Re: Service Pack 2 SP2 PC Speed Slowdown

Tech Tip: Click here to run a free scan for Windows Errors and optimize PC performance

From: Gerry Cornell (gcjc_at_btinternet.com)
Date: 08/29/04 

Date: Sun, 29 Aug 2004 09:56:54 +0100

John

After installing SP2 have you carried out housekeeping? Note the action
regarding System Restore and Disk CleanUp.

Poor system performance can be the result of a single problem or a
combination of factors. Listed
below are issues, which you may wish to examine if you are experiencing poor
performance after
the boot process has completed. Some items may help with slow starting of
Windows XP but the
list has not been prepared for tackling that problem. Work through the list
until you achieve an
acceptable result.

Regular and effective housekeeping is essential. What you do and how often
you do it will depend
on how you use your computer. A suggested routine may include:
1. In Outlook Express empty your Deleted Items folder.
2. In Outlook Express run File, Folder, Compact All whilst OFFLINE.
3. Run Disk Cleanup. Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools, Disk
Cleanup with
Temporary Internet Files, Offline Web Pages (optional), System Restore (
more Options tab )
and Recycle Bin selected for deletion. If you have more than one drive /
partition you may
need to do this operation for each drive / partition.
4. Remove Cookies. Start, Control Panel, Internet Options, General, Delete
Cookies.
5. Run Disk Defragmenter.

Check whether you could reduce the number of days the History of sites
visited is retained. Start,
Control Panel, Internet Options, General, History.

Spyware causes many problems. If not installed download Adaware and / or
update Reference file
from http://www.lavasoftusa.com/support/download/ and use it to remove
parasites. If Spyware
persists as a problem try a Hosts file.
http://www.accs-net.com/hosts/what_is_hosts.html

Slow performance resulting from insufficient memory, causing over reliance
on virtual memory,
may be especially noticed by those upgrading to Windows XP from an earlier
version of Windows.
Windows XP will run with 64 MB of RAM memory. However, a minimum of 256 MB
is
recommended and many users will recommend 512 MB. You may check on pagefile
(virtual
memory) usage with Page File Monitor for XP:
http://www.dougknox.com/

Check how much free space you have on the hard drive / partition where your
pagefile is located.
You need a minimum of 15% but 20% or more is better.

Check your setting for the Indexing Service. Start, Administrative Tools,
Services, Indexing
Service. The default setting is Manual. Check that it is not running. More
information here:
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/service411.htm#Indexing_Service

You can have too many programmes running in the background. Close
programmes/windows after
use. Check whether all the programmes loading when Windows is started are
really necessary.
http://aumha.org/a/loads.htm

Check whether you can identify slow performance with a particular programme.
Look in Google to
see whether others have encountered the same problem and found a solution.
http://groups.google.com/

Are there any error messages in Event Viewer? You can access Event Viewer by
selecting Start,
Administrative Tools, and Event Viewer. When researching the meaning of the
error, information
regarding Event ID: and Source Description is important.
HOW TO: View and Manage Event Logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP
http://support.microsoft.com/default.aspx?scid=kb;en-us;308427&Product=winxp

~~~~~~

Hope this helps.

Gerry
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
FCA

Stourport, Worcs, England
Enquire, plan and execute.
~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~

"John Cottam" <john@sale-items.com> wrote in message
news:BD26D8A8-CAD1-4DDB-91C3-0D014C497FC7@microsoft.com...
> Hi
>
> I installed SP2 the other day and have had a severe slow down in
performance.
>
> I use Zonelarm Firewall and McAfee Virus Protection & K9 Spam Blocker,
other
> than that it's mainly Microsoft & MacroMedia Applications.
>
> I have a Standard 2.0 GHz Intel P4 in an IDeq 200T PC with 512 of Corsair
> Memory. It worked very nicely BEFORE the update.
>
> I have Elisa ADSL 512 (Finland's main telephone company).
>
> Is it worth uninstalling and re-installing or is this a general problem.
>
> The main gripes are
> - Internet Explorer is slower (opening and browsing).
> - Most applications (e.g. Macromedia Fireworks, Outlook, Word) open and
> operate much slower.
>
> Does anyone else have the same problems or is it just me or my PC?
>
> Thanks,
> John.
>
> --
> John Cottam
> Finland
> 00358 407250439

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