[STEEDA69]

Hello all, I've been experiencing some FRUSTRATING problems lately with my PC. I was originally told I needed to replace my hard drive BUT once my subscription for my antivirus and spyware expired and I removed those applications from my comp. it seemed to work fine! However, I since added Windows online care and now the SAME problems seem to be resurfacing. The noticeable problems include (very slow internet page loading, unable to click off pages, very slow startup) basically, my computer doesn't seem to react very well to anything. Even shutting it down. I know this is going to sound rash but I'm very close to dropping the entire thing into my bathtub (filled with water) while it's still plugged in and watch it FRY!


It's originally an E-Machine T1742 with a 1.70 Ghz celeron processor, 40 gig HD, 100mbs DSL connection, 640 DDR(128 + 512) and a few other upgrades. I recently purchased a Seagate 250MB HD but have yet to install it. I could probably do that myself with a little guidance.


I know my questions are "broad" in a sense but I'm REALLY frustrated with this "thing" and I don't want to have to go out and purchase and entire system just yet!


ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated!


Thank you!


JD~

[lilxkid24]

Well one thing is that your filling up your hardrive with programs, the more you have the less space it will get especially with a 40gigs one. That computer is a bit old but it can still run fine. You can try buying a new hardrive or get an external drive. There very cheap nowadays, or if you dont want to spend anything just get rid of all the things you dont need and just keep the most important stuff.

[techie4fun]

Your problem could be several things, and meaning several things, you could have several problems with the computer. If your computer takes time to shut down and even start up, it indicates you either have way too many programs either running during windows start up or you've got way too many programs running. Computer's slow down for a number of reasons: Lot's of use, loss of defragmentation, installation of software left and right that Windows keeps, and when this happens the computer just becomes utterly slow. Too many programs running at the same time hogs CPU Usage to the jult. You could also have a case of spyware. You stated that your AntiVirus subscription is out of date, and loaidng Windows Live OneCare. You could have several viruses running, I do not know. Was it all working FINE before you installed LiveOne Care?.

> {quote:title=STEEDA69 wrote: The noticeable problems include (very slow internet page loading, unable to click off pages, very slow startup) basically, my computer doesn't seem to react very well to anything. Even shutting it down.
}{quote}
[/quote]
What other security programs do you have installed BESIDES Windows LiveOne Care? And how much space is left on your current 40 gigabyte hard drive? If your filled with crap to the last gigabyte, the loss of space could be causing serious slowdowns.
We'll see what others have to say about this.

[smax013]

STEEDA69 said:

Hello all, I've been experiencing some FRUSTRATING problems lately with my PC. I was originally told I needed to replace my hard drive BUT once my subscription for my antivirus and spyware expired and I removed those applications from my comp. it seemed to work fine! However, I since added Windows online care and now the SAME problems seem to be resurfacing. The noticeable problems include (very slow internet page loading, unable to click off pages, very slow startup) basically, my computer doesn't seem to react very well to anything. Even shutting it down. I know this is going to sound rash but I'm very close to dropping the entire thing into my bathtub (filled with water) while it's still plugged in and watch it FRY!

It's originally an E-Machine T1742 with a 1.70 Ghz celeron processor, 40 gig HD, 100mbs DSL connection, 640 DDR(128 + 512) and a few other upgrades. I recently purchased a Seagate 250MB HD but have yet to install it. I could probably do that myself with a little guidance.


I know my questions are "broad" in a sense but I'm REALLY frustrated with this "thing" and I don't want to have to go out and purchase and entire system just yet!


ANY help would be GREATLY appreciated!


Thank you!


JD~


===========================================================================================

What OS are you running (I am assuming XP Home)? 640 mb of RAM is a little light for a machince running XP. That can be at least part of the problem. If you are trying to run multiple programs as once, then the computer is likely having to use virtual memory, which means using the MUCH slower hard drive for memory. If so, then that would be part of the problem.



What was your previous anti-virus program? It wouldn't happen to be say Norton Anti-virus or McAfee would it? Both of those programs are rather resource hungry. I suspect that Micro$oft Online Care might be similar in terms of resource needs. If such programs are tying up resources, then they can increase the effect of the previous issue (i.e. they suck up memory so you are more likely to be using virtual memory) but also can eat up processor cycles. Have you looked at the Processes list in the Task Manager to see if some process is using a lot of CPU time? If you want, you could try one of the free anti-virus programs from either AVG or Avast! to see if things speed up. They tend to be smaller and less resource "hoggy".

