XP slowdown

[pc_noob]

I'm on this HP 500 with XP installed and I noticed that it has a pretty decent integrated video card because it ran me CS very well at 800x600 resolution. Ever since however this system has sustained a major slowdown, and the games it used to run beautifully now runs them pretty laggish, and programs open A LOT slower then when thez used to. What could've caused this slowdown? Is there a way to fix this?

System specs;

HP Pavilion 500
Pentium Celeron 1.7GHz
128MB RAM


Thanks.

[coolcps]

Try to Defragment your hard drive, that could probably fix your problem. Start-All Programs-Accesories-System Tools-Disk Defragmenter. Also run scandisk if you can. Also make sure to CTR+ALT+DELETE any programs running. Turn off all processes that are run by owner except for explorer. I hope this helps.

[bailey]

another stick of ram would improve the performance a lot too

[pc_noob]

Originally posted by bailey another stick of ram would improve the performance a lot too

I'm sure that would help some, but I'm just comparing this systems current performance to it's newly bought days when it performed decently.

Thanks for the suggestions coolcps, I will do those.

[bailey]

are you saying that you got that new with xp already installed on it

[Kov-Ice]

Read this thread:

http://forum.pcmech.com/showthread.p...871#post488871

Within, there is a link to an article with some info on this problem being caused by a bad Windows Update patch in XP. Removing it may help.

[Trophy1]

Oh yeah your problem is RAM. You need more than 128mb. However, when I only had that much two and three programs did work good. My pc did run ok. But for games and having more than three multi programs open you need more RAM.

[pc_noob]

Defragmented, Scan Disked, removed the patch, and still nothing. The computer is just as slow as before. Also, pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL does nothing.

[morriswindgate]

With 128MB of RAM and XP you will only have 10 to 15 MB of free ram when you have only booted up to the desktop. You need at least another 128mb to get any type of performance. Right now you are running every thing off of virtual memory (hard drive space) which instead of operating at the speed of light is running at 7200RPMs.

[pc_noob]

But how come when this system was brand new it ran the games without a glitch?

[morriswindgate]

Could be many things, but the most likely is the natual fragmenting of the hard drive. As soon as you start using the computer you start reading and writing all over the hard drive which with that amount of RAM will lead to a slowdown pretty quick. So the option is more RAM or defragg once a day.

[pc_noob]

Well then it can only be the RAM because I just defragmanted this morning. Also, is it normal that pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL does nothing? Could it be that the original keyboard that came with this computer has been replaced with a generic one?

Thanks for the help,

[louis]

hi guys

i was told xp pro is not good for games.

i dont know if you have home or pro

regards

louis

[pc_noob]

Home edition.

[bailey]

Originally posted by louis hi guys i was told xp pro is not good for games. i dont know if you have home or pro regards louis

I think who ever told you that , don't know what he talking about.

it works fine for everyone else

[pc_noob]

Is there another method to close the background programs and applications besides pressing CTRL+ALT+DEL? This computer is not using the original keyboard, instead it is actually with a different language keyboard so my guess is that this is whats causing it to disfunction. Any other way?

Thanks,

(btw I'm running XP Home Edition)

[jeresimo]

START
RUN
Then type: MSCONFIG
Then click START UP tab
then
Uncheck those running programs in the background not needed.

[andyms18a]

when you first got the computer in the task bar by the clock how many programs did you have runing ? now if you look at the clock how many programs are runing the moor the slower
xp needs at least 256mb ram but at curant prices 512 wood be better

[gneo]

Originally posted by louis
hi guys

i was told xp pro is not good for games.

i dont know if you have home or pro

regards

louis

There's not that much different between the two Operating Systems, and most, if not all, recent games will run on any pc with either Home or Pro. It sounds like you need to add a few additional sticks of memory to get the most out of your system. 128 Mb just won't do it for you. If you can, move up to at least 512 Mb and see how that works out for you.

[imbest123]

im pretty sure its the ram since my friend only has 128mb of and it runs slower than my oldest comp with xp. the asme issue occured on my p4 2.4ghz with 768mb ddr ram but i reinstalled a clean copy of xp and it worked fione after that. i think it had too much crap on it . i did try defrging mine but its didnt help. jus buy more ram it isnt too expensive anymore.