Advice on Computer Performance?

[A-Unit]

Ok. I'm not quite computer/tech handy in the regard, I don't know what to do when performance with computers begin to decline. Such as:

[] Begins freezing using programs like Word, Excel, and Adobe acrobat.
[] Loading times are slow, despite having a T1 connection.
[] When too many programs are at play, lag occurs.
[] When submitting docs to the printer, it can fail to initialize and totally freeze.

My computer performance @ work has faltered quite a bit, and was looking to "guys in the know" if there's anything I can do before calling a professional to fix it, or scrap it.

The operating system is XP Personal (2000) I believe. I work off a Network, too. Other computers don't have my problems, though the network is a tadbit slower, with some 15-20 users on most of the time.

I have checked out suspect sites, such as porn, ones that offer lots of popups (though I have plenty of blockers), and other less secure sites. I've done lots of Spyware ejects, so nothing seems to be present, defrag pretty regularly, but I'm finding myself having to just shut down too often that its frustrating.

My Old Gateway did the same thing after about 2-3 years of performance, mostly b/c of Internet use, some porn or suspect sites, but minor downloading. Even now, i only take down Ebooks, no music, no porn. Business and minor pleasure.

For the guys who know, is there anything I can do? Is this typical? Are there programs available to prevent this?


A-Unit

PS. Thanks

 

[Taviii]

Format c:/s Y

2-3 years withouth reinstaling windows OMFG!!!!!!!

I cant stand windows after a few months of use so I format my c: partition (I only have windows on it so that I dont loose stuff when formating). Thats what you should do. And if you want it to work better for more time right after the reinstallation download all uptades for windows and for your antivirus an firewall.

 

[djbr]

What spyware removal tool have you used?

 

[Docs]

[] Begins freezing using programs like Word, Excel, and Adobe acrobat.
[] Loading times are slow, despite having a T1 connection.
[] When too many programs are at play, lag occurs.
[] When submitting docs to the printer, it can fail to initialize and totally freeze.

-Sounds like it needs a defrag and a look at ram (how much do you have?)

-Next, press Cnl+Alt+Del and press task manager. Press the process tab. Open view and select columns.

Select ONLY
- Image Name (or process name)
- CPU
- MEM USAGE
- VM SIZE

Post a list/screenshot of every process running (enlarge the window..or take multiple shots).

Now, open up as many programs as you need to bog it down and re-post another shot.

I'll need those two screen shots to point out your exact problem, whether the end case is spyware or just that your computer needs a garbage cleaning/format.
---
edit: When people say spyware and nothing more, they don't know what the fuck they are talking about at all. Only a tech will look farther. (ie: Me)

 

[LowPlainsDrifter]

quick one is start ----> run ---- > MS Config. Click the "startup" tab, and uncheck every single program, including antivirus programs (disable your internet connection first)
Reboot.

You can then systematically figure out which programs are slowing you down the worst.

Also at www.neuber.com, Security Task Manager is great for seeing the malware that hides itself from CTRL-ALT-DEL task manager, but you have to know what you're doing lest you quarantine an important process.

Also, try to find drive diagnostics for your brand of hard drive, and run them.
I've seen failing drives slow a system down before quitting altogether.

 

[GirlCrazy]

Sounds like you have more than one issue.

Freezing after you've owned it a couple years

1.) The number one cause of this type of problem is the accumulation of dirt in the CPU cooler / fan / case / power supply. After a couple years of sucking dirt into the case, it's going to overheat and do all sort of weird sh1t.

2.) Connections on components such as RAM & cables loosen over time. Pop the RAM out and re-seat it. Do the same with the drive cables.

Running slow

Over time, Windows installations get "stale", with all the software that's installed / uninstalled on the system, some if it probably without your knowledge, and most of it loaded into memory on system startup.

If you're not a hardcore geek, it's probably best just to uninstall / reinstall Windows. Make sure to backup your important files first, and make sure you have the right CDs, drivers and CD keys before you wipe out the drive.

Printing problems

..are usually caused by having the wrong or corrupt printer driver. Re-install the latest version of the driver. Is the printer connected to your PC? If so, and re-installing the driver doesn't fix the problem, next replace the printer cable.

 

[KarmaSutra]

Originally posted by Docs

---
edit: When people say spyware and nothing more, they don't know what the fuck they are talking about at all. Only a tech will look farther. (ie: Me)

I agree. I would suggest upping your page file as well. set it to 3 X the memory installed. I also agree with popping out and using a duster to blowout the fan and memory seats then reinstalling the sticks.

 

[al77]

Originally posted by LowPlainsDrifter
quick one is start ----> run ---- > MS Config. Click the "startup" tab, and uncheck every single program, including antivirus programs (disable your internet connection first)
Reboot.

I like this advice. This is what you can certainly do:
Run an antivirus.

I had some similar problems. What helped me is
http://www.bitdefender.com

As a personal user you can use it for free online. I suggest to run it several times: run it. Reboot. Run again, reboot.
This is ceratinly doable and could help in your situation.
It is also ok to look for some other free antiviruses in inetrnet and run them. At least it worked for me before.

 

[KarmaSutra]

Speed issues may be due to network firewalls or bandwidth cap to save up and downstream. Nothing you can do about that.

If you have XP I would not suggest using msconfig. Instead stop programs from services. go to run/ type: services.msc then systematically stop services you don't want to run at startup.

 

[LowPlainsDrifter]

Speed issues may be due to network firewalls or bandwidth cap to save up and downstream. Nothing you can do about that.

If you have XP I would not suggest using msconfig. Instead stop programs from services. go to run/ type: services.msc then systematically stop services you don't want to run at startup.

MS Config controls background programs as well as services.
The silly little "Helper" apps that arrive bundled with Real, QuickTime, MS Office,HP printers, etc collectively eat up a fair amount of CPU cycles and RAM.
It's best not to have them start up, and since they're not services, services.msc won't disable them.

I do agree that MSCONFIG isn't the best place to disable/enable services, though.

 

[Docs]

Unless you use a program religously, let's take Windows Media Player as a example. It's a piece of crap. It's got good stuff, but it's bloated like a fat man eating bacon.

My alternatives:
Music - Winamp 2.91. Super small, compact, extendable and it works.
Video - Media Player Classic is not bad.
-> PowerDVD is alright too, but I find its interface clunky and adding playlist entries is hell.

Let's take Internet Explorer.
This is easy. It's unsecure to the nth degree, unless you have firewalls and AV up. Firefox is small, it's fast (who the hell rates the speed of a web browser?), it has tabbed browsing and it is more secure then IE.

Microsoft Office.
If it starts messing up, it's a pot of piss to fix. It's very cranky. It's not a bad program when it works, but it is very large (I think it was 300Megs+?)

Alternative: OpenOffice.Org. A LOT smaller and carries the same functionality as MSOffice.

HP tools: Disable everything except what talks to the printer, no HP programs should run on startup.

Apache: It's good, and it's complex.
Alternative: Look around, but there are some web servers out there less then 4 Megs. (Abyss - I'm running) It has a web interface and is very simple.

Meh..there's oddles more of alternative programs to the norm, that's just a few.