Re: Windows XP running very slow

thanks for all your help.

Just a few quick "newbie" points:

What is a NIC? I installed the router using the CD linksys provided, though
i'm not sure that even addresses your point.

I used at least 4 different spyware programs (Ada-ware, PCSafe, SpySweeper,
and some online checker) and they showed some spyware, which was largely
removed. And i've had difficulties with spyware in the past, this just
doesn't "feel" the same, if that makes any sense. Also, 2 different
antivirus programs: no virus. So i'm pretty confident that it's not a
virus/malware problem.

I recently opened Task Manager and just watched it as i did some minor stuff
on my computer (i.e. minimal webbrowsing, a little messaging on MSN), and i
noticed that every few minutes or so my memory usage and PF Usage would shoot
up all of a sudden, stay high for about 30 seconds, and then shoot right down
again (creating a type of "plateau" affect). This didn't seem to be
correlated with anything i was doing on the computer, because, as i
mentioned, i wasn't using any memory-intensive applications. Could this be
indicative of an undetected virus/malware, or something else?

Thanks

"Shenan Stanley" wrote:

> Chico wrote:
> > i don't doubt that my virtual memory is low. i guess i just don't
> > understand why. a few people have told me that i need to buy more
> > RAM - fair enough, but it just seems strange that XP is supposed to
> > able to run on 64MB RAM (suggested 128 minimum), so wouldn't 256MB be
> > enough?
>
> Run on/install on and tolerable are different things. Whenever you could
> only get an 50Mhz computer - what was tolerable was different than when you
> can now get a 3600MHz computer.
>
> > I don't use a lot of memory-intensive programs. Sure i file
> > share a bit and use MSN messenger (who doesn't), but that's about it.
>
> By default - Windows XP will likely use 140MB or so (along with other
> applications like AntiVirus, etc) that load up at startup.
>
> > And i've checked for viruses and spyware. i've also taken off all
> > the bells and whistles so that my interface has all the classic
> > features... it has caused a minimal increase in speed, if any. I
> > guess i just don't understand why after 2 years my computer is so
> > slow all of a sudden.
>
> When you say you checked, I am unsure what all that entails for you. For
> me - the list is extensive and fairly well ordered. It usually includes a
> few boots in Safe Mode and at least 5 different AntiSpyware applications
> (sometimes more) as well as two AntiVirus scans from two applications and a
> chkdsk or two. Not to mention going through services and startups with a
> fine-toothed comb.
>
> > Oh yeah... i recently installed a linksys router... could this have
> > anything to do with it?
>
> Doubtful unless you installed a new NIC as well.
>
> I hesitated to give you this list before - but I will volunteer it now - go
> through and see what all you do/don't do..
> (Although I still suggest 512MB + of memory and let Windows control your
> Virtual Memory!)
>
> Microsoft has these suggestions for Protecting your computer from the
> various things that could happen to you/it:
>
> Protect your PC
> http://www.microsoft.com/security/protect/
>
>
> Although those tips are fantastic, there are many things you should
> know above and beyond what is there. Below I have detailed
> out many steps that can not only help you clean-up a problem PC but
> keep it clean ,secure and running at its top performance mark.
>
> I know this text can seem intimidating - it is quite long and a lot
> to take in for a novice - but I assure you that one trip through this
> list and you will understand your computer and the options available
> to you for protecting your data much better - and that the next time
> you review these steps, the time it takes will be greatly reduced.
>
> Let's take the cleanup of your computer step-by-step. Yes, it will take
> up some of your time - but consider what you use your computer
> for and how much you would dislike it if all of your stuff on your
> computer went away because you did not "feel like" performing some
> simple maintenance tasks - think of it like taking out your garbage,
> collecting and sorting your postal mail, paying your bills on time,
> etc.
>
> I'll mainly work around Windows XP, as that is what the bulk of this
> document is about; however, here is a place for you poor souls still
> stuck in Windows 98/ME where you can get information on maintaining
> your system:
>
> Windows 98 and 'Maintaining Your Computer':
> http://www.microsoft.com/windows98/usingwindows/maintaining/
>
> Windows ME Computer Health:
