Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

Earl you are so right. As the resident Techie in my family I should
have screwed up my first few times I helped out. Now I get the machines
running smooth only to have it farked up again by those I just fixed
it for.




Earle Horton wrote:
> Don't let relatives know that you have computer expertise. If you get
> assigned a computer maintenance or repair job, screw it up. If you are not
> going to listen to reason, the following may be helpful.
>
> Run http://securitycheck.symantec.com no matter what kind of anti-virus is
> on the machine now.
>
> Defrag the hard drive and make sure that it is not almost full.
>
> Put XP Professional on it.
>
> Make him justify any non-Microsoft software that he has installed.
>
> Earle
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:KBPrh.21233$wq.14150@trndny07...
> > I (my brother in law, really) have a computer that has a SERIOUS case of
> The
> > Slows. It takes FOREVER to open apps, and complete any number of different
> > tasks.
> >
> > It is an off-brand box that came from Fry's (I think). I don't recall what
> > the architecture is, but I'm pretty sure my 286-based laptop was faster.
> >
> > The computer is on its way to my house for a checkout. I'm not sure what
> my
> > strategy will be.
> >
> > The machine has a valid version of XP Home edition, but I do not know if
> it
> > has the Restore CD or not. Can I use a different copy of XP to do restore
> > operations? I assume that I have to use the Key Code that is on the
> > computer, not the one that belongs to the copy of XP that I will restore
> > from.
> >
> > Do not hesitate to offer suggestions on what to do ...
> >
> >
> >

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

That would be my approach too. I'd bet he doesn't have enough RAM though.

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"Curtis" <cchandler63@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169155608.519362.42250@v45g2000cwv.googlegro ups.com...
> personally I would atttempt to figure out the offending application or
> driver before loading _anything_ .
>
> boot the workstation up, bring up task manager, take a look at your
> resources, what is using the most memory, what is the CPU at, you may
> find a service or app is using tons of memory...an example would be AOL
> messenger...if so de-install or kill that process.
>
> It sounds to me if the box is dead slow unless your hard drive is
> spinning endlessly, you probably have your memory or cpu maxed out by
> some process.
>
> If your hard disk is spinning endlessly, you can always remove your
> pagefile then defrag then add it back. if the page file gets fragmented
> especially with low RAM it can slow things down...
>
> good luck
>

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

That would be my approach too. I'd bet he doesn't have enough RAM though.

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"Curtis" <cchandler63@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169155608.519362.42250@v45g2000cwv.googlegro ups.com...
> personally I would atttempt to figure out the offending application or
> driver before loading _anything_ .
>
> boot the workstation up, bring up task manager, take a look at your
> resources, what is using the most memory, what is the CPU at, you may
> find a service or app is using tons of memory...an example would be AOL
> messenger...if so de-install or kill that process.
>
> It sounds to me if the box is dead slow unless your hard drive is
> spinning endlessly, you probably have your memory or cpu maxed out by
> some process.
>
> If your hard disk is spinning endlessly, you can always remove your
> pagefile then defrag then add it back. if the page file gets fragmented
> especially with low RAM it can slow things down...
>
> good luck
>

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

That would be my approach too. I'd bet he doesn't have enough RAM though.

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"Curtis" <cchandler63@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169155608.519362.42250@v45g2000cwv.googlegro ups.com...
> personally I would atttempt to figure out the offending application or
> driver before loading _anything_ .
>
> boot the workstation up, bring up task manager, take a look at your
> resources, what is using the most memory, what is the CPU at, you may
> find a service or app is using tons of memory...an example would be AOL
> messenger...if so de-install or kill that process.
>
> It sounds to me if the box is dead slow unless your hard drive is
> spinning endlessly, you probably have your memory or cpu maxed out by
> some process.
>
> If your hard disk is spinning endlessly, you can always remove your
> pagefile then defrag then add it back. if the page file gets fragmented
> especially with low RAM it can slow things down...
>
> good luck
>

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

That would be my approach too. I'd bet he doesn't have enough RAM though.

