Computer maxing out resources in Windows XP

eSDee · 03-25-2004, 01:06 PM

One of my boys gave me his computer to work on because he keeps having problems with it slowing down dramatically as soon as he launches an application. He is running Windows XP Pro (patched) on a custom built Anthlon 1 ghz system with 512 MB of RAM. I tried swapping out the RAM with another chip, increasing the virtual memory, killing all unnecessary applications, and running Ad aware to test it. However the computer is still running slow as hayell.

Should I tell him to get a new computer? It seems like a 1 ghz Anthlon should still be good for a while. Maybe I need a BIOS upgrade or something. Anyways let me know what you guys think.

TIA.

brainsmile · 03-25-2004, 01:47 PM

my first thought was some sort of data mining program but adaware should have gotten most of it. Sometimes though it doesn't so you may have to do some searching.

DaFunkyUnit · 03-25-2004, 03:18 PM

did you remember to update AdAware? how about SpyBot?

also, you might wanna check for unwanted services and processes. Did you check the Task Manager and if anything is eating up CPU cycles? Coz i'd bet its svchost.exe. If so, prune some un-needed services:

Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services.

eSDee · 03-25-2004, 04:28 PM

Thanks fellas. I tried both of your suggestions and it helped a bit, although watching the process meter it still spikes to nearly 100% when I do something simple like launch an IE window. I decided that I can't waste any more time of it. I partitioned the drive, dumped all his documents onto the other one and am going to give it back to him to wipe and reinstall Windows. If it still gives him problems after that, I am going to recommend that he throw it into the ocean.

Thanks for your help.

InfiniteNothing · 03-26-2004, 11:56 PM

Tell him to buy a mac.

he he he. Okay that's my last mac coment for today

03-25-2004, 01:06 PM	#1
eSDee Old Skooler Numba 1 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Diego Posts: 10,063	Computer maxing out resources in Windows XP One of my boys gave me his computer to work on because he keeps having problems with it slowing down dramatically as soon as he launches an application. He is running Windows XP Pro (patched) on a custom built Anthlon 1 ghz system with 512 MB of RAM. I tried swapping out the RAM with another chip, increasing the virtual memory, killing all unnecessary applications, and running Ad aware to test it. However the computer is still running slow as hayell. Should I tell him to get a new computer? It seems like a 1 ghz Anthlon should still be good for a while. Maybe I need a BIOS upgrade or something. Anyways let me know what you guys think. TIA. __________________ ~~~~~~~~~~~~ 3 days ~ Willie Nelson 3 days I dread to see arrive 3 days I hate to be alive 3 days filled with tears and sorrow yesterday today and tomorrow

03-25-2004, 01:47 PM	#2
brainsmile Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Jun 2000 Location: woah... why is welfareloser here with me so early in the morning and more importantly why am I wearing her clothes?!? Posts: 13,754	my first thought was some sort of data mining program but adaware should have gotten most of it. Sometimes though it doesn't so you may have to do some searching. __________________ ********************************** DCM #1 (Founder) "Nobody beats Vitus Gerulaitis 18 times in a row." - Vitus Gerulaitis on beating Jimmy Connors after 17 failed attempts.

03-25-2004, 03:18 PM	#3
DaFunkyUnit Rear Admiral Upper Half Join Date: Oct 2000 Location: the peanut gallery Posts: 3,909	did you remember to update AdAware? how about SpyBot? also, you might wanna check for unwanted services and processes. Did you check the Task Manager and if anything is eating up CPU cycles? Coz i'd bet its svchost.exe. If so, prune some un-needed services: Control Panel -> Administrative Tools -> Services. __________________

03-26-2004, 11:56 PM	#5
InfiniteNothing Chief of Naval Operations Join Date: Aug 2002 Location: San Diego Posts: 10,086	Tell him to buy a mac. he he he. Okay that's my last mac coment for today __________________ As for our common defense, we reject as false the choice between our safety and our ideals.

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03-25-2004, 04:28 PM	#4
eSDee Old Skooler Numba 1 Join Date: Nov 2000 Location: Diego Posts: 10,063	Thanks fellas. I tried both of your suggestions and it helped a bit, although watching the process meter it still spikes to nearly 100% when I do something simple like launch an IE window. I decided that I can't waste any more time of it. I partitioned the drive, dumped all his documents onto the other one and am going to give it back to him to wipe and reinstall Windows. If it still gives him problems after that, I am going to recommend that he throw it into the ocean. Thanks for your help.

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