[STEEDA69]

Well, thank you (lilxkid, techie4fun and smax013)for the replies thus far. I didn't think 640 MB of RAM was "slight" since this computer only came with 128 initially! I installed (added) a 512 chip. I DO have 250 HD which I got for Christmas and I guess I could bump it up to a GIG of DDR. As far as my "old" Antivirus programs, I was running NORTON AV and SPY SWEEPER. I've looked into using the AVG free AV software but have been told it's not that great since it doesn't provide "real time" protection. I dunno?? I don't mind paying for a good program but choosing one (the right one) is the problem Plus, I've read that you should have several AV programs running (one paid and one free for instance). I can't EVEN imagine how long it would take my "start up" with that scenario.

As far as programs, I don't think I have that many! I have the basics (Windows Media Player, Adobe Photoshop, AOL, Microsoft Works, Adobe, etc....)


I guess, from all your suggestions, I should INSTALL my 250 GB hard drive! I contacted E-machines to ask if I could use their "restore" application disk to load Windows XP on the new drive and they said I could, HOWEVER, they said MY machine was built to accommodate a 40 GB HD and that I needed to check the "BIOS" to make sure that "it" recognizes the full 250 GB's. Well, I have NO idea how to go about doing that. I have NO problem installing the drive but I know NOTHING about the BIOS system OR how to check their recommendation! If anybody can elaborate, that would be GREAT! If you could ALSO recommend a good AV program, I'd appreciate it! I would ALSO like to know what Programs ARE absolutely ESSENTIAL for a "good" running PC. Some people have suggested I get a good REGISTRY CLEANER program! Again, I don't know if I would/should invest in one!


Thank you all again for your answers and support!


JD~

[lilxkid24]

One things for sure norton is a big hogger on space so its best to remove it and replace it with Avast which is free and has real time protection and like 6 shields or something. To check your bios heres a method without rebooting.
# Open Start -> Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> System Information. Here you will find System Summary on the left and its contents on the right. Find the BIOS Version option and your BIOS flash version displayed.
# You can also scan the registry for this information. When Windows loads, it stores the main computer BIOS and video BIOS following information under the HKEYLOCALMACHINEHARDWAREDESCRIPTIONSystem registry subkey: SystemBiosDate SystemBiosVersion VideoBiosDate VideoBiosVersion

Heres how to update your bios but i dont think this is neccesary but il post it anyway

Step One
Check your computer or motherboard manual for any information about upgrading the BIOS.
Step Two
Reboot your computer and enter the Setup screen. Check your computer or motherboard manual for information on how to do this.
Step Three
Press the Print Screen key to make a record of each page of your settings.
Step Four
Find out the manufacturer and model of your current BIOS. Check for the information as your computer boots, or find it in the Setup screen information you printed. If neither method works, check the BIOS chip for identifying information.
Step Five
Check the manufacturer's Web site to see if the BIOS can be "flash" upgraded. If so, download the utility program. If not, proceed to Step 8.
Step Six
Copy the program to a floppy disk.
Step Seven
Follow the manufacturer's instructions for running the program. Skip to Step 10.
Step Eight
Contact the manufacturer of your BIOS chip to find out if an updated chip is available, and if that chip will fit into the same slot on your motherboard.
Step Nine
Get and install a new BIOS chip, if available
Step Ten
Reboot your computer and enter the Setup screen. Change the Setup back to the previous settings if necessary or desired.



Ok good programs that would be free would be antivirus-avast,antispyware-avg,spybot,lavasoft,firewall- zone alarm and cccleaner for clearing out space.

[lilxkid24]

oh ya one more thing 640gigs of ram? o 0 i think you mean 640mb of ram.

[Knifeblade]

Good call lilx,should help the OP. Definately dump Norton, IMO. I run the Avast free version, and always been fine and safe with it. It doesn't hog resources. I do suggest just go to the OEM site, and d/l the update BIOS, if any. Getting into chips may be too drastic for the OP. And I don't think a chip is the problem. Going with the freebie protect. prog.'s may loosen HD space, but that seems less an issue.

