Re: Slow and Slower PC

Tech-Archive recommends: Repair Windows Errors & Optimize Windows Performance

"TomC" <TomC@xxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxxx> wrote

I am an amateur at the highest level, and I’ve been trying to help my friend
find out why his PC is running slow and slower. Over the past 2 months, it
has gradually continued to slow down. We’ve tried to restore the system back
in time before the problem started, but it won’t let us do that. I guess
that should tell us something, but I don't know what. I’ve looked at the
knowledge data base articles relating to this problem and have tried many
suggestions but have experienced no improvement. I’ll try to give you a
verbal picture of what is happening. When it is first booted up, it takes
about 5 minutes for the hour glass to disappear. Then simple operations like
clicking on the Start > Control Panel is slow to execute. But after using
the PC for a little while, then the Start > Control Panel executes
immediately and other operations execute normally. But when we click on AOL
to do Email (dial-up system), it takes another 5 minutes to execute. During
this very slow time like when booting or when bringing-up AOL, the hard disk
activity light is constantly on – it’s like it is performing a disk scan.
The PC is using Win XP SP2 with no anti-virus software. We’ve run the
Microsoft Malicious Software Removal Tool and found no problems. We’ve done
the usual things like running chkdsk, disk cleanup, and defrag. I’m about
ready to suggest that he take it to a professional and have them do a clean
reload of Windows XP. I would try that, but I don't know how to partition or
clean the disk in setting it up to reload the Windows CD. Do you have any
suggestions? Thanks in advance.

The PC does not have an AV program? Is the firewall turned on? Does the owner regularly run scans with a variety of non viral anti-malware programs? You should start with a thorough scan for malware. Just running the malicious software removal tool isn't going to help. Here are some links for cleaning malware, and for practicing safe hex. Make sure a firewall - preferably a 3rd party firewall like Sunbelt Software's Kerio Personal Firewall, Comodo Personal Firewall or Zone Alarm is installed.

http://www.cert.org/tech_tips/before_you_plug_in.html#III

http://www.claymania.com/safe-hex.html

Malware Removal
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/page2.html#Removing_Malware

THE PARASITE FIGHT
Finding, Removing & Protecting Yourself From Scumware
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm

Richard Harper’s Guide to Cleaning Pests
http://rgharper.mvps.org/cleanit.htm

Slow Computer
http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm

--
Rock [MVP - User/Shell]

.

Relevant Pages

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