PC on go slow

[Jiroma]

Hi all, I've got an unusual problrm with my PC. It is running incredibly slow. When I click on an icon on my desktop it takes 2 mins 30 seconds to open and the same to close or do anything in any program. I can use msn ok, in that I can type and send messages etc. Task manager shows no unusual CPU usage ( I have had a virus before thta used all the proccessing power and made the pc sluggish but nothing like this. I tried running norton while in safe mode but up till now it has scanned 632 files in 103 minutes.......should be finished in about a week maybe!
Im running win xp on a 3.6gb processor with 1gb ram and 160gb hd.
anyone comw across this before.

Jiroma

[shadowpr]

How much free space do you have?

I would try to run this: www.ccleaner.com

Uninstall Norton, as it has been known to use up system resources.

Then download and run http://www.spybot.info/en/mirrors/index.html

Then install and run either avg or avast antivirus.

Also, how many programs do you have starting up with the computer?

[Jiroma]

Thanks mate, I have around 50 gb free. I've been running norton with no problem and no significant drop in performance for over a year now. Dont have too many programs in startup that would account for this. I'll try CC and see if that helps but Im beginning to suspect either a processor or ram problem.......I'll try the CC and see what happens.

Jiroma

[glc]

Download the diagnostic software from the hard drive manufacturer and test the hard drive. To run ram diagnostics, download Memtest86+ from www.memtest.org.

[law99]

I agree with shadowpr Norton is a pig. Did you run anything else?
SUPERAntispyware, a-squared, Malwarebytes all free. On line scanner Housecall.

Take a look at post #9 here.

http://amazingtechs.com/index.php?showtopic=28243

[itsgt]

Drop norton, download the uninstall program from their website.

I recommend avg and spybot together. Run them both in safe mode,

Use CCleaner like someone mentioned earlier, run the registry thats built inside Ccleaner as well

If that does not help you, I have some other tricks up my sleeve as well:cool:

[glc]

Currently, the best malware scanner we have found is Malwarebytes. Download it and try it.

www.malwarebytes.org

[doubledragon5]

I wuold also recommend goning into contro panel>add remove, and look at the last time you actually used the programs. If its been a coupld of yrs, that tells me you don't need it and uninstall them to give you more free space. I'v done that to both of my daughters machine, and gave them lots of free space.

Then when your done, do a defrag first, then run alti spyware, malware, then do a complete antivirs scan..You will be surprised on how much the machine will speed up especially if none of the above as been done in a while..

[Jiroma]

Thanks to all who replied. This was not a problem of the pc running a bit slow, imagine this situation, you click on my computer then wait 2mins 30 seconds for it to open. you click on one of the drives and it takes 2.30 mins to open also. Even to correct the problem took an age but I got there in the end. It turned out to be Norton. I think it had become corupted somehow but once removed the pc came up to full speed instantly. I've since installed spyware doctor and all is well.


Jiroma

[doubledragon5]

Glade it worked out for you.

[Negeva]

Thanks to all who replied. This was not a problem of the pc running a bit slow, imagine this situation, you click on my computer then wait 2mins 30 seconds for it to open. you click on one of the drives and it takes 2.30 mins to open also. Even to correct the problem took an age but I got there in the end. It turned out to be Norton. I think it had become corupted somehow but once removed the pc came up to full speed instantly. I've since installed spyware doctor and all is well.


Jiroma

Glad you've resolved the issue. However, I'm not too happy with the solution being Spyware Doctor - that programme is rapidly becoming another Norton in the making.

[Jiroma]

I didnt say Spyware doctor is the solution. The solution was to remove Norton. If you can reccomend a good allrounder in virus and spyware protection I'd be glad to know it.

Thanks for your help

Jiroma

[Negeva]

I didnt say Spyware doctor is the solution. The solution was to remove Norton. If you can reccomend a good allrounder in virus and spyware protection I'd be glad to know it.

Thanks for your help

Jiroma

Sorry, mis-read. AVG Free does a good enough job - just don't install the Webshield thing as it really slows web browsing down. Spybot is also good if you use the Immunize feature - has to be down regularly.