Snail pace Vista - any fixes?

HelenYorkshire

Hello
Before Xmas got a new PC (sticker says Intel pentium D) with a basic Vista package.

Complete disaster! So slow! To the point where I can click a link, go put the kettle on, and wander back in time for it to have done something. I don't mean just online, this happens with stuff like trying to find a file!

Even Task Manager was "not responding" earlier today.

What is it "thinking" about so hard that it can't do what I tell it??! :mad: The red processor light is constantly on and it sounds painful. That last sentence only appeared on screen about 20 secs after I typed it...

Anything obvious to check? It has AVG antivirus, an error message saying it's blocking start up programmes (I don't know what it wants me to do about that!) - I think that's from when I tried to minimise the number of programmes starting up automatically.
No viruses etc.
Windows Defender is running but I've no idea what it does either!

Or do I back everything up and go to Ubuntu?

russ_gillespie

How much memory does the machine have? 512MBs? 1GB?

Ideally you want 2GBs for Vista to run efficiently.

Alternatively, you could have some kind of spyware or malware infection.

DatabaseError

I've never heard of a PC with a red 'processor' light, this will be the hard drive light, it is on constantly because vista requites a LOT of memory (RAM), if it doesn't have enough, it uses 'virtual memory', which is your much slower, and noisier, hard drive.
2 quick fixes,
1. Buy more memory, vista should have 2 Gig MINUMUM! if you can afford to to got 4Gig, all the better
2. Dump vista, go XP. I may be a luddite, but i have XP on all my machines, and i have removed vista from several others, i'm sure its very good when you get used to it, but i can't justify spending money to upgrade a computer to run the software i'm running now on a new OS

TonyLisaP

You might find that you have some malware of spyware on your machine. Could you please post a hijack this report?

robt_2

You have a virus/malware.

Thats not normal for Vista (or any operating system)

ronben

Why dont you backup any important documents and do a complete restore back to factory settings, unless ofcourse when asked to make a DVD backup uou didnt unless the image is on a partition, I say complete factory restore because you seem very unsure to what it may be or if you did anything and if a factory restore has no improvement then maybe a faulty PC.

This is ofcourse cracking a walnut with a sledgehammer to some people but if time is the key then this is the quickest diagnostic.

muddyfox470

Could also be due to some outdated or conflicting drivers. Definitely try uninstalling and updating to newer graphics drivers. Pentium D's were never good, but shouldn't be as slow as you mention. Press CTRL-Shift-ESC (all at once) and see how much memory is inuse at anyone time, monitor processor usage, and see if you can get rid of any unwanted applications running in the background.

Best fix is get a copy of XP Pro or use a different OS (sorry).

Personally, no offence intended, I would take it to a trusty local computer shop that are friendly and don't charge the earth (they are hard to come by) to see if they can help you. As from what you've posted it doesn't seem like you are an experienced user and it is going to take a lot of replies and a lot of text to read to try and get started on fixing these problems. To me it seems that the problem is due to a few things... being the pc's age and not being regularly maintained and refreshed. Sorry I couldn't be of more help.

Conor_3

muddyfox470 wrote: »

Best fix is get a copy of XP Pro or use a different OS (sorry).

Because it's always better to spend £100 on buying a new OS instead of solving the problems with the existing one isn't it? :rolleyes:

When a bulb blows on your car or it runs out of petrol, I take it you go buy a new one?

formerchamp

I have been a Microsoft beta tester for 15 years and you know what, I only run vista on one machine and that's because I have to!

I wouldn't have vista given me, oh well ok I would 'cos I was, correct that, I wouldn't have vista on a machine I use for my own stuff if they paid me.

Vista will slow down for sooooooo many reasons, most likely is a driver conflict. For example, is your printer vista compatible? If it isn't vista will be going round in circles trying to correct a perceived problem. As earlier poster said vista needs loads of memory, that's the way it makes itself multi-task by taking up loads of room.

I hate to be the bearer of bad news but honestly go XP it really is the best answer.

DatabaseError

as i read the OP, the Pc has been carp since new, quote possible that the software installed on a new chain bought pc is partly responsible, or insufficient ram, or malware. the malware removal guide on this site (stickied so not linked) is not a bad place to start, but a cheap pc with a 'd' class processor is never going to break any speed limits, couple that with potentially1gig ram (or less) and its not looking great (i run XP with 3 gig), then add vista, equivalent of adding a jaguar engine to a bus chassis, the chassis needs a simpler lorry type engine, and the jag engine needs a more complex chassis, it may work, but it won't be pretty (or fast)

Millionaire

tonyhague wrote: »

But a cheap pc with a 'd' class processor is never going to break any speed limits, couple that with potentially1gig ram (or less) and its not looking great (i run XP with 3 gig), then add vista, equivalent of adding a jaguar engine to a bus chassis, the chassis needs a simpler lorry type engine, and the jag engine needs a more complex chassis, it may work, but it won't be pretty (or fast)

My cheap Laptop running on a 1.6ghz Dual Core Pentium processor with 1GB boots up and ready to use in less than 50 seconds running Vista.

Granted staright out of the box with all the crap that manufacturers load on to it, it was originally taking over 2mins until I messed around with it.

I think the OP just needs to give it a spring clean and run through the Malware sticky to check if anything might of got on it.

Theres no need to revert to a different OS.

Also AVG is OK(Im personally am not a big fan) but the latest Antivir will have a less of a performance hit on boot up and has quicker scans than AVG and its free. So get either Antivir which is free and gets good ratings or Eset if you dont mind paying and you should see a performance improvement.

Go into "msconfig" via the start earch and kill any startup items that you do not require. You can check if you require them here http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/startups/ just enter the extension in the search and it should tell you what is for. Ive only got about 5 items ticked on the startup list.

Also add remove any programs that you will never use.

If you know what your doing you can kill some services following the advice here

http://vistarewired.com/2007/02/18/services/

I suggest you do not stop any service you are not 100% sure about though.