Strange behavior with mom's computer

Hey all,

My mom was having regular troubles with her computer over the last few months. It was always running very slow, like when you would click on the internet browser icon it would take about 30 seconds to open the browser. I did every scan possible and found nothing and finally just decided to take it home and reinstall Windows 7 from scratch from the recovery partition.

This went just fine and I followed it up with removing all of the extra unneeded software that came with the computer 4 years ago and installing anti-virus. Got that all done, did all Windows updates and it ran fine. Later that day I ran it over to her house and got everything hooked up and guess what? It dragged butt again just like before. I checked the task manager and at times it showed 100% CPU usage with no additional applications open.

So I decided to take it back home and do some more investigating. Well when it get it connected up here it runs just fine. So it seems that there is something strange going on when it's connected at her house, but what could it be? Her internet is wired, mine is wireless, and I am using a different monitor and mouse here but could any of that make a difference? Could lower voltage at the outlet cause this? Her computer was fine for years though with all of the same devices connected though.

Any ideas what to look for?

OK here is a link to the specs from Speccy:

http://speccy.piriform.com/results/0...B0K8xp3vuKJ1XF

How does performance compare if you are totally disconnected from the Internet at her house versus totally disconnected from the Internet at your house.

For stuff like boot speed, application opening, virus scans, copying a pile of files, or maybe a benchmark application--all with no Internet connection.

I'm wondering what "services" she gets from her ISP--perhaps some type of anti-virus or security application that is running amok.

ignatzatsonic said:

How does performance compare if you are totally disconnected from the Internet at her house versus totally disconnected from the Internet at your house.

For stuff like boot speed, application opening, virus scans, copying a pile of files, or maybe a benchmark application--all with no Internet connection.

I'm wondering what "services" she gets from her ISP--perhaps some type of anti-virus or security application that is running amok.

I will be back over there on Sunday and will need to try all of this then, including the latency checker. She has the same ISP that I do, although her computer is connected directly to the wireless router by cable and I am using mine wireless. Her computer does not have a wireless interface built in, but I do have a USB wireless adapter that she can use if it would make any difference.

I just ran the latency checker on it here and everything is green, well below the green line.

I checked the task manager and at times it showed 100% CPU usage with no additional applications open.

If it does happen there again, you should go back into task manager, to the Processes tab. Click Show Processes from All Users and sort by CPU.

Try again with a clean "diagnostics" boot (via MSCONFIG) or even Safe Mode with Networking.

Another good possibility is the router install is corrupted, and DHCP is not working correctly. Network logjams tend to occupy the computer fiercely. You can Reset the router and perhaps update its firmware. Make sure you know the existing and factory default p/w for it before getting in too deep. For quick diagnostic comparison bring your own router along.

I will have to test things one by one and and try to pinpoint what is slowing down the computer. I can disconnect the router and go directly into the computer from the cable modem to see if that makes a difference. I had to hook up a wireless router in their house for their TiVo but it's used for nothing else so at least I can test the computer without it.

Thanks