Programs lag and NOT RESPONDING

[L745]

Every time I open a program it always lags and most of the time it displays "Not Responding." Almost all of my programs exhibit this. What is the cause of this and how can I fix it? I don't know much yet about computers, so please explain it in a way I would understand. Thank you so much!

 

[Sir George]

Every time I open a program it always lags and most of the time it displays "Not Responding." Almost all of my programs exhibit this. What is the cause of this and how can I fix it? I don't know much yet about computers, so please explain it in a way I would understand. Thank you so much!

What's using the 5.3 GB of ram? You can use "Task Manager" or download and use "Process Explorer" to see a list of programs and system processes.

The following link provides information on "Task Manager"

How to use the Windows Task Manager

HTH

 

[rage]

Every time I open a program it always lags and most of the time it displays "Not Responding." Almost all of my programs exhibit this. What is the cause of this and how can I fix it? I don't know much yet about computers, so please explain it in a way I would understand. Thank you so much!

I also had a problem with this happening. on my pc I had too many things running on startup. if yours is the same reason, to stop certain things from starting upon startup click on start menu an on the search bar type msconfig an hit enter. go to the startup tab, uncheck anything you don't need to startup when you turn on the pc.

(note if the program has a unknown manufacturer it is best to uncheck it. and if the manufacturer is Microsoft then it is wise to leave it checked. anything else is usually user preference. )

hope this helps

 

[Mellon Head]

Every time I open a program it always lags and most of the time it displays "Not Responding." Almost all of my programs exhibit this. What is the cause of this and how can I fix it? I don't know much yet about computers, so please explain it in a way I would understand. Thank you so much!

The first thing I would do would be to scan your computer for viruses and malware. An infection can cause the problems you're seeing.

This is a very good malware checking tool:

Malwarebytes | Free Anti-Malware Detection & Removal Software

What's using the 5.3 GB of ram?

The OP's system spec says the computer is using a 32 bit version of Windows.

 

[L745]

Every time I open a program it always lags and most of the time it displays "Not Responding." Almost all of my programs exhibit this. What is the cause of this and how can I fix it? I don't know much yet about computers, so please explain it in a way I would understand. Thank you so much!

What's using the 5.3 GB of ram? You can use "Task Manager" or download and use "Process Explorer" to see a list of programs and system processes.

The following link provides information on "Task Manager"

How to use the Windows Task Manager

HTH

Thank you for the Link!!! I'll search for what's using the 5.3 GB of ram..

 

[L745]

Every time I open a program it always lags and most of the time it displays "Not Responding." Almost all of my programs exhibit this. What is the cause of this and how can I fix it? I don't know much yet about computers, so please explain it in a way I would understand. Thank you so much!

I also had a problem with this happening. on my pc I had too many things running on startup. if yours is the same reason, to stop certain things from starting upon startup click on start menu an on the search bar type msconfig an hit enter. go to the startup tab, uncheck anything you don't need to startup when you turn on the pc.

(note if the program has a unknown manufacturer it is best to uncheck it. and if the manufacturer is Microsoft then it is wise to leave it checked. anything else is usually user preference. )

hope this helps

I have tried unchecking some of the items running during start up.. and somehow my start up became a little smoother.. but now it has gotten worse again.. and also, i'm not familiar with most of the items in the start up tab so i just leave it there unchanged..

 

[Layback Bear]

L745 Please explain your 8 gigs of ram on a Windows 7/32 bit.

Could you also post a picture of msconfig/Start up.

Here is a tutorial by Brink for the preferred way to post a screen shot.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/9733-screenshots-files-upload-post-seven-forums.html

 

[rage]

Every time I open a program it always lags and most of the time it displays "Not Responding." Almost all of my programs exhibit this. What is the cause of this and how can I fix it? I don't know much yet about computers, so please explain it in a way I would understand. Thank you so much!

I also had a problem with this happening. on my pc I had too many things running on startup. if yours is the same reason, to stop certain things from starting upon startup click on start menu an on the search bar type msconfig an hit enter. go to the startup tab, uncheck anything you don't need to startup when you turn on the pc.