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsME/using/computerhealth/articles/
>
> Pay close attention to the sections:
> (in order)
> - Clean up your hard disk
> - Check for errors by running ScanDisk
> - Defragment your hard disk
> - Roll back the clock with System Restore
>
>
> Also - now is a good time to point you to one of the easiest ways to find
> information on problems you may be having and solutions others have found:
>
> Search using Google!
> http://www.google.com/
> (How-to: http://www.google.com/intl/en/help/basics.html )
>
>
> Now, let's go through some maintenance first that should only have to be
> done once (mostly):
>
> Tip (1):
> Locate all of the software you have installed on your computer.
> (the installation media - CDs, downloaded files, etc)
> Collect these CDs and files together in a central and safe
> place along with their CD keys and such. Make backups of these
> installation media sets using your favorite copying method (CD/DVD Burner
> and application, Disk copier, etc.) You'll be glad to know that if you
> have a CD/DVD burner, you may be able to use a free application to make a
> duplicate copy of your CDs. One such application is ISORecorder:
>
> ISORecorder page (with general instructions on use):
> http://isorecorder.alexfeinman.com/beta.htm
>
> Yes - it is BETA software - but very useful and well tested.
>
> More full function applications (free) for CD/DVD burning would be:
>
> DeepBurner Free
> http://www.deepburner.com/
>
> CDBurnerXP Pro
> http://www.cdburnerxp.se/
>
> Another Option would be to search the web with Pricewatch.com or
> Dealsites.net and find deals on Products like Ahead Nero and/or Roxio.
>
>
> Tip (2):
> Empty your Temporary Internet Files and shrink the size it stores to a
> size between 128MB and 512MB..
>
> - Open ONE copy of Internet Explorer.
> - Select TOOLS -> Internet Options.
> - Under the General tab in the "Temporary Internet Files" section, do the
> following:
> - Click on "Delete Cookies" (click OK)
> - Click on "Settings" and change the "Amount of disk space to use:" to
> something between 128MB and 512MB. (Betting it is MUCH larger right
> now.)
> - Click OK.
> - Click on "Delete Files" and select to "Delete all offline contents"
> (the checkbox) and click OK. (If you had a LOT, this could take 2-10
> minutes or more.)
> - Once it is done, click OK, close Internet Explorer, re-open Internet
> Explorer.
>
>
> Tip (3):
> If things are running a bit sluggish and/or you have an older system
> (1.5GHz or less and 256MB RAM or less) then you may want to look into
> tweaking the performance by turning off some of the 'resource hogging'
> Windows XP "prettifications". The fastest method is:
>
> Control Panel --> System --> Advanced tab --> Performance section,
> Settings button. Then choose "adjust for best performance" and you
> now have a Windows 2000/98 look which turned off most of the annoying
> "prettifications" in one swift action. You can play with the last
> three checkboxes to get more of an XP look without many of the
> other annoyances. You could also grab and install/use one
> (or more) of the Microsoft Powertoys - TweakUI in particular:
>
> http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/downloads/powertoys/xppowertoys.mspx
>
>
> Tip (4):
> Understanding what a good password might be is vital to your
> personal and system security. You may think you do not need to password
> your home computer, as you may have it in a locked area (your home) where
> no one else has access to it. Remember, however, you aren't always
> "in that locked area" when using your computer online - meaning you likely
> have usernames and passwords associated with web sites and the likes that
> you would prefer other people do not discover/use. This is why you should
> understand and utilize good passwords.
>
> Good passwords are those that meet these general rules
> (mileage may vary):
>
> Passwords should contain at least six characters, and the character
> string should contain at least three of these four character types:
> - uppercase letters
> - lowercase letters
> - numerals
> - nonalphanumeric characters (e.g., *, %, &, !, :)
>
> Passwords should not contain your name/username.
> Passwords should be unique to you and easy to remember.
>
> One method many people are using today is to make up a phrase that
> describes a point in their life and then turning that phrase into their
> password by using only certain letters out of each word in that phrase.
> It's much better than using your birthday month/year or your anniversary
> in a pure sense. For example, let's say my phrase is:
> 'Moved to new home in 2004'
> I could come up with this password from that:
> 'Mv2n3whmN04'
