PC slowing down to a crawl...

[AstaLaVista]

Built in... January 2012
Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
OCZ 600w ModXStream PSU
P8Z68-V Gen 3 Mobo
I5-2500 Sandy 3.3 Ghz w/HD Graphics 2000 series
16GBs RAM (2x 8GBs) DDR3 1600
M4 256GB SSD

Computer was built 2 years ago and it has been solid but recently, perhaps even after the 01/15/2014 windows update the pc has come to an almost complete stop... booting takes from 3 to 5 minutes, login to desktop icons can take from 2 to 4 mins, opening simple apps like Office Word 2010 could take an excess of 1 minute if not 2, Mozilla takes days (yes, I am exaggerating ) and I am at my wits end.

Things I have tried so far... in no particular order.

1.- Running Spybot S&D (Both in Windows and Safe Mode)... nothing bad shows up

2.- Malwarebytes (Ditto)... Ditto again

3.- Avast Boot Scan... nothing major if at all

4.- Defrag SSD... Yes, it showed 37% defrag and I had nothing to loose so I defragged it

5.- Uninstall all the 01/15/2014 Windows Update... no change but now I am guessing if once the harm was done there is no way to recover the damage. Reason I suspect the windows update is because when I did them on my rig, I lost my mouse/keyboard drivers and a few other small issues that went away when I immediately did a system restore. My partner did not mentioned the problem until today and his system restore did not go back that far (another thing the pisses me off and baffles me about Win7, I have no say as to how many system restore points I can or can not have or keep... at least I don't know how to manage that) so I couldn't catch it on time.

6.- Run CCleaner, both Registry and Cleaner... again, no change

7.- Crystal Disk Info... It shows the Disk as Good 98% (whatever this really means)

Google has not really help much and Microsoft Help is, well... lets just say I rather learn on my own than having 20 questions asked of me for every 1 question I do to them! :sarc:

 

[DustSailor]

Hey mate,

Try this out: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

Before you follow the tutorial, I recommend uninstalling any superfluous programs on your pc. Include toolbars, coupon programs, and stuff you didn't want/need.

run an sfc scan: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

I also recommend keeping any important update installed. I have all my updates on a slower computer, and it runs fine. In other words, updates likely are not your problem. I cannot say the same for optional updates, because they are not necessarily important to have installed.

 

[DustSailor]

Warning

Solid State Drives (SSD) and USB flash key drives do not need to be defragmented. Doing so may shorten the lifespan of them [sic].

Turn off Defragmentation for all SSDs, and keep it on for HDDs.
However, Defragment has been renamed Optimize in Windows 8, and Should be enabled (in Windows 8 only).

 

[DustSailor]

Hello [...]

See if increasing the max disk space storage for restore points to say around 10 GB instead will allow them to continue to be stored.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/335-system-protection-change-disk-space-usage.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

I dont know how to make a restore point last forever, but if you http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html , it will remain forever, unless you delete it[....]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/697-system-restore-point-create.html

 

[AstaLaVista]

Hey mate,

Try this out: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

Before you follow the tutorial, I recommend uninstalling any superfluous programs on your pc. Include toolbars, coupon programs, and stuff you didn't want/need.

run an sfc scan: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1538-sfc-scannow-command-system-file-checker.html

I also recommend keeping any important update installed. I have all my updates on a slower computer, and it runs fine. In other words, updates likely are not your problem. I cannot say the same for optional updates, because they are not necessarily important to have installed.

That Optimize Link is for computers that have basic RAM, this thing has not only an SSD but 16GBs of Ram... aside from the fact that 2 weeks ago it was blazing fast. Its not that I not appreciate your help, is that turning off all of those things will not make a lot of different to a computer that was working fine with or without them before.

I had forgotten to run SFC/SCANNOW so I will try that as soon as I am done running the Microsoft Malicious Removal Tool.

Warning

Solid State Drives (SSD) and USB flash key drives do not need to be defragmented. Doing so may shorten the lifespan of them [sic].

Turn off Defragmentation for all SSDs, and keep it on for HDDs.
However, Defragment has been renamed Optimize in Windows 8, and Should be enabled (in Windows 8 only).

