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XP PRO PC running very slow

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19 replies

by collins_ms

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I'm running xp pro/sp1 on a Gateway Demension 8100, 1.3 gighz with 256 of ram. My pc apps are running excruiatingly slow. I removed all programs from the start memu, including the registry. Some improvement, but far slower than the hw specs would suggest. I've checked for viruses using a boot disk, I running checkdisk, defraged, all to no avail. Any suggestions!!????

19 replies

by thechas

Download and run AdAware from www.lavasoft.de

This will help you get rid of programs that web sites and some software install to 'help' you by monitoring and reporting how you use your PC.

Next, Open the Performance viewer in Administrative Tools.

While sitting idle, you should have not more than 25% resource utilization.

If it is more than 25% you have one or more hidden programs running, or a memory leak.

Chas

by dmatlock

I agree with my colleagues however there is one all encompassing rule of thumb in computerdom... RAM IS KING! XP is a HOG!!! Do a check on the utilization. Also get Norton SystemWorks and run from CD first and see what that will do for you. I am not a strong proponent of Norton (Virus side) but have had some great luck with the rest of it. Consider that also.

by hereinoz

I have heard of machines running like treacle after the installation of WinXP SP1. Are you able to un-install SP1 and see how it runs?

OK, it is no cure, but if it runs better after, at least you know where to start looking.

256Mb RAM oughtto be enough for one or two open applications, but the others are right, 512Mb is a better number if you are going to have lots of open applications, particularly image apps

by dustyd

Some more things to check...How much free space do you have on your hard drive? How is your virtual memory set to be handled? Check size of paging file, if you have enough space, set file size to 600mb or more, minimum and max. This keeps access time lower, XP does not have to continually resize the paging file. Page file can be fragmented, also. Delete it and reboot. How are your performance settings for memory utilization set, to favor programs or cache? Using XP for defrag? -Run it multiple times for best effect if it still shows fragmented files.

by tevita

I had same problems with 2 PCs but they were running W2K. It runs very slow compared to the specifications of the PC. It turn up to be the Hard drive that causing the problems. After ghosting the hard disk to a new one, everything runs faster. Even ghosting, it took me nearly half a day to ghost it.

by tevita

I had same problems with 2 PCs but they were running W2K. It runs very slow compared to the specifications of the PC. It turn up to be the Hard drive that causing the problems. After ghosting the hard disk to a new one, everything runs faster. Even ghosting, it took me nearly half a day to ghost it.

by tevita

I had same problems with 2 PCs but they were running W2K. It runs very slow compared to the specifications of the PC. It turn up to be the Hard drive that causing the problems. After ghosting the hard disk to a new one, everything runs faster. Even ghosting, it took me nearly half a day to ghost it.

by tevita

I had same problems with 2 PCs but they were running W2K. It runs very slow compared to the specifications of the PC. It turn up to be the Hard drive that causing the problems. After ghosting the hard disk to a new one, everything runs faster. Even ghosting, it took me nearly half a day to ghost it.

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