SCTX Computer Club - Notes from Koffee Klatch SIG meeting, February 16, 2005

Treating a Slow Computer That is Several Years “Old”

John Polich

• Causes seem limitless. Troubleshooting can be frustrating and time consuming.
• Approach much like a good physician’s approach i.e. a careful history, good physical exam, diagnostic studies, establish a DX, consultation PRN and then Tx.
  
• Upgrade RAM, which is relatively inexpensive and easy to do.
• Go through all Programs and remove those that you no longer use or need. Go to Add and Remove Programs or use each program un-installer if available.
• Get rid of unnecessary programs in startup

1. MSCONFIG (NOT antivirus program, TaskMonitor, ScanRegistry, System Tray and LoadPower Profile) http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm 

http://www.sysi o.org/startupinfo.html

http://www2.whidbey.com/djdenham/Uncheck.htm

http://www.netsquirrel.com/msconfig/index.html

http://www.lafn.org/webconnect/mentor/startup/PENINDEX.HTM

2. Other “startup areas” are in:
    Startup folder     
    Registry
    Fonts
    At times, the application itself re starting at boot (Settings or Options)

• Rule out a virus or Trojan infection with a scan(s) e.g. Panda, Trend, Symantec, Kaspersky. Make certain AV software is updated.
• Use an adequate firewall with software, e.g. Zone Alarm or hardware, e.g. router
  
• Spyware assaults have sky rocked. Rule out malware with the appropriate Spyware removal tools, e.g. Ad-Aware, Spy Bot, CWShredder, MS Malicious Software Removal Tool (KB890830 & KB891716)
• Make certain that you have the latest Microsoft service packs and critical updates. (Sometimes an update itself can cause computers to slow markedly. To get rid of one, go to the Control panel; click Add or Remove Programs at the end of the list; select and click Remove. Try downloading it again!) You can also use System Restore.
  
• Delete all temp files (not the folder) Use Clean Disk. Search for "*.tmp" and “~*.*” Scandisk and defrag routinely. Do these in Safe Mode if necessary.
  
• Delete undesired Cookies and temporary Internet files. Set the temp files space to a small number
  
• Make certain, if available, that your hard drive is running in DMA mode vs. PIO. Go to Device Manager i.e. right click My Computer; click Properties; click Hardware tab; click Device Manager.
  
• Uncheckthe indexing option. Right click the drive icon and select on the general tab.
  
• Processes using too much of the CPU. Ctr + Alt + Del; click Processes tab.
  
• Hard drive integrity? Use diagnostics e.g. Seagate Sea or Western Digital
  
• Update the BIOS, the memory chip in the MOBO. Be cautious!
  
• There are many tweaks available that include altering the Registry, changing the locations of system files and changing file attributes, etc.
  
• Do a Google Search using “causes of a slow computer” as the topic.
  
• Major surgery, only if necessary, i.e. format C and reinstall OS?

3/1/2005