Windows XP slow?

[Tigger]

I have desktop PC running Windows XP - it seems very slow :dead: (for the spec)

Intel P4 3.1Ghz
1GB DDR ram
Creative geForce5 graphics card 512mb ram
60gb IDE hard disk (OS & program files)
200gb SATA hard disk

@ It takes about 3-5mins to start-up when turned on

@ After I log onto windows itself, there are programs loading in the background.
- When I open the task manager to close any unwanted programs, most are system files that you cannot amend

@ Some programs take about a minuite to load

Seems wierd for such a high-spec PC :S
I have another computer with basic spec which seems to run much smoother, but windows & CMOS still take a few mins to load up - is this normal or is there a way of skipping all of that?

Cheers
Trev

PS
I built both systems myself, have the high-spec longer & haven't been in the "PC-building game" for about 2 years hence my confusion :boring:

 

[16v_jon]

either you badly need to defrag it, your antivirus is always scanning or your hard disk is on its last legs
Also check if the hard disk is running in DMA mode

 

[Tigger]

It has been defraged recently
The antivirus needs updating, getting that sorted his week along with some more RAM

Possibly need to format/fresh install soon

 

[16v_jon]

try a proper defragger like disk keeper or O&O

 

[Brasseye]

try another hard disc ?

 

[FiDoDiDo]

It's just Windows for you...after a while you have to reinstall how ever good you are at maintaining it as it'll just gets slower.

 

[BenWall]

go start > run > type msconfig > go to start up tab and untick the programs that you dont want. then defrag and virus check etc

if all else fails >formatt

 

[Adams_16v]

iv had my windows build on for 3 years with 300gb of crap and litteerally hundreds of apps!

its has its slow moments, but its generally fine. i have the same spec machine as you! I want to rebuild with a fresh copy, but im in the middle fo a few web projects at the mo and i really cant be arsed having to reinstall fonts, PS brushes, shapes, and setup about 10 ftp connections etc.

what speed ram do you have? what AV/firewall software are you using? and have you run adaware recently at all?

 

[Mells]

pmsl! Windows XP slow? f**k me!

I agree if you want your system to run uber fast dont have much installed and keep all your documents etc on a network drive..

Or just bin Windows and put linux on your PC then you will see 'fast' :rasp:

 

[Adams_16v]

windows is fine if you are not a complete clampit!

as for linux.... iv considered (and tried) it many a time, but just looking now at what is involved to install photoshop cs2 and macromedia products is enough to put me off! you have to copy the already installed files from a windows box for it to work for a start! great!

 

[KDF]

Okay well you try installing linux apps on windows.. didnt think so.. at least linux can do it

 

[Adams_16v]

i dont think i would need any linux apps to work on windows tho! lol

thing is i need photoshop cs2 and macromedia to make a living!

along with many other things such as nokia pc suite, 3d studio max etc.

i really cant do without them

also would there be similar probs with running games on linux mate?

I really am all up for giving it a go, i just can just see it being more a a hinderence than owt else for me personally!

 

[KDF]

Or just bin Windows and put linux on your PC then you will see 'fast' :rasp:

Just for s***s and giggles I tweaked a version of linux to see how quickly I could get it to boot to a GUI login.. spent ages tweaking init.. the results..


7 seconds to boot after post screen lol.. almost instant on heh..

Ok ye it was only running the essentials but it was a working system !

 

[cava83]

silent install would be very handy for u and most people on here

iv had my windows build on for 3 years with 300gb of crap and litteerally hundreds of apps!

its has its slow moments, but its generally fine. i have the same spec machine as you! I want to rebuild with a fresh copy, but im in the middle fo a few web projects at the mo and i really cant be arsed having to reinstall fonts, PS brushes, shapes, and setup about 10 ftp connections etc.

what speed ram do you have? what AV/firewall software are you using? and have you run adaware recently at all?

 

[Tigger]

What is a silent install ? :S

 

[Mells]

Or just bin Windows and put linux on your PC then you will see 'fast' :rasp:

Just for s**ts and giggles I tweaked a version of linux to see how quickly I could get it to boot to a GUI login.. spent ages tweaking init.. the results..


7 seconds to boot after post screen lol.. almost instant on heh..

Ok ye it was only running the essentials but it was a working system !

Christ thats fast!

I got abit carried away the other night after a couple of cans and decided it would be a good idea to try most of the apps that come with Ubuntu. PC is running a tad slower now.

Got shitloads of crap on it though. Even the bible software! f**k knows why I aint never bothered reading it!

It still runs faster than XP in its bloated form :star:

 

[KDF]

What is a silent install ? :S

You basically provide the installer with a file, in that file has all the values for the choices the installer normally prompts you for..

eg. you insert the installion disk with your auto-install file on it and walk away.. come back later and its fully installed with all your options.

 

[Tigger]

What is a silent install ? :S

You basically provide the installer with a file, in that file has all the values for the choices the installer normally prompts you for..

eg. you insert the installion disk with your auto-install file on it and walk away.. come back later and its fully installed with all your options.

Ah - never known it to be called a silent install lol

 

[Daz]

You basically provide the installer with a file, in that file has all the values for the choices the installer normally prompts you for..

eg. you insert the installion disk with your auto-install file on it and walk away.. come back later and its fully installed with all your options.

Ah - never known it to be called a silent install lol

It's called "unattended" in Windows, that's why

Unattended Windows install will only install Windows tho.. you need to image it and then sysprep etc.. if you want a proper image installation with 3rd party apps installed ready!

 

[172.com]

My housemate was moaning her lappy was running slow, so I started it up and watched the taskbar icons take over most of the task bar! She seemed to have installed every single windows application going...ever for some unknown reason. I edited her start up config under msconfig and got the start-up time down by a good few minutes. I then showed her where she could find add/remove programs.

 

[Tigger]

Just ordered myself a new HDD and 4Gb RAM

 

[Mike_182]

If it's a 3.1Ghz P4 I assume it's clocked - are all the timings right?

 

[Tigger]

No its not overclocked

 

[JJ!]

Are you running Norton???!!

 

[Tigger]

Are you running Norton???!!

Yes
It's comming off soon as it needs updated anyway - what AV you reccomend?

 

[Tigger]

I think its down to resource-hogging programs and unused files :S