has anyone noticed this???

[eshort]

computer: Gateway 200arc notebook: P4-m 1.6/512 ram/12gbhdd/winxp sp-2 w/all updates thru 2/29/08

issue: when i initially install xp-comput runs fast--after loading updates> speed slows(startup and accessing programs) despite minimizing startup stuff (via msconfig) and running "defrag" and "system cleanup" 3x/weekly. I notice alot of hdd "thrashing" so i disabled "indexing" in "services"(as well as "messanger").

use avg free visrus/zone alram free as viral/malware/firewall programs.

this occurrs even on my new dell vostro 1500 which is a dual coreX2 1.6 mhz chip w/2gb ram and a 120 gb sata hdd!

very frustrating--as ive checked for viruses and malware (none)!!

any suggestions wld be greatly appreciated.

ps- the ram is "OK" as is the hdd!..as ive experienced this with other hdds in same machines and switching ram with known "good sticks".

[glc]

Try uninstalling Zone Alarm and use the Windows firewall.

[eshort]

removed zone alarm--a little bteer but still slow..ie..takes 55 seconds to load firefox

hdd still thrashing--its as if something is irritating the hdd!

any other things to try?

i have a relative minimal amount of programs loaded..ie.no cd rom burning software etc--using about 1/2 of a 12 gb hdd for everything.

[glc]

Okay, I just remembered something. I had similar issues with my Win2K laptop last December. It was my wireless card. I had to nuke and pave it and reinstall the wireless to fix it. As a test, uninstall your wireless card and remove it. If it perks up, reinstall it. If it goes back to its old tricks, nuke and pave.

[eshort]

will try--hope its not the wireless card!

card= linksys 300(pne with the two antennae sticking off the top) via usb 2.0 port

Am using a community wireless router located approx 75 feet from my apartment.

signal strength via external linksys= 95%//withinternal card only 25%.


I know u hate usb wireless adapters--but--mine is working ok as of now.

if needed...

can link linksys adapter to notebook via a serial usb 2.0 adapter which slides into the pcmcia slot.

[glc]

That's fine, but my card is a PCMCIA Linksys, and I swear it was causing issues.

Uninstalling the card fixed the slowness issue. I had to reinstall Windows to make it so the card did not slow things down. No idea why, just passing on what fixed it.