Painfully Slow Computer

mark13

My computer was running very slow, 10 mins to startup minimum, I had 256MB RAM. I had done the usual stuff
1) remove unwanted programs
2) ran spyware / virus check etc and removed
3) cleared internet cache/ temp files
4) Ran windows cleanup to tidy up short cuts
5) defragged hard drive
Still it was slow, so I ordered the max Ram I could from MrMemory and installed it.. very easy to install and the machine starts and shutsdown in seconds and moving to folders , starting Firefox are all quicker.
I'd recommend more RAM.

closed

Backup data, reinstall windows and a virus scanner, if it's still slow, buy a bit more ram, 512 in total should be enough to stop it swapping - your XP service pack is out of date btw, should be sp3

stuartk

Hi There

Clearly the 256 MB is going to be a problem - people have more memory on mobiles phones than some people are trying to run a PC on.

So any memory upgrade will help performance but the malware problem still remains for this poster.

Regards

aliEnRIK

closed wrote: »

Backup data, reinstall windows and a virus scanner, if it's still slow, buy a bit more ram, 512 in total should be enough to stop it swapping - your XP service pack is out of date btw, should be sp3

The Op already has SP3

I have to disagree with 512 RAM, id definitely have at least 3/4 gig

closed

1st post said "Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 2", and IE7.

A fresh install with a virus scanner on an average pc with a few bloaty startup apps will use around 250-300MB, so 512 is enough for most people to run several apps without swapping causing slowdown. As you go over 512, the performance gain/MB is far less noticeable

I would run the crucial scanner, and price up some options, but don't go mad, anything over 1GB is a waste on XP.

aliEnRIK

Odd, im wondering if hijack is pulling up a false signature ~
Platform: Windows XP SP3

As for the 512, ive witnessed pretty big increases in speed once 1Gig has been installed (And the computers got SP3 installed etc, as XP definitely appears to take quite a hit once all the microsoft updates are on)

closed

Maybe they've patched it between the malwarebytes log and hjt, it's also moved from ie7 to 8.

closed

Freshly installed and fully patched XP runs in 256 without swapping, bootup on 6 year old pc's in 30 seconds etc, it's the size of virus scanners (and all the accumulated startup crap) that tips it into the 256-512 range. If 1GB is cheap, then it's probably worthwhile, but ram for older systems can sometimes be more expensive.

aliEnRIK

Well yes, but if I have a computer I want to be able to USE it ~ thus 1 gig

Fezzik_2

I've done another scan and the log has not raised anything:

Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware 1.42
Database version: 3396
Windows 5.1.2600 Service Pack 3
Internet Explorer 8.0.6001.18702
29/12/2009 17:22:24
mbam-log-2009-12-29 (17-22-24).txt
Scan type: Full Scan (A:\|C:\|D:\|)
Objects scanned: 206794
Time elapsed: 3 hour(s), 7 minute(s), 41 second(s)
Memory Processes Infected: 0
Memory Modules Infected: 0
Registry Keys Infected: 0
Registry Values Infected: 0
Registry Data Items Infected: 0
Folders Infected: 0
Files Infected: 0
Memory Processes Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Memory Modules Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Keys Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Values Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Registry Data Items Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Folders Infected:
(No malicious items detected)
Files Infected:
(No malicious items detected)


I'll go back to the Hi-Jack This log and go through it as I know there are things coming up on there that I thought I had un-installed (The IO-bit Defragger being on of them).

Thank you for all your comments. I think I'd better go through the thread at least one more time before deciding what to do. I'll see how much longer my Dad is planning on keeping the computer before decideing how much RAM to go for.