Hello and Help Needed

[VespaHive]

Hello, I'm new here and came to find some seriously needed help. I have a problem with my laptop which is using windows 7. lately it's been extremely slow and almost unusable at times. This slowness fluctuates. Even when first booting the system the title screen to type in my password to log on takes a while to load.

If anyone could list possible reasons and solutions that would be very much appreciated.

 

[Petey7]

We are going to need a lot more information before we can help.

Please give us the full specs of you laptop. Some hardware will only work so well. Speccy is a program that will tell you everything, if you don't already know. What software was already on the computer when you purchased it? Do you have an antivirus installed? If so, which one?

 

[richc46]

Supply the System Specs as requested by Petey7.

The possible causes are varied and may be anything from a virus to memory problems.
To prevent bigger problems, however start with an antivirus scan and a scan with malwarebytes.
http://www.malwarebytes.org/mbam.php

Then comply with Pete's request.

If you supply the required information we will be able to help.

 

[VespaHive]

Operating System
MS Windows 7 Home Premium 64-bit
CPU
AMD Athlon X2 QL-60 63 °C
Griffin 65nm Technology
RAM
1.0GB DDR2 @ 333MHz (1-3-3-3)
Motherboard
TOSHIBA Portable PC (Socket M2/S1G1)
Graphics
Generic PnP Monitor @ 1440x900
ATI Radeon 3100 Graphics (Toshiba)
Hard Drives
244GB TOSHIBA TOSHIBA MK2555GSX ATA Device (IDE) 40 °C
Optical Drives
TSSTcorp CDDVDW TS-L633A ATA Device
ELBY CLONEDRIVE SCSI CdRom Device
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio

Purchased about a year ago and I have AVG and Spybot search and destroy

I don't know how to tell what software was already on it.

 

[richc46]

TY, now do the antivirus scan and scan with malwarebyes (see my first post). Then Pete will help you. We do not want a virus to cause more problems

 

[Petey7]

I found the problem already. I didn't think 7 64-bit would even install on 1GB of RAM. If your in the US I would recommend this RAM for your computer: Newegg.com - G.SKILL 4GB (2 x 2GB) 200-Pin DDR2 SO-DIMM DDR2 667 (PC2 5300) Dual Channel Kit Laptop Memory Model F2-5300CL5D-4GBSA

It's the same kind I have and I haven't had a single problem. My computer runs great with it.

 

[CarlTR6]

Go to your User CP; you will see the link at the top of your page on the right. Look on the left and click on Edit system spec. Enter the information you posted above there. That way the information will be available in each of your posts and we won't have to scroll back through the thread to look for it.

 

[VespaHive]

there is no way I could be using 1 gb of ram. my sticker said I have 3. could something my damaged inside that would cause the issue?

 

[richc46]

You may have a problem with your memory.
Go to search and type windows memory diagnostics and take the test.

Go to the bottom task bar, right click and bring up the task scheduler, go to process tab and check memory shown.

Again I suggest to take the Virus and malware test. It should be part of normal maintenance, anyway.

 

[VespaHive]

I did the test from the program you suggested. It showed nine infections but it only said that it couldn't get rid of all of them and then rebooted the computer. I thought it was rather rude to do so without warning me.

 

[richc46]

I would try to run it again, it rebooted to get rid of the ones that it could.
You can take the memory test to see about the memory question, too.

 

[Petey7]

Windows built in memory diagnostics isn't the best. I would suggest burning memtest86+ to a CD using imgburn and booting into that and let it run overnight. In the morning you can stop it where ever its at and if errors are found, I would replace the RAM. 3GB sounds like a good amount, but bad RAM could easily cause the problem you have.

In order to boot from the CD you will have to hit a key when you first cut the computer on (usually F8) and have it boot from CD.

 

[richc46]

Yes it is not the most accurate, but I think that it will suffice in this situation. Here are more basic instructions, if you care to use Petes suggestion
Guide to using Memtest86+ - Geeks to Go!

Run overnight or 6 passes.

Be sure to take a good stick and test each MB slot.

 

[VespaHive]

just finished another scan. No infections found. does this mean the RAM is the problem?

 

[richc46]

Looks like it might be. Read Petes and my post and take the test. I think you may need it.

 

[VespaHive]

according to the memtest thing both my RAM chips work good. When I put them back in the speccy said I had 3gb now. Could It be one of they wasn't in all the way? If that possible? Or could it be that I may have switched slots when I put them back in?

 

[richc46]

All that matters is that it works, now. They probably had to be reset. One could have been loose, not fully seated. Use your machine and see if it works now. I think that it will.

 

[VespaHive]

well the computer seem to work fairly well now. Thanks for the help Althought I don't see it as major issue but whenever I boot up my computer before I start up windows I get asked to use either Windows 7 or Kubuntu. As far as I know I have any Kubuntu and when I select Kubuntu I get nothing.

 

[Petey7]

It could be that one isn't in all the way. Reseat the RAM if you have not done so already. Has the computer sped up at all? Yocan also take a look at this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

Which options to use, if any, are solely up to you.