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08-09-2006, 03:31 PM
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#1 |
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Member (8 bit)
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Location: Central Arkansastan
Posts: 218
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Very Slow Computer
I have an older Compaq 1g AMD Athalon computer that I just put XP on. It has 512 MB ram, but takes forever to boot, and anytime anything is started it takes 100% CPU and either locks up or just takes 5 minutes for program to come up. It has a new HDD, and the RAM is good. Only things installed are windows Defender, AVG antivirus, Kodak software, and some pictures. does not matter if I turn off defender, or AVG. None runs at startup except AVG and the Defender, no other programs allowed to self-start. Cannot even hardly use the thing, Copy of XP is legit, and bought as upgrade to 98. I cannot even change the desktop with default pics without it locking up. Any suggestions on what may be wrong? FWIW, I use AVG, and Defender on two other 'puters without a problem what so ever. Rebooted and no change...
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08-09-2006, 03:39 PM
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#2 |
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Have you tried running diagnostics on the ram and harddrive?
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08-09-2006, 04:02 PM
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#3 |
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Member (8 bit)
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Yes, working as advertised...
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08-09-2006, 04:04 PM
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#4 |
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Do you use the machine on the net? have you got more than one firewall installed?
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08-09-2006, 04:26 PM
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#5 |
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Member (8 bit)
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It was only used on the net once, to get the AVG and defender updated. I can shut down each one and no change in performance. Acts as though there is no memory in it, yet showing a good check, and listing it as well.
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08-09-2006, 04:39 PM
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#6 |
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Did you have any spyware or virus issues with the machine when it was running 98 before the update? if the installation of 98 is not perfectly clean before doing an update it can cause all sorts of issues after the update.
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08-09-2006, 04:46 PM
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#7 |
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Member (8 bit)
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No, the original HDD crashed, and was replaced, along with a clean copy of 98. Then was immediately upgraded to XP. Seemed to work ouk. Then shutdown, stored in closte, brought back out to use, and now this. I have checked Hdware connections, etc, all is good, no hard shocks, I know the 1G is not a speed demon, but shoulddnt be this slow, either, or lock up like it is...
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08-09-2006, 04:54 PM
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#8 |
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If you mothballed it to a cupboard can't you do another format and reinstall? just guesing but anything could have gone wrong while it was packed away.
How long was it packed away for? |
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08-09-2006, 05:38 PM
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#9 |
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i suppose I could, it was mothed for about 5 months, I started to uninstall programs first, to see which ones started the crap. I jsut hate to redo it all as I would rather find the culprit first...
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08-09-2006, 06:11 PM
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#10 |
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Your thinking software and I am thinking hardware, electronic equipment doesn't take to well to being left switched off for a long time.
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08-09-2006, 06:33 PM
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#11 |
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Member (8 bit)
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I guess I will go back and start from scratch then....
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08-09-2006, 08:03 PM
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#12 |
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I would say that something gone wrong with or during upgrade try clean install of XP and belive that is OS issue!!!
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08-09-2006, 09:30 PM
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#13 |
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OK, Have tried to reinstall windows XP twice now, each time it gets slower as the install goes on, finally stopping at 60% or thereabouts. Both fans (pwr supply and CPU) are going, as I have the cover off looking at them. Cannot get any farther than that. Any new ideas? I am really getting stumped here....
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08-09-2006, 09:46 PM
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#14 |
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You said you had run diagnostics and both harddrive and ram are running as advertised, what did you use for the diagnostic tests?
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08-09-2006, 09:48 PM
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#15 |
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I used the diskcheck for the HDD, the ram, I physically removed and reinstalled in my P3 550 and confirmed it works.
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08-09-2006, 10:00 PM
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#16 |
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To be honest I think I would run more demanding tests on them, you either run tests via the ultimate boot CD which contains both harddrive and memory testers or you can download the testers separately.
Personally I would download and create a boot disk of ultimatebootcd you will need a blank CD and CD burning software capable of reading an ISO file and creating a boot disk from it, you can download the UBCD from here: http://www.ultimatebootcd.com |
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08-09-2006, 10:16 PM
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#17 |
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OK, I will try to make some sense out of that CD thing, but why would it just slow down like that?
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08-09-2006, 10:19 PM
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#18 | |
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Quote:
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08-09-2006, 10:21 PM
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#19 |
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Member (8 bit)
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seemed to run OK, I installed the XP, installed AVG, Defender, and a couple other files, like pics and such, and left it overnight, seemed OK, shut it down, and put it in closet.
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08-09-2006, 10:31 PM
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#20 |
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Staff
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It does seem strange that it is now running slow after only being put aside for awhile, but like I said earlier I know electronic equipment does not respond well to being left alone for awhile.
You mentioned that you tried the ram in your other machine, have you tried the ram from your other machine in the slow one? |
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08-09-2006, 10:32 PM
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#21 |
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Member (8 bit)
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Yes, no change in anyhting when I did that...
