvertently..

Some basic steps to removing Spyware/Adware..

First step is to 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/

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/

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/

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..

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

For other tools in the fight against spyware, visit this website and
bookmark it.. Mark Hastings, the author, has put much work into it..

http://www.pchell.com


If you think that all of this is too much, I would agree but for the fact
that there are people out there whose prime motivation in life is to
discredit Microsoft.. they will not go away.. and if everybody switches to
Linux, then users will be looking for a way to combat the threats there..


Another way to get more apparent speed is to dump all of the eye candy
stuff.. at a personal level, I don't need 'fade in/out' or pretty colours to
remind me that I am using XP.. the 'classic' view takes nothing away from XP
Pro or Home, but gives back performance and a sense that it is not kids
stuff

One more thing.. while 384mb is not a bad amount of RAM, XP definitely
benefits from more.. 512mb would seem to be the optimum amount unless you
move grahics around, in which case you may want more..


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

 

[Luka]

ok, almost like its on timed intervals, a message pops up from a program
called Messenger Service, like 4 different kinds. one says that there are 10
spyware programs and i can go to a website to get rid of them, another says
something about a buffer over run affecting every comp except from ME, and a
few otehrs. they all have a different website at the bottom. Either they are
really from the XP, or they are spyware. which one? as well, i have 384 megs
of ram, and 900 mhz processor. is that good enough? If not, are there any
useless background programs that i can turn off? Ive been trying to find some
but no luck so far. Thnx....

Follow Mike Hall's message AND also disable Messenger Service

 

[Guest]

ok.. ill try all that but i have some new info to help u diagnose. I have
Bell Sympatico DSL as my internet. Since ive had XP on my comp, ive had to
turn off my modem, and my comp for 45 seconds minimum, then reboot in order
to get to use the internet for 5 minutes! so after that reboot i can only use
my comp for 5 minutes, then the internet goes extremely slow. And i cant just
shut off my modem.... if i try to use the comp after that 5 minutes time,
then the actual system and loading of programs goes EXTREMELY! slow. Ive
tried calling bell, they have no idea whats wrong. If i cant get XP going, id
like to switch back to ME, but my local comp store (idiodically) didnt put
the Cert. of Authentification on the comp, and i dont have the numbers i
need. Is there any way to get another one? First try to answer my XP prob,
cause i dont wanna go back to ME unless absolutly necessary.