Everything Running Slow

My damn computer is running slow i got no idea why. Let me specify a bit more. My hardware is fine, it is among the best you can currently buy. Now to the problem.



Every time i open something i haven't opened yet since i booted, it takes a while to open, and if it's a game it runs slow, if it's a directory everything i do inside it runs slow. I usually open it once, then close it, then open it for the second time.

Most times, opening the second time does the trick, but for programs like IE, i have to open and close it as many times as needed until one of these runs decently (still not very fast).

Also, after i played a game (like UT3, which runs smoothly in my pc with all highest graph config) or just ran another heavy programs, although it runs fine (after the second time i opened it), after i close it for this second time, the PC slows down even more, and if i open a heavy program again it will very likely run slower, even if i do again the "open-close-open" scheme. For the PC to "recover it's breath", as i can best describe it, after it ran a heavy program, i have to reboot the windows.

Again, i must remind you that the heavy programs do run smoothly! But it's like my PC is an old marathon runner who only has condition to run as fast as others for a limited time, after which it behaves as if it were a PC 4 times slower.

 

Since you didn't list your computer specs (hardware, OS, etc.), it's going to be difficult to determine the issue.

It sounds like your computer might have some RAM issues. Your RAM could possibly have physical issues... try going to www.memtest86.com and using that utility to test it. If it checks out okay, you can also try using RAM optimizing software. A few freeware options available on MG are:

http://www.majorgeeks.com/RAM_Boost_d359.html

http://www.majorgeeks.com/download369.html

Also, it's possible your paging file is at fault. I'm NOT qualified to give advice on paging file management... at one point I knew how to clear it, I don't remember off hand.

You can also try using CCleaner (available on MG, or its site - www.ccleaner.com as well). It always helps at least somewhat with computer performance, and doesn't hurt anything.

If you're running XP SP3, I'd recommend going back to SP2... I tried SP3, and it slowed down my computer in similiar ways to the description you supplied. I couldn't figure out why, but reverting to SP2 solved that issue for me.

Again, knowing your system specs would definitely help people help you with this issue. Also, in Task Manager, are there any processes using a LOT of RAM or Processor power?

 

Ok a few specs then

I got a Q6600 Core 2 Quad 2.4GHz, 4GB DDR2, 500GB HD (can't specify more), Windows XP Pro SP2, GF8600GT... tell me if you want to know something else.

I did some memory test with a freeware called "memtest" and there was no problem.


I use CCleaner like once every 2 weeks but it doesn't affect anything. I also got avast, COMODO BOClean and COMODO firewall, and Spyware Blaster. I also use Spybot SD sometimes... so you see it's not virus/malware/trojan/whatever related.


My system is show in task manager to be constantly running at 99%, although sometimes it goes down to around 74% because of 25% system use of avast.


If you need more info just tell me.

 

it maybe that you got two spyware programs running at the same time id recommend to use only one.

 

Look in your task manager and see what is using all your CPU.
What and how many apps do you have starting with your PC.
A good rule of thumb, basically just run security apps at startup. (Anti-Virus, Firewall, Spyware app)

 

Ok now this is weird. I did that and then decided to uninstall avast. Problem solved, computer running as fast as it used to. But then in the next boot, another security software was slowing things down! I uninstalled it and the same thing happened with the other security program (in total they were avast, COMODO BOClean, COMODO Firewall). Finally, after i uninstalled them all the PC was running pretty fast.


I then tried to install a firewall because obviously i'm not leaving it unprotected. Downloaded Online Armor then. Again, PC slowed down. Gad to uninstall it and now the PC is faster again, but i don't know what to do since i'm not leaving it without protection, had too many issues with it in the past.

What do you mean by that? I should run them at pc startup? But that's what they were doing, they started automatically when windows started.

But i guess you mean to run them only soon after i started windows and then shut them down? But that would still leave the PC unprotected after that (once a virus downloaded intself into my pc and made the pc reboot automatically. It must have gotten deep down in windows since i had to ultimately format windows).

 

So any suggestions?

 

have you tried defragment yet/ do a scandisk first then defrag.