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08-10-2006, 12:39 PM
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#22 |
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I'm betting the hard drive is failing.
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08-10-2006, 01:11 PM
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#23 |
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Member (8 bit)
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Nope, not the HDD. I found it finally!!!!! Turns out it was one of the RAM sticks after all. When I removed them to install in other computer, they had cooled down enough to operate. I got disgusted and reinstalled the XP, when it slowed down at about 60% again, I started spraying canned air, at first the CPU, then the RAM sticks. When I got to the 3rd stick, all the sudden it started moving again. So I removed the stick, and all started working as advertised!! Woo Hoo!! Now I gotta go buy me another stick, but all else is great with it! Thanxs to everyone for all the suggestions, especially 'rjfvillarosa' for his continuing help.
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08-10-2006, 01:24 PM
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#24 |
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Staff
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Well done, glad you found the problem.
Thanks for posting back with the solution to the problem, this always helps others reasearch a problem before starting a new thread. On a side note anyone thinking of doing the same with a can of compressed air, be carefull it doesn't propel moisture mixed with the air onto the motherboard. |
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08-15-2006, 11:55 PM
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#25 |
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Member (8 bit)
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MOVED FROM DRIVES AND STORAGE AS PER ADMIN:
Problem returned, only worse.... after I got it together it seemed to work fine for awhile, now is even worse, same type of symptoms, but barely boots into safe mode without stopping or taking forever to get there. I downloaded Seagate's drive diagnostics, and tested the remaining memory, which passed, but the quick scan on the HDD gets to 90% and just stops... HDD light is on, not blinking, and I hear no "hard drive sound'..mouse will not move either. have to reboot to get it to restart the test, and again, 90% and stops...HDD failure?? |
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08-16-2006, 09:15 AM
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#26 |
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Sure sounds like it. Can you temporarily install that drive in another computer and try to run SeaTools again to make sure?
Thank you for reposting back in here - it helps a lot keeping continuity. |
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08-16-2006, 11:30 AM
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#27 |
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Member (8 bit)
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I suppose I could, thing is, when i removed the memory stick from it, it worked great, had no problems for about 3 or 4 days, then out of blue, started it again, only really bad. HDD is only 5 months old, was not used as it was in a closet for some time until my daughter needed it for school coming up. when I first powered it on after taking it out of storage, it booted slow, and ran sort of slow, and gave symptoms of low memory ( there was only 385MB in it) so thats when I added the 128 stick and probs went from there...I just cannot help but wonder why removing a memory stick would improve performance if even for a short while.
Sorry about starting in another section, I started it there because I thought HDD might be failing and figured I would get a better answer there...Sorry about that. |
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08-16-2006, 10:23 PM
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#28 |
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Member (8 bit)
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I installed the drive in this computer, and ran the diagnostic once again. This is the result below: I ran a full scan afterwards, and it came up with 2 bad sectors, and offered to repair them, which it did, then failed test again. So off to seagate it goes....
[COLOUR="Sienna"]SeaTools Desktop v3.02.04 Copyright (c) 2005 Kroll Ontrack Inc. 8/16/2006 @ 6:17 PM The following information has been generated by SeaTools Desktop. Use this information to help you recognize and resolve potential data access problems. System Information: BIOS Date 11/04/03 Conventional Memory size 639 K Extended Memory size 58532 K IO Channel type PCI Drive Information: SIZE MODEL --------- --------------------- 160 GB ST3160023A Serial Number = 5JS8XZRF Int13 Num = 80, PHYS CHS = 16383x16x63. ParmTable CHS, Rsvd = 19457x255x63 PARTITION CYLINDER SIZE ---------- ------------ ---- # Type Start End MB PRIMARY 1 NTFS 0 3088 160049 Diagnostic Results: Seagate DiagATA Quick Test Result: Failed Recommendation: The "Quick Test" is adequate for most situations. Consider running the "Full Test" which verifies each sector on the drive if you need to run a more comprehensive diagnostic. Results from Seagate's DiagATA/SCSI: ----------------------------------------------------------------- DIAGATA.EXE Version 3.08.50629ML Copyright (c) 2002-2005 by Seagate Technology LLC. All rights reserved. ----------------------------------------------------------------- Timer Resolution: 0.000122 Short Test Begin: 16-Aug-2006 18:11:48 Cable Test - 0 Errors Buffer Test - 0 Errors Identify Data Model Number: ST3160023A Serial Number: 5JS8XZRF Firmware Revision: 8.01 Default CHS: 16383-16-63 Current CHS: 16383-16-63 Current Capacity: 16514064 Sectors Total Capacity: 312581808 Sectors Conductor Cable Reported ID Method: CSEL SMART Check: Passed DST Poll Time = 60 seconds DST - Errors - Status: 07 SMART Check: Passed Short Test Failed: 16-Aug-2006 18:17:56 ----------------------------------------------------------------- End results from Seagate's DiagATA/SCSI Recommendation: A physical problem has been detected, please run the Full Diagnostic scan. ========================================================[/COLOR] |
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