Computer Hope

Microsoft => Microsoft Windows => Windows NT/2000 => Topic started by: Armando on November 07, 2005, 05:33:50 PM

Title: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 07, 2005, 05:33:50 PM
After downloading several trojan, anti-virus, spyware, ad-ware, and firewall programs to get rid of whatever problems my computer had, my computer has become unusually slow.

Ever since I installed the programs and ran them, my computer has been running very very slow and several programs aren't working.

My AIM is not working, MSN is not working, internet is VERY slow, and the computer itself is just extremely slow.

I have Windows XP and I downloaded CCleaner, CWShredder, Ad-Aware SE, AVG, Ewido, Spyware Blaster, Spybot Search & Destroy, and Kerio Firewall.

Anyone know what is making it go so slow?
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: K. Lafferty on November 07, 2005, 05:38:07 PM
Just a thought... I heard from a tech guy before that anti-virus software can make any system especially slow if they are continuously running in the background.  Obviously there are huge amounts of viruse definitions it has to scan for and in some cases they check every open program for any sign of intrusion, infection, etc... so needless to say that just uninstalling or completely closing these programs and rebooting the computer may solve the problem... but only remove those programs if you have successfully removed the viruses you were initially trying to remove.  Hope that helps  ;)
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 07, 2005, 07:28:14 PM
 Well the thing is they aren't actively running. They are not actually open and running.

Unless they are working real time and I don't realize it?

Also, why would that not let some of my programs run?
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: vibhor_agarwalin on November 07, 2005, 09:58:23 PM
Check via Task Manager if any process is eating the CPU.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 07, 2005, 10:29:02 PM
Well I don't know what is a normal mem usage for certain programs so how can I tell if something is not right?
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: vibhor_agarwalin on November 07, 2005, 11:13:23 PM
Check the % of cpu being used and tell us which process is using the most cpu and how much.
Title: Unusually slow
Post by: Mac on November 08, 2005, 02:52:41 AM
How much RAM does the system have?

Click the link below and work through the cleanup routine and see if that helps any.

You can run a diagnostic test on your RAM and on your hard-drive to eliminate any problem in that area.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 02:43:53 PM
Quote
Check the % of cpu being used and tell us which process is using the most cpu and how much.


I took screenshots of my processes and memory usage in the windows task manager. Have any idea where I can get an account and host them so I can put a link so you can see them?

Quote
How much RAM does the system have?
 
Click the link below and work through the cleanup routine and see if that helps any.
 
You can run a diagnostic test on your RAM and on your hard-drive to eliminate any problem in that area.


What link? What cleanup? Where do I run the diagnostic test?

(I apologize for being so oblivious and such a pain, but I am bad with technology)

Anyway, what I managed to find was the following:
Pentium(R) 4 CPU
1400 MHz
1.40 GHz
128 MB of RAM
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: adamhadem on November 08, 2005, 04:47:28 PM
Windows Xp should have at least 256mb of RAM to run effectivly. Upgrade upgrade upgrade. I also think it would be a good idea to eliminate any programs installed on your computer that you do not need. Do not be redundant with ANTI blah blah programs.
Xp's firewall is suffucient enough for the average user. Get a good antivirus program. Norton or Trend MIcro. hmmm what else. If you know how backup your comp and reload it do it. And keep doing it every 6 months. This will also ensure you are backing up critical stuff.
The following advice is a bit tricky but there is plenty of info you can print off before you attempt. Go for it and then teach all of your buddies. This will always give you a fresh slate to screw up again. Hey its not your fault theres all that crap out there just keep on keepin on. BYe sorry this is not thorough. I just was swingin in. BY the way I am not an expert and if I had more time I would give you better or more ideas but I dont Good luck person.
Title: Unusually slow
Post by: Mac on November 08, 2005, 04:53:46 PM
Quote

Try using Photobucket.

