Running slow

[keith67]

Hi i came across this forum doing a search and hopefully someone can help me out with a problem
im running windows XP and everything was fine till the other day, my problem is when im closing a window it doesnt close straight away it starts to close from the top and slides downwards real slowly....has anyone any idea's what is causing this action ? Thanks keith

[soybean]

When your computer is behaving this way, open Task Manager, via Ctrl/Alt/Del and see what it shows for CPU Usage at the bottom of the panel for Processes. 

[keith67]

Hi the cpu usage ranges from 5% - 15% and there is 52 processes, some of my programmes i open, open up real slow, ive cleared my cookies and temp files to try and cure it but with no success.

[soybean]

... everything was fine till the other day ...

What changed?  Did you install or uninstall any software or hardware?  Do you have a restore point in System Restore, prior to when this problem started, that you could go back to?

[keith67]

I installed a games programme from a game website (cant remember what the game site was called) anyway all i got was a red x on the site so i uninstalled it, thats when my problem started i have tried a system restore  but all i get when it's done is "your system couldnt be restored to that date you selected" ive tried numerous dates on the restore from the day before to at least 2 weeks back and still get the same system restore message.

[patio]

Also don't neglect the regular maintenence...
Run Disk Cleanup.
Run Defrag.

Clean out Temp files and free up some space on that HDD if needed.

[soybean]

I believe installing CCleaner might be advantageous here.  Go to http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds and get the Slim version.  CCleaner is a disk cleanup utility and a registry cleaner.  Take a close look at the options for the Windows scan before running it; you might take the QuickTour for a brief introduction to it's features.  You may want to uncheck some of the options there before running a scan and deleting what CCleaner finds. 

Be sure to run the Registry Cleaner part of CCleaner.  When prompted to backup the registry, do so, and then have CCleaner fix all items found.

[keith67]

ok done all that ive gone into the startup bit on it and there is a ctfmon.exe in there ive never seen that app before does anyone know what it is ?

[soybean]

Frequently asked questions about Ctfmon.exe. 

So, you ran CCleaner's Windows scan and removed what it found?  And, you ran Registry cleaner and fixed all those items?  Any change in your computer's performance yet?

[keith67]

i ran it and deleted all the cookies it found seems to be doing ok at the moment, ive gone into the registry option on it and scanned for issues and it's brought up a lot of stuff to fix most i aint a clue what they are or it's stuff ive deleted and uninstalled so ive not clicked on the fix tab even that internetgamebox is in there that i think caused all the problems in the first place.

[soybean]

ive gone into the registry option on it and scanned for issues and it's brought up a lot of stuff to fix most i aint a clue

OK, sounds some real progress has been made.  CCleaner is an excellent tool to keep installed and run periodically.  So, keep it in your arsenal of PC maintenance tools.

[keith67]

yeah definatly keep that on my pc .....so do i leave all the issues unfixed then ? and thanks for all your help

[patio]

To help diagnose further please post as much info about the machine as you can after you've completed the defrag etc.
CCleaner should have taken care of the cleanup issues...

[soybean]

yeah definatly keep that on my pc .....so do i leave all the issues unfixed then ? and thanks for all your help

You mean the issues CCleaner found upon running the registry scan, right?  Yes, go ahead and let CCleaner fix all of them.  As I previously said, backup your registry when CCleaner prompts after you start the registry scan; just tell CCleaner you want to backup your registry and it will do it.  Also, repeat the registry scan right after the initial fixing; it sometimes finds additional issues in a subsequent scan. 

[Broni]

Also...
Download HijackThis:
http://www.snapfiles.com/get/hijackthis.html
and post its log for us to see what's running on your computer.