Something suggests you need to sweep your comp. Have you run a chkdsc/defrag/registrysweep? have you cleaned up temp. folders and cookies? If so, we can give a few prog.'s that we use to help keep the "old girl" running fine. There's a few good registry sweep prog.'s out there, free.

Why do you think your OE HD is bad? 40Gb isn't very large anymore, but I run one with no problems. I d think additional HD drive is good idea, you can go external or internal replace/add, depending on your comp. and your preferences. Do you feel okay with a re-install of your OS? Have you backed-up your drive?

Step Five
Check the manufacturer's Web site to see if the BIOS can be "flash" upgraded. If so, download the utility program.

Ayep, update your Bios. I still dunno about a "chip".

Try a run on basic maintenace issues and updates.

[mphenterprises]

Hi Lil. That was a very good tutorial. If you haven't already, can you create a Document on how to check and update the BIOS?

[STEEDA69]

Wow! All of you have contributed valuable advice concerning my original post (problem). I've tried a number of things (registry sweep, spyware / adware check, virus check, deleted old programs, defrag, the works just about) and it's STILL running sluggish! VERY SLUGGISH! It takes forever for windows to load AND shutdown, pages load very slowly etc. I downloaded a program from PC world archives called "Tune up Utilities 2007" and basically ran through all its many options. The one problem it seems to alert me of consistently is "Low Virtual Memory." In any case, I think my best bet is to just install my new 250 GB hard drive and plug in another 512 MB RAM to bring the total up to 1+ GB's RAM!

After doing that I ask you this! Which programs (in your opinion) are ESSENTIAL for the basic PC enthusiast like myself??? I would think a Good AV program, Anti-spyware program and registry cleaning program would fall into that category but YOU guys are the experts! So tell me! I don't mind paying for programs IF they are essential OR are just much better than the "freebies." Like I said before, about a year ago I ran Norton Anti Virus 2006 (Symantec) and Spy Sweeper (webroot) and they just REALLY slowed my computer! As a matter of fact, it ran pretty well before I installed those two programs and once I installed them it began running sluggish and has continued to do so even though I've removed them completely!

So, thanks for all your help and oh yeah....KNIFEBLADE....If you could please let me know which programs you are referring to keep the "old girl" running smooth, I'd appreciate it!

AND LIL.... That was very good advice. If you haven't already, can you create a Document on how to check and update the BIOS? That would be GREEAAAT!!!!

[Adama]

Hi, STEEDA69. When I first started using a computer, about 9 months ago, I was using my friend's E-Machine she's had for about 4-5 years. It used to run really, really slow. Startups and downloads were slow, surfing the Web, going from one page to another was slow, etc., you name it, it was doing it. Sort of like your E-Machine (but without the Norton problem).

Then one day, I wasn't able to view the emails she sent. I had no text, nothing. I was majorly freaking out X-( because I was babysitting her computer, and I thought I had done something wrong, since I was so new at it. This went on for about a week, because I just didn't know what to do.

Well, I fnally broke down and called the Yahoo people. Through trial and error and answering a bunch of questions, we finally decided that I should delete the Temporary Internet Files and Cookies. I was so nervous and upset, I was shaking like a leaf. My friend is a writer and playwright, and I knew she had tons of manuscripts and that if I deleted them by mistake, I'd be dead, dead, dead... deader than a doorknob! And she'd be absolutely devastated.

So, with the Yahoo Tech assistance, I went ahead and started to delete the Temporary Files and Cookies. It took so long, I lost the Yahoo Tech! It took about 35 mins! But after that, it became easier and faster to startup her computer, to get to the Yahoo page, and to email, etc., and my emails had text again!!!

I know that's not your same problem, but perhaps, after you try the excellent suggestions and advice from the magical people here at PCW, you might also try deleting your Temporary Internet Files and Cookies, History, etc. And do it on a regular basis, to keep things running easy and smooth It really does help, and it's something I do every 2 weeks, without fail, on my new Laptop.

