slow XP computer

[Gav]

Hi again

I have heard that if efter doing a anti spy check, disk fragging, empty temp internet files and so on.. if the PC ( 4 year old running XP home) still is running slow its time for a registry clean up, question is what does it do and how do you go about this ???

regards Gav..

[Tony D]

It's probably not your registry that's the problem. Sometimes it's the number of startup items, sometimes it's the type of anti-malware program you're running and sometimes it's the hard drive.

 

To rule out software, try booting in Safe Mode and see if that improves performance. Here's instructions. Let us know your findings.

 

 

Reboot your computer in Safe Mode.

 

* If the computer is running, shut down Windows, and then turn off the power.

* Wait 30 seconds, and then turn the computer on.

* Start tapping the F8 key. The Windows Advanced Options Menu appears. If you begin tapping the F8 key too soon, some computers display a "keyboard error" message. To resolve this, restart the computer and try again. If F8 doesn't work try F5.

* Ensure that the Safe Mode option is selected.

* Press Enter. The computer then begins to start in Safe mode.

* Log on with an account that has administrator priviledges, usually your own account (NOT the account named Administrator).

[Dalo Harkin]

It's probably not your registry that's the problem. Sometimes it's the number of startup items, sometimes it's the type of anti-malware program you're running and sometimes it's the hard drive.

 

To rule out software, try booting in Safe Mode and see if that improves performance. Here's instructions. Let us know your findings.

 

This is not a true comparison - the PC will naturally be faster as lots of the MS services are disabled too - you need to have a look in msconfig and see whats in there - upon removing those entries if it is not faster then this method can be tried - I would not recommend the way suggested as it is not a true reflection.

[Tony D]

If it's a failing hard drive, the machine will also run slow when booted in Safe Mode. I simply wanted to rule out the hard drive. Afterwards, I would head in the direction Dave suggested.

[Dalo Harkin]

If the HDD is dying then the the HDD activity light on the front of the PC would be permanently lit while there are stutters or pauses within Windows.

You would also be getting the dreaded 'click, click' noise from the HDD -

[Gav]

Just to let you Know that the problem has been fixed, but took a while before we found out that it was the internet connection which was giving the trouble, the telephone company has put in a new box into the house and we got a new moden in aswell...

 

thanks for all the help... Gav

[Dalo Harkin]

Glad its all sorted :)