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Computer running SOOOO SLOW

 
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Denise

External


Since: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 31



(Msg. 1) Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:52 pm
Post subject: Computer running SOOOO SLOW Add to elertz
Archived from groups: microsoft>public>windows>vista>general (more info?)

Hi,
i've been running my computer pretty much without problems. Recently I have
noticed a real slow down in performance. I currently have Spybot S&D, and
the purchased version of AVG installed. Thinking that perhaps one of these
programs may be causing some kind of problem, I disabled both of them, but
to no avail.
I run spyware searches and virus searches daily, which never really show up
any thing of concern. I delete cookies etc on a daily basis too. My
computer doesnt need defragged.
Could anyone give me any ideas as to what could be slowing it down so much.
I tried to access my company site to process some work stuff and it took
forever and a day to load what would normally be a couple of seconds.
My computer is only about 8 months old, Intel Core Duo CPU, Memory 2047MB,
32 Bit O.S, with a Windows experience Index rating of 5.5.
Any help or advice greatly appreciated, P.S, running Vista Professional.

Denise
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Mr. Arnold

External


Since: May 06, 2007
Posts: 1374



(Msg. 2) Posted: Sun May 11, 2008 7:52 pm
Post subject: Re: Computer running SOOOO SLOW Add to elertz [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

"Denise" <denise.DeleteThis@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:OtzLj75sIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
> i've been running my computer pretty much without problems. Recently I
> have noticed a real slow down in performance. I currently have Spybot
> S&D, and the purchased version of AVG installed.

They can and do miss zero day exploits, meaning that they can't detect
anything 100% of the time, because it's new.

> Thinking that perhaps one of these programs may be causing some kind of
> problem, I disabled both of them, but to no avail.

They are not the problem.

> I run spyware searches and virus searches daily, which never really show
> up any thing of concern. I delete cookies etc on a daily basis too. My
> computer doesnt need defragged.

See above

> Could anyone give me any ideas as to what could be slowing it down so
> much.
> I tried to access my company site to process some work stuff and it took
> forever and a day to load what would normally be a couple of seconds.
> My computer is only about 8 months old, Intel Core Duo CPU, Memory 2047MB,
> 32 Bit O.S, with a Windows experience Index rating of 5.5.
> Any help or advice greatly appreciated, P.S, running Vista Professional.

Now, it may not be malware, but your symptoms seem that you have something
running on the computer that you don't know about that could be just that.
That's why you must use the proper tools to help you look, Process Explorer
is one of them.

PE will let you look at running processes. PE will also let you look inside
a running process to see what it is hosting, other processes including
malware.

PE menu Tools/View/Show Lower Pane/Show all DLL(s), which will allow you to
look at what processes running in the upper pane that are hosting processes
in the lower pane.

You can right-click a line in the upper pane and go to Properties to see
more information like what process that a given process in the upper pane is
using the most processing with in the given process.

You can also use CurrPorts to see if there is something connecting to the
Internet that you don't know about, which can be used instead of Active
Ports that doesn't run on Vista.

<http://www.windowsecurity.com/articles/Hidden_Backdoors_Trojan_Horses_and_Rootkit_Tools_in_a_Windows_Environment.html>
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/default.aspx
http://www.nirsoft.net/utils/cports.html

Sometimes, you have to go look for yourself and see what is running on the
computer.
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Brian Cryer

External


Since: May 12, 2008
Posts: 6



(Msg. 3) Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 11:26 am
Post subject: Re: Computer running SOOOO SLOW Add to elertz [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

"Denise" <denise DeleteThis @microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:OtzLj75sIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
> Hi,
> i've been running my computer pretty much without problems. Recently I
> have noticed a real slow down in performance. I currently have Spybot
> S&D, and the purchased version of AVG installed. Thinking that perhaps
> one of these programs may be causing some kind of problem, I disabled both
> of them, but to no avail.
> I run spyware searches and virus searches daily, which never really show
> up any thing of concern. I delete cookies etc on a daily basis too. My
> computer doesnt need defragged.
> Could anyone give me any ideas as to what could be slowing it down so
> much.
> I tried to access my company site to process some work stuff and it took
> forever and a day to load what would normally be a couple of seconds.
> My computer is only about 8 months old, Intel Core Duo CPU, Memory 2047MB,
> 32 Bit O.S, with a Windows experience Index rating of 5.5.
> Any help or advice greatly appreciated, P.S, running Vista Professional.
>
> Denise

Just some thoughts:

1. Start "task manager", on the "Performance tab" how much memory is it
currently using? This may give you an indication whether its time to upgrade
your RAM.

