Laptop running very slow

Hi,

I have an older Dell D820 laptop computer with a Windows 7 Ultimate on it with a Intel Core Duo processor. The computer originally came with XP, but I upgraded to Windows 7 a couple years ago. The computer has 4GB of ram, and as far as I can remember it ran at a good speed for an older computer.

In the last six months or so, the computer is running very slowly that it has become unbearable to use. I ran all of the usual scans for malware but I did not find any, so I posted for some help in the Malware forum and TimW said it was clean.

I have the power options set to performance and that did not change anything. I am also getting High CPU usage warning, but when I check Task Manager there are no processes that are hogging the cpu.

I am so frustrated, that I reinstalled Windows 7 with a clean install and the computer is still slow without any other apps installed just bare bones Windows 7.

Do you have any ideas what could be causing this laptop to run slow

Thanks

 

Ok thanks, I will try it

 

I've ran 'Autoruns' and did not find any unusual files running that should not be running. I also did not find anything hogging the CPU or memory usage. So, I decided to go back to the original OS Windows XP professional to see how the computer would run and it ran the way I expected it to. I couldn't download 'Autoruns' because the old IE wouldn't let me.

Anyhow, I decided to reinstall Windows Vista Ultimate to see how that would run, and it is running Ok but not great. I installed 'Autoruns' and it does not show anything unusual running. Task manager shows the CPU running between 50-75% and physical memory at 25% in idle state.

So I have a couple of questions. Should I reinstall Windows 7 and see what happens? If I install Windows Vista Ultimate 64 bit will I get any benefit over the 32 bit? Will Windows 7 64 bit be any better than the 32 bit for this computer.

Thanks for your help.

 

I did run a hardware diagnostic test and everything was tested as good. Also I've seen on the Dell forum many users running the D820 in 64 bit mode.

 

I agree with plodr. It's almost certainly a hardware problem. Have you checked the CPU and RAM? Run CPU-Z and have a look.

http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/cpu_z.html

 

I did check the hardware but I ran CPU-Z and the results are the same as before. The CPU and RAM are Ok, and I guess that means this is limitation of the computer hardware.

 

If your computer has 4GB RAM then I would go for windows 7 64Bit as it will recognise all the memory installed but you will need a 64bit CPU.

Have you tried defragging your hard drive and also checking for bad sectors on your hard drive that could be the cause of the slowness and also make sure the laptop is free from dust inside aswell as this can cause problems too.

 

Something is amiss. I run Windows 7 Ultimate with a 1.8 GHz Celeron CPU and 3 GB RAM @ 667 MHz.
What are your Windows Experience Index subscores?

 

Yes the machine has 4 GB RAM and that is verified by the BIOS and Windows. I am going to try and install Windows 7 64 bit and see what happens.

Eldon, Windows Experience Index was 1.5 when I had Vista 32 bit on it. The laptop is an Intel Core 2 Duo processor T7200 (2.00GHz), and theoretically should run without issues but it's not. There are other owners in the Dell forum that are running Vista without a problem with the same configuration.

 

mquelch, sometimes common sense needs to prevail. Consider the following:
My Windows Experience Index is 3.3 with Windows 7 Ultimate, which is low. Yours is 1.5 even though you have a higher spec PC. Save your CPU-Z results as an HTML and post it.

 

Here is the CPU-Z file.


CPU-Z

Binaries
CPU-Z version 1.72.0.x64

Processors
Number of processors 1
Number of threads 2

APICs
Processor 0
-- Core 0
-- Thread 0 0
-- Core 1
-- Thread 0 1

Timers
ACPI timer 3.580 MHz
HPET timer 14.318 MHz
Perf timer 1.951 MHz
Sys timer 1.000 KHz


Processors Information
Processor 1 ID = 0
Number of cores 2 (max 2)
Number of threads 2 (max 2)
Name Intel Mobile Core 2 Duo T7200
Codename Merom
Specification Intel(R) Core(TM)2 CPU T7200 @ 2.00GHz
Package (platform ID) Socket 479 mPGA (0x5)
CPUID 6.F.6
Extended CPUID 6.F
Core Stepping B2
Technology 65 nm
Core Speed 998.5 MHz
Multiplier x Bus Speed 6.0 x 166.4 MHz
Rated Bus speed 665.7 MHz
Stock frequency 2000 MHz
Instructions sets MMX, SSE, SSE2, SSE3, SSSE3, EM64T, VT-x
L1 Data cache 2 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L1 Instruction cache 2 x 32 KBytes, 8-way set associative, 64-byte line size
L2 cache 4096 KBytes, 16-way set associative, 64-byte line size
FID/VID Control yes
FID range 6.0x - 12.0x
Max VID 1.225 V