Good Luck! :-)

[kcihtred2]

to remove items from startup, go to start-all programs, startup, then right click everything in there that you dont use EVERY time you use your computer, example ms word, aim, bigfix (i no because i have an emachine)...
second delete your temp internet files, use a program like this
third, run a new spyware, adware and antivirus program. May i recommend windows defender, ad-aware, and either avast for free or kaspersky's antivirus for paid. Norton is horrible and sucks up resources
Third defrag your hard drive, right click start, explore, right click your hard drive, properties, tools, defrag now, then hit defrag

software i recommend and use:
avast! antivirus
zone alarm
windows defender
spybot search and destroy
belarc advisor (tells you everything about your system, even missing updates)
ad-aware se personal

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :
My computer has "only" 512 mb of RAM and runs fine; it does because I AVOID ALL "Security Suite"

type programs, which include Norton, SpySweeper AND "Windows Live One Care". so I recommend

you COMPLETELY REMOVE the latter. In fact, it is wise to use a program's "Uninstall Application" in

addition to "uninstalling" it from "Add or Remove Programs". This is definitely true of Norton products

and I am unsure if SpySweeper and Live One Care have those on their site . Would be wise to read what

I have written at forums.pcworld.com/docs/DOC-1141|d-1141 .

As Others have shared, should also "clean" the various "Temporary" files that accumulate on a

on a regular basis, at least weekly though I do my "Temporary Internet Files" daily. The simplest way

is to use the FREE "ATF Cleaner", developed by antiSPYWARE Expert "ATribune" and available on his

site at [http://www.atribune.org/content/view/19/2/] .

BTW : AOL is NOT part of the "Basics"; on the Avast Antivirus Support Forums, we call it "AOLHell".

[Knifeblade]

http://www.microsoft...tRevealer.mspx]

[http://www.extreme.outervision.com/psucalculatorlite.jsp]

[http://www.driversguide.com

http://www.memtest86.com











meh, those didn't work,but Auslogic is a good prog. to sweep your registry. Sorry,my dumbass bird refuses to leave my fingers, so I can't better link ya.

[lilxkid24]

i guess i will then, almost forgot this thread

[STEEDA69]

Yeah Knife, I have cleaned my temp file and folders, defrag, registry sweep etc! The reason I say my HD is bad is because I took it to the "geek squad" (don't laugh too hard) and the tech guy told me that my HD might be bad. I did get another HD for my birthday (250 GB) a few months back and I was wondering if I should still use the current 40G HD as a "backup" drive OR just use the new 250G drive and scrap the old 40G one! I've had several infections before on my current 40G HD and I've re-installed windows several times as well! It runs GREAT after a re-install and then it gradually slows over a period of a few months.

What AV scanners would you recommend to search for possible threats??? And IF/when I find any corrupted files, is there any way to remove them OR can I just contain them in quarantine etc...???

SPIRITWIND...I found your post very helpful as well! I downloaded and installed Avast, Windows Defender, Wise registry cleaner, Zonealarm after reading your suggestions as well as KCIHTRED's!

Should I shut down my windows firewall OR should I use both of them??? I also need to know if I should run multiple AV's Antispyware programs as some suggest???

I have one more stupid question! When I go to shut down or re-start my computer, there is a "windows update" shield attached to the middle button (turn off).I have NO idea how it got there and I cannot figure out how to remove it. It's a nuisance becuase IF/when I want to install Windows Updates/patches, I have to completely shut down my comp to do so! How do I remove the "shield" ????

Once again, thank you for all your help! It is very appreciated!

JD~

[kcihtred2]

zone alarm, i use for monitoring things, and telling what goes in and out. And for the Hard drive, scrap it, because if it fails, its a hard time getting stuff off it, btw you will have to buy a new version of windows, unless you have a retail version.

[coastie65]

Hi all, I guess I'll kick in a final thought or two on this as I own an eMachines ( T5212 ). You can go to eMachine's site and look up your computer model and check to see when the last bios update was, although like lil said, I don't think a Bios upgrade is necessary. With a 40Gb HD, it isn't hard to load it up. If you've got 50% or less free space it is time to do some serious housekeeping ( temp files, which should be done regularly anyway, unecessary junk on the HD that you don't need. My last desk top was an eMachines T2824 with a 40GB HD, I always tried to maintain 60% free space, although that was somewhat constricting. As has previously been mentioned, sometimes a good cleaning, including the registry will make a major difference. Oh, if you want to know what version your bios is, at start up, when the big e comes up you will see a prompt in the lower right corner. Press F2, that will take you to the set up screen. It may be delete as, if I recall correctly, the T2824 was delete to get to the set up screen at start up rather than a function key. As for throwing it in a bath tub full of water, them things don't swim too well. coastie65