jwbink1500 said:
I didn't know what exactly to search for for this problem so I
thought I'd just post and go from there.
Recently, I ran Windows Updates and now my computer is super
slow.(compared to what it was, anyway)
It takes over 20 seconds just to open Internet Explorer 8.0. I
upgraded to
8.0 after having the same problem with IE6. Even Firefox Browser
opens slowly. Boot ups of XP seem to have slowed. The weirdest
thing is after I minimize all windows, the desktop refreshes from
top to bottom over a period of about a second. I hope that's a good
explanation. (That's what i didn't know what to search for) It does
this constantly. Everthing is running at about 50% of normal speed.
I tried uninstall recent updates but I get the message "The handle
is invalid" and the "The was not installed" (i know there's nothing
between the and was, that's what it said.) I get that message on
each uninstall I try.
Even in my computer, when I try to access the 2nd hard drive
labeled f:, it takes10 seconds before it finally open after double
click.
Does this sound like a hardware problem such as a failing power
supply? Most of the problems showed up after the updates I believe.
Where should I go before backing up data and doing a fresh install
of XP on a wiped drive?
My system specs are:
Windows XP home SP2
Dell 8200
1.8gHz P4
768 mb memory
Ge force Fx5700 Ultra
Creative Audigy LS Soundcard
Maxtor 80 gb harddrive 38 gb free
Seagate 80gb Harddrive 18 gb free
I would like to get back to better performance without a fresh
install if possible. I have intermediate knowledge with computers
so I'm comfortable performing most repairs myself.
Any help in anyway is greatly appreciated.
Download an install the latest hardware device drivers from the hardware
manufacturer(s). In this case - Dell. Visit their Support site, go to
their Drivers and Downloads section and put your Service Tag into their form
to find the downloads for your machine for Windows XP.
Do not get driver (Optional Hardware) updates from Microsoft. I doubt they
made much (if any) of your hardware.
Uninstall Internet Explorer 8, reboot, install Internet Explorer 7. Don't
update to 8 for now. Get Firefox 3.11 if you want an alternative - but
either way - nix IE8 for now.
Run "MalwareBytes" and "SuperAntiSpyware" against your system - perform FULL
scans.
SuperAntiSpyware
http://www.superantispyware.com/
MalwareBytes
http://www.malwarebytes.com/
What AntiVirus software are you running?
Are you using the default Windows XP firewall?
Can you get very specific about the version of Windows XP you are running,
please?
Start button --> RUN --> type in:
winver
--> Click OK.
The picture at the top of the window that opens will give you the general
(Operating System name) while the line starting with the word "version" will
give you the rest of the story. Post both in response to this message
verbatim. ;-)
Uninstall programs you *do not* use and/or that you do not use now (and
don't polan on using for a while_) that you have installation media for and
the proper licensing information.
How to change or remove a program in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/307895
Download and run "Belarc Advisor" to get a better idea of your system
information. Print it and put a copy of it with your CD/DVDss and product
keys and other stuff - safe place...
Belarc Advisor
http://belarc.com/free_download.html
Use the following programs/instructions to clean up your hard disk drive/etc
(in order given)...
How to use Disk Cleanup
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310312
(Erase all but the latest System Restore Point as well - don't compress
anything.)
Ccleaner (Free!)
http://www.ccleaner.com/
(I suggest the 'slim' version:
http://www.ccleaner.com/download/builds )
How to scan your disks for errors
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/315265
How to Defragment your hard drives
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/314848
After you have updated everything above - consider updating your System's
Update Facility and installation Engine.
Reboot.
Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemRoot%\system32\net stop wuauserv
--> Click OK.
Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemRoot%\system32\regsvr32 %SystemRoot%\system32\wups2.dll
--> Click OK.
Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemRoot%\system32\net start wuauserv
--> Click OK.
Download the latest version of the Windows Update agent from here (x86):
http://go.microsoft.com/fwlink/?LinkID=91237
.... and save it to the root of your C:\ drive. After saving it to the root
of the C:\ drive, do the following:
Close all Internet Explorer windows and other applications.
Start button --> RUN and type in:
%SystemDrive%\windowsupdateagent30-x86.exe /WUFORCE
--> Click OK.
(If asked, select "Run.) --> Click on NEXT --> Select "I agree" and click on
NEXT --> When it finishes installing, click on "Finish"...
Reboot.
Download/Install the latest Windows Installer (for your OS):
( Windows XP 32-bit : WindowsXP-KB942288-v3-x86.exe )
http://www.microsoft.com/downloadS/...6F-60B6-4412-95B9-54D056D6F9F4&displaylang=en
Reboot.
Log on as an user with administrative rights and open Internet Explorer and
visit
http://windowsupdate.microsoft.com/ and select to do a CUSTOM scan...
(Every time you are about to click on something while at these web pages -
first press and hold down the CTRL key while you click on it. You can
release the CTRL key after clicking each time.)
Once the scan is done, select just _ONE_ of the high priority updates
(deselect any others) and install it.
Reboot again.
If it did work - try the web page again - selecting no more than 3-5 at a
time.
The Optional Software updates are generally safe - although I recommend
against the "Windows Search" one and any of the "Office Live" ones for
now. I would completely avoid the Optional Hardware updates. Don't do
Internet Explorer 8 for now either.
Consider getting SP3 now - reboot before you do it and follow these general
rules:
With proper preparation - you are unlikely to have problems - and if you
have been performing proper maintenance all along - even if you do - you are
only out a short period of time (restoring from the backup/drive image you
made wisely before diving in...)
A place to get FREE support for SP3 installation issues *from Microsoft*...
http://support.microsoft.com/oas/default.aspx?ln=en-us&prid=11273&gprid=522131
WinXP SP3 - Read all prerequisites for a successful installation
http://msmvps.com/blogs/harrywaldro...requisites-for-a-successful-installation.aspx
Steps to take before you install Windows XP Service Pack 3
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/950717
Suggestions:
1) Download the full SP3 installation file and/or burn the ISO download to
CD.
2) Ensure (as well as plausible) you have no spyware/malware by doing a full
scan with SuperAntiSpyware and MalwareBytes.
3) CHKDSK
4) Defragment
5) Ensure your hardware drivers are up to date (from the hardware
manufacturer's respective web pages.)
6) Reboot right before you try to install SP3.
7) Disconnect from the internet before installing (physically.)
8) Disable your antivirus and antispyware applications when you are about to
install SP3.
Some (if not all) of that is covered in the above links.
Come back - let us know how the cleanup of your computer goes and answer the
appropriate questions.
