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Up to Discussions in Windows
11 Replies Last post: Sep 11, 2007 6:39 AM by spike  
Click to view artman's profile New Member
artman
40 posts since
Oct 15, 2006
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Sep 6, 2007 6:22 PM

PC is running slow

I am using Windows XP Home. Up until a few weeks ago my machine was running fine. It now takes alot longer to load and start programs. I am using Eudora email software and it use to take about 1 second to delete a message in my Inbox - now it takes about 8 seconds to delete one message. When I hit the delete key the Windows hour glass appears and about 8 seconds later the message is deleted.

I am using Bit Defender verson 10 for AntiVirus and Spyware, Webroot SpySweeper 5.5 and my machine is clean. Today I did a Bit Defender Deep System Scan, Full System Scan, Memory Scan and a Rootkit Scan. Everything came up clean.

My MsConfig Startup only has 4 programs so my machine is not being slowed down by a bunch of startup programs.

I Defrag my hard drive every other day.\

I have never used a Registry Cleaner although I have wanted to many times but everytime I read the various Microsoft newsgroups most of the MVP's (Microsoft Valuable Professionals) really bad mouth the Registry Cleaners saying that they will do more harm than good.

Does anyone have ideas what I can check on my machine to solve the slowness issue?

Thanks - Bill

Best Regards, Bill Artman, Kansas City - USA
Reply Tags: registry_cleaner
Click to view techie4fun's profile Old Hand
techie4fun
1,942 posts since
Oct 18, 2006
1. Sep 6, 2007 6:30 PM in response to: artman
Re: PC is running slow
Hi :)

First thing is first: How much memory is installed in your machine right now, and why must you defragment your hard drive ever other day? Also, the speed or model of your processor "brand" might help too.
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Click to view lilxkid24's profile Old Hand
lilxkid24
1,545 posts since
Jul 8, 2007
2. Sep 6, 2007 6:43 PM in response to: artman
Re: PC is running slow
First off you should not have defrag it every day. Defrag once a month or once every 2 months. Please post your computer specs like ram, processor, etc. You can use Belarc for that. Don't use a registry cleaner if you don't know what you are trying to delete.

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Click to view artman's profile New Member
artman
40 posts since
Oct 15, 2006
3. Sep 7, 2007 8:00 AM in response to: artman
Re: PC is running slow
Thanks for your replies!

My machine is a Gateway PC running Windows XP Home. The processor speed is 2.0 GHz with 1.0 Gb of RAM. The hard disk has 26 Gb of free space.

Best Regards, Bill Artman, Kansas City - USA
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Click to view spike's profile Member
spike
1,233 posts since
Aug 21, 2006
4. Sep 7, 2007 8:06 AM in response to: artman
Re: PC is running slow
Does this mean , that you will not consider useing a registry cleaner??
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Click to view artman's profile New Member
artman
40 posts since
Oct 15, 2006
5. Sep 7, 2007 8:21 AM in response to: artman
Re: PC is running slow
Spike;

My machine is used for business purposes and I don't want a risk of totally damaging it. With all of the Registry Cleaners on the market I don't know which is the best and safest. Also most of the resources I check other than Registry Cleaner software companies say that a Registry Cleaner can really do damage to a computer. I guess I am just afraid to try it although I would like to.

Thanks!

Bill

Best Regards, Bill Artman, Kansas City - USA
Reply
Click to view spike's profile Member
spike
1,233 posts since
Aug 21, 2006
6. Sep 7, 2007 8:31 AM in response to: artman
Re: PC is running slow
Do you have a Windows installation disc???
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Click to view artman's profile New Member
artman
40 posts since
Oct 15, 2006
7. Sep 7, 2007 8:52 AM in response to: spike
Re: PC is running slow
Yes, I have the Windows installation disc that came with the Gateway machine.

Best Regards, Bill Artman, Kansas City - USA
Reply
Click to view spike's profile Member
spike
1,233 posts since
Aug 21, 2006
8. Sep 7, 2007 10:49 AM in response to: artman
Re: PC is running slow
Try this; Insert your Windows disc, ......then go to Start > Run,........type in the box, sfc /scannow ( note the space between the sfc.........and............the /scannow )

This command will initiate windows file protection service to scan all protected files and verify their integrity, replacing any files with which it finds a problem.This will take some time.

When it is finished, DEFRAG, and re-boot , and test it out, to see if your problem(s) persist, at let us know!
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Click to view artman's profile New Member
artman
40 posts since
Oct 15, 2006
9. Sep 10, 2007 8:06 AM in response to: spike
Re: PC is running slow
Spike;

I tried your suggestion re checking for missing protected files. There were 7 files that appeared to be missing - I think that may have been part of my slow speed problem.

Thanks again for your help!

Best Regards, Bill Artman, Kansas City - USA
Reply
Click to view techie4fun's profile Old Hand
techie4fun
1,942 posts since
Oct 18, 2006
10. Sep 10, 2007 8:11 AM in response to: artman
Re: PC is running slow
Bravo! Encore! Bravo! :)
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Click to view spike's profile Member
spike
1,233 posts since
Aug 21, 2006
11. Sep 11, 2007 6:39 AM in response to: artman
Re: PC is running slow
No problem!
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