Dave Milne, Scotland
'91 Grand Wagoneer, '99 TJ

"Curtis" <cchandler63@gmail.com> wrote in message
news:1169155608.519362.42250@v45g2000cwv.googlegro ups.com...
> personally I would atttempt to figure out the offending application or
> driver before loading _anything_ .
>
> boot the workstation up, bring up task manager, take a look at your
> resources, what is using the most memory, what is the CPU at, you may
> find a service or app is using tons of memory...an example would be AOL
> messenger...if so de-install or kill that process.
>
> It sounds to me if the box is dead slow unless your hard drive is
> spinning endlessly, you probably have your memory or cpu maxed out by
> some process.
>
> If your hard disk is spinning endlessly, you can always remove your
> pagefile then defrag then add it back. if the page file gets fragmented
> especially with low RAM it can slow things down...
>
> good luck
>

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

oops didn't see that - well sounds like you found the culprit...100%
cpu yeah that will slow you down...here's a good link on optimizing
your page file ...

http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm



The Task Manager was reporting CPU Usage at 100%, but now is hovering
in a
range of about 5% to 30%, and seems to spend most of the time at about
20%.
And, it's actively Defragging at this time.

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

oops didn't see that - well sounds like you found the culprit...100%
cpu yeah that will slow you down...here's a good link on optimizing
your page file ...

http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm



The Task Manager was reporting CPU Usage at 100%, but now is hovering
in a
range of about 5% to 30%, and seems to spend most of the time at about
20%.
And, it's actively Defragging at this time.

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

oops didn't see that - well sounds like you found the culprit...100%
cpu yeah that will slow you down...here's a good link on optimizing
your page file ...

http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm



The Task Manager was reporting CPU Usage at 100%, but now is hovering
in a
range of about 5% to 30%, and seems to spend most of the time at about
20%.
And, it's actively Defragging at this time.

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

oops didn't see that - well sounds like you found the culprit...100%
cpu yeah that will slow you down...here's a good link on optimizing
your page file ...

http://www.petri.co.il/pagefile_optimization.htm



The Task Manager was reporting CPU Usage at 100%, but now is hovering
in a
range of about 5% to 30%, and seems to spend most of the time at about
20%.
And, it's actively Defragging at this time.

Re: {OT} -- Computer Problem
 

If you have the original XP disc that came with the machine I would
reformat the hard drive.
Then re-install windows XP.

I would also download all the drivers I need and have them on a cd
prior to reformat.


I've found that machines bog down after time with a lot of bloat from
programs either installed or deleted.
I reformat about once a year.
A re-format and reinstall even though its time consuming will pep the
machine up again. You will be left with a clean OS for a while anyway.



Jeff Strickland wrote:
> I just used REGEDIT to find and remove Adobe Acrobat 3.0 and SpyBeGone.
> Acrobat Reader 3.0 has long since been upgraded to Reader 7.0, but 3.0 was
> still in the registry. SpyBeGone was also removed, but still had a registry
> entry.
>
> I am positive that both of these programs are no longer used, but they
> remained in the Add & Remove Programs menu. I don't know if they were
> attempting to be loaded on Start Up or not ...
>
>
>
>
>
> "Jeff Strickland" <crwlr@verizon.net> wrote in message
> news:KBPrh.21233$wq.14150@trndny07...
> >I (my brother in law, really) have a computer that has a SERIOUS case of
> >The Slows. It takes FOREVER to open apps, and complete any number of
> >different tasks.
> >
> > It is an off-brand box that came from Fry's (I think). I don't recall what
> > the architecture is, but I'm pretty sure my 286-based laptop was faster.
> >
> > The computer is on its way to my house for a checkout. I'm not sure what
> > my strategy will be.
> >
> > The machine has a valid version of XP Home edition, but I do not know if
> > it has the Restore CD or not. Can I use a different copy of XP to do
> > restore operations? I assume that I have to use the Key Code that is on
> > the computer, not the one that belongs to the copy of XP that I will
> > restore from.
> >
> > Do not hesitate to offer suggestions on what to do ...
> >
> >
> >