System slow down problems

This is not my computer, so things might get lost in translation. Let's hope not. I attached my DxDiag.

I'm not sure what the problem is, but I know there is one. For instance when browsing, whether it is internet or on the computer, if I scroll down or up it will jump. It won't be a smooth scroll. The start menu can take a awhile to show up. The owner said the computer stopped burning DVD's, games won't work and he mumbled some other problems. He seems real frustrated.

I checked the malware forum and followed the instructions from the "Read and Run me first" sticky. Nothing was found.

I was talking to the owner of this computer and he said he ran Registry Defender and after it scanned it actually screwed some things up. He also said the computer got a little messed up after installing the new Windows Updates.

I started the computer and after windows booted up a window came up from Registry Defender saying it found 250 some problems. I decided not to hit the "fix it" button, and continue looking around.

His computer was running at around 93 F. I don't think this is normal, or even a good temperature. I always heard an optimal temp was around 70-80 F.

Could the problem be with broken system files and a screwed up registry? To tell the truth, I don't even know where to begin and the owner has talked about formatting (I keep getting logged out at this site, although it might be an optional thing here).

Thanks.

 

Please follow these instructions to tweak your system for performance, and lower your resource consumption.

93 F isn't a bad temperature for his system to be running at. My own runs at around 109.4, and I feel this is acceptable. If you want to be certain, then check with the manufacturer of the components, and see if the temperature falls within the part's thermal specs.

You might also try running the system file checker (SFC). To run the SFC for Windows XP, please do the following:

1. Insert the Installation CD
2. Hit windows key + r (or click Start --> Run)
3. Type 'sfc /scannow' (without the quotes)
4. Press enter (or click 'OK')

This will replace your system files with known good ones from the XP cd.

 

I ran the System File Checker and it ran for about 30-45 and closed itself. I was expecting a log, or a window saying that it finished

I tried to do a repair install but I couldn't get it to work. The computer either booted straight to windows, or I got a DOS error saying "Disk Boot Failure, Insert System Disk And Press Enter". Every time I hit "Enter" the error came up. It is an original, legit Windows XP Pro CD.

I had to disable some boot up devices to get there, but nothing seemed to work. Would using the "Upgrade" option be a good choice? I also attached a Hijack this log.

 

Oh yuck! That's definitely a problem, amigo! This means that the system is only intermittently detecting your hard drive! My first step would be to reboot the machine, and jump into BIOS. If it is detected there, try a few more restarts to make sure that BIOS is detecting the HDD consistently. If not, try replacing the cable, and repeat this process to make sure that the cable is ok.

Post back when you're finished. If this doesn't help your situation, we have to determine whether it is the hard drive or the IDE controller that's messing up on you.

If you do find that BIOS is detecting the hard drive consistently, then we can conclude that it is a software problem. The most reliable way to correct this would be to format and re-install, but let us know how things go first.

 

I restarted about four times, and although I wasn't sure exactly what I was looking for (I'm not that experienced with bios) , everything was consistent throughout the restarts.

I guess I should mention now this computer has three Hard Drives. One is a SATA, and the other two IDE's.

Under Standard settings it is listed as:

IDE Channel 1, master and slave, none.

IDE Channel 2 is where his HD's are connected.

Hard Disk Priority

1. Bootable Add-in cards
2. First HD
3. Second HD

Could the Master and Slave jumpers be wrong?

 

Yeah! Which is the drive that the OS is installed on?

 

It appears they all have Windows XP on them. Apparently each HD is supposed to be a separate thing, including partitions. Games/music, system files/important files, internet stuff, etc.

I'm not sure how to switch channels for the IDE's though.

 

According to your DirectX log, you only have the generic video driver installed.

Install the latest video card drivers, and if it's a VIA chipset motherboard, get the 4 in 1 drivers as well.

 

I was messing around in bios and changing the cables and I ran across some errors.

For sake of simplicity I will use Hard Drive A, B, C when defining a certain HD.

HD A and B are IDE's with Win XP pro installed. HD C is a SATA with Win XP pro.

HD A seems to be corrupt now, as I get a "NTLDR is Missing" error before windows boots up. I think I understand how to fix that with floppy disks.

I got a long error after that, I don't remember how though

"Windows could not start because of a computer disk hardware configuration problem. Could not read from the selected boot disk. Check boot path and hardware. Please check windows documentation about hardware disk configuration and your hardware reference manuals for additional information."


And now neither working HD will detect the DVD drive, it shows up in Bios.