(note if the program has a unknown manufacturer it is best to uncheck it. and if the manufacturer is Microsoft then it is wise to leave it checked. anything else is usually user preference. )

hope this helps

I have tried unchecking some of the items running during start up.. and somehow my start up became a little smoother.. but now it has gotten worse again.. and also, i'm not familiar with most of the items in the start up tab so i just leave it there unchanged..

another thing that could be is that you need to do a (disk cleanup) and (disk defragmenter) easy way to get to it is just type it in the search bar in the start menu. rb:

 

[L745]

For Rage and Layback Bear

@Layback Bear: Ok i'll post my msconfig.. For the explanation part, i'll just post the specs of my laptop..

@rage: I always do a diskcleanup and my disk is 0% fragmented..

 

[Layback Bear]

You will not be able to run 8 gigs of ram on a Windows 32 system.
If you want to run more that 4 gigs you will need a Windows 7 64 bit system.

From your specs.

Memory 8 GB (2.7 GB usable)

 

[RommoR]

Same problem here a few months ago, sometimes its a sign of failing hard drive, check it

 

[L745]

Start Up Items

@Layback bear: Here are some scrn shots of my msconfig/startup

 

[lehnerus2000]

You could use the spare 4 GB of RAM to create a 4 GB RAMDisk (that's what I've done in XP on my PC).

 

[Layback Bear]

@ K745 did you read and understand my post # 10?

Your Start Up items aren't to bad. I suggest at this time just having you security programs checked marked.

Remember that when you uncheck something doesn't mean it won't work when needed.
It just means it will not start at boot and run in the background when not needed.


Example:

Adobe Reader if unchecked will still when you or Windows needs them to run.

If you tick on Adobe Reader it will just start like it should.
When you close Adobe Reader it will just shut down and wait for your or Windows 7 next command when it's needed again.

 

[L745]

@Layback Bear

yes i've read ur post #10 but I don't have any idea with what u were talking.. please explain wat should i do..

Yep I know that about checking/unchecking the start up item.. thanks.. Ok now, so the start up programs are not the ones causing the 'not responding', are there other things u can think of causing this?

 

[L745]

You could use the spare 4 GB of RAM to create a 4 GB RAMDisk (that's what I've done in XP on my PC).

How did you do that??

 

[L745]

Same problem here a few months ago, sometimes its a sign of failing hard drive, check it

How do I check it?

Pardon me for being innocent.. but I really want to learn..

 

[Layback Bear]

You system specs.
You only want 4 gig of memory install on a 32b system.

System Manufacturer/Model Number Toshiba Satellite L745
OS windows 7 Home Premium 32bit
CPU i3-2330
Memory 8 GB (2.7 GB usable)
Graphics Card Intel(R) Graphics Family

http://msdn.microsoft.com/en-us/library/windows/desktop/aa366778%28v=vs.85%29.aspx#physical_memory_limits_windows_7

VersionLimit on X86Limit on X64 Windows 7 Ultimate 4 GB
192 GB
Windows 7 Enterprise 4 GB
192 GB
Windows 7 Professional 4 GB
192 GB
Windows 7 Home Premium 4 GB
16 GB
Windows 7 Home Basic 4 GB
8 GB
Windows 7 Starter 2 GB
N/A

 

[lehnerus2000]

3rd Party Software

You could use the spare 4 GB of RAM to create a 4 GB RAMDisk (that's what I've done in XP on my PC).

How did you do that??

You would have to install a RAMDisk program.
I use a program that came with my external HDD.

Here are a couple of links:
How to Turn Extra Memory Into a RAM Disk - Windows 7 - LAPTOP
How to Supercharge Your PC With a RAM Disk | PCWorld

Some RAM drives when used with 32-bit operating systems (particularly 32-bit Microsoft Windows) on computers with IBM PC architecture allow memory above the 4 GB point in the memory map, if present, to be used; this memory is unmanaged and not normally accessible. Software using unmanaged memory can cause stability problems.

Wikipedia
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_RAM_drive_software

 

[Layback Bear]

L745 already has the ram installed and it would cost nothing to clean install Windows 7/64 using the all ready paid for COA.