Pentium(R) 4 CPU
1.40 GHz
128 MB of RAM


RAM is far too low for XP and a 1.40GHz P4

I use 768 with a PIII running at 1.0GHz

You should have - at least - 512MB to get any more out of your system.

Link at the foot of this post.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: GX1_Man on November 08, 2005, 05:06:22 PM
Agreed 128 is below RAM recommended for a pleasant XP experience. You coul probably get by on 256 if you turn some of the eye candy, etc. off, but 512 would be better.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 05:21:30 PM
..and again with my questions...

How do I increase the RAM capacity of my system? Do I have to buy something? Download?
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: GX1_Man on November 08, 2005, 05:28:06 PM
Yes you have to buy additional RAM sticks appropriate for that model. You can go to www.crucial.com and put in the make and model number of the computer or the motherboard to see what characteristics the RAM must have to work properly. You can get guaranteed compatible RAM from them safely or shop for a better price and take your chances.

Be sure to note how many RAM slots you have, and how many are open to expand to as well.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 05:40:11 PM
Would the change be all that dramatic though? Beacuse I doubt my father would go spend money on more RAM slots when I have had the computer for over 5 years now. He will say that there's no reason it shouldn't work well now and it did before. No other way of increasing my RAM or any way to make it go faster with the already available RAM?

Also, why is it so low? Do most people have to buy extra RAM when they get a computer?
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: GX1_Man on November 08, 2005, 06:29:20 PM
It would be more than adequate for Windows 98, even ME if you wanted that. But to buy the cost of these operating systems, you could have had more RAM.

The difference can be startling with XP. I bet the computer did not come with XP, though, did it? (5 years ago?)
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: merlin_2 on November 08, 2005, 06:30:37 PM
Two pc working ok.......on winxp pro........with 128 ram chips......why is this.?
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 06:48:38 PM
Because that's what it was like when I bought it and I never knew that was bad.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 06:50:11 PM
Quote
It would be more than adequate for Windows 98, even ME if you wanted that. But to buy the cost of these operating systems, you could have had more RAM.

The difference can be startling with XP. I bet the computer did not come with XP, though, did it? (5 years ago?)



GX1 man, you're a genius.

My computer did not come with Windows XP, it was installed. It came with Windows ME.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: merlin_2 on November 08, 2005, 06:51:23 PM
most pc five years old came with winxp
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: GX1_Man on November 08, 2005, 06:53:55 PM
Wrong as usual Merlin.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: merlin_2 on November 08, 2005, 07:09:49 PM
good about time i was ;D
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 07:10:32 PM
Ironic how you reproach others for making posts with no point and you do the exact same merlin.

Anyway, what's the easiest most efficient course of action?
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: GX1_Man on November 08, 2005, 07:20:05 PM
How much is RAM upgrade for your system? Did you check at crucial.com?
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 07:29:09 PM
We're Sorry!
No products are currently available for the system you selected. Your system may require proprietary or non-standard parts. If your system requires RDRAM or Rambus technology click here.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: GX1_Man on November 08, 2005, 07:52:00 PM
RDRAM is VERY expensive and somewhat hard to find. It was a standard that never causght on. The cost of upgrading may be prohibitive, unless you find some appropriate model on eBay, etc.

You may want to go back to WinME if you still have the CD, or remain with the performance you have.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 07:57:17 PM
But if I went to Windows ME wouldn't the computer perform at the same level if not worse assuming I keep all my current programs and all?
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: GX1_Man on November 08, 2005, 08:24:20 PM
Windows ME will perform more briskly than XP with 128 RAM. So the choices are:

1) Keep what you've got
2) Get more RAM somehow
3) Use a less intensive operating system

Really there is no number 4!
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 08:36:03 PM
I absolutely hate Windows ME so I guess I will just deal with this piece of crap for the time being.

One more year and I get a laptop for college anyway.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: GX1_Man on November 08, 2005, 08:37:33 PM
OK, hang in there.  ;D
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 08:50:39 PM
Anyway, thanks a lot for all the help.