2. Download ccleaner. Its free, and let it clean out your registry. Its
amazing what junk can accumulte - especially if you've uninstalled any
applications.

3. Uninstall any toolbars you may have, such as the google or yahoo
toolbars.

4. Again using task manager, look at what applications are currently running
on your pc. Consider whether you can uninstall any of these. Things that you
have installed but aren't actually running aren't an issue here, its what
applications are always taking up RAM.

5. Have you installed the vista service pack? I didn't notice any
difference, but there are supposed to be performance enhancements there.

6. Look in the windows event log - the system log in particular. There will
be lots of messages there, most of which you can safely ignore. What is of
interest is whether there are any disk errors being recorded - slow
performance can be caused by disk problems. Its unlikely given the
reliability of disks but if there are any errors then that is where they
will be recorded.

7. Run "Command Prompt" as administrator and type "chkdsk c: /f" and when
its convenient reboot. This will do a disk check the next time you reboot,
the check is checking the logical file consistency. It may turn up a few
bits, that's not uncommon, but unless there are serious problems (again
unlikely) its probably not the cause of your performance woes, but good to
eliminate.

8. Again using "Task manager", look on the "Processes" tab, click "Show
processes from all users" and then click the heading "CPU" to order on CPU
usage. Are there any processes (other than "System Idle Process") which are
taking up a lot of CPU time? If there are then that may be why your pc feels
slow.

9. Does your PC still feel slow if you are not running any mail tool?

Thats all I can think of for now. Hope something makes a difference.
--
Brian Cryer
www.cryer.co.uk/brian
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Denise

External


Since: Feb 20, 2008
Posts: 31



(Msg. 4) Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 1:12 pm
Post subject: Re: Computer running SOOOO SLOW Add to elertz [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

"Brian Cryer" <www.cryer.co.uk> wrote in message
news:e9oLfqBtIHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> "Denise" <denise DeleteThis @microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:OtzLj75sIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Hi,
>> i've been running my computer pretty much without problems. Recently I
>> have noticed a real slow down in performance. I currently have Spybot
>> S&D, and the purchased version of AVG installed. Thinking that perhaps
>> one of these programs may be causing some kind of problem, I disabled
>> both of them, but to no avail.
>> I run spyware searches and virus searches daily, which never really show
>> up any thing of concern. I delete cookies etc on a daily basis too. My
>> computer doesnt need defragged.
>> Could anyone give me any ideas as to what could be slowing it down so
>> much.
>> I tried to access my company site to process some work stuff and it took
>> forever and a day to load what would normally be a couple of seconds.
>> My computer is only about 8 months old, Intel Core Duo CPU, Memory
>> 2047MB, 32 Bit O.S, with a Windows experience Index rating of 5.5.
>> Any help or advice greatly appreciated, P.S, running Vista Professional.
>>
>> Denise
>
> Just some thoughts:
>
> 1. Start "task manager", on the "Performance tab" how much memory is it
> currently using? This may give you an indication whether its time to
> upgrade your RAM.
>
> 2. Download ccleaner. Its free, and let it clean out your registry. Its
> amazing what junk can accumulte - especially if you've uninstalled any
> applications.
>
> 3. Uninstall any toolbars you may have, such as the google or yahoo
> toolbars.
>
> 4. Again using task manager, look at what applications are currently
> running on your pc. Consider whether you can uninstall any of these.
> Things that you have installed but aren't actually running aren't an issue
> here, its what applications are always taking up RAM.
>
> 5. Have you installed the vista service pack? I didn't notice any
> difference, but there are supposed to be performance enhancements there.
>
> 6. Look in the windows event log - the system log in particular. There
> will be lots of messages there, most of which you can safely ignore. What
> is of interest is whether there are any disk errors being recorded - slow
> performance can be caused by disk problems. Its unlikely given the
> reliability of disks but if there are any errors then that is where they
> will be recorded.
>
> 7. Run "Command Prompt" as administrator and type "chkdsk c: /f" and when
> its convenient reboot. This will do a disk check the next time you reboot,
> the check is checking the logical file consistency. It may turn up a few
> bits, that's not uncommon, but unless there are serious problems (again
> unlikely) its probably not the cause of your performance woes, but good to
> eliminate.
>
> 8. Again using "Task manager", look on the "Processes" tab, click "Show
> processes from all users" and then click the heading "CPU" to order on CPU
> usage. Are there any processes (other than "System Idle Process") which
> are taking up a lot of CPU time? If there are then that may be why your pc
> feels slow.
>
> 9. Does your PC still feel slow if you are not running any mail tool?
>
> Thats all I can think of for now. Hope something makes a difference.
> --
> Brian Cryer
> www.cryer.co.uk/brian
>

