Windows XP: slow, slower, slowest ... why's my PC slowing down?
slow, slower, slowest ... why's my PC slowing down?
by frankliw - 4/12/08 9:38 AMDell Dimension 5100C, XP/SP2, Pentium 4/2.8GHz, 512MB RAM
When new, about 2 years ago, my PC performed fine. Now it runs extremely slowly. Programs load very slowly. It can take more than 2 minutes to load IE. Sometimes you can actially watch the pixels paint line-by-line. Why?
I have Norton Protection Center installed and its LiveUpdate is current.
In what I think may be a related issue, booting takes > 10 minutes and I end up with lots of stuff in the system tray which I then manually terminate. How do I get them to stop loading in the first place?
try this
by c19002000 - 4/12/08 10:27 AM In reply to: slow, slower, slowest ... why's my PC slowing down? by frankliwyou can change bootup programs by this way
go to start-run- type there this
"msconfig"
then go to tab Startup
just unselect the unwanted programs by looking their name or their program path
this will cure ur booting problem
and, most of time, antivirus softwares are making OS's slow
so,try to find a minimum resoruce handling antivirus software
you can do it by searching google or yahoo for this
"anti virus software reviews"
read those sites and deside ur self wht u need
and,, one thign u can do
windows/prefetch,,, see whether this folder is clean,
it also make windows slow
you can clean them by using free software "CCleaner"
So have you cleaned it up?
by R. Proffitt
- 4/12/08 10:32 AM
In reply to: slow, slower, slowest ... why's my PC slowing down? by frankliw
Watch the show at http://reviews.cnet.com/4520-11319_7-6240575-1.html
Also tell us about your scans for spyware and such.
Bob
Aside from Malware issues...
by 30boxheads - 4/13/08 8:15 PM In reply to: slow, slower, slowest ... why's my PC slowing down? by frankliwThere are a lot of ways to improve your computing speed but the best way of improving it is upgrading your RAM. 512MB of memory simply won't cut it these days. Try adding another 512MB module(or 1Gb) to boost up your system performace.
Things to consider:
1) Defrag your disk drives
2) Make sure you have installed the latest drivers for your PC. Generic drivers from windows might not show the responsiveness you get when installing the latest.
3) Use lighter programs (Norton just eats up a lot of resources therefore slowing down your PC. Try AVG or NOD32 AV programs)
4) Uninstall unecessary software
5) Unclutter your registry by using programs such as CCleaner(as already suggested)
6) (optional) You could try tweak programs such as TweakUI to boost your computing speeds but I usually don't recommend it.
Just so you know
by Jimmy Greystone - 4/13/08 8:23 PM In reply to: Aside from Malware issues... by 30boxheadsJust so you know, there's really nothing to be gained by defragmenting or any sort of rotorooting of the registry. At least not in terms of responsiveness, which is what most people equate with computer performance. Defragmenting can be useful if you do a lot of high end A/V work or run a large database cluster, but the average user won't notice a bit of difference. If the user is unaware that the drive was defragmented, the majority of people wouldn't notice any difference. It's purely a placebo effect, except for the aforementioned scenarios and others similar in nature.
The registry is also just a simple database that stores metadata about programs and the OS. It has such a negligible impact on performance, it may as well be none.
Everything else is generally good advice, though removing unused software also rarely has much of an impact on responsiveness. It's just a good idea in general.
Let's just clarify that a bit
by 4Denise - 4/19/08 12:00 AM In reply to: Just so you know by Jimmy GreystoneYou state that there is no noticeable affect from defragging. I assume you mean defragging the registry. If that is what you mean, then you are right. Messing with the registry is something that should be reserved for people who know how.
If you mean regular defragging, you couldn't be more wrong. The boost in performance is not an illusion, nor is it due to any supposed "placebo affect." This is particularly true if the drive has not been defragged in a long time. Using the disk defragmentation utility that comes with Windows is perfectly safe as long as it doesn't get interrupted while it's working, and there's no reason to avoid it. If the time involved bothers you, then have it run while you're sleeping or out.
Won't adding more RAM just hide the issues?
by frankliw - 4/14/08 3:51 PM In reply to: Aside from Malware issues... by 30boxheadsWhile adding RAM will surely improve things, it doesn't explain why things have been gradually slowing down over time. It's the same PC using the same amount of RAM, and it used to be just fine. I suspect adding RAM will just hide the issue rather than solve it.
1) Defrag your disk drives
I've done it may times. It doesn't help. (or at least to any noticeable degree.)
2) Install latest drivers
The current drivers are the same ones I used when things used to be OK.
3) Use lighter programs (Norton just eats up a lot of resources therefore slowing down your PC. Try AVG or NOD32 AV programs)
This makes sense. I use Norton because it came free from my ISP. (Verizon FIOS)
4) Uninstall unnecessary software
Unused software's just consuming disk space. How can software slow things down if I'm not running it?
5) Unclutter your registry by using programs such as CCleaner
done
unused software...
by 30boxheads - 4/14/08 7:28 PM In reply to: Won't adding more RAM just hide the issues? by frankliw"Unused software's just consuming disk space. How can software slow things down if I'm not running it?"
