Community Newsletter: Q&A: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one
- 5/12/05 2:31 PM
Add to Dana's execellent tutorial
by oneeagleone - 5/13/05 7:07 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Dana's reply is worth taping to the side of your computer. A most excellent step-by-step.
To her tutorial I would add that going into Msconfig and experimenting with which services and startup programs you don't need. These including their icons eat up resources. On my secure machine (not connected to the Internet) I have disabled all startup programs and only 4 services running. In additon to Task Manager as Dana mentioned you can use the game Freecell to get a visual feel of the affect of your changes.
All of the above including Dana's tutorial address making the most of the problems created by the Microsoft phylosophy and XP. I like the original questioner went from a 266 running W98 to two muscle machines running XP and got a decrease in productivity. XP is a textbook case of poorly conceived and written software where you have to hard-wire and have to have intermediate, user input steps.
The Micorsoft phosolophy and their poorly written XP software are not the only reasons for the demise of the productivity of the more recent computers. OEM is the other. You think you have XP, you think you have XP Help, you think you have IE. Uh Uh, you have the Vendor's version of those. That's why Microsoft disowns the Original Equipment Manufacturer, OEM, software. They change it. When you buy a new computer today the software that comes loaded is better described as Flee Market Software. Not only that, you're stuck with it. They don't provide the original software disk, its now put on the hard drive.
I am skeptical that the computer will even work without the OEM software. I will post that question.
Maybe this would aslo help.
by secret squirrel - 5/13/05 7:09 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I've noticed that you mentioned that you P4 is running slower than your old computer.
Recently I've experienced this all to often, with my friends, and nieghbours. Here are the steps that I use that would let you see VERY DRAMATIC results.
1. TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE-
By disabiling this feature, you will be able to Have a fresh restore point afterwards.
Click <START> then <CONTROL PANEL> then <SYSTEM>.
In the new window that pops-up click the <SYSTEM RESTORE> tab, and check the box- ''TURN OFF SYSTEM RESTORE ON ALL DRIVES''.
Now here is where you can have a ''CLEAN'' start.
2. DETERMINE HOW MANY SHORTCUTS ARE ON YOUR DESKTOP-
Quite often too many shortcuts, take up system resources and could slow down your machine. Try to put these in a Folder, or you can use the ''DESKTOP CLEANUP WIZARD.''
3. DETERMINE HOW MANY RUNNIG PROCESSES YOU HAVE-
Somtimes have too many programs runnig in the background causes very sluggish performance.
I would suggest that you click <START>, then <RUN>.
In the dialog box type ''MSCONFIG''.
When the configuration utility appears-
click the tab <STARTUP>. Now here you can disable the programs that are not crucial at startup, Not to worry, these programs can be accessed when needed.
Once you have finished using the configuration utility, close the window and you will be prompted to restart your PC, at this point you can, or you can continue working with windows.
4.FIXING THE REGISTRY-
You can get Microsofts (c) registry fixer which is available from the Microsoft Web-site in the Downloads section. Fixing the registry is essential, this is where your PC comunicates with windows. There could be alot of left over scripts that are taking up space and are not needed.
5.RUN A VIRUS SCANNER-
Norton's antivirus, or the Latest scanner from Macafee would suffice. Once you have deleted ALL resident viruses, Go online and do one once more, at Trend-Micro House call.
6.GETTING RID OF SPYWARE-
I have found that using LAVA'Soft's AD-aware remover
works extremely well.
7.For those of you that still use 56K-
CLick <START> then <CONTROL PANEL> then <SYSTEM>
then click <DEVICE MANAGER>- here look for your
LPT1 port and click properties, Now change you port speed to 1280000, then click OK.
8. I have also found that if you use a good firewall-
you can prevent ''UNWANTED'' intruders from accessing your computer, Thus slowing your PC down.
Shut down- and restart your machine-
You will Notice a tremoundous difference in performance. Be sure to turn on your ''SYSTEM RESTORE''
and create a ''RESTORE POINT'' from that date.
Answer: My new PC performing worse than my old one
by mark_devlin - 5/13/05 7:24 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
It was some time ago I installed sp2 but as far as I remember it introduced a whole slew of new services and re-enabled those that I had previously disabled, this resulted in a performance hit until I sorted them out but the single biggest problem, which I didn't immediately notice was that it had started up the Microsoft firewall which is not very helpful if there already is a firewall running, I recommend you check that out in Control Panel -> Security Center.
If you're unsure about which Services you need this site looks useful:
http://www.fixyourwindows.com/optimizewindows.htm
Once you cleaned it up you'll find sp2 is no problem.
