Re: windows xp pro slow...

Robbo wrote:

I have windows XP Pro installed looong time ago (I guess it was back
in 2004). I have made all updates as of last week.
The system is running weird slow. I have checked all
viruses/spyware/malware (I have made a deep research and read a lot
about it, used many tools from antivirus vendors etc.). System seems
to be clean.

However, there seem to be some corrupted files, because when I use
system event viewer and click on Application snap-in, I get an error
that there was a problem with the snap-in (it crashed). Sometimes I
get an error like "Instruction at 0x (address here) refers to memory
at address 0xXXX. Memory cannot be "read". This happens very rarely
but probably leads to some system overall instability.
Memory has been checked with memtest running all evening and one
night.

Recently I have made a fresh install for a friend of mine (on another
computer) and I was amazed of the speed that his XP was running. That
computer had only 512MB RAM and I have 1.5 GB RAM (for christ sakes,
mine should be as fast as lightning).

Now it would be hard for me to completely re-install the XP, so I was
wondering if for example I could reinstall the SP2 to have some
possible corrupted files reinstalled? Also the question is, would it
speed up overall system performance?

Why is it that the system performance gradually falls down after
working 2 years without XP fresh reinstall ?
What am I making wrong ? What are the critical points that could slow
down WIN XP ?


There is really no way we can tell you why your computer is slow. You
say you are sure the machine is virus/malware-free. Here are some
general malware removal steps:
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

Please review the procedures and if you did not follow something
similar, it would be wise to run through the steps. If you did, then
obviously don't bother.

RAM is not the only hardware component that can fail. I would also check
your hard drive's health with a diagnostic utility downloaded from the
drive mftr.'s website. Create the bootable media and then boot with it
and do a thorough test. If the drive fails any physical tests, replace
it.

Since "running weird slow" doesn't really tell me anything, you might
also check to see if the hard drive is running in PIO mode instead of
DMA. Here is an explanation and the fix from MVP Hans-Georg Michna:
http://www.michna.com/kb/WxDMA.htm

I very much doubt that reinstalling SP2 would help, although you might
consider a Repair Install. You will need to slipstream your original XP
install media with SP2 if SP2 is not included in it.

Most definitely you should back up your data if you have not done so
already.

Malke
--
Elephant Boy Computers
www.elephantboycomputers.com
"Don't Panic!"
MS-MVP Windows - Shell/User
.

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