Some programs run on start up and keeps running in the background therefore eating up resources. This can be fixed by using msconfig. But if you don't actually use the program, you're better off uninstalling it. You remove the process at the same time getting more disk space.
Anyways, I'm glad your PC improved.
Sounds like two problems
by 4Denise - 4/19/08 1:01 AM In reply to: Won't adding more RAM just hide the issues? by frankliwSince you have done much of what was suggested, it sounds like you have two problems left to deal with: excessive startup programs (which you mentioned specifically), and possibly a build up of old and/or unneeded data on your hard drive.
The possible build up on your hard drive can be checked easily. Find out what percentage of your hard drive is free. You should always have a minimum of 25% of your C drive empty. I aim for 50% because this gives me plenty of "wiggle room." I know that sounds strange, but you really do need quite a lot of space on the drive for Windows to actually operate, beyond what it just takes up in data files. I won't go into details because it would make my post way too long. Research it if you like.
If your drive is full of unused or unnecessary files, the first thing to do is find out what you can safely get rid of. The simplest way to gain space is to remove any programs you aren't using, as has been suggested. You can also transfer any old data files to recordable CDs or DVDs. If you do this, I recommend making two copies of every disk you make before you remove the data from the hard drive. This ensures that if one fails you will have another to retrieve the data from. You can, if necessary, read the data directly off the the CDs or DVDs, rather than keeping them on the hard drive, so mark them in the way that will make the most sense to you.
Then you come up against the more difficult task of clearing out any "junk" files-- things like temporary and old files. Run the disk cleanup utility that comes with Windows, and any other cleaner you have. Beyond that, you will need someone to actually teach you what can and cannot be safely removed. There is actually a lot of junk that accumulates on a system over time. Much of it can be removed. The trick is knowing what to leave behind and what to delete. See if you can find someone locally who is experienced to show you. Don't just delete files because you don't know what they are-- you can mess up your system that way.
I am running on the assumption that you have a system that you know to be free of spyware, adware, viruses, trojans, worms, etc. Any malware is a danger to your system. It will also slow it down a lot. Also, you should be aware that some software you use may be responsible for the problem, or at least be contributing to it. There are a lot of "free" downloadable programs that are not well written. Some of them are adware or spyware by design, and some of them just aren't well made. If you suspect that a program may be slowing your system down, then try uninstalling it for awhile. You can reinstall it if you find out that it doesn't make any difference. In the case of some programs, some people want them bad enough to put up with the problems they cause. If this is your choice, fine, but at least you'll know what you're doing to your system.
The biggest thing for you to do is reduce those startup programs. This is a serious drain on system resources, even if you disable or turn off some of them after the system is finished booting. You will need to do some research for this. The suggestions made are accurate-- you can easily turn those programs off using msconfig. You can also easily mess up your system, so don't just run off and start unchecking checkboxes.
This is going to take some time. Your system didn't get in this state overnight, and it will take a little doing to get it back to the state it was in when you bought it, but it isn't going to be weeks or anything like that. It also isn't really hard. It just takes a little research. The site I like to use is:
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
There are others. Some of them have been listed already in other posts. Use any or all of them to do the following.
I am going to go into a little detail on this one. It looks intimidating, but don't let it make you nervous. Now is the time to back up your system. It will make undoing any mistakes easier, if you happen to make one.
On the start menu, click on run. In the box, type msconfig. Click on Okay. Go to the startup tab. Have a paper and pencil ready. Write down all of the entries. Make sure you write them exactly-- including the precise spelling. Some of them are very similar. Sometimes only one letter is different. It is important that you spell them right. While you are in there, don't be afraid to take a look. As long as you don't make changes you can't mess anything up. The better you know the startup tab, the easier it will be to make sure your system doesn't get in this state again.
Close the configuration utility (msconfig). You haven't made any changes yet, so you don't need to restart Windows. Get online. Have your list ready. Go to one of the mentioned sites and begin typing the entries you wrote down into the search boxes to find them-- remember to type them correctly. You can read what they are and whether or not they are needed. You might want to make a few notes on your list. If you can't find an entry, try going to your favorite search engine and typing it into a search box.
Once you are armed with this information, you are ready to begin making changes. Open the configuration utility again and start by unchecking the checkboxes next to all startup entries that you know beyond a doubt you don't want starting with Windows. When you close the utility, you will be prompted to restart Windows. Go ahead and do so. When Windows restarts, there will be a pop up dialog box that will tell you that you are in selective startup. Click okay. Once you have made the last changes you are going to make, you can check the checkbox on the dialog that tells Windows not to show the box again. Don't worry about remaining in selective startup. It won't hurt your system a bit.
On any entries you aren't absolutely certain about, the best thing to do is disable them one at a time and try running without them to see what happens. This is the part that can take some time. You want to test them one at a time, so that you know for certain which one to restart if there's a problem.
I think you can take it from there. If you mess up your system and you don't have a backup, don't panic. Boot into safe mode and reopen the configuration utility. Undo the changes that messed things up.
