Laptop Win XP very slow at times

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Technofreak

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Topic # 98919 8-Mar-2012 22:29

My lap top is running Windows XP with all of the latest updates. Every so often is goes into a go slow mode when it takes ages to open an application, switch between applications or close applications.

It doesn't seem to be related to any particular programme I have running. I have nothing exotic that I use. The normal programmes that could be open are Outlook, Chrome browser, Nokia Suite, Word, Excel, and Adobe Acrobat.

If I run Task Manager the CPU usage will be low quite, often less than 20% yet the computer runs as if its running at 100%.

Any ideas? What else can I check?

Thanks.

Jolla C
Nokia N1
Nokia N9
Nokia E7
HP Touchpad
Dell Inspiron 14z i5

Ramjet007

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Reply # 592608 9-Mar-2012 05:58

Try a defrag of the HDD.

I use ccleaner to do a hdd and reg clean up. Some say it make a big difference to XP speed, I have notice a slight improvement.

A reinstall of XP often fixes slow machines, but thats a last resort.

freitasm

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Reply # 592623 9-Mar-2012 08:06

How much memory do you have on this laptop of yours?

Mauricio Freitas (Geekzone Admin, Devil's Advocate, my blog, technology disclosure)

scuwp

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Reply # 592639 9-Mar-2012 08:41

Ramjet007: Try a defrag of the HDD.

I use ccleaner to do a hdd and reg clean up. Some say it make a big difference to XP speed, I have notice a slight improvement.

A reinstall of XP often fixes slow machines, but thats a last resort.

+1 I run an old HP laptop with XP pro that I still prefer to use. Occasionally needs a good cleanout and ccleaner seems to do a great job. Always goes better after. There have been some updates rolling out lately, just make sure it's not trying to do that in the background.

Always be yourself, unless you can be Batman, then always be the Batman

Technofreak

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Reply # 592833 9-Mar-2012 17:00

I did a re install 3 months ago, so wouldn't expect that to help much and also so suspect there shouldn't be any need to clean the registry after such a short time.

HDD size 30 BG with 5.8 GB free, 704 Mb of RAM.

It will run fine most of the time but goes into go slow mode every so often. I'm not sure if it's related but Chrome come up with an unresponsive message from time to time, if you choose wait the pages eventually load.

I've considered whether or not the broadband speed is part of my problem though every time I run a speed test it's OK. Just now 6.16 Mbps Down and 0.72 Mbps Up, theses are typical figures.

The other consideration is the antivirus, I use Microsoft Security Essentials.

Jolla C
Nokia N1
Nokia N9
Nokia E7
HP Touchpad
Dell Inspiron 14z i5