Vista machine getting slower and slower everyday

  • Thread starter Thread starter Qu0ll
  • Start date Start date
Q

Qu0ll

Why is this? It's a Dell Precision laptop running Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit
and it started off being quite snappy when first installed and now it just
gets slower and slower everyday. It starts up slower and programs are
launched much more slowly than before.

I defrag the disk(s) regularly and there are 4GB of RAM so what could be the
reason? Yes, there are more programs installed and more disk space actually
used over time but why should that slow down the whole machine?

--
And loving it,

-Q
_________________________________________________
(e-mail address removed)
(Replace the "SixFour" with numbers to email me)
 
Qu0ll said:
Why is this? It's a Dell Precision laptop running Vista Ultimate SP1
32-bit and it started off being quite snappy when first installed and
now it just gets slower and slower everyday. It starts up slower and
programs are launched much more slowly than before.

I defrag the disk(s) regularly and there are 4GB of RAM so what could be
the reason? Yes, there are more programs installed and more disk space
actually used over time but why should that slow down the whole machine?
Click to expand...

Scan for spyware, disable all startup programs that aren't necessary,
find out exactly what software is running in the background while you're
using your machine, make sure your virus software isn't running
scheduled scans in the background etc.
 
What they said, plus...

Launch Task Manager.
Go to the Processes tab.
Click Show Processes from all users.
Go to View:Select Columns.
Make sure Memory (Private Working Set), Commit Size, Handles, Theaders, and
GDI Objects are on.

Now when things are slow -- who's piggishly out of line here? Using lots of
memory won't kill you ... to a point. Using lots of handles/gdi objects can
definitely cause bad performance.

Plus, hey Task Manager shows you CPU usage... =\
 
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Sounds like it could be spyware Quoll.
Download, install, update, immunize your system and scan with Spybot
Search
& Destroy version 1.5.2 from the above link
Click to expand...

G'day Mick,

I did as you suggested and Spybot found no threats. I think this is because
I am running Kaspersky Internet Security Suite which I believe is excellent
in its defense level.

The problem is a gradual slow down of the machine over time. Each couple of
days or so I can notice that things are happening a little more slowly than
they were before. There don't appear to be any rogue processes running.
The machine starts up slower, shuts down slower, launches apps slower and
feels slower overall. I have run benchmarks using Sandra and it appears
that it's not the machine itself as those results have not varied so it only
leaves an OS-related problem.

Fragmentation would be the obvious choice but, as I said, I have defragged
regularly.

Any other ideas?

--
And loving it,

-Q
_________________________________________________
(e-mail address removed)
(Replace the "SixFour" with numbers to email me)
 
Qu0ll said:
G'day Mick,

I did as you suggested and Spybot found no threats. I think this is
because I am running Kaspersky Internet Security Suite which I believe is
excellent in its defense level.

The problem is a gradual slow down of the machine over time. Each couple
of days or so I can notice that things are happening a little more slowly
than they were before. There don't appear to be any rogue processes
running. The machine starts up slower, shuts down slower, launches apps
slower and feels slower overall. I have run benchmarks using Sandra and
it appears that it's not the machine itself as those results have not
varied so it only leaves an OS-related problem.

Fragmentation would be the obvious choice but, as I said, I have defragged
regularly.

Any other ideas?

--
And loving it,

-Q
_________________________________________________
(e-mail address removed)
(Replace the "SixFour" with numbers to email me)
Click to expand...

Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.
 
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