Dell Demension 2004
by mcbusy - 5/13/05 7:30 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My computer is also running slow and has been from the day of purchase. I have done all the steps you listed and yet there isn't much improvement. I am beginning to think it is just this brand. Do you have any other suggestions other than throwing this machine back at the sales people?
Madeline
Same Here
by Afoder - 5/13/05 9:23 AM In reply to: Dell Demension 2004 by mcbusyI have also found that the Dell machines are very laborious. Older machines do work much quicker. I could cook a 5 course meal waiting for Windows to reach the startup screen.
I sold my "DULL" and built my own machine
Check Musicmatch and or Real Player if installed
by mikemerch - 5/13/05 7:40 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I recently experienced a similar problem.
I found that everytime I rebooted I went through a long period ,up to 5 minutes, of very slow and unresponsive performance.
I ran Spybot and Ad Aware but it did not seem to make any difference.Disconnected from the internet as well.
I finally discovered by accident that MusicmatchJuke box was looking for new music files. I had not specified a location so it looked through my entire 80 gig hard drive. Specifying a folder to search eliminated this problem.
Real Player will do the same thing if you specify it as default player. I had both installed so I UNINSTALLED Real Player, as I was not using it.
another opinion on realplayer
by jion - 5/13/05 7:48 AM In reply to: Check Musicmatch and or Real Player if installed by mikemerchJust uninstall Real products. Everytime I have used them they just break the file I am trying to play. Uninstall it and use something else.
Computer running slow
by joseph whitaker - 5/13/05 7:40 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
May I add a word of advice to Mitch? I have a similar problem from time to time and solve it this way:
First, I always run a registry cleaning routine. I use OnTrack's System Suite and find that it does an excellent job of cleaning unneeded and defectives from the registries. The reason I do this first is simply that it makes the biggest hit on the problem. I always get a tremendous improvement here.
Second, I defragment the hard disk. The Windows XP routine does this beautifully. This step usually makes a marginal improvement but it is marginal probably because I run it frequently (once a month or so).
Third, use your spyware cleaner. I use AdAware but any spyware remover is nearly as good. Spyware usually affects the speed only when using the internet but eliminating it will speed up your system. As an aside, my Grandson visited one day and asked if he could use the net. Of course I said "yes". He was on for maybe two hours at the most. After he left I ran Adaware and it eliminated 92 pieces of spyware! My only advice in this area is never sign onto rock music sites! Now days he is into skate boarding and the count of spyware is less but still ugly.
Fourth, run your anti-virus program. Mine is AVG Free and can be downloaded free off the net. I have found it at least as good as any commercial product and better than most. If yours doesn't pick off any virus try any of the virus control programs you can find on the net which will scan your system for free on a trial basis.
This same method is good for spyware programs, many will offer a free scan over the net and all tend to find things others miss. Good luck.
...Joe W...
It should be noted...
by Nightbird1225 - 5/13/05 7:48 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
That most Dell's (esp. the less expensive models) and Gateway's will use a much slower hard drive.
Your old Gateway likely used a 7200 RPM drive and your new Dell more than likely uses a 5400 RPM drive.
This will affect a lot of performance when it comes to loading a program. It will also impact your experience if you have a lot of programs running, fill your memory and have to use the swap space.
For those that don't know: Swap space acts like RAM but is on the hard drive, thus the slower your hard drive the lower your performance. If you have a spyware running and fill up your memory then your machine might as well be a $400.00 slag heap.
I would stay away from the SP2 on XP and just run your own firewall ( I use zonealarm which is free for home use) and AVG (antivirus, also free for home use). Since Micro$oft is still updating SP 1 and most of the admins are still running their Corp's with SP1 I feel safe staying away from SP2.
Just my two cents, hopefully helpful.
-Nightbird1225
With all that work to undo things you need...
by jsh123 - 5/13/05 7:56 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
If you undo all the things you need, why not just use paper and pencil.
Better yet install LINUX and you get all the security and the PC resources back....
slow system
by erley - 5/13/05 8:16 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
I have a Dell p4 3.0 HT with 756 ram. It was just fine
till a ran adware one day (I had ran it several times without any problem but this day something was wrong and there was even a forum about this). Since that day my computer takes 2 minutes to start. I have done everything you mentioned except running adware again which I uninstalled. I phoned Dell and after explaining this, I was advised to format my HD, which I did not. It works ok after the 2 minutes it takes to become operational. I will install a new HD and begin from the beggining. No adware.
Using system restore.
by fastfreddie1959 - 5/13/05 8:22 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
My name is john & i would like to reply about system restore on XP.
I never use it because it covers up the problems,
and takes away the storage in your hard drive.
Maybe good for people who dont know to much about computers, but not for me.