Greatly appreicated even though I hoped for a better outcome :P

One last question in case you see this thread again:

Are all my programs in my computer "active" even if they don't load at start up or are not in use? WHat I mean is that are they even taking up space and making my comp slower even if they are not being utilized in any way shape or form?

Because if they don't then I could possibly take some programs off my start up list and get the comp to run faster.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: GX1_Man on November 08, 2005, 09:02:08 PM
The way to see is press Ctl-Alt-Del and see the running processes. You can also look at the icons in the lower Right hand corner to see what is going. The best way is to open command prompt and type msconfig and press enter. On the right tab you can see what's in Windows start up. These programs run all the time. Some you must leave alone and some you could check to disable at startup.

Just having programs loaded (but not running) takes up no resources.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 08, 2005, 09:35:22 PM
Exactly what I wanted to know.

Thanks :-D

You get a cookie :-P
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: GX1_Man on November 08, 2005, 09:36:52 PM
No problemo. I hope you appreciated the straight answers rather than the Merlin "babbling".
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 09, 2005, 04:03:53 AM
Oh I just completely ignored his jibberish.
Title: Unusually slow
Post by: Mac on November 10, 2005, 01:59:36 PM
Quote
Would the change be all that dramatic though? Beacuse I doubt my father would go spend money on more RAM slots when I have had the computer for over 5 years now.

He will say that there's no reason it shouldn't work well now and it did before. No other way of increasing my RAM or any way to make it go faster with the already available RAM?
 
Also, why is it so low? Do most people have to buy extra RAM when they get a computer?


Manufacturer's cost cutting price war is the answer.

128 MB is fine for Windows '98 as an entry level quantity. 256 MB is better.

256 MB is fine for Windows ME as an entry level quantity, 512 MB is better.

XP can run on 256 MB but it does work a lot better with 512 MB.

So why so low when purchased? Because the manufacturer only allows enough RAM to run the basic Windows operating system with some very light software.

As you add more programs and more files memory use increases because there are more file addresses.

"Windows slows as it grows" is what is said.

Better to simply say, Add more RAM to begin with, and add more still, if the operating system and the motherboard will accept it, and the programs you are using need it.

The manufacturers are at fault really. '98, ME, 2000 & XP will all work well with 512 MB so there was never any point in making 64, 128 and 256 MB modules as if they had only ever made 512 MB modules and 1024 MB modules the price would have leveled out, as the tooling required for manufacturing could have been standardised and all the costs of advertising, stocking, handling, and transport, would have been lower.

Most people specify the addition of more RAM at the time of purchase, if this option is available, and they know something about computers.

They also take care not to have the system RAM shared by the video system and have a video card with its own RAM.

Does that help with the understanding?

What is the make and model of your computer?

I hope you get a laptop with 1024 MB of system RAM.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 10, 2005, 03:27:58 PM
That helped me understand a lot actually, thanks for taking the time to explain.

The make and model is: Dell Pentium (R) 4 1400 MHz 1.40 GHz 128 MB RAM

And yes, I hope I get a computer with that much RAM, at least 512.
Title: Unusually slow
Post by: Mac on November 11, 2005, 01:55:13 AM
Good. Understanding is everything.

DELL models are usually Dimension, Latitude, Inspirion, Omniplex, etc. I don't recognise yours.

I would stick with 1024 MB, then you can't go wrong.
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 11, 2005, 03:21:08 PM
Dimension 8100

Forgot to mention it, my bad ;)
Title: Unusually slow
Post by: Mac on November 12, 2005, 10:51:29 AM
DELL 8100 RAM (http://www.4allmemory.com/index.cfm?fuseaction=search.memorySearch&model_id=17280)
Title: Re: Unusually slow
Post by: Armando on November 12, 2005, 02:22:49 PM
Wow, thanks so much.

Life saver....

Edit: They sure are expensive.. wow