Solved Laptop extremely slow opening files and browsers

[AGH01]

Trying to fix sons laptop, approx. 8 years old, takes a longtime to browsers 4 minutes to open Internet Explorer, approx 2 minutes to open Word , PPoint documents. I have turned the laptop back to factory settings twice over the last three years and one each occasion speed was perfect but after a short time speed issues return.

I have tried the following
1: loaded all available windows 7 updates
2: started in safe mode with networking, problem exists
3: carried out a clean boot, problem exists
4: Rum Malware antibytes, no issues
5: approx 70 GB available on a 250 GB hard drive
6: Carried out a memory hardware test, no errors.

Can anyone please help and advise what else I can do to identify or overcome the problem

 

[iko22]

Hello AGH01

How much RAM is installed on the computer? How much RAM is being used? Which browser are you using, and is it updated?

 

[AGH01]

Hi and thanks for responding,

I have tried IE, Firefox and Google Chrome ( all Browsers updated) and they are all extremely slow in opening. There is two 2GB Ram installed and is currently using 1.12 GB

 

[iko22]

Well part of the problem is that the computer only has a very minimum amount of RAM available. One option available to you would be to see if you can double or triple the amount of RAM installed on the Machine. Using up to 8GB RAM makes Windows 7 run much smoother.

What temperature does the CPU reach? On an older computer - or especially a laptop - it is always worth cleaning the fans of dust, as that can introduce stability issues where heat is concerned.

Next - when you say that the speed issue returned after resetting the computer to factory defaults - had you noticed if the issue returned after updating the machine via windows update? It could be that you are running a higher version of .NET framework than you need.

If you are running Office 2013, for example, then you can use .NET 4.0 or .NET 4.5, and not bother updating Windows to .NET 4.7. If that is any help - you could try uninstall .NET 4.7 and see if there is a speed increase. But you'd have to double check that .NET 4 was still installed on the machine.

 

[AGH01]

Hi, can you recommend a program that will measure CPU temperature that doesn’t add 3rd party and unwanted software

 

[Pete4]

HWmonitor from CPUID software, download portable version, you can run it from memory stick and BTW when was the last time you cleaned fan and internals from dust? Also do some housekeeping: disk cleanup including system files, clean web browser caches, disable/delete/stop from starting all the programs you don't use ATM.

press ALT, CTRL, Delete and choose task manager. See which programs use most RAM, Disk activity, CPU. Some programs, like MS Office preload some files at startup even if you have no intention of using it during this session, you can stop that. There is much more you can do, but without finding and killing the culprit, this would be good start.

 

[wither 2]

Sounds to me like you either have too many programs running in the background or your hard drive is either limited in space or needs defragmenting. Maybe both.

First, run msconfig.exe. Click on the Startup tab. Select "disable all" and reboot. Does that help? If so, you might would to disable things that really don't need to be started on startup and running in the background.

The other thing I would do is go to Accessories, System Tools. Run the Disk Cleanup utility. When it says how much free space you can gain, check the boxes for "Temporary files" and "Recycle Bin." Run it. When done, reboot your system. Does that help?

 

[AGH01]

Hi Wither 2
Thanks for your response

I had previously run Disk Clean up and freed up 500 MB. All Temp files have been deleted and the recycle bin is empty. I have disabled all in necessary programs on Start -up and problem still exists. 2% of the hard drive needed defragged.

 

[AGH01]

Hi Pete4

I have looked at the Cupid program, I can’t see a link to download HW Monitor, only HW Monitor Pro. Is this a paid for version. I have deleted all un necessary programs. Only ones running are MS Office 2010, VLC, Norton’s, IE, Google Chrome and Firefox. It’s approx. 9 months since the fan has been cleaned, but this is a Laptop which is seldom used.