Thanks for the info... yeah, I know that but I am running on desperate mode and I also read that doing so ONCE IN A WHILE will not harm the SSD in any way.

Hello [...]

See if increasing the max disk space storage for restore points to say around 10 GB instead will allow them to continue to be stored.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/335-system-protection-change-disk-space-usage.html

Hope this helps,
Shawn

I dont know how to make a restore point last forever, but if you http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html , it will remain forever, unless you delete it[....]

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/697-system-restore-point-create.html

I know I can create a system restore point, what ticks me off is the fact that with XP, I never had to force myself to remember to do so, I set it and forget it so to speak so I don't understand why Win 7 can not keep more than a couple of system restore nor why I am not given an option.

Again, it may be that I don't know where to go to set, edit or make changes to those options. sure, it may very well be my fault that I only look for this options when I run into a problem

 

[DustSailor]

These tutorials are meant to be helpful, not required. Just exploring many different possibilities.

SSDs will optimize how they store data. If you defrag them, they can only get slower, not faster. They will right themselves, but it is not a good idea to ever defrag them. It doesn't do any good!

Here is a good tut to follow for troubleshooting program problems: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html

Another good tut for exploring problems: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/220165-troubleshooting-steps-windows-7-a.html

If you would like me to troubleshoot based on what programs you have installed, post a screenshot of them here. But this is optional.

No registry or optimizing program is fool-proof. I recommend against their use unless
1. You know full well what the program is doing when it is running on your computer, including what exactly is being removed, and
2. You know that the program is trusted and well-liked

From experience, I have found such programs cause more problems than they solve. Only experienced users should ever use them, and only trusted ones such as Ccleaner

 

[DustSailor]

Run Trim for your SSD in windows 7: http://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/...rking-on/80e600c0-d2fd-41b4-801b-650e05dac350

http://www.sevenforums.com/performance-maintenance/267861-how-trim-ssd-windows-7-a.html

 

[windude99]

Built in... January 2012
Win 7 Ultimate 64 bit
OCZ 600w ModXStream PSU
P8Z68-V Gen 3 Mobo
I5-2500 Sandy 3.3 Ghz w/HD Graphics 2000 series
16GBs RAM (2x 8GBs) DDR3 1600
M4 256GB SSD

Computer was built 2 years ago and it has been solid but recently, perhaps even after the 01/15/2014 windows update the pc has come to an almost complete stop... booting takes from 3 to 5 minutes, login to desktop icons can take from 2 to 4 mins, opening simple apps like Office Word 2010 could take an excess of 1 minute if not 2, Mozilla takes days (yes, I am exaggerating ) and I am at my wits end.

Things I have tried so far... in no particular order.

1.- Running Spybot S&D (Both in Windows and Safe Mode)... nothing bad shows up

2.- Malwarebytes (Ditto)... Ditto again

3.- Avast Boot Scan... nothing major if at all

4.- Defrag SSD... Yes, it showed 37% defrag and I had nothing to loose so I defragged it

5.- Uninstall all the 01/15/2014 Windows Update... no change but now I am guessing if once the harm was done there is no way to recover the damage. Reason I suspect the windows update is because when I did them on my rig, I lost my mouse/keyboard drivers and a few other small issues that went away when I immediately did a system restore. My partner did not mentioned the problem until today and his system restore did not go back that far (another thing the pisses me off and baffles me about Win7, I have no say as to how many system restore points I can or can not have or keep... at least I don't know how to manage that) so I couldn't catch it on time.

6.- Run CCleaner, both Registry and Cleaner... again, no change

7.- Crystal Disk Info... It shows the Disk as Good 98% (whatever this really means)

Google has not really help much and Microsoft Help is, well... lets just say I rather learn on my own than having 20 questions asked of me for every 1 question I do to them! :sarc:

Could be a hardware problem. Try downloading Ultimate Boot CD and running its different diagnostic programs: Ultimate Boot CD - Download the UBCD Also, are you running ccenhancer on ccleaner? If so, that could be causing problems. Lastly, I don't recommend running any registry cleaners or system optimizers/cleaners except for what Windows has built in. You can also try the Intel Driver Update Utility to update Intel drivers: http://www.intel.com/p/en_US/support/detect?iid=dc_iduu
Also, try getting the latest nVidia graphics driver.