Thanks for taking the time to go through so many options.
I have downloaded ccleaner and it cleaned up nearly 3mb or keek!!

With regards to the CPU, I have the gadget showing on my sidebar, the CPU
usage when idle is approx15 - 20%, but when i go onto any web pages etc it
goes all the way up to 100%, which kind of freaked me!!. The RAM indicator
is sitting at 50% when online and roughtly 40% when idle.
I'm really not too sure what i'm looking for but obviously something is way
wrong!

Any further help with issue would be greatly appreciated, the computer
really seems to be struggling to do much at the moment.

Kind regards

Denise
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Brian Cryer

External


Since: May 12, 2008
Posts: 6



(Msg. 5) Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 3:45 pm
Post subject: Re: Computer running SOOOO SLOW Add to elertz [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

"Denise" <denise.RemoveThis@microsoft.com> wrote in message
news:6B5C6BC6-2465-4CF8-9CC8-9E91B744B992@microsoft.com...
> "Brian Cryer" <www.cryer.co.uk> wrote in message
> news:e9oLfqBtIHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
>> "Denise" <denise.RemoveThis@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>> news:OtzLj75sIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>>> Hi,
>>> i've been running my computer pretty much without problems. Recently I
>>> have noticed a real slow down in performance. I currently have Spybot
>>> S&D, and the purchased version of AVG installed. Thinking that perhaps
>>> one of these programs may be causing some kind of problem, I disabled
>>> both of them, but to no avail.
<snip>
>> Just some thoughts:
>>
>> 1. Start "task manager", on the "Performance tab" how much memory is it
>> currently using? This may give you an indication whether its time to
>> upgrade your RAM.
>>
>> 2. Download ccleaner. Its free, and let it clean out your registry. Its
>> amazing what junk can accumulte - especially if you've uninstalled any
>> applications.
>>
>> 3. Uninstall any toolbars you may have, such as the google or yahoo
>> toolbars.
>>
>> 4. Again using task manager, look at what applications are currently
>> running on your pc. Consider whether you can uninstall any of these.
>> Things that you have installed but aren't actually running aren't an
>> issue here, its what applications are always taking up RAM.
>>
>> 5. Have you installed the vista service pack? I didn't notice any
>> difference, but there are supposed to be performance enhancements there.
>>
>> 6. Look in the windows event log - the system log in particular. There
>> will be lots of messages there, most of which you can safely ignore. What
>> is of interest is whether there are any disk errors being recorded - slow
>> performance can be caused by disk problems. Its unlikely given the
>> reliability of disks but if there are any errors then that is where they
>> will be recorded.
>>
>> 7. Run "Command Prompt" as administrator and type "chkdsk c: /f" and when
>> its convenient reboot. This will do a disk check the next time you
>> reboot, the check is checking the logical file consistency. It may turn
>> up a few bits, that's not uncommon, but unless there are serious problems
>> (again unlikely) its probably not the cause of your performance woes, but
>> good to eliminate.
>>
>> 8. Again using "Task manager", look on the "Processes" tab, click "Show
>> processes from all users" and then click the heading "CPU" to order on
>> CPU usage. Are there any processes (other than "System Idle Process")
>> which are taking up a lot of CPU time? If there are then that may be why
>> your pc feels slow.
>>
>> 9. Does your PC still feel slow if you are not running any mail tool?
>>
>> Thats all I can think of for now. Hope something makes a difference.
>> --
>> Brian Cryer
>> www.cryer.co.uk/brian
>>
>
> Thanks for taking the time to go through so many options.
> I have downloaded ccleaner and it cleaned up nearly 3mb or keek!!

