Schedule Windows housekeeping?

[coffent]

Every once in while (usually when I need to get something done quickly) after booting up, the disk drive will run incessantly, the computer will slow down to a glacial pace, especially when I try to load programs, and I'll get numerous "Not responding" messages. I assume this is a result of Windows performing some housekeeping routines. I recognize that this needs to be done, but is there some way to schedule it so that it's done at a time I select rather than when Windows chooses to do it?

 

[Layback Bear]

First things first. We need your system specs. Use this tutorial by Brink to help you do just that.

http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/180324-system-info-see-your-system-specs.html

The way I do my house cleaning and I do it often is do it manually along with manual updates of everything. No Auto or scheduling anything.

Doing it this way means I get done what I want done when I want it done so it doesn't interfere with my work. If done often it really doesn't take long because you are never far behind the cleanups and updates.

 

[coffent]

OK, I've uploaded system spec's (I think).

I do a number of housekeeping tasks manually (Windows updates, etc.) but there may be others that I'm not aware of that still get done at Windows' convenience.

 

[Layback Bear]

You job on the specs is very good but a few other things could be added that might be needed later.

Look at my specs and how they are filled out will give you a idea.

The reason this spec thing is done is so other can help better if you ever need help.
The more information others can quickly see when need be is better.

Check msconfig Startup and Non Microsoft Services and see if you have programs auto checking for updates. Like Adobe, Google, Chrome ect. If you find them uncheck them. You will have to check for updates your self.

I use this program on demand to check if things need updated. It only checks when I tell it to, therefore on demand.

Download FileHippo App Manager 1.47 - FileHippo.com

 

[coffent]

Thanks for the suggestions. I'm still not sure what's causing the problem. I'll have to keep checking, trying to pin down the source while the problem is going on.

 

[Layback Bear]

Let us take a look at some things.
Please post these pictures of your system.
The reason is you have 3 gigs of ram, which is okay but only so much can be done with 3 gigs of ram at one time.

Could you put in your specs exactly what motherboard you are using. Ask if you need help to do so.

Use this tutorial by Brink to post snap shots.

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

 

[Layback Bear]

Did you look at my (My System Specs) an notice I listed the power supply and security system I use.

Remember that the more information in your (My System Specs) the less question other members have to ask when trying to help you.
Some anti virus programs can slow your computer down a bunch.
Their are many things that can cause your problem or a combination of things and that is why I ask for so much information.

Your system is long in the tooth but many things can be done to help it along in it's old age. The Intel 920 was a great cpu in it's day.

 

[coffent]

Here are the pictures you asked for. I added the motherboard (Jetway/Kuroshio JBI-600-LF (or BI-600)) & anti-virus (Avast) info to my system specs. I notice under Services that there are some update services that I could disable, if they cause slowdowns. [Gripe of the day - does Microsoft deliberately make the System Configuration window tiny & nonresizeable to make it difficult for the user?]

 

[Layback Bear]

Way way to many Startups and Services.

Look at mine in the post again. I got 3 checked in Startup and 1 in non Microsoft Services.

Let me explain.
All those you have checked have no need to start at boot.
Just your security programs need to be checked.
Programs that don't start with the boot still we work as normal they just won't be running in the background wasting your computer resources when you are not using those programs.

Now we know for sure where part of your problem is.

 

[Boozad]

Startup hell.

 

[Layback Bear]

Once the computer get done with all the Startup their is a bunch of checking for updates using the internet.

Way to much going on for 3 gigs of ram on a Windows 7/64 boot.

 

[Boozad]

I think that startup would make my system ponder a bit to be honest.

 

[Layback Bear]

Gav yours and my system would slow down on boot but it would not grind down to unworkable.
Our systems would still work reasonable well after the slow boot.
When a system has little ram left to use after boot, not much to work with for everything else one wants to do.

Years ago I had a 64 bit system with 3 gigs of ram. Because I kept a lean and mean the system worked nicely. It wasn't a barn burner but it worked for what I was requesting it to do.
That is the secret. Don't ask your system and the way it is set up to do more than it is designed or capable of doing.

 

[coffent]

Thanks for the suggestion. I've disabled some more startups. I've previously disabled a large number of startups & services using Autoruns. However Autoruns shows that I have many more dll's being loaded at bootup than exe's. I've been hesitant to disable the dll's as I don't know what they do or what the ramifications of disabling them would be (DLL hell?).

Also, I want to emphasize that while my system is not a "barnburner", it normally operates quite satisfactorily for my purposes. It's only on occasion (usually, as I said, when I'm desperate to get something done) that it switches to glacial pace. I don't know why or what causes it.

 

[Layback Bear]

You have been given reasons this happens and have chose not to do what has been suggested in the fashion those suggested curtailed.

 

[coffent]

Huh? Did I give offense? I thought I *did* follow your suggestion by disabling more startups! I had also hoped that someone might enlighten me as to whether it's safe to disable dll's. Finally, I can't tell immediately whether your suggestion worked because - as I stressed - the problem only happens occasionally, so I'll have to wait to see if in the long run I no longer get the problem. (Not sure what you mean by "curtailed".) Thank you for your help.

 

[Layback Bear]

Okay; show us some more pictures of msconfig/Startup and Microsoft Services plus Non Microsoft Services and lets see if we can find some more to trim.

Leave dll alone. Don't mess with them. Nobody posted to fool with dll.

 

[maxseven]

Huh? Did I give offense? I thought I *did* follow your suggestion by disabling more startups! I had also hoped that someone might enlighten me as to whether it's safe to disable dll's. Finally, I can't tell immediately whether your suggestion worked because - as I stressed - the problem only happens occasionally, so I'll have to wait to see if in the long run I no longer get the problem. (Not sure what you mean by "curtailed".) Thank you for your help.

coffent given the many-and-varied startup programs you have left enabled (way, way too many IMO), it is possible (likely?) that the "only occasional" problem is due to one of those startup programs attempting e.g. to "phone home" and then its update server is down or busy (as just one example).

There is a free program I use from R2Studios called Startup Delayer which has a tab for Running Tasks and which shows When (date/time) that running task started. By looking at the long list of startup programs, and the time each starts before the next one starts...you might be able to identify the one(s) that are bogging you down. Just an idea. I leave Startup Delayer running on all my PCs so I can refer to it "just in case".

 

[coffent]

Thanks for the suggestions - I agree that a snafu with a startup program could be causing the problem. I will try Startup Delayer. That said, I have far more Microsoft services loading at startup (which I've been hesitant to disable), and I question whether one (or more) of them may be a cause. The only non-Microsoft programs I have loading at startup are an anti-virus and a VPN service, Java, Google and Mozilla updaters, and a few non-internet-connected programs that I use all the time. Is that "way too many"? FWIW, I'm posting the many Microsoft startup programs shown by msconfig. I'll be more than willing to try disabling any that others have found not to be essential.

 

[Layback Bear]

Those pictures look okay.
Now the Start up and Non Microsoft Services pictures.