 

[AstaLaVista]

Latest drivers installed correctly [both audio and video]... no major changes.

TRIM is enabled

I will try the ultimate cd on Monday... so far, nothing else seems to work.

I even did a system repair but no changes either, it seems I am bound to do a clean install as a last resort.

Don't think I don't appreciate your time and efforts... I do

 

[windude99]

Trying a clean install sounds like a good idea. Do you use any system optimizers or registry cleaners?

 

[andrew129260]

See number 6 in OP post. CCleaner should be fine.

 

[AstaLaVista]

Trying a clean install sounds like a good idea. Do you use any system optimizers or registry cleaners?

Yes, yes I do but as stated before, not on a weekly or even monthly basis, at least not the registry, we use it most to clean the temp files and internet files.

Downloading UBCD right now will advise more later

EDIT... not many positive things to say about this Ultimate Boot CD, not very explicit so if you don't know what you want to run and/or are a PC guru, you will be scare to even browse it. The few apps I was able to run memtest, hdd chkdsk, it did not find any problems.

That PartitionMagic application looks like a real nice thing to use... if only they would tell you/warn you that you must update the virus definitions before you burn the CD. That and the fact that for some ungodly reason I was not able to make the mouse and keyboard work, waste about an 1 trying to make it work.

Again, do not misconstrue... I am eternally happy for all the help you guys have provided, I am just upset and disappointed because none of it worked for me

All in all, disappointment to say the least... more so because the pc still takes forever to boot and also still is having all the hissy fits it was having before

 

[windude99]

I know CCEnhancer can cause more harm if you use that, so if you do, uninstall it. Also, try not using ccleaner and use disk cleanup to clean up junk files (if you reinstall Windows). You don't have to do that if you really like it. At least don't use the registry cleaner. I do not advise those and only use it to clean out certain applications and folders. Don't clean out the system caches (prefetch etc.)

 

[DustSailor]

I said it was optional and still is, but I can take a closer look at the programs you have installed on your computer that may point out some possible conflicts.

Did you follow this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html ?
If so, was the computer faster during the clean startup?

Is the computer having problems in safe mode? Do you have conflicting antivirus programs?

I too recommend against any cleaner program, even Ccleaner. The benefit is not worth the time to fix 1 mistake, even though it is usually safe. I do use Ccleaner at times to slim down the bloat, but I make sure to be very carefull to only remove things I know are good to go. I go through and look at each and every selected item
Any optimizing program should immediately be uninstalled.

All important windows updates installed? All programs updated to the latest most stable version? Which Antivirus did you say you were using?

I'll let you get through these questions I have before I post more.

 

[AstaLaVista]

I said it was optional and still is, but I can take a closer look at the programs you have installed on your computer that may point out some possible conflicts.

how exactly do I tell you this? I;m guessing a screenie from Programs & Features?

Did you follow this tutorial: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorial...ation-conflicts-performing-clean-startup.html ?
If so, was the computer faster during the clean startup?

No I did not... I will try it tomorrow though. Like I said, the desperation or hassle is the time consumption of the restart.

Is the computer having problems in safe mode? Do you have conflicting antivirus programs?

Well, hard to say because we can't run any of the normal programs (Office Outlook, word, etc) under safe mode but I will try something tomorrow, like the internet and such.

The issue is the restart/boot time, if we don't turn the PC off, it works slightly better than before with the cleaning we have done so far but, if we restart, it could take about 3 mins to start showing me the bios boot time and then, after you get to the windows login, it could take an additional 3 mins or more to get to the desktop.

I too recommend against any cleaner program, even Ccleaner. The benefit is not worth the time to fix 1 mistake, even though it is usually safe. I do use Ccleaner at times to slim down the bloat, but I make sure to be very carefull to only remove things I know are good to go. I go through and look at each and every selected item
Any optimizing program should immediately be uninstalled.