 

[Megahertz07]

This is the hardware monitor I use. https://openhardwaremonitor.org/files/openhardwaremonitor-v0.8.0-beta.zip
Extract the zip file to C:\Program Files (x86)\ and execute OpenHardwareMonitor.exe
Under options mark "Run on windows startup"
Attached is my configuration file.
Rename to HardwareMonitor.config and replace the original one.

Win 7 64 SP1 requires at least 3G of memory. If you don't have physical memory it will use virtual memory (on disk) that is very slow.
Download Free Download HWiNFO Sofware | Installer & Portable for Windows, DOS
Extract and run (don't need to install)
Close the summary.
On the memory section you will find all info about your memory.
Take a snapshot and post it here as an attachment. Use the paper clip - browse to the saved image file - upload

 

[wither 2]

In re-reading his original post, I noticed he said the condition exists in Safe Mode with networking. I don't know if that's still the case after the clean up but it's possible he needs to adjust the virtual memory mentioned by Megahertz07. I also don't know if Aero is active in Safe Mode or if he has it enabled. That's a real hog on his RAM.

 

[AGH01]

Hi, please find attached 2 files as you requested, hopefully you can open.

 

[Megahertz07]

Is the laptop CQ56-115DX?

The laptop use DDR3L up to DDR3 1066.
The memory installed is a DDR3 1333L, 1.5V working as 1066.
You can install any DDR3L up to 1600 (L=low profile) 1.35V/1.5V

DDR3 1333L (US$43)
CORSAIR ValueSelect 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3 1333 (PC3 10600) Laptop Memory Model CMSO8GX3M2A1333C9 - Newegg.com

DDR3 1600L (US$45)
Crucial 8GB Kit (2 x 4GB) DDR3L 1600 MT/s (PC3L-12800) SODIMM 204-Pin 1.35V/1.5V Laptop Memory - CT2KIT51264BF160B - Newegg.com
G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GRSL - Newegg.com

On HWinfo close the summary.
On the memory section (on the left) you will find all info about your memory. Click on the used bank.
Take a snapshot and post it here as an attachment. Use the paper clip - browse to the saved image file - upload

 

[Megahertz07]

Your BIOS version is F16

There is a F18 BIOS version for the CQ56-115DX

CQ56-115DX Software
F18 BIOS

If your laptop is the CQ56-115DX I sugest you to update the BIOS

 

[AGH01]

Hi, thanks I really appreciate the help you are providing, looks like I have insufficient RAM in my sons aging Laptop. Please find attached info as you requested. You are correct the laptop is Presario CQ56, but where do
I find the exact model No. System info just gives CQ56

 

[Megahertz07]

The complete information of your model you probably find on BIOS.
I'm quite sure it's a CQ56-115DX

I would buy G.SKILL Ripjaws Series 8GB (2 x 4GB) 204-Pin DDR3 SO-DIMM DDR3L 1600 (PC3L 12800) Laptop Memory Model F3-1600C9D-8GRSL - Newegg.com
as it has lower timmings

 

[wither 2]

I was also looking at an earlier post and it looks like the hard drive driver is GJ002C. According to this website-

TOSHIBA MK3265GSX Drivers Download for Windows 7, 8, XP, Vista

and another, the latest driver is GJ002J.

I'm also curious as to what drive F: is and what's on it.

 

[AGH01]

Hi Wither2,

Drive F was my portable hard drive, I was copying off important files in-case Laptop crashed. On your post you mentioned the Toshiba Hard drive, is there a more up todate driver?

 

[johnhoh]

"the condition exists in Safe Mode with networking"

Does the laptop also take a long time to boot up? If so my bet is your hard drive is going bad and a new hard drive will fix the issue

 

[Megahertz07]

I was also looking at an earlier post and it looks like the hard drive driver is GJ002C. According to this website-

TOSHIBA MK3265GSX Drivers Download for Windows 7, 8, XP, Vista

and another, the latest driver is GJ002J.

I'm also curious as to what drive F: is and what's on it.

All drivers are provided by Micro$oft. I don't think that a new driver is needed, if your OS has been updated.