[Pikachu]

Hi all, my PC is nothing spectacular, a 2 GHz AMD processor, 3 GB RAM HP Pavillion. It used to run reasonably smooth (I am a long-time user so I know what I can expect) before and, yes, I keep the installed programs, fonts etc. to a minimum, I have and run the best anti-virus and firewall software. Fragmentation is no issue.

But it's been tough going lately. The best way I can describe the feeling I get using the machine is that it is "otherwise engaged." Radio-buttons I push take a while to react, then slowly go down then up and the requested action is reluctlantly taken. This is especially obvious if I dare to play music or copy files simultaneously.

Is itprematurely senile? It's like all of a sudden it "performs" like a 386 33Mhz 2 MB RAM...thing. I'm at wits end - pleeeze help!

[MAcUser21]

how old? Sometime Time slow down computer... like my emachine, its motherboard worn out in 5 years.

[mcbarker]

Here are a few basic suggestions, assuming that you're using Windows XP (if Vista, you're on your own)...
Have you tried cleaning out the junk (temp files, etc)? If not, download CCleaner, install, and run its Cleaner utility.
Also, if your hard drive is filling up, it might be time to clean out some of the old programs that you haven't used in months.I recommend Revo Uninstaller, which will also clean out any associated registry entries to deleted program much better than Windows uninstaller will. Read the documentation before using.
Defrag your hard drive.
Check for spyware or other malware.
Have you checked Task Manager to see what other processes are running, and what percentage of memory or CPU is being used by each? It's possible that you have stuff running in the background that isn't necessary, and is using up CPU cycles.
You didn't say what antivirus you use, but if it's Symantec (Norton), McAfee, or Kaspersky, they will slow your system to a crawl. You may want to consider less intrusive options (NOD32, etc).

[MAcUser21]

He did said that Defragment are not include which mean he did regulator, also he do have Security suite so Spyware likely don't get include.

[mcbarker]

He (or she) said that an antivirus program was installed, but made no mention of a real time anti-malware program (for adware, spyware, trojans, or rootkits). Some antivirus programs won't detect many of these, unless you have the vendor's security suite (as opposed to just their antivirus program). The original post wasn't very specific about this, so I thought I'd mention it in my suggestions.

[Adama]

Hi Pikachu,


I would like to suggest changing the title of this discussion to a more explicit one, to give our members a better idea of your problem.

Also, please be more specific re: what's your OS; what AV, ASpyware, and Firewall you're using; when did you start noticing this problem; have you recently installed or downloaded a program; do you notice the slowdowns on a particular website only, etc.

This way we can better pinpoint the steps needed to help you solve this problem.

Thanks. :)

[Adama]

mcbarker said:

Here are a few basic suggestions, assuming that you're using Windows XP (if Vista, you're on your own)...

Have you tried cleaning out the junk (temp files, etc)? If not, download CCleaner, install, and run its Cleaner utility.

Also, if your hard drive is filling up, it might be time to clean out some of the old programs that you haven't used in months.I recommend Revo Uninstaller, which will also clean out any associated registry entries to deleted program much better than Windows uninstaller will. Read the documentation before using.

Defrag your hard drive.

Check for spyware or other malware.

Have you checked Task Manager to see what other processes are running, and what percentage of memory or CPU is being used by each? It's possible that you have stuff running in the background that isn't necessary, and is using up CPU cycles.

You didn't say what antivirus you use, but if it's Symantec (Norton), McAfee, or Kaspersky, they will slow your system to a crawl. You may want to consider less intrusive options (NOD32, etc).

Hi McBarker,

I agree with your points above. There's also a possibility that he/she's got a lot of unnneccessary files and stuff running in the background, and this would also cause slow downs.



Hi Pikachu,

Like McBarker says, if you have any of the Norton programs on your PC, that would take a lot of resources as well as slow down your computer.

Most of the members on this Forum do not like Norton, (including me) as there are better programs that do a better job of protecting your PC, without bogging it down.

And that includes Vista too!
Message was edited by: Adama

[Pikachu]

Thank you very much all for posting helpful tips and puzzling over this. Funny thing though...this "wading-through-molasses" feeling has come on so suddenly. It's enough, these days, that I start MediaPlayer, fast-forward a couple of times and then it hangs. I'm afraid a re-format is called for here. As for dubious programs running in the background I use gmer and Hijack This to keep track of them. The PC is a 3GHz AMD, 3 GB RAM, WinXP Pro (Vista? no thank you. Life has enough frustrations as it is). I use AVG, ZoneAlarm and Spybot. I wonder if age really slows a PC. There seems to be no support in physics for that.

Oh, well...a PC keeps you on your toes B-)

[SpiritWind]

:D Hi :

IF you are using AVG Antivirus, you are not using the "Best" antivirus ; Others like NOD32

and the FREE Avast are better than that . Spybot has not been a top antispyware program

for the last couple of yrs . Gmer is a highly specialized antirootkit program, seldom

recommended except for investigating serious rootkit problems . Even Zone Alarm as a

firewall seems to be experiencing a downturn in quality . And you were not SPECIFIC as

to WHICH "Media Player" you are using and any "supplemental" program(s) you use in

connection with it, IF any !?

[Pikachu]

SpiritWind, you say:

"...you were not SPECIFIC as to WHICH "Media Player" you are using and any "supplemental" program(s) you use in connection with it, IF any !?"

That is WINDOWS Media Player straight, no add-ons. Like I said, It's enough that I start MediaPlayer, fast-forward a couple of times and then it hangs. That is not normal behavior under any circumstanses, but especially not on a 3 GHz P4 with 3 GB of RAM.

I will try Avast! and maybe NOD32. Thank you.

[barronm]

Are you using MediaPlayer to watch streaming video on-line? If so, the slow speeds could be related to your internet connection. If not, are you using MediaPlayer to watch videos that you downloaded? If so, downloaded videos often take up more space on your hard drive than you may have anticipated - I recommend trying an external hard drive to store video files on. If the problem is only occurring while you are using MediaPlayer, then the problem is most likely caused by: large file sizes being accessed with not enough memory to load them fast enough, not enough room on the hard drive, slow internet speeds, bad video or sound cards, or in the case of streaming audio or video it could even be the website that is streaming the video or audio to you that is having the problem.

I don't believe in adding extra software to do tasks that can be easily performed using tools that come with your Windows installation. You can clean your files using Disk Cleanup under System Tools. You can also defragment your hard drive from the same menu. Adding extra software programs (whether they are free or not) still takes up disk space. The disk space used to install some programs that are meant to clean your pc is often greater than the disk space gained from cleaning your pc, for example. -M

[Pikachu]

barronm says: "Are you using MediaPlayer to watch streaming video on-line?" No, the files are. mp3's on my HD. Besides, the same thing happens with Winamp. Forward a couple songs and it freezes. Anyway this is now a moot discussion as I have reformatted and reinstalled. I have worked with PC's professionally since 1985 and have yet to meet somebody who instantly knows what's wrong in cases like this. A PC running a fair amount of software is a complex machine indeed. Re-boots, formats and reinstallments abound. Cluelessness abounds. Then, suddenly, things somehow fall into place and it runs. And you pick up you gear and walk gingerly away, hoping the darn thing will work upon reboot.

You do get a bonus for your reformatting/reinstalling labors though: a machine that for a week or two behaves like new. Everything just works and the PC appears superfast. For a week or two, three tops.