I have used CCleaner for many years now with no ill effects, even on the other PCs I use it occasionally but I don't use the enhancer (don't even know what that is but I have checked and it is not an option I can see, at least not for the free use).

All important windows updates installed? All programs updated to the latest most stable version? Which Antivirus did you say you were using?
I'll let you get through these questions I have before I post more.

All windows update except the last 4 from Jan 15th as I was trying to figure out if those were the culprit since it all started after the update was done.
Well, Office is 2010 and it does not seem to have any newer updates so I have to say yes. Mozilla FF, Chrome and IE11 are up to date as well but we usually just use FF and Chrome or IE only for a few sites like Bank sites that don't like FF all that much.
I am using the AVAST free version, only the AV and not the firewall or suite.

I am going to read up on the Ultimate Boot CD to see if I can install newer definitions of their AV as well as some sort of rootkill app as, I don't really know why but I got a funny feeling is just one of those pesky rootkill that is causing all the commotion. At the very least we can run the default AV all night to see if it catches something that the BootScan from Avast and Malware/Spybot are not seeing.

 

[DustSailor]

Hey mate,

A screenshot is a good way to get it, or the snipping tool.

I have windows 8, so bare with me. I believe you can also right-click the toolbar and go to task manager; from there, find 'startup':
1. If you HAVE disabled anything, try enabling it again. I found that my computer actually slowed down when I disabled something that, when enabled, sped things up
2. If you HAVEN'T disabled anything, find any program on that list that you do not feel needs to startup with the computer, and disable it. I would keep my antivirus going, and perhaps any office things, but up to your discretion.

I too run Avast! fully updated. Do that tutorial I recommended, which may be very very helpful for you in possibly locating the problem

The reason I asked how your computer functioned in safe mode was to see if it was any faster. You mentioned something about programs, so I may need clarification.
Concerning your computer, what is functioning slowly? Is it the computer itself, boot and startup times, specific programs, or a combination of the three?

Very good idea, run Avast! full scan, as you suggested. A recent test found Avast! Free performed at about 3 of 5 stars in catching malware (but still one of the best). If you are extra worried about it (since Avast doesn't catch everything), try malwarebytes free, which compliments an antivirus program with an extra scan of its own (up to you, but these scans can take a very long time).

If you use Ccleaner, I would recommend against removing temporary files, as these are used to ... speed things up. If you want to remove them, do it only in a great while.

Ccleaner shouldn't be used as a regular cleaner, but as a deep cleaner every once in a great while. Your computer in itself will take care of the rest.

 

[catalogue]

I too recommend against any cleaner program, even Ccleaner.

What is bad about CCleaner? And are you talking about all its functions or only certain ones? I've used its main cleaning function for maybe 7 years on 4 computers and never had any problem. Same for its registry cleanup function though I do it less often since hearing people say it could cause problems.

 

[DustSailor]

I too recommend against any cleaner program, even Ccleaner.

What is bad about CCleaner? And are you talking about all its functions or only certain ones? I've used its main cleaning function for maybe 7 years on 4 computers and never had any problem. Same for its registry cleanup function though I do it less often since hearing people say it could cause problems.

Hey mate,
Everyone has different opinions. I take the approach that if it isn't broke, don't fix. It is a great program that I too use, but you still need to use it carefully. It has the power to break your computer, but it rarely does. It HAS broke computers in the past. It is not fool-proof. If you do not know how to use it carefully, don't use it. See my other quotes:

I too recommend against any cleaner program, even Ccleaner. The benefit is not worth the time to fix 1 mistake, even though it is usually safe. I do use Ccleaner at times to slim down the bloat, but I make sure to be very carefull to only remove things I know are good to go. I go through and look at each and every selected item

If you use Ccleaner, I would recommend against removing temporary files, as these are used to ... speed things up. If you want to remove them, do it only in a great while.

Ccleaner shouldn't be used as a regular cleaner, but as a deep cleaner every once in a great while. Your computer in itself will take care of the rest.