XP slow to react

[Brian]

I am just moving from my old PC (900mhz, 512mb RAM, Windows 2000) to a newer
PC (2.4ghz, 256mb, Windows XP). I am frustrated because the new one seems to
run slower than the old one.

I will upgrade the RAM to 768mb shortly, but I can't help thinking there is
more to it than that.

I have turned the Windows Firewall off and I use Sygate PF v5. I have Norton
AV 2005 (kept up to date), and I use Ewido ant-spyware.

I have de-fragged the C drive.

The computer seems to take its time deciding to do things.

And how can I stop Word and Excel requesting a virus scan before loading a
file?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

 

[Alias~-]

I am just moving from my old PC (900mhz, 512mb RAM, Windows 2000) to a newer
PC (2.4ghz, 256mb, Windows XP). I am frustrated because the new one seems to
run slower than the old one.

I will upgrade the RAM to 768mb shortly, but I can't help thinking there is
more to it than that.

I have turned the Windows Firewall off and I use Sygate PF v5. I have Norton
AV 2005 (kept up to date), and I use Ewido ant-spyware.

I have de-fragged the C drive.

The computer seems to take its time deciding to do things.

And how can I stop Word and Excel requesting a virus scan before loading a
file?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

You should have at least 512MB RAM for XP. It will make a world of
difference. Getting rid of Norton and replacing it will AVG or Avast
will also help.

Alias

 

[R. McCarty]

How do the Mass Storage devices compare ? Type of interface (PATA
or SATA) and mode (UDMA ?) Do both PCs use the same software ?
(Your listed security programs are used on both).

Are all the drivers updated on the new box ? Especially, the Chipset and
Video. Have you adjusted your BIOS settings. Some things like Intel
SpeedStep (IST or EIST) can throttle back a CPU.

All new rigs needs some tuning and the way XP works it takes several
days of use and boot(s) to process the Prefetching/Layout data.

Personally, I would lay any blame at sluggish performance at the door of
Symantec/Norton programs. (System loading and excessive logging)

 

[DH]

You should have at least 512MB RAM for XP. It will make a world of
difference. Getting rid of Norton and replacing it will AVG or Avast will
also help.

Alias

I couldn't agree with you more on both accounts. I thought that I would
second your astute suggestion before the Norton fans jump on you.

It could be worse, he could have McAfee!

Dave H.

 

[Alias~-]

I couldn't agree with you more on both accounts. I thought that I would
second your astute suggestion before the Norton fans jump on you.

It could be worse, he could have McAfee!

Dave H.

Or, even worse, the spammer Panda.

Alias

 

[Brian]

Many thanks for all the replies. I've obviously got more work coming up this
weekend!

 

[HeyBub]

You should have at least 512MB RAM for XP. It will make a world of
difference. Getting rid of Norton and replacing it will AVG or Avast
will also help.

If you CAN get rid of Norton. It's the barnacle of the software world.

 

[Rock]

I am just moving from my old PC (900mhz, 512mb RAM, Windows 2000) to a
newer
PC (2.4ghz, 256mb, Windows XP). I am frustrated because the new one seems
to
run slower than the old one.

I will upgrade the RAM to 768mb shortly, but I can't help thinking there
is
more to it than that.

I have turned the Windows Firewall off and I use Sygate PF v5. I have
Norton
AV 2005 (kept up to date), and I use Ewido ant-spyware.

I have de-fragged the C drive.

The computer seems to take its time deciding to do things.

And how can I stop Word and Excel requesting a virus scan before loading a
file?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

On a separate note Sygate was bought out by Symantec some time ago and their
personal firewall is not receiving updates anymore. You might want to look
to getting a different one. One option is Sunbelt Software's Kerio Personal
firewall, or Zone Alarm

 

[NoStop]

I am just moving from my old PC (900mhz, 512mb RAM, Windows 2000) to a
newer PC (2.4ghz, 256mb, Windows XP). I am frustrated because the new one
seems to run slower than the old one.

Windoze XP compared to W2K is real bloatware and is definitely slower. Start
adding "security" condoms into the mix on your XP box, like the Norton crap
and you'll experience just what you're experiencing. If you're going to
insist on running XP, you'll need to upgrade your RAM to at least 512MB.

I will upgrade the RAM to 768mb shortly, but I can't help thinking there
is more to it than that.

See above.

Cheers.

I have turned the Windows Firewall off and I use Sygate PF v5. I have
Norton AV 2005 (kept up to date), and I use Ewido ant-spyware.

I have de-fragged the C drive.

The computer seems to take its time deciding to do things.

And how can I stop Word and Excel requesting a virus scan before loading a
file?

Any thoughts would be appreciated.

--
Linux is ready for the desktop! More ready than Windoze XP.
http://tinyurl.com/ldm9d

You just can't play games on Linux!
http://tinyurl.com/kgszl