Do I need a new PC?

[Maddie106]

Am getting frustrated by how slow my PC is! When I boot it up, I may as well go and make a cup of coffee before I can get on the net or do anything. I'm fed up with the "Not responding " notices from windows task manager.

It runs 45 processes at start up (does anyone know how I can PRINT OUT the list from task manager please?)....I suspect this is part of my problem.

 

In addition, it also throws regular "wobblies"...shut itself down last week when I was trying to print out a PDF file via a webpage, froze up completely last night and this morning told me it had found new hardware ( the printer that has been installed and working for 12 months!) The wireless keyboard stopped working after 3 months for no apparent reason and I've resorted to the old wired one.:confused::mad:

 

 

 

PC INFO

I'm running XP professional version 5.1with service pack 3.(Tried the XP disc and it told me I'm running a newer version than the disc)

The capacity of the machine is 76.69 GB with free space of 57.3 GB(Data from defrag)

Physical memory available to windows is 490,996 KB( Data from running winver in start)

IE is version 8

 

"HOUSEKEEPING"

I have AVG (free) Spybot and Malwarebytes installed.AVG updates on boot up and I update the others weekly. I scan all 3 manually once a week (no problems found recently)

I run disc clean up and defrag once a week from system tools.

 

So, do I give up and get a new machine? I do like this one when it behaves, mainly because it's housed in box a bit bigger than a shoe box and sits neatly on my desk.

 

All suggestions would be greatfully appretiated!

 

Many thanks,

 

Christine (alias Maddie)

[Hendy]

Hi Maddie you don't mention the age or make of your machine and

the easiest way for printing the task manager is using the Print Screen function and is quite simple - just launch task manager, choose the tab that you would like to print and resize the window to fit your needs, and then simply press Print Screen on your keyboard and import it into a word document to print out via your printer.

[kevh]

Hi

 

Ive an older pc which i just installed AVG 9 on and slowed up ridiculously and after hours of messy around with processor hanging and freezing , uninstalled avg 9 and went back to Avg 8.5 and all was fine again :rolleyes:

 

Also out of interest what processor have you and possible doubling your ram would help.

 

Cheers Kev :cool:

[Jelly Bean]

Maddie do you get these issues only when using the printer or when the printer is powered on?

 

Now I asume your printer is USB and that your wireless keyboard is also USB.Now this would point me in the direction of possibly failing or damaged USB ports.

 

Could you:

 

Click start/right click on my computer and choose properties from the list/choose hardware tab/device manager/use the + box to open the USB list/do you see any yellow symbols listed there or anywere else in the main list?

[Maddie106]

Hi Maddie you don't mention the age or make of your machine and

the easiest way for printing the task manager is using the Print Screen function and is quite simple - just launch task manager, choose the tab that you would like to print and resize the window to fit your needs, and then simply press Print Screen on your keyboard and import it into a word document to print out via your printer.

 

Thanks Hendry,

 

Info on PC is that it was built for me about 5 years ago...case says iDEQ

"My Computer" gives info of AMD Athlon 1.20 GHz, 480 MB of RAM

 

The print screen button on my keyboard doesn't seem to do anything I'm afraid!

[Maddie106]

Thanks Jelly Bean,

 

Did that and all USB stuff seems to be ok (printer still working too, even tho I still keep getting "found new hardware wizard"!

[Maddie106]

Hi

 

Ive an older pc which i just installed AVG 9 on and slowed up ridiculously and after hours of messy around with processor hanging and freezing , uninstalled avg 9 and went back to Avg 8.5 and all was fine again :rolleyes:

 

Also out of interest what processor have you and possible doubling your ram would help.

 

Cheers Kev :cool:

 

Hi Kev,

 

My processor is AMD Athlon , 1.2GHz 480MB Ram

I suspect that lack of ram IS my main problem.

 

I have AVG set to update on boot up, so I'll play with that to see if it helps.I'd need lots of help to uninstall AVG 9 and go back to 8.5!!

Also, I think Teatimer.exe (part of Spybot) is part of the slow start .

 

I'll just have to drink extra coffee whilst it boots up in it's own time!

 

Cheers, Chris (Alias Maddie):)

[RandyL]

A slow booting computer can have many causes. But it seems you have a few other issues too. So many things to try. We can only guess. A proccess of elimination.

 

Slow booting issues:

 

1. Failing hard drive.

2. Malware.

3.Too many startup items.

4. Bad RAM.

5. Failing or failed hardware device like a CD/DVD drive.

6. Incompatable device not supported by the OS like a printer.

7. A poorly written installed program at startup like an antivirus program.

8. And more.

 

You mentioned.