Chipset
Northbridge Intel i945PM rev. 03
Southbridge Intel 82801GHM (ICH7-M/U) rev. A1
Graphic Interface PCI-Express
PCI-E Link Width x16
PCI-E Max Link Width x16
Memory Type DDR2
Memory Size 4 GBytes
Channels Dual
Memory Frequency 332.8 MHz (1:2)
CAS# latency (CL) 5.0
RAS# to CAS# delay (tRCD) 5
RAS# Precharge (tRP) 5
Cycle Time (tRAS) 15
Bank Cycle Time (tRC) 21

Memory SPD
DIMM # 1
SMBus address 0x50
Memory type DDR2
Module format SO-DIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Samsung (CE000000000000000000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-5300 (333 MHz)
Part number M4 70T5663QZ3-CE6
Serial number 453FEC69
Manufacturing date Week 07/Year 08
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
AMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 3.0-3-3-9-12 @ 200 MHz
JEDEC #2 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #3 5.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz

DIMM # 2
SMBus address 0x52
Memory type DDR2
Module format SO-DIMM
Manufacturer (ID) Samsung (CE000000000000000000)
Size 2048 MBytes
Max bandwidth PC2-5300 (333 MHz)
Part number M4 70T5663QZ3-CE6
Serial number 24276A3E
Manufacturing date Week 07/Year 08
Number of banks 2
Data width 64 bits
Correction None
Nominal Voltage 1.80 Volts
EPP no
XMP no
AMP no
JEDEC timings table CL-tRCD-tRP-tRAS-tRC @ frequency
JEDEC #1 3.0-3-3-9-12 @ 200 MHz
JEDEC #2 4.0-4-4-12-16 @ 266 MHz
JEDEC #3 5.0-5-5-15-20 @ 333 MHz


Monitoring
Mainboard Model 0JF242 (0x00000158 - 0x00520E40)

LPCIO
LPCIO Vendor SMSC
LPCIO Vendor ID 0x55
LPCIO Chip ID 0x28

Hardware Monitors
Hardware monitor ACPI
Temperature 0 47°C (115°F) [0xC7D] (THM_)

Hardware monitor Battery
Voltage 0 12.55 Volts [0x3105] (Current Voltage)
Capacity 0 86580 mWh [0x15234] (Designed Capacity)
Capacity 1 73504 mWh [0x11F20] (Full Charge Capacity)
Capacity 2 86580 mWh [0x15234] (Current Capacity)
Level 0 16 pc [0x54] (Wear Level)
Level 1 118 pc [0x75] (Charge Level)

Hardware monitor NVIDIA NVAPI


PCI Devices
Description Host Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27A0
Revision ID 0x03

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 1 (0x01), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27A1
Revision ID 0x03

Description Multimedia device
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 27 (0x1B), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27D8
Revision ID 0x01

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 28 (0x1C), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27D0
Revision ID 0x01

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 28 (0x1C), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27D2
Revision ID 0x01

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 28 (0x1C), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27D4
Revision ID 0x01

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 28 (0x1C), function 3 (0x03)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27D6
Revision ID 0x01

Description USB Controller (UHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 29 (0x1D), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27C8
Revision ID 0x01

Description USB Controller (UHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 29 (0x1D), function 1 (0x01)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27C9
Revision ID 0x01

Description USB Controller (UHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 29 (0x1D), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27CA
Revision ID 0x01

Description USB Controller (UHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 29 (0x1D), function 3 (0x03)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27CB
Revision ID 0x01

Description USB 2.0 Controller (EHCI)
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 29 (0x1D), function 7 (0x07)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27CC
Revision ID 0x01

Description PCI to PCI Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 30 (0x1E), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x2448
Revision ID 0xE1

Description PCI to ISA Bridge
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 31 (0x1F), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27B9
Revision ID 0x01

Description IDE Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 31 (0x1F), function 2 (0x02)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27C4
Revision ID 0x01

Description SMBus Controller
Location bus 0 (0x00), device 31 (0x1F), function 3 (0x03)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x8086
Model ID 0x27DA
Revision ID 0x01

Description VGA Controller
Location bus 1 (0x01), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x10DE
Model ID 0x01D8
Revision ID 0xA1

Description PCI to CardBus Bridge
Location bus 3 (0x03), device 1 (0x01), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x1217
Model ID 0x7135
Revision ID 0x21

Description OHCI FireWire Controller
Location bus 3 (0x03), device 1 (0x01), function 4 (0x04)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x1217
Model ID 0x00F7
Revision ID 0x02

Description Ethernet Controller
Location bus 9 (0x09), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x14E4
Model ID 0x1600
Revision ID 0x02

Description Network Controller
Location bus 12 (0x0C), device 0 (0x00), function 0 (0x00)
Common header
Vendor ID 0x14E4
Model ID 0x4311
Revision ID 0x01


DMI
DMI BIOS
vendor Dell Inc.
version A10
date 01/27/2010
ROM size 576 KB

DMI System Information
manufacturer Dell Inc.
product Latitude D820
version unknown
serial DLCJZB1
UUID {4C4C4544-004C-4310-804A-C4C04F5A4231}
SKU unknown
family unknown

DMI Baseboard
vendor Dell Inc.
model 0JF242
revision unknown
serial .DLCJZB1.CN486436981760.

