Computer is
running slow or has a sudden change in performance
Sudden Slowdown – If your computer has experienced a sudden change in
performance, you might want to try a system restore to a date prior to the
problem. Click on START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES
> SYSTEM TOOLS > SYSTEM RESTORE and then select Restore My Computer to an
Earlier Time. Pick a date prior to the problem. Note: A system
restore does not affect your data, only programs and settings. But you still
should always have your data backed up before performing any major system
maintenance.
First Check Running Processes – With no programs running, the
first thing to do is check the Task Manager for CPU usage and Processes
running. You may spot the problem right off the bat. If the CPU Usage (bottom
center of the window) is pinned at 100%, check the process list to see if you
can see what is causing the problem. Disregard the System Idle Process
figure which it is often at 70-90%. If you find one process that is at
100%, you can try and disable that process and see if things improve. Disabling
a process is only valid until you restart your computer. I would suggest you
search Google for the process name to find out what it is before disabling it.
At the bottom right of the window you will see a box that shows the total
number of processes running. This number will vary depending on your exact
computer configuration but here is a general guideline.
23-30 Processes – Fairly Clean Installation of Windows XP with few
extras
30-40 Processes - XP Computer with several extras such as Printer,
Scanner and CD or DVD writer
40-55 Processes - is usually too many or an indication that you have too
many programs running in the background such as AOL, Instant Messenger or other
programs. This may affect the performance of your computer
55+ Processes – Too many for most installations, but again depends on
your exact system and installed hardware and software.
Example:
1. My Son’s P4 Computer setup for online gaming Only
with no extras has 23-25 processes running.
2. My Fujutsu Laptop running Windows XP pro normally
has about 29-31 processes running. It has CA E-Trust Antivirus, SpyBot, Ad-Aware, Office 2003, Act!
2005, Corel Draw, Access 97 and Access 2003, Wireless PCMCIA
Card, USB Mouse.
3. One of my Desktops running Windows XP Pro with dual monitors and DVD Writer
has about 49-52 processes running. It has AVG antivirus, AOL, Office
2003, Wordperfect Office, Act!2005, Quickbooks Pro, Corel Draw, Adobe Illustrator, Epson
Scanner, Minolta Color Laser, Casio Label maker, Kodak Camera Dock, SpyBot, Ad-Aware and Microsoft AntiAdware
Beta.
4. Customer Windows XP Home Computer that just came in for service, Complaining that it is running slow with a lot of pop-ups. 84
process running.
Note: Installed Firewalls, Antivirus Software, Spyware tools/blockers,
system maintenance tools, ink monitors and printer utilities will all add to
the number of processes running. Also background operations such as windows and
antivirus updates will increase process numbers while they are running.
Excluding any major hardware or driver problems, I would have to guess that
your Dell is probably suffering from virus and/or spyware problems. You did not
mention whether or not you are running any antivirus software or spyware removal
tools, so I will start from the beginning. These instructions are specifically
for Windows XP although they would be similar for other operating systems. NOTE:
If your computer does not contain a large amount of data and you have very
few programs installed, you might find it easier to just perform a complete
restore and just wipe everything out and start over but you will lose
everything you have saved on the computer and will have to reinstall any
programs that you added since you first set it up.
1. Scan Hard Drive for Errors – Open My Computer and RIGHT Click on your
C Drive, LEFT click on Properties, LEFT Click on the TOOLS Tab, Select ERROR
CHECKING, Check the box for Automatically Fix File Errors, Click OK. This will
tell you that you must restart the computer to scan the drive. Repeat this step
for other drive letters, if you have more that one hard drive.
2. Run Disk CleanUp – To delete all temporary
files Click on START > ALL PROGRAMS > ACCESSORIES > DISK CLEANUP.
3. Backup all your important data - Depending on the programs that you
have installed, you may have a backup program or simply copy your data to an
external hard drive or other networked computer. You could even use Microsoft
Backup which is part of XP Pro or install it from the XP Home cd. I often use Microsoft Files and Settings Transfer
Wizard to make a backup of my data and settings. Here are a few things you may
want to backup:
a. All Documents and Spreadsheets
b. All Quicken or financial program data
c. E-Mail and Address books
d. Photos
e. Music
f. Favorites and bookmarks if you want them.
g. Anything else you don’t want to lose.
h. NOTE: Scan your backup data for viruses before restoring it to your
computer.
