System running very slow intermittently

[RobertM525]

Starting a few weeks ago, my system started suddenly running very slowly (e.g., taking 15 minutes to shutdown). But it's oddly intermittent—sometimes it seems to run almost normally, and sometimes (like this morning) it takes quite a long time to startup and when it does, Aero is suddenly disabled.

What's even more odd is that my computer can still run games fine, though I've sometimes run into issues when I try to exit them.

I've run a complete system scan with Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials. I did a full chkdsk and repair (found a few bad sectors). I did a Memtest86+ and found nothing. I did an /sfc and it also found nothing (though it failed to run properly a few times before I got it to complete). I updated my drivers for both my ethernet adapter and my video card.

I'm completely at a loss for what seems to be causing my system to behave so badly.

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 @ 2.66GHz 32 °C
Wolfdale 45nm Technology
RAM
3.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz (5-5-5-18)
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. EP45-UD3R (Socket 775) 39 °C
Graphics
HP 2159 (1920x1080@60Hz)
512MB GeForce 9600 GT (EVGA) 54 °C
Hard Drives
932GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 ATA Device (SATA) 31 °C
233GB Seagate ST3250410AS ATA Device (SATA) 36 °C
Optical Drives
TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223F ATA Device
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio

 

[ShamrockRig]

Hey there, it could be some malware that has caused your system to recently slow down, id ask you to run these and report back.

Please download AdwCleaner by Xplode and save to your Desktop.

• Double click on AdwCleaner.exe to run the tool.
  Vista/Windows 7/8 users right-click and select Run As Administrator.
• Click on the Scan button.
• AdwCleaner will begin...be patient as the scan may take some time to complete.
• After the scan has finished, click on the Report button...a logfile (AdwCleaner[R#].txt) will open in Notepad for review (where the largest value of # represents the most recent report).
• The contents of the log file may be confusing. Unless you see a program name that you know should not be removed, don't worry about it. If you see an entry you want to keep, let me know about it.
• Copy and paste the contents of that logfile in your next reply.
• A copy of all logfiles are saved in the C:\AdwCleaner folder which was created when running the tool.

Please download Junkware Removal Tool to your desktop.

• Shut down your protection software now to avoid potential conflicts.
• Run the tool by double-clicking it. If you are using Windows Vista, 7, or 8; instead of double-clicking, right-mouse click JRT.exe and select "Run as Administrator".
• The tool will open and start scanning your system.
• Please be patient as this can take a while to complete depending on your system's specifications.
• On completion, a log (JRT.txt) is saved to your desktop and will automatically open.
• Post the contents of JRT.txt into your next message.

 

[windude99]

Starting a few weeks ago, my system started suddenly running very slowly (e.g., taking 15 minutes to shutdown). But it's oddly intermittent—sometimes it seems to run almost normally, and sometimes (like this morning) it takes quite a long time to startup and when it does, Aero is suddenly disabled.

What's even more odd is that my computer can still run games fine, though I've sometimes run into issues when I try to exit them.

I've run a complete system scan with Malwarebytes and Microsoft Security Essentials. I did a full chkdsk and repair (found a few bad sectors). I did a Memtest86+ and found nothing. I did an /sfc and it also found nothing (though it failed to run properly a few times before I got it to complete). I updated my drivers for both my ethernet adapter and my video card.

I'm completely at a loss for what seems to be causing my system to behave so badly.

Operating System
Microsoft Windows 7 Professional 32-bit SP1
CPU
Intel Core 2 Duo E7300 @ 2.66GHz 32 °C
Wolfdale 45nm Technology
RAM
3.00 GB Dual-Channel DDR2 @ 399MHz (5-5-5-18)
Motherboard
Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. EP45-UD3R (Socket 775) 39 °C
Graphics
HP 2159 (1920x1080@60Hz)
512MB GeForce 9600 GT (EVGA) 54 °C
Hard Drives
932GB Western Digital WDC WD10EZEX-00RKKA0 ATA Device (SATA) 31 °C
233GB Seagate ST3250410AS ATA Device (SATA) 36 °C
Optical Drives
TSSTcorp CDDVDW SH-S223F ATA Device
Audio
Realtek High Definition Audio

Do you by any chance run any registry "cleaners" or "optimizers?" If so, remove them and restore your system to a time before they were installed or used by using the built in System Restore function: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html
Do you use any driver updaters? Use System Restore to restore the system to a time before that was used. Does this happen after the computer has been off for a while or is it when it has been on for a while? It could be a cooling issue. You should clean your computer with compressed air. Be sure to hold the can upright when cleaning and before you start blowing air into your computer, blow out a little of it into an open area so it can remove any moisture from being shipped etc. If you are still having problems, run Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit (MBAR): http://www.malwarebytes.org/antirootkit/

 

[RobertM525]

Do you by any chance run any registry "cleaners" or "optimizers?" If so, remove them and restore your system to a time before they were installed or used by using the built in System Restore function: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/700-system-restore.html

Definitely didn't do anything like that.

Do you use any driver updaters? Use System Restore to restore the system to a time before that was used.

Nope, just graphics drivers that I've tried rolling back to a previous version of (with no success).

My System Restore also got messed up somehow and had 0% of the HDD allocated for its use, so I have no recent restore points. I have absolutely no idea how something like that could've happened.

Does this happen after the computer has been off for a while or is it when it has been on for a while? It could be a cooling issue. You should clean your computer with compressed air. Be sure to hold the can upright when cleaning and before you start blowing air into your computer, blow out a little of it into an open area so it can remove any moisture from being shipped etc.

It seems more apt to happen right after I turn my system on (or "wake it up"). I've been monitoring the system temperatures and it's been normal. That said, it probably could use a little cleaning anyway.

If you are still having problems, run Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit (MBAR): Malwarebytes : Malwarebytes Anti-Rootkit BETA

I'll give it (and the stuff Devlin1888 recommended) a go and report back.

 

[windude99]

Ok. After you do that, try cleaning out your system, even though it is running cool. Also, download and burn a disc of Ultimate Boot CD. It contains many tools, but I want you to run its hard drive diagnostics. Be sure to back up your system with a system image before doing this: http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/663-backup-complete-computer-create-image-backup.html
Here is the link for Ultimate Boot CD: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com/

 

[matts6887]

I concur; use those cleaners, etc that are suggested to clean the junk and garbage out of your system. Doing that should definitely help speed up the system.

 

[windude99]

I concur; use those cleaners, etc that are suggested to clean the junk and garbage out of your system. Doing that should definitely help speed up the system.

Registry cleaners? No. 3rd party "optimizers?" No. Really, unless you really know what you are doing, let Microsoft/Windows do its job automatically and run Disk Cleanup to clean up junk files. If you meant compressed air or malware cleaners, then YES.