Computer is very slow, little memory left. I also need reformat help.

Discussion in 'Software' started by Smartslug, Jul 19, 2005.

  1. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Hey everybody...

    I need some help with the comp problems im having...

    Slow computer
    For the past few weeks, my comp has been acting very sluggish and even slowing to a crawl.(I know my comp is a little dated.) I cant really run more than 3 processes without getting extreame lag, and the gaming is coming a real problem. (Can't even really get Counter-Strike to really play good, i'm past the reccomended reqiurements though) I've tried Spyware scan , Ad-aware scan, Virus scan, Registry scan, Cleaners, PC Booster, etc. Although, it only lowered a few MB of system memory. I sometimes get the message "Virtual memory minumum too low." Is there someway to reduce the PF(pagefile usage, which is usally a high of 250 at system startup) or the Virtual memory?

    System Specs
    -Windows Xp Pro
    -866MHz
    -128MB Ram PC-133 SDRAM
    -Intel Pentinum III
    -Cable
    -64MB Video

    Reformating Question
    If worst comes the worst, I will have to reformat unless I want to suffer.
    But I cant really do it unless I can pick the stuff I want gone. I just want some folders left out. Is there anyway I can do a "custom reformat?"

    Thanks for any help!!!!!
     
  2. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    You need more RAM, you should really be using 512Mb for XP. Could you please post a list of system processes that you have running? What AV & firewall programs do you use?
     
  3. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    You mean like a Hijackthis log?
     
  4. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    I don't need a HijackThis log. Download and install Process Explorer. After you have it installed, run the program; then click-on File, select Save as, save the file to My Documents. Post the report as an attachment.
     
  5. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Runninng procesess:
     

    Attached Files:

  6. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    I see nothing out of the ordinary in your processes. However, I noticed you are running Norton Internet Sercurity. Norton is a huge 'resource hog'; and is most likely the cause of your system slow downs. Also, do you have MSN Messenger running? It shows in your system processes.

    If you chose to remove Norton follow the instructions in this article:
    Removing your Norton program using SymNRT

    The article also has instructions for removing NIS.

    As a replacement for NAV & NIS I suggest any of the following:

    Anti-Virus
    AntiVir Personal Edition
    Avast! Home Edition
    AVG Free Edition

    Firewall
    Kerio Personal Firewall
    Outpost Firewall Free
    Sygate Personal Firewall Free
    ZoneAlarm Free

    With your current system configuration I would recommend running AVG Free Edition along with Sygate Personal Firewall. they will be less of a drain on your system rescources than NIS.
     
  7. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    Also McAffe can be a resource drain. I overlooked it when I scanned the list of processes in your report. I would also recommend unistalling McAfee.
     
  8. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Ok, ill try that, do u have any idea of how it will affect preformance?
     
  9. theefool

    theefool Geekified

    I usually recommend a bare minimum of 256 for XP. 512 is optimal though.
     
  10. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    Your system will still run slow, but more stable; and there are a couple more system tweaks that can be done to increase performance. I don't want to overwelm you with info. We will deal with the tweaks after you have finished with my suggestions.
     
  11. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Peter Dude please post them cause I really want good preformance
     
  12. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    How do you uninstall Mcaffe
     
  13. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    1. Do you use MSN Messenger? If not it is running in the backgroud; and you can prevent it from loading at start by doing the following:

    Start -> Run
    regedit


    navigate to the following key:
    HKEY_CURRENT_USER\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    in the right pane delete the key that has msnmsgr.exe /background in the value field.

    If it is not in HKCU then look in HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

    also navigate to HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\Software\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run
    and delete the following key if it exists: SunJavaUpdateSched

    Download and Install FreeRAM XP Pro when you run the program click-on settings enable run at windows start and change the level that it refreshes memory to 64Mb.
     
  14. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    I already went to regedit and canceled everything from startup...I must of turned it on after the startup...

    Oh, and when I went to uninstall Norton, all it listed was "Norton personal firewall"

    I've just uninstalled mcafee, the editing wouldent work.
     
  15. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    Start -> Control Panel

    Double-click Add or Remove Programs.

    Select any entries related to McAfee/Network Associates.

    click-on the Change/Remove or Remove button; whichever one is present.

    Follow prompts.
     
  16. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    That's fine uninstall Norton Personal Firewall from Add or Remove Programs in the Control Panel.
     
  17. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Even though i've unsinstalled everything, the PF Usage is still a little high, what could be causing this highness?

    *I see some noticeable speed! ;)*

    also, is it reccomened that I always have a Firewall running?
     
  18. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    Yes replace it with either Sygate Personal Firewall or ZoneAlarm Free, both are very good and easier on your system resources than NPF. Available in the Firewalls section of the Major Geeks downloads.

    Your pagefile useage is going to be high, somewhere around 240Mb would be normal. Increase your Virtual Memory to 768Mb fixed.
     
  19. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Alright, what about the reformat question I had?