Let us all know how it goes.
4denise
focusing on start-up and services
by frankliw - 4/19/08 11:50 AM In reply to: Sounds like two problems by 4DeniseExcess files don't appear to be my problem. My drive is 80% unused. (28.5GB used out of 145GB)
I run virus and Spyware scans regularily via Norton and aside from some minor tracking cookies, all's well there too.
I now think, with the help of these posts, that the problem lies with the startups and services. I've stopped those I could easily recognize and have seen improvement. I'll follow your adivce and research some more of them.
thanks.
You're welcome
by 4Denise - 4/19/08 3:55 PM In reply to: focusing on start-up and services by frankliwSometimes it helps to have a step by step recommendation to follow. Those of us who have done this stuff repeatedly sometimes forget that when we try to help.
4denise
Right
by Dango517 - 4/19/08 3:22 PM In reply to: Won't adding more RAM just hide the issues? by frankliwRAM helps too.
Some errors can create large volumes of reports these need to be deleted occasionally. These are created in the event viewer. See disk cleaner in C: drive under the "general" tab.
Check your deleted emails files. Remove as many as possible.
Reduce the number if restart points that your system created. I'd suggest eight.
There are numerous tweaks that you can do to improve system performance and speed. To many to be mentioned here.
See link:
http://www.google.com/search?sourceid=navclient&aq=t&ie=UTF-8&rlz=1T4ADBR_enUS258US258&q=XP+tweaks+tips
Registry repair software can help but these programs are often times overly aggressive and may delete items you want or need. They do improve system performance but possibly with a price.
I use this to keep my system running at it's best. It is not free.
http://www.iolo.com/sm/7/pro/
everyone that uses this PC, uses it before they log off. Takes about 10 minutes and does it all with a "one click" function.
We also use a RAM optimizer and a third party "real time" defragmenter.
Avoid......manually altering the registry and disabling services unless you "really" know what your doing.
The Sys Tray Comment is Telling.....
by tobeach - 4/13/08 11:35 PM In reply to: slow, slower, slowest ... why's my PC slowing down? by frankliw"with lots of stuff in the system tray which I then manually terminate.". These are the things to uncheck in config start-up. These are all loading at that time & delaying full usability until finished.
Here's a page listing description of items common at start-up:
http://castlecops.com/StartupList.html
I suspect that a change from Norton to AVG AV or Avast AV (both available free) would make a noticeable difference in speed both boot & use. If you decide to un-install Norton, be sure you have alternate downloaded & ready to install & be SURE to use Norton Un-install tool for your version & reboot before installing new choice:
http://service1.symantec.com/SUPPORT/tsgeninfo.nsf/docid/2005033108162039?Open&src=&docid=2001092114452606&nsf=nav.nsf&view=docid&dtype=&prod=&ver=&osv=&osv_lvl=
There maybe software conflicts such as 2 AVs or 2 Firewalls or other background real-time guards running together & conflicting causing slowness.
System Restore points accumulate and may be hogging 12% of HD space.
Many other XP files just keep getting bigger constantly & eventually..
as suggested CCleaner (free) can help with those. Good Luck! 
on the mend
by frankliw - 4/14/08 3:20 PM In reply to: slow, slower, slowest ... why's my PC slowing down? by frankliwThanks for the help.
I used "msconfig" and removed some startups and some services - things with recognizable names that I don't use. (Why isn't that available via the Control Panel?)
I also downloaded "CCleaner" and it removed lots of junk.
Everything still seems to still be working and the responsiveness is definitely better; not as good as I think it should be, but much better.
My "windows/prefetch" directory still has a lot in it (6MB) even after "CCleaner" was done. (The "CCleaner" option says "Old prefetch data".)
Glad for the Improvement......
by tobeach - 4/14/08 11:20 PM In reply to: on the mend by frankliwto give you and idea just how severe I've trimmed my start-ups back:
I have only 3-3rd party "programs" running at boot up: AVG AV, Intel Graphics & Spybot's Tea Timer settings guard! Additionally total of 10 "system inis". Total of 22 process running (26 when on the net as now).
I'd rather wait the 2-5 seconds extra for a program to load when I need it rather than loose performance always. XP Pro fully booted at 45 seconds from button push to no hourglass.
I have reset my Sys Restore to use only 4% of HD instead of 12% default, giving me about 2 months worth of daily manually created points.
I believe I have also disabled "file Indexing" to reduce load.
I purposely choose smallest, lightest versions of programs (CCleaner "slim" only 1/3rd size of regular), Fox-it PDF reader and keep Adobe turned off .
Most items will boot , IF required, during use (example printer when you click "print"). Others I disable & then just right click "send to my desktop" to create a manual trigger Icon.
Don't get in habit of leaving "non-system" disks in various drives (say audio CD or DVD etc.) as machine will try to load them at boot up also slowing boot-up.
You could try running system file checker (SFC) if you haven't lately in case something has created confusion there-in. Note: This may restore some things you purposely have turned off & may have to disable again.
Keep at it...it'll get better & better. Good Luck!! 
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