Help, please! Why is my computer so slow?

juanantoniod · 30 Jun 2010

Hello,

I have noticed that my computer operates a tad slower than usual. For example, as you can see from the attached screen captures, when I go into Windows Explorer, a green bar goes across the top of the screen while the drive information is populated (see second image). What is causing this lag in populating the drive info and why does the green bar take so long to cross? (This also happens when I go into add or remove programs and features.) Also, when I boot my computer, the icons on the desktop will show, then appear as placeholders, then appear again.

Would more memory help me? I have 2GB on board, but my system is capable of 4GB. I just need to know if that would definitely help this lag.

Thanks for any advice!

richc46 · 30 Jun 2010

Antonio,

I will get you more information, but first run an antivirus scan
Download and run malwarebytes.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

If that comes out clean try this
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index...owtopic=246994

When you are done with the above and I know the results, I will get you appropriate information.

gregrocker · 30 Jun 2010

Try the operation which runs slowly again, rightclick the Task Bar to Start Task Manager, click Processes tab and click CPU column heading to show what is eating processor in descending order. Post back results.

Type msconfig in Start box, rightclick Run as Admin, click startup tab and uncheck all but AV and gadgets, or anything else you absolutely have to have startup with computer (IM ok). All others are freeloading and can wait til you click on them. Restart computer.

Open Event Viewer>Admin view and Google repeat errors to resolve. Also look at Performance Log and Generate a Health Report at Control Panel\All Control Panel Items\Performance Information and Tools\Advanced Tools which might also have problems cued at top.

Type Problems in Start box to look for solutions possibly already cued.

Clean and order your HD perfectly using free state-of-the-art CCleaner "Run Cleaner" and REgistry tabs, then Auslogics Disk and Registry defraggers monthly.

In addition to Rich's wise suggestions to run Full AV test and memtest CD for 5-6 passes, test your HD using maker's full Diag/Repair CD scan to finish clearing your hardware: Hard Drive Diagnostics Tools and Utilities (Storage) - TACKtech Corp.

bazcor · 03 Jul 2010

Maybe the drive has been shut down by the power management in the OS? Looks very similar to mine when windows shut it down after 20m. Of course this only applies if the drive is not the boot drive.

juanantoniod · 03 Jul 2010

Hello everyone! I appreciate all the input. I have run the MalwareBytes program, which found 7 infections, and I deleted them. This *may* have helped... We shall see. Nevertheless, I am going to proceed with the other recommendations, starting with Memtest. Also, in answer to the Processes question, the main process that keeps popping to the top of the list is iExplore.exe, and it shows 15-19 CPU. (I have no idea what that number means, but it is a lot more than other processes running, except a few which pop to the top of the list periodically, like the McAfee virus scanner or something else.

juanantoniod · 03 Jul 2010

Okay, memcheck went fine. Thanks for the resourceful utility referral! Unchecked some startup items in MSCONFIG. Will see how it runs for a while and post back in a day or so. I'm also going to look into the event viewer as well. Thanks, guys!

richc46 · 03 Jul 2010

juanantoniod said:

Okay, memcheck went fine. Thanks for the resourceful utility referral! Unchecked some startup items in MSCONFIG. Will see how it runs for a while and post back in a day or so. I'm also going to look into the event viewer as well. Thanks, guys!

You may want to go with a clean boot
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Also try in safe mode, is it faster?

juanantoniod · 03 Jul 2010

I've checked the event viewer and seen some sidebyside errors. I searched the Internet for these and did not find any definitive answer as to why they were occurring. Also, I did the Performance Report, and it said to, " configure Security Center to stop monitoring anti-virus status". However, I have searched high and low for how to do this, and cannot find it. Any guidance to this is appreciated! Thanks again!

gregrocker · 03 Jul 2010

I would install free Revo Uninstaller and use Advanced Mode to uninstall the McAfee bloatware, as it will bog down your system and let viruses in anyway. Revo will run the Windows uninstaller, but don't restart when prompted, instead click next and delete the bolded registry items and files it finds which McAfee leaves behind.

Replace it with the expert's new choice, free Microsoft Security Essentials which installs in 30 seconds, updates and runs a scan, then becomes nearly invisible unless there is a threat.

Run a full MSE scan in boot mode after it updates since you have infection and need to know i'ts out.

juanantoniod · 03 Jul 2010

richc46 said:

juanantoniod said:

Okay, memcheck went fine. Thanks for the resourceful utility referral! Unchecked some startup items in MSCONFIG. Will see how it runs for a while and post back in a day or so. I'm also going to look into the event viewer as well. Thanks, guys!

You may want to go with a clean boot
How to troubleshoot a problem by performing a clean boot in Windows Vista or in Windows 7

Also try in safe mode, is it faster?

RichC,

Thanks for the helpful input. I think that, just by turning off some of the automatically started processes, I am seeing better performance. At least, as I type this, my keyboard is keeping up, so that's a good sign. But this clean boot is a good option to try just to make sure. I will also try it in safe mode over the next few days and then report back.

Thank you very much! :)

Help, please! Why is my computer so slow?

Help, please! Why is my computer so slow?

I will try these next...