4. Install and Update Tools – You will need some tools. All of these are
Free. Even though you may have just downloaded some of these programs, you MUST
run update on each one before continuing. You need to install and update all of
these before starting, but don’t run the actual scans just yet.
a. Run update on your Antivirus Software.
b. Download, Install and Update Spybot Search and Destroy (http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10289035.html).
c. Download, Install and Update Lavasoft
Ad-Aware. (http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10319876.html)
d. Download, Install and update Microsoft Windows AntiSpyware
(Beta), you can download this directly from Microsoft.com (http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx).
5. Uninstall any programs that you don’t use or need
a. Look down through your list of programs installed on your computer. START
> ALL PROGRAMS.
b. Check to see is there is an uninstall selection for any programs that you want
to remove. If not write the name down to be used later.
Restart your computer after uninstalling each and every program.
c. Go to START > CONTROL PANEL > ADD OR REMOVE PROGRAMS and look down
through this list of programs installed on your computer. You can click on the
individual programs to see when you last used them. If you are not sure about
any of the listings, leave them or perform a Google Search for the name to find
out what they are before uninstalling. I would personally would remove any programs
that have anything to do with searching such as “Search Assist”, “Search Optimizers” for many of these are forms of
spyware. I would also remove any “Rebate” type programs as well as weather and
time programs. Again, it is best to restart your computer after each removal.
Again, if you can’t verify what the program is, then you are best off leaving
it alone.
6. Disconnect your computer from your network and internet connection -
This can be done by simply removing the Ethernet and/or phone line from the
back of your computer.
7. Turn OFF System Restore – RIGHT Click on MY COMPUTER > Select
PROPERTIES > Select SYSTEM RESTORE tab > Check box for TURN OFF SYSTEM
RESTORE > OK
8. Restart into Safe Mode – by continuously tapping the F8 key during
startup and selecting safe mode from the menu.
9. Run a complete Virus Scan – This process will depend on which
antivirus software you a using.
10. Run Microsoft AntiSpyware Scanner – Double
click on the AntiAdware Icon
11. Run Lavasoft Ad-Aware Scanner
12. Run SpyBot Search and Destroy Scanner
13. If you run into some stubborn problems found by any of the above scanners
that can not be removed, you may have to scan again. If that does not work you
may have to research the problem and remove them manually.
14. Restart Computer – Restart computer to normal mode
15. Turn System Restore Back
ON – Uncheck box in step 7
16. Run Disk Defragmenter – Click on START > ALL PROGRAMS >
ACCESSORIES > SYSTEM TOOLS > DISK DEFRAGMENTER
17. Check Startup Programs – Click on START > RUN > Type in “msconfig” (no quotes) > OK > Select the STARTUP tab
> Uncheck any item you do not want to automatically load when the computer
starts. You can always go back and recheck any items that you need.
18. Turn off your computer
19. Reconnect your Network, phone or Internet Connection – Reverse step
6
20. Restart your Computer
If this does fix your problems or you do not wish to go through this involved
set of steps, you could always perform a complete factory restore/recovery.
This may be the best option especially if you don’t have a lot of programs and
data on your computer. Depending on the exact date that your Dell computer was
manufactured, you may have a built in Recovery option that will return your
computer to day one. This option, if you have it, can be found by pressing the
Ctrl key and F11 when you see the Dell opening screen. KEEP IN MIND THAT YOU
WILL LOSE ALL YOUR DATA AND ANY PROGRAMS AND UPDATES THAT YOU HAVE INSTALLED
SINCE YOU PURCHASED YOUR COMPUTER. If this option is not available on your
model then your will have to use the recovery CD’s that came with your
computer.
Special Credit: Dana H.
Wayland Computer
http://www.waylandcomputer.com/
Bob Orbin www.orbins.com