DMI System Enclosure
manufacturer Dell Inc.
chassis type Portable
chassis serial DLCJZB1

DMI Processor
manufacturer Intel
model unknown
clock speed 1000.0 MHz
FSB speed 166.0 MHz
multiplier 6.0x

DMI Port Connector
designation SERIAL1 (internal)
port type Serial Port 16550A
connector DB-9 male

DMI Port Connector
designation USB (internal)
port type USB
connector Access Bus (USB)

DMI Port Connector
designation MONITOR (internal)
port type Video Port
connector DB-15 female

DMI Port Connector
designation IrDA (internal)
connector Infrared

DMI Port Connector
designation FireWire (internal)
port type Firewire (IEEE P1394)
connector IEEE 1394

DMI Port Connector
designation Modem (internal)
port type Modem Port
connector RJ-11

DMI Port Connector
designation Ethernet (internal)
port type Network Port
connector RJ-45

DMI Extension Slot
designation PCMCIA 0
type PCMCIA
width 32 bits
populated no

DMI OEM Strings
string[0] Dell System
string[1] 5[0004]
string[2] 13[PP04X]

DMI Physical Memory Array
location Motherboard
usage System Memory
correction None
max capacity 4096 MBytes
max# of devices 2

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM_B
format DIMM
type DDR
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 2048 MBytes

DMI Memory Device
designation DIMM_A
format DIMM
type DDR
total width 64 bits
data width 64 bits
size 2048 MBytes


Graphics
Number of adapters 1

Graphic APIs
API NVIDIA I/O
API NVIDIA NVAPI

Display Adapters
Display adapter 0
Name NVIDIA Quadro NVS 120M
Board Manufacturer 0x1028 (0x01CC)
Revision A3
Codename G72
Technology 90 nm
Memory size 256 MB
PCI device bus 1 (0x1), device 0 (0x0), function 0 (0x0)
Vendor ID 0x10DE (0x1028)
Model ID 0x01D8 (0x01CC)
Performance Level Default
Core clock 100.0 MHz
Memory clock 400.0 MHz
Performance Level 2D Desktop
Core clock 200.0 MHz
Memory clock 400.0 MHz
Performance Level 3D Applications
Core clock 450.0 MHz
Memory clock 700.0 MHz

Win32_VideoController AdapterRAM = 0x10000000 (268435456)
Win32_VideoController DriverVersion = 7.15.11.7967
Win32_VideoController DriverDate = 03/06/2009

Monitor 0
Model ()
ID LPLAB00
Serial
Manufacturing Date Week 0, Year 2005
Size 15.4 inches
Max Resolution 1920 x 1200 @ 60 Hz
Horizontal Freq. Range 0-0 kHz
Vertical Freq. Range 0-0 Hz
Max Pixel Clock 0 MHz
Gamma Factor 2.2


Software
Windows Version Microsoft Windows 7 (6.1) Ultimate Edition 64-bit (Build 7600)
DirectX Version 11.0

 

The only issue I can see is the PC2-5300 (333 MHz) RAM. Buy the fastest DDR2 RAM the motherboard can support.

PC2-6400 and PC2-8500 are your options. If they are not supported by the motherboard, you either have to live with the slow performance or invest in a new motherboard. The latter will also require a new CPU and RAM.

FYI Windows 7 32-bit wont be faster as your Windows Experience Index score with Windows Vista 32-bit was 1.5.

 

Thanks Eldon, I think I may have to look at getting another computer because this is just too slow to work with. I appreciate your help.

 

You're welcome.
If you do a lot of work on your PC, consider a Desktop. It's cheaper and easier to upgrade. I'm still using the original Tower Case, PSU, Keyboard & Mouse from December 2004 when I bought my PC. In 2005/2006 I added a CD-ReWriter and DVD-ReWriter. And I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate and Windows XP Professional on a 10-year old 80 GB HDD... :wave

 

I have a desktop but this laptop belongs to my wife. I was just trying to keep it alive.

 

I had another look at the CPU-Z info and your wife's laptop has hardware specs much higher than my desktop. Which Windows Experience Index subscore is 1.5? This is what detemines the base score. I'm (almost) sure the speed can be improved. Have a look at the snapshot.

 

Yes, the laptop low score is coming from the CPU at 0.6 and I don't understand why.

 

Your Windows Experience Index was 1.5 when running Vista 32-bit. It's now 0.6? Then there is the answer to your problems. Mine is 3.9 with a 1.8 GHz Celeron CPU.
Did you use any program to test the performance of the CPU? Then again, it might be a bad decision to do that now. Something is very wrong with the CPU. Try to get a second opinion, or just replace it. And remember the thermal paste!

BTW If it wasn't for the CPU-related problem, that laptop could run Windows 10.

http://www.zdnet.com/article/windows-10-will-your-pc-run-it/2/

 

Thanks for your insight into this situation, I was really baffled about it. I think I will just replace the laptop at this point.