 

9. Freezing.

10. AVG free

11. Spybots tea timer.

12. Found new hardware wizard on boot up.

13. 12 month old previously working printer.

14. Probably 512 Mb RAM.

15. A small computer. Possibly a slim line or mini tower.

 

I'm wondering if the clues are in those aspects or combination of those aspects or if there is something more. It really is a proccess of elimination.

 

If it were me I would start with the basics to rule them out first. But where to start?

 

I can suggest a few things but can't promise anything.

 

A. Disconnect all peripheal devices like printers or anything else plugged in to any type of port that you don't absolutely need.

 

B. Uninstall any peripheal software. Also remove printers and such from Control Panel.

 

C. Uninstall tea timer.

 

D. Uninstall AVG AVG Antivirus and Security Software - Tools download

 

E. Run malware scans. We have a guide if you want to try that. Since you are using AVG that is a distinct possibility.

 

F. Uninstall any programs that can not be absolutely trusted before the scans.

 

G. Replace or remove RAM sticks.

 

H. Run check disk or run a scan of the hard drive obtained by the manufacturer of the drive.

 

I. Open up and clean the machine of dust and grime being careful how you do it. Heat from clogged fans or failed fans can cause issues but I doubt that is an issue in your case. However small towers may or may not have cooling issues so I thought I would mention it.

 

The others have all brought up good points. That's why I added what little bit I could and tried to sum it up. Hopefully they can continue to guide you in this matter.

 

By the way do you have your XP disk?

[kevh]

Hi Chris

 

Lots of possible causes as above , but my old pc with a little bit better spec was hellish with teatimer swithched on and AVG 9.0 as i think V9.0 had anti spyware added and then would conflict with Spybot, and very usuable now (athalon 1.8ghz and 768mb ram XP )

 

Teatimer can be switched off in Spybot settings page and resident i think too. (just run a scan now and again :) )

 

Not an expert myself so just trying too help from what ive found :)

 

Cheers Kev :cool:

[RandyL]

I agree Kev. Both AVG and teatimer are possible causes. I used to use Spybot and teatimer caused problems for me and many others.

 

I'm not an expert either.

[AlarifHashem]

Thanks Hendry,

 

Info on PC is that it was built for me about 5 years ago...case says iDEQ

"My Computer" gives info of AMD Athlon 1.20 GHz, 480 MB of RAM

 

The print screen button on my keyboard doesn't seem to do anything I'm afraid!

 

Hi Maddie,

 

After pressing Print Screen, open up Microsoft Word or Paint, then click on Paste, or press CTRL+V.

[Plastic Nev]

Spybot S&D, though a reasonable program, there are better, plus there is a lot of things in Spybot that although there as protection do slow things down and are not really needed. The teatimer being one of them.

It is not difficult to turn "Teatimer" off, just follow these instructions carefully and you will be OK and there will be one less item slowing things down.

First open Spybot. then on the bottom left, click on "Tools". On the left of that page, select and click on "Resident". On the next page there is "Resident Protection Status" with two tick boxes, one saying "Resident "SD Helper" (Internet Explorer bad download blocker) active".

and the other saying "Resident "Teatimer" (Protection of over all system settings) active".

You can leave a tick in the first box as this will help protect you against downloading malware through Internet Explorer, it can only help, but not be sure of blocking all bad downloads though.

The second one for the "Teatimer" remove the tick to turn off the teatimer function.

Hope that helps.

 

The next item for consideration is definitely the low amount of RAM you have, Using Internet Explorer go to RAM Memory Upgrade: Dell, Mac, Apple, HP, Compaq. USB drives, flash cards, SSD at Crucial.com

 

Select Scan my system, this will give you a report of the RAM memory installed and how much extra can be added and what type.

You will then be able to see at how much cost to buy, if buying from them.

A browse round the Crucial site should also find you instructions in general for installing extra RAM. It really is simple, and as an idea of the improvement you can gain, I originally had less than you at 250MB. Using Crucial, I bought and installed 1GB. that really did improve starting and closing times for me.

Nev.

[PseFrank]

Hi Maddie106,

 

Like yourself I run XP Professional. I'm unable to advise you on you main problem, but I can advise on printing anything that you can see on your screen.

 

As has already been suggested you have the option of using the PrtScn button. I'll just add a point to that information.

 

1. When you press the PrtScn button the contents of your screen are copied to the windows clipboard.

 

2. When you press Alt + PrtScn only the active window will be copied to the clipboard. (This is handy when resizing a window is not an option. Example: System configuration utility.

 

3. Just has been suggested...Open up Microsoft Word or Paint...Then Press Ctrl + V to paste the clipboard contents into your choosen program.

 

Note: When you press the PrtScn button it will seem like nothing has happened...It's only after the paste command that you will see the result.