I use VCOM-FIX-it utilities 5.
Not the greatest software but it does delete all old files and folders that are empty.
It keeps my compter clean-most of the time.
I have used system restore in the past when i was a novice, but kept losing my storage space, when i defragged my computer.
plus the files and folders are still there when i do a file & folder search on my computer.
Most times when deleting a program from your computer it stays in your regestry, so i use "regedit.exe" to go to the regestry to delete manually.
Spybot works ok-but does not delete everything.
And sometimes blocks you from accesing websites that you want to go to.
Cooling Problem not Software
by Onycho - 5/13/05 8:25 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
From what I've seen of dell systems, the greatest flaw they have is very poor case airflow. My mother-in-law is experiencing slowdowns to her pentium 4 system because on top of the already poor case flow, the case was placed between a wall and a desk, creating a situation that deteriorated internal airflow even more.
With pentium 4 systems there is a control to prevent the CPU from overheating called thermal throttling. If the CPU reaches a preset temperature, it will "throttle" itself, ie. It will reduce the speed it is running at in order to decrease the operating temperature.
I bring up this possibility because we are dealing with the comparision between a Pentium 2 500 MHz and a Pentium 4 2400...I find it a hard stretch of the imagination that software would reduce performance to such an extent. There are a number of program available that will allow you to monitor the temperature of your system. I would look into one of these programs to at least verify what the operating temperature of your system is. Many of these programs will also tell you what the current "speed" of your system is. From these types of programs it is very easy to diagnose if your system is thermally throttling.
If you diagnose that your system is thermally throttled, first thing would be to look at where you have the case..is there plenty of airspace around the case? If so, you may want to contact Dell. There may be a chance that the heat sink is not contacting flush and therefore your processor is not cooling sufficiently.
what if gradually slowing down?
by Jim Johnson - 5/13/05 8:47 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
Great advice for dramatic slowdowns! What if you have made no changes to your PC? If you have installed no new programs other than updates, have robust anti-virus, anti-spyware and a firewall; your system is squeaky clean, and it is still starting to gradually slow down?
Several times I have read opinions by PC experts that various forms of hard drive tuning are a waste of time under XP if you use NTFS formatted drives. I greatly disagree!
My WinXP Pro notebook has more than 512MB of RAM, yet after a few weeks of working, I see it's performance gradually slow as I do my daily tasks. Some hard drive tuning will always perk it back up. (By the way, I see the same symptoms on my more robust desktop PC, but the time frame before its noticible is generally longer due to its much faster hard drive)
I start with, I log in as the Administrator.
The first step is cleaning out the cob webs. XP's built-in Disk Cleanup tool seems to do as well as Norton's Cleansweep.
The second step is to clean out the registry. I use Norton's WinDoctor, but I'm sure other 3rd party tools do as well - as a side note, I NEVER let WinDoctor make fixes for me! I always choose the best solution myself. WinDoctor all too often will point to an incorrect solution, especially when fixing registry entries for program uninstall locations.
The third step requires a 3rd party tool. Norton offers a tool to optimize the Registry database, but never updated this tool to work with XP. I found the freeware product NTREGOPT from Lars Hederer does the trick for NTFS based systems. Optimizing the Registry requires re-writing it to remove the slack space caused by the deactivation of keys (what WinDoctor does).
After a required re-booting, the fourth and final step is to defrag the drive. I've used Norton's SpeedDisk, but it seems to take longer (probably does better optimization) than the tool built into XP, yet I see little performance difference after the tools finish (this is I believe where the PC experts derive their opinions about XP drives not needing defragging).
These four steps DO make a noticible difference in performance - at least for a few weeks, then I need to do them again.
My New PC is performing worse than my old one
by Tokyopete - 5/13/05 9:15 AM In reply to: 5/13/05 My new PC performing worse than my old one by Lee Koo (ADMIN)
great and long dissertion on the woes of XP. Personally, I use Win98SE with 17 running processes, and automatic maintenance set up for every night when I'm alseep. Yes, I do have Adaware and spybot which I run once a week without fail. Any of the regular anti-virus programmes will work, some better than others except for AVG's free programe v7 which screwed up two of my computers completely.
Virii. now and again one tries it on for luck but the anti-virus catches it.
XP is far too bloated an OS in the first place to run quickly.
You know the old engineering saw, don't you. "If it ain't broke, don't fix it" Upgrading for the sake of upgrading is not always the best solution.
| Forum legend: | |
 |
Locked thread |
 |
Moderator |
 |
CNET staff |
 |
Samsung staff |
 |
Norton Authorized Support team |
 |
AVG staff |
 |
Windows Outreach team |
 |
Dell staff |
 |
Intel staff |