Which shows how much cludge gets left behind ...

> With regards to the CPU, I have the gadget showing on my sidebar, the CPU
> usage when idle is approx15 - 20%, but when i go onto any web pages etc it
> goes all the way up to 100%, which kind of freaked me!!. The RAM
> indicator is sitting at 50% when online and roughtly 40% when idle.
> I'm really not too sure what i'm looking for but obviously something is
> way wrong!

When you say the RAM indicator is at 50%, on my pc it also shows a figure.
Is that figure roughly 50% of your RAM? As a guide if its more than 75% of
your physical RAM then you ought to look at getting more RAM. My feeling is
from what you've said that RAM isn't a problem. (Although more RAM always
helps, and Vista does need a lot of help!!)

I have the gadget sidebar switched off. So I don't know how much cpu usage
it should take. Are you sure its the sidebar which is using that 15-20%?

When you do ANYTHING the CPU will tend to spike to 100%. Its not an issue so
long as it doesn't stay there for more than a few seconds.

> Any further help with issue would be greatly appreciated, the computer
> really seems to be struggling to do much at the moment.

Just some thoughts ... how large is the disk and how much is free? I'm
thinking about fragmentation, but know you said it wasn't fragemented.

Did you check the event logs?

It might be worth turning all disk indexing off, including google-desktop if
you use that. Not sure how much of a difference that will make.

Looking back on your original post you said "I tried to access my company
site to process some work stuff and it took forever ..." Is this across a
local area network or across the internet (i.e VPN)? If you are trying to
open files across the internet then it will be slow because of the
connection speeds locally and at your work. Try copying the files locally
and opening them there - copying them back when you are done.
--
Brian Cryer
www.cryer.co.uk/brian
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Nonny

External


Since: Apr 26, 2008
Posts: 1478



(Msg. 6) Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 3:45 pm
Post subject: Re: Computer running SOOOO SLOW Add to elertz [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

On Mon, 12 May 2008 15:45:46 +0100, "Brian Cryer" <www.cryer.co.uk>
wrote:

>"Denise" <denise.RemoveThis@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>news:6B5C6BC6-2465-4CF8-9CC8-9E91B744B992@microsoft.com...

>>
>> Thanks for taking the time to go through so many options.
>> I have downloaded ccleaner and it cleaned up nearly 3mb or keek!!
>
>Which shows how much cludge gets left behind ...

3mb is insignificant.
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Brian Cryer

External


Since: May 12, 2008
Posts: 6



(Msg. 7) Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 4:09 pm
Post subject: Re: Computer running SOOOO SLOW Add to elertz [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

