Computer slowed right down

I have a desktop PC that's used to run great, but the last few weeks has slowed right down. It is constantly bogging down and jamming (although it doesn't freeze altogether), and has an extremely long startup time (sometimes 5-7 minutes until everything is up and running). Video games are also choppy. Here are the specs:

Windows XP SP3
Intel Pentium Dual CPU E2180 @ 2.0GHz
GeForce 7100 / NVIDIA nForce 620i
4GB PC2-6400 800MHz DDR2 RAM
Not sure which mobo it's using, but it's an Acer Aspire AM-1640E.

I have run full spyware/malware/anti-virus scans, as well as registry repair. Have also deleted all temporary internet files etc. Something I have noticed, is that in the device manager, the NVIDIA nForce RAID Controller has a yellow warning icon over it. This computer originally had Vista on it, but I installed XP. There were some SATA driver issues, so I had to slipstream the drivers into an XP disc to get it to install. Could the driver issue be a result of this? And could it be something that would slow down the system?

 

When you say you have run full spyware/malware/anti-virus scans, as well as registry repair, have you done this via our malware forums i:e this link http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=208809 because if not you may have missed something out, so therefore i suggest you start at the link given, then repost into the malware forum with the required logs !

 

Had there been any indications of malware or viruses, or was your scanning done as a precaution?
When was your last GOOD defrag?

 

Hi jools1976,

go to this link http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us and click on Motherboard Drivers and let them install their activex. It should detect your motherboard specs and download/install the raid controller driver.

You can also click on Graphic Drivers and install what they have.

Here's another site for Nvida drivers http://driverscollection.com/?H=GeForce%207100%20/%20NVIDIA%20nForce%20620i&By=NVidia

Techsent

 

Thanks for all the replies guys.

Rustyjack:

Just running the last scan from the link you gave me right now, will post when complete.

hrlow2:

Other than the indicated reduction in speed, no indications of any kind of spyware/virus, but ran my checks anyway to confirm. I have defragged with the XP utility, but I know it's not the best so I'm going to DL something better. Any suggestions?

techsent:

Installed the drivers and everything looks good to go on that end.

 

Lots of people here suggest IOBit, but I like Ultimate Defrag.

http://www.disktrix.com/UDFree.htm

At the bottom of the page, your name and eMail address is required for the free version, but I have never been bothered by them.

 

Alright... Ran Ultimate Defrag and malware cleanup procedure (again). Still bogged right down. There's a couple other weird things too, If I look under My Computer > Properties it shows my RAM as 2.75GB, but I have 4GB installed. Also, I went to install a really old game (Max Payne) which requires 96MB or RAM, and it told me I don't have enough system memory to install. I ran Memtest and it found no errors. Any thoughts?

 

What all is showing in your startup list?

 

Check it out:

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm309/jools1976/Startup.jpg

 

Try Safe Mode and/or Safe Mode with Networking, see if that changes your slowdown symptoms. If so, then start culling items in that Startup list to see if anything there is the culprit.

You might also take a look at what processes and services are running.

 

Cool. I'll try that next. What about the RAM showing as 2.75GB though?

 

QuickBooks, Adobe, Nero, or Intuit I don't believe needs to be automatic.
They will start when you need them.

 

Did the machine ever display anything other than 2.75gb?

 

In System Information (Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>System Information) it shows as 4096MB, which is what is installed. But My Computer>Properties as well as CCleaner show it as 2.75GB.

 

Is the GeForce 7100 an AGP or PCI card, or is it onboard? If onboard, the difference in installed and available memory could in some part be explained, but 1.25gb seems excessive.

Open Task Manager, Processes tab - any severe resource hogging going on?

 

The video is onboard. There's nothing really too crazy going on in the task manager. Here's a screenshot.

http://i299.photobucket.com/albums/mm309/jools1976/Tskmng.jpg

 

Here's another little tidbit. It seems to be at it's worst when I am using the internet (although it's still ridiculously slow when I'm not...) And seems to be getting worse every day.