My Windows XP just decided to slow way down. PLEASE HELP!

Ok, I don't know what the heck is going on, but my computer has slowed down extremely. I can barely use IE, let alone any other programs.

It almost seems like theres a program running in the background.
Booting Up the computer takes forever to do now.
When it does finally boot up the default windows start up chime is scratchy like a the PC is too busy to even play the chime.
Spyboot & Ad-Aware come up with nothing wrong.
Swat It! Professional didn't find anything wrong.
I have etrust Anitivirus & Sygate Personal Firewall.
CCleaner states the PC is a Mobile AMD Sempron Processor 3000+, 1.9GB RAM, ATI RADEON XPRESS 200M

I don't know if this gives any additional info toward the problem, but when I move the mouse around in a circle I can't even complete a full turn without the courser hiccuping for a slight moment.


If there's any other info you need, please include how I may retrieve it from my PC and how to copy and paste it here.

I'm going nuts over here, thanks for your help folks!

 

Open up the task manager with ctrl+alt+del and select the processes tab. Sort by CPU usage and see which program uses the most CPU (exclude the 'system idle process'). Next sort it by memory usage and look for the program consuming the most memory. Paste both here.

 

Ok, I used the memory test and it came up with 3 errors:

1. Memory Error Detected for word pair# 39886196, values 3104393317, 297015589 do not match

2. Memory Error Detected copying between word pairs# 39886265 and 39886196

There was a 3rd error but I was able to get get the info.

After that, I took one memory chip out, restarted the PC, then took both chips out then restarted, then used the original memory chip and restarted. All 3 ways came up with the same output, still super slow.

I defragmented the PC which stated it did need it. Then after that was finished, I analyzed it again just to see and it stated I need to defragment the PC again. I haven't done it a second time since I wanted to post all that I have done so far.

Now, after opening the Windows Task Manager, just now, I noticed the following programs using the most memory.

svchost.exe - 37,664 K
explorer.exe - 23,276 K
wuaudt.exe - 22,??? K (it just disappeared all together right this second, strange)

The CPU usage fluctuates between 2%-16%.

Now I get I will try the activescan.com scan. I'll be back, PLEASE HELP!

 

Did you try just moving the RAM dimm's to a different slot? Maybe the dimm slot is faulty. (Removing all RAM will not work, because computers need RAM to function)

 

Is your PC overheating by any chance?

 

has anyone suggested ccleaner? might help.

 

Well I defragmented my system over and over until the PC stated "You do not need to defragment this volume".

The system seems to run a tad bit quicker now that I defragmented the PC, but it is still extremely slow and I still notice hiccups.

The start up is still extremely slow and recently every now and again the mouse touch pad on the notebook goes bonkers and unresponsive and I am made to shutdown the PC via "windows button", then shift U, then shift R. When this happens I am not able to restart the PC only shut it down.

When the system does start up correctly it is still very slow to the point where the "windows welcome chime" is scratchy like it is too busy to even please a sold tune.

Is there a way I can find out if it is?

I use the program all the time.

The two ram chips are the exactly the same 1.0GB type.

Any other ideas? I'm going to run activescan now that everything is defragmented. I will be back.

 

Ok the activescan came up clean.

I just downloaded and ran Everest and here is the info I found in regards to temperatures. I saved the report so if any other info is need please let me know and I can post it. PLEASE HELP.



--------[ Sensor ]------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------------

Sensor Properties:
Sensor Type HDD

Temperatures:
CPU 61 °C (142 °F)
TOSHIBA MK4025GAS 52 °C (126 °F)

 

Pretty warm, check your fan on top of the cpu heatsink and be sure it is running, it needs to be running fairly fast, not just turning. ed

 

You are using a laptop right? Hope you take it out of it's bag when you use it Also make sure that none of the airvents are blocked. It's a bit warm. What I do is I place two small pieces of wood under my laptop where the rubber feet are. what this does is it raises the rear of the laptop allowing air to get underneath easier. This is not really necessary but I do it anyway. Sort of a budget "cool pad"

 

Well folks, it seems to be running perfect again. I finally broke down and called Compaq. I put in the Operating System Disk and did a repair.

I really appreciate everyone's help, and I'm glad to have learned some valuable troubleshooting if similar symptoms occur in the future.

Thanks Again!