"Brian Cryer" <www.cryer.co.uk> wrote in message
news:e9oLfqBtIHA.4912@TK2MSFTNGP03.phx.gbl...
> "Denise" <denise RemoveThis @microsoft.com> wrote in message
> news:OtzLj75sIHA.1316@TK2MSFTNGP06.phx.gbl...
>> Hi,
>> i've been running my computer pretty much without problems. Recently I
>> have noticed a real slow down in performance. I currently have Spybot
>> S&D, and the purchased version of AVG installed. Thinking that perhaps
>> one of these programs may be causing some kind of problem, I disabled
>> both of them, but to no avail.
>> I run spyware searches and virus searches daily, which never really show
>> up any thing of concern. I delete cookies etc on a daily basis too. My
>> computer doesnt need defragged.
>> Could anyone give me any ideas as to what could be slowing it down so
>> much.
>> I tried to access my company site to process some work stuff and it took
>> forever and a day to load what would normally be a couple of seconds.
>> My computer is only about 8 months old, Intel Core Duo CPU, Memory
>> 2047MB, 32 Bit O.S, with a Windows experience Index rating of 5.5.
>> Any help or advice greatly appreciated, P.S, running Vista Professional.
>>
>> Denise
>
> Just some thoughts:
>
> 1. Start "task manager", on the "Performance tab" how much memory is it
> currently using? This may give you an indication whether its time to
> upgrade your RAM.
>
> 2. Download ccleaner. Its free, and let it clean out your registry. Its
> amazing what junk can accumulte - especially if you've uninstalled any
> applications.
>
> 3. Uninstall any toolbars you may have, such as the google or yahoo
> toolbars.
>
> 4. Again using task manager, look at what applications are currently
> running on your pc. Consider whether you can uninstall any of these.
> Things that you have installed but aren't actually running aren't an issue
> here, its what applications are always taking up RAM.
>
> 5. Have you installed the vista service pack? I didn't notice any
> difference, but there are supposed to be performance enhancements there.
>
> 6. Look in the windows event log - the system log in particular. There
> will be lots of messages there, most of which you can safely ignore. What
> is of interest is whether there are any disk errors being recorded - slow
> performance can be caused by disk problems. Its unlikely given the
> reliability of disks but if there are any errors then that is where they
> will be recorded.
>
> 7. Run "Command Prompt" as administrator and type "chkdsk c: /f" and when
> its convenient reboot. This will do a disk check the next time you reboot,
> the check is checking the logical file consistency. It may turn up a few
> bits, that's not uncommon, but unless there are serious problems (again
> unlikely) its probably not the cause of your performance woes, but good to
> eliminate.
>
> 8. Again using "Task manager", look on the "Processes" tab, click "Show
> processes from all users" and then click the heading "CPU" to order on CPU
> usage. Are there any processes (other than "System Idle Process") which
> are taking up a lot of CPU time? If there are then that may be why your pc
> feels slow.
>
> 9. Does your PC still feel slow if you are not running any mail tool?
>
> Thats all I can think of for now. Hope something makes a difference.

Another thought, with "Task manager, on the "Performance" tab click on
[Resource Monitor...]. When the PC feels slow look at the "Resource monitor"
display and if you click on CPU, Disk, Network or Memory it will show you
what the peak tasks are. If there is a particular task which is causing a
problem then hopefully you should be able to spot it.
--
Brian Cryer
www.cryer.co.uk/brian
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Brian Cryer

External


Since: May 12, 2008
Posts: 6



(Msg. 8) Posted: Mon May 12, 2008 5:32 pm
Post subject: Re: Computer running SOOOO SLOW Add to elertz [Login to view extended thread Info.]
Archived from groups: per prev. post (more info?)

"Nonny" <nonnymoose.RemoveThis@yahoo.com> wrote in message
news:3frg2493m6e0haljmlnq91mvr19uajruad@4ax.com...
> On Mon, 12 May 2008 15:45:46 +0100, "Brian Cryer" <www.cryer.co.uk>
> wrote:
>
>>"Denise" <denise.RemoveThis@microsoft.com> wrote in message
>>news:6B5C6BC6-2465-4CF8-9CC8-9E91B744B992@microsoft.com...
>
>>>
>>> Thanks for taking the time to go through so many options.
>>> I have downloaded ccleaner and it cleaned up nearly 3mb or keek!!
>>
>>Which shows how much cludge gets left behind ...
>
> 3mb is insignificant.

From the context I thought Denise was cleaning the registry, in which case
3mb is quite large. Certainly compared to the file system its a drop in the
ocean.
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