    Reformating Question
    If worst comes the worst, I will have to reformat unless I want to suffer.
    But I cant really do it unless I can pick the stuff I want gone. I just want some folders left out. Is there anyway I can do a "custom reformat?"
     
  20. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    What do you want to leave out? Reformating may be unnecessary.
     
  21. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    A few Folders, e-mail inbox, ICQ and MSN and Mozilla Firefox.
     
  22. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    I recommend you use Firefox for general browsing, it isn't susceptible to the pitfalls of IE. ICQ and MSN should be easy to get rid of; as long as the programs have been uninstalled, just delete them. The e-mail inbox, if not in use, you should be to delete it without any problems.
     
  23. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Noooo, not that, those items i wanted to keep! sry bout that :/

    everythin else on my comp i want to delete
     
  24. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    Uninstall any programs you don't want; then delete the program folders if they are left behind. You have to be careful in what you delete, you could cause your computer to crash.
     
  25. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Ok, what im trying to get at here is sort of like a "custom reformat."

    I want the computer to manually delete everything off the Hard Drive, exepet the items I listed.
    Is there anyway I can choose what files to permently keep before I wipe out the HD?
     
  26. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    Yes you can do a custom install of Windows. However if you choose to do that instead of a complete install, you will find yourself having to insert the XP CD in the drive almost ever time you install software.

    If you don't want all that garbage that comes preinstalled with an OEM system, then uninstall the programs using Add or Remove Programs.
     
  27. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Can you tell me step by step on how to do a custom reformat?
    I have FAT32

    how long will the custom reformat take?
     
  28. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    See this POST for instructions on how to do a clean install. Once you start the install you can chose between typical and custom. The custom install will allow you to pick and choose what you want to install. Also, when asked whether you want to partion as FAT32 or NTFS, choose NTFS it is a more secure File System.
     
  29. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Thanks Shadow_Puter_Dude, the FreeRAM XP Pro REALLY Helped.

    I was fidiling with the reformating screen when I saw "repair installation" I thought that would be better than reformating...So I went to the desktop and saw that the PF Usage was 152!!! So I ran an Ace Utilities(Registry TuneUp) and cleaned everything...and the PF Usage is now 92.7!!!!! :D

    But now after the repair I have an ATI Video Problem :(
     
  30. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    heres my post in the hardware section:

    Hey Everybody

    ATI Radeon 64mb 7000 Series

    After my Windows XP repair install, i've been getting some trouble with my ATI Driver...

    So the task bar says "Found New Hardware" I install the new software (ATI Driver and Plug and Play Monitor) Everthing works fine until I restart. It says ATI Control Panel Cannot be inalilized or the ATI Driver is not working properly. So then to get it to work, I have to go to Add/Remove Programs and then uninstall everything ATI Related and then restart and do "Found new Hardware" then it is fine until the next restart. My driver was working good before the XP-Repair...

    Please I need help cause this is really annoying!
     
  31. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    Last edited: Jul 24, 2005
  32. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Ok, I've cleaned "ATI" so I go to cd-drive or restart and go to Found New Hardware ?
     
  33. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    Have you downloaded the latest drivers for your card?
     
  34. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    I dont know, please post the link to the latest driver update for ATI
     
  35. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    Install and run this program:

    EVEREST Home Edition

    When you run the program do the following:

    Click-on Report in the File Menu

    Select Report Wizard

    Click-on Next

    Click-on System Summary Only

    Click-on Next

    Click-on Plain Text

    Click-on Finish

    Click-on Save To File

    Browse to My Documents

    Accept the default file name, close the report wizard and everest.

    Post the report as an attachment in your reply. It will help me to figure out which drivers you may need for you computer.
     
  36. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    Done
     

    Attached Files:

  37. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

  38. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    So I download this and then what
     
  39. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    The link doesn't work in my previous post. Use this LINK.

    Download to your Desktop, double-click the exe and it will install the drivers.
     
  40. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    I mean after I install it, where do I go/do
     
  41. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    Reboot your computer.
     
  42. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    And then install the stuff on Found New Hardware?
     
  43. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    You will have nothing to install. The exe installs the drivers for your card. Windows will see the hardware and configure it to use the new drivers.
     
  44. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    error during installation:

    Setup was unable to complete the installation.
    try to setup you display adapter with a standard VGA driver before running setup.
     
  45. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    You may have to use older drivers for you video card, ATI Catalyst 3.2 Drivers. Your card appears to be an older Radeon 7000 or Radeon VE.
     
  46. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    oh great, now i've got it screwed up, I cant install from the cd cause the same error is pooping up!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
     
  47. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    What are you trying to install from CD?
     
  48. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    The ATI CD I got with the Card
     
  49. Shadow_Puter_Dude

    Shadow_Puter_Dude MG Authorized Malware Fighter

    OK, clean the drivers off the system with the Driver Cleaner Professional. Reboot your computer, when the New Hardware Found wizard pops up have it search for the best drivers.
     
  50. Smartslug

    Smartslug Private First Class

    After I finish installing from "new hardware" I then install Catlisit?
     

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