>
> The password tip is in the one time section, but I highly
> recommend you periodically change your passwords. The suggested time
> varies, but I will throw out a 'once in every 3 to 6 months for
> every account you have.'
>
>
> Tip (5):
> This tip is also 'questionable' in the one time section; however -
> if properly setup - this one can be pretty well ignored for most people
> after the initial 'fiddle-with' time.
>
> Why you should use a computer firewall..
> http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/viruses/fwbenefits.mspx
>
> You should, in some way, use a firewall. Hardware (like a nice
> Cable Modem/DSL router) or software is up to you. Many use both of
> these. The simplest one to use is the hardware one, as most people
> don't do anything that they will need to configure their NAT device
> for and those who do certainly will not mind fiddling with the equipment
> to make things work for them. Next in the line of simplicity would
> have to be the built-in Windows Firewall of Windows XP. In SP2 it
> is turned on by default. It is not difficult to turn on in any
> case, however:
>
> Enable/Disable the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/283673
>
> More information on the Internet Connection Firewall (Pre-SP2):
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/320855
>
> Post-SP2 Windows Firewall Information/guidance:
> http://snipurl.com/atal
>
> The trouble with the Windows Firewall is that it only keeps things
> out. For most people who maintain their system in other ways, this is
> MORE than sufficient. However, you may feel otherwise. If you want to
> know when one of your applications is trying to obtain access to the
> outside world so you can stop it, then you will have to install a
> third-party application and configure/maintain it. I have compiled a
> list with links of some of the better known/free firewalls you can choose
> from:
>
> BlackICE PC Protection (~$39.95 and up)
> http://blackice.iss.net/
>
> Jetico Personal Firewall (Free)
> http://www.jetico.com/index.htm#/jpfirewall.htm
>
> Kerio Personal Firewall (KPF) (Free and up)
> http://www.kerio.com/kpf_download.html
>
> Outpost Firewall from Agnitum (Free and up)
> http://www.agnitum.com/download/
>
> Sygate Personal Firewall (Free and up)
> http://smb.sygate.com/buy/download_buy.htm
>
> Symantec's Norton Personal Firewall (~$25 and up)
> http://www.symantec.com/sabu/nis/npf/
>
> ZoneAlarm (Free and up)
> http://snipurl.com/6ohg
>
> You should find the right firewall for your situation in that
> list and set it up.
>
> Every firewall WILL require some maintenance. Essentially checking for
> patches or upgrades (this goes for hardware and software solutions) is
> the extent of this maintenance - you may also have to configure your
> firewall to allow some traffic depending on your needs.
>
> ** Don't stack the software firewalls! Running more than one software
> firewall will not make you safer - it would possibly negate some
> protection you gleamed from one or the other firewall you run.
>
>
> Now that you have some of the more basic things down..
> Let's go through some of the steps you should take periodically to
> maintain a healthy and stable windows computer. If you have not
> done some of these things in the past, they may seem tedious - however,
> they will become routine and some can even be automatically scheduled.
>
>
> Tip (6):
> The system restore feature is a new one - first appearing in Windows
> ME and then sticking around for Windows XP. It is a useful feature
> if you keep it maintained and use it to your advantage. Remember that
> the system restore pretty much tells you in the name what it protects
> which is 'system' files. Your documents, your pictures, your stuff is
> NOT system files - so you should also look into some backup solution.
>
> I have seen the automatic system restore go wrong too many times not
> to suggest the following.. Whenever you think about it (after doing a
> once-over on your machine once a month or so would be optimal) - clear
> out your System Restore and create a manual restoration point.
>
> 'Why?'
>
> Too many times have I seen the system restore files go corrupt or get
> a virus in them, meaning you could not or did not want to restore from
> them. By clearing it out periodically you help prevent any corruption
> from happening and you make sure you have at least one good "snapshot".
> (*This, of course, will erase any previous restore point you have.*)
>
> - Turn off System Restore.
> http://support.microsoft.com/kb/310405
> - Reboot the Computer.
> - Review the first bullet to turn on System Restore
.

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