Baffled by Windows XP Performance

  • Thread starter Thread starter Rich
  • Start date Start date
R

Rich

Hello all, I posted once about Windows Media Player,
thinking that was the cause behind Windows XP performance
lost. However, after restoring my computer image twice
to factory defaults I have realized that the entire
computer itself is running slow. Where it once used to
open multiple programs and windows without a problem, I
see my CPU level reaching 100% more often than it ever
used to. I have upgraded my computer substantially with
an Audigy 2 sound card and nVidia graphics card. My
computer came with 512mb of RAM and an Athlon-XP 2000+.
I really need help, as I work off of my computer for my
college job using intensive programs such as Photoshop
7.0. Any help would be appreciated, because even after
multiple restores, I am still baffled as to what is
causing this horrible degrade in performance.
 
Try this if you haven't:
1. Do a disk cleanup.
2. Download Adaware 6 from www.lavasoftusa.com and run it. It is free.
3. Do a system virus scan with up to date anti virus software.
4. Defrag the hard drive.
5. Enable the firewall.
 
Rich said:
Hello all, I posted once about Windows Media Player,
thinking that was the cause behind Windows XP performance
lost. However, after restoring my computer image twice
to factory defaults I have realized that the entire
computer itself is running slow. Where it once used to
open multiple programs and windows without a problem, I
see my CPU level reaching 100% more often than it ever
used to. I have upgraded my computer substantially with
an Audigy 2 sound card and nVidia graphics card. My
computer came with 512mb of RAM and an Athlon-XP 2000+.
I really need help, as I work off of my computer for my
college job using intensive programs such as Photoshop
7.0. Any help would be appreciated, because even after
multiple restores, I am still baffled as to what is
causing this horrible degrade in performance.
Click to expand...

In addition to Steve's recommendations, include deleting the contents of
Windows\Prefetch. It will be rebuilt. Over time, it can cause slow
program starts.

Q
 
Thanks for the timely response. I will try what you
suggested, however, I forgot to say that at times my
computer will simply shut down without any warning. So I
do not think that it is the Blaster Worm, please let me
know if this sheds any light onto the problem, thanks.
 
-----Original Message-----


In addition to Steve's recommendations, include deleting the contents of
Windows\Prefetch. It will be rebuilt. Over time, it can cause slow
program starts.

Q

************
Click to expand...
Windows shuts down unexpectedly:
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;320299&Product=winxp
Click to expand...

If that doesn't help then your symptoms strongly suggest
that you are infected with something. If it's a virus or
spyware then Steve's suggestions should lead to a solution.

Once you get your computer back to normal don't forget to
take steps to see that it doesn't get re-infected (even if
it wasn't this information is still valuable). You will
find the security basics explained here:
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/security.htm

Other sites of interest regarding security:
http://www.aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://www.michaelstevenstech.com/
http://www.grc.com/default.htm

Hope something here helps

Bill
 
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