Extreme Computer Slow Down

Marco · **Posted:** June 16th, 2009, 6:30 pm

Recently, I have been experiencing lots of computer lagg. Slow text, internet not working very well, downloads taking forever, and my HP printer has worked, not worked, repeat. I don't know what this could be caused by.

Some information on the computer:

Quote:

System:
Windows XP, Home Edition Version 2002 Service Pack 3

Computer:
AMD Athlon (tm) 64 Processor 3800+ 2.41 GHz, 896 MB of RAM, Physical Address Extension
320 GB Harddrive, 1024 MB of Memory
NVIDIA GeForce 6150 LE Graphic Card

Other:
Stopsign Antivirus

Soultions I have tried:

Quote:

Disc Cleanup
Currently Running Antivirus

**Please note I downgraded (or upgraded, depending on how you look at it) from Vista (Which came on the computer) to XP. Problems had existed before, but were very small, and only came a few days a month.**

Adbot · **Posted:** June 16th, 2009, 6:30 pm

Pfkninenines · Global Moderator 12/4/08

Switching OS will have had little change, other than your lack of abundant RAM. Any problems wouldn't have been brought over unless there's a problem with hardware.

If your scans don't come up with anything, try a second opinion with AdAware and Spybot Search and Destroy. If they don't come up with anything major that helps, and you've already ruled out major installs of programs (extra crap running in the background, etc), then you might have a hardware issue. Some of the errors you're describing *could* be a hard drive related issue, though I can't tell you that's the problem. I'd suggest accessing the S.M.A.R.T. data from your HDD by using a program like SpeedFan that can see the information. Under the S.M.A.R.T tab, check your stats. If any are getting low, you might have found your problem.

Aquw VettelS 776 · **Posted:** June 26th, 2009, 4:00 pm

I'm going to go through, in no particular order, a few symptoms and solutions which you may be able to use:

1) Leave your PC idle- close all windows and have only background programs running. Then go to task manager and see what your CPU usage and memory usage is like. CPU usage, based on your PC's specs, should be around 30% and memory usage when idle 60% tops. If you're excessing this by a long way there may be something running which shouldn't be. Go to the processes tab and have a look at what's running. There should be very little here: several Windows processes, a couple of firewall/anti-virus, etc. and that's about it. If there's something which you don't recognise, check it out, especially if it's using a lot of RAM or CPU.

2) Reinstalling XP is a 100% sure way to solve your problems, unless you're got a hardware problem which is extremely unlikely. It's a good idea to reinstall a minimum of every 18 months, 12-14 months ideally. Yes, I know it's a pain, but in on very old systems, the change is very noticeable and definitely recommended.

3) Disk defragment! Yes, you've probably been told this before, but this is another wonder-worker. Let the program run, re-start your PC and I'd be suprised if you didn't see even a slight improvement. My advise also is to stay away from third-party programs which claim to do a better job than the Window's one. Yes, they may do a better job, but often only marginally, and frankly they just clutter up for system.

4) Check for viruses/adware. Yes, viruses may be a problem here, but chances are that if you had a virus, you'd be seeing more problems than this. More likely is that you've been slowed down by a load of adware. I recommend using Ad-Aware by Lavasoft (free version)- it really is worth it's weight in gold (metaphorically, of course).

5) And just a quick point about Vista. Don't, is basically what I have to say, at least not on your system- it's not up to it. However, Windows 7 will prove to be a lot more resource-friendly, but even so, you really do need a new PC or a RAM upgrade at the very least. I recommend, even with more RAM, sticking with XP until you afford a new PC with Windows 7 pre-installed. On a side note, have you considered a Linux OS as opposed to XP. I've never recommended this to anyone before, but on a very low-spec system like your's, it may be just what you need. You can get some super-light versions which could be very good for you.

jrdgames · **Posted:** June 29th, 2009, 9:26 pm

How long have you had this computer?
Do you have windows defender/live onecare?

Not sure why your printer would not be working unless there is a problem with the drivers. How long has your printer been acting up?

Download speed should be caused by your ISP but I guess it could also be caused by system lag depending on how much you are lagging and what's lagging you.

Partially Off Topic:

aquw 776 wrote:

5) And just a quick point about Vista. Don't, is basically what I have to say, at least not on your system- it's not up to it. However, Windows 7 will prove to be a lot more resource-friendly, but even so, you really do need a new PC or a RAM upgrade at the very least. I recommend, even with more RAM, sticking with XP until you afford a new PC with Windows 7 pre-installed. On a side note, have you considered a Linux OS as opposed to XP. I've never recommended this to anyone before, but on a very low-spec system like your's, it may be just what you need. You can get some super-light versions which could be very good for you.

Please do not insult fellow RSBandBers because they did not choose to spend their college and car savings on a high end gaming pc, Marco's pc is average (except for the graphics card) for being pre-loaded with windows vista. It should serve him well in most games depending on which games he likes to play.

americigerm · **Posted:** July 6th, 2009, 2:25 am

AVG and Spybot are a must! Try using these instead of StopSign. I wouldn't really trust it, being one of those free scanners advertised on TV. Also you should try the free version of ZoneAlarm firewall. it will block pretty much everything you don't want on there.

Another word of advice, when you do a scan, after you download the updates, try disconnecting you modem and/or router. I've found that one it speeds up the scan, and you never know what is actually on your computer. Plus is gives your line a rest, so when you connect, it will be just that much faster.

GerM`