General computer problems.

Brian Cloke · #1 (**permalink**) 02-25-2007, 09:19 PM

Hello.
My computer skills are limited and I am having some obscure
problems that I need help resolving.
I find that I have to use the refresh button most of the time when
visiting various sites. The computer is also very slow.
Any help would be appreciated.
Thank you.
Brian.

**Ash** · #2 (**permalink**) 02-25-2007, 09:33 PM

Do you run any anti adware/spyware on your computer? And what CPU + amount of RAM do you have?

Brian Cloke · #3 (**permalink**) 02-25-2007, 10:13 PM

Hello Ashley.
I do have Adaware, also Registry mechanic. My internet server is
Shaw cable that provides Shaw secure which is a very good program.
My computer is an Asus A7N266. The harddrive is Maxtor 6E040L0
40 GB. I recently installed a 1GB extra RAM.My operating system is
Windows XP proffesional. I do run these programs regularly in
addition to also defragmenting.One thing I noticed yesterday was
that my CPU usage was at 100% on start up.After rebooting it
reverted to normal and has been OK since then.
Thank you. Brian.

onekid · #4 (**permalink**) 02-25-2007, 10:30 PM

if problem occures again... and the problem you are having is simply the cpu is at its maximum usage while starting up, you could try reducing the amount of programs starting up when the computer is powered up. THis will also most likely enhance your over all preformance somewhat.

this can be done by clicking the run button located in the windows menu.
(this is only for windows ex, as i am only farmiliar with this operating system)
next, in the box type in " msconfig " (not including quotes)
from there click the start up tab.
here you can uncheck anyhting you do not use frequently upon start up BUT REMEMBER NOT TO UNCKECK ANYHITNG THAT HAS THE WORD WINDOWS LOCATED IN THE COMAMD TAB OF THE PROGRAM.

guyladouche · #5 (**permalink**) 02-25-2007, 11:58 PM

Why can't you disable stuff that has Windows in the command line? I do--you just have to know what the specific item controls. Generally anything that you can disable in the msconfig/startup window isn't anything that's essential for the operating system to load. Besides, from his description of what's going on, I don't think his problems stem from programs loading/pre-loading on startup--it seems like a problem that happens when the computer has started up already and is idling, or should be idling. If it's a problem with windows startup, then rebooting the computer wouldn't help--but it does for him.

Brian--the next time you see that your computer is lagging and open up Task Manager to look at CPU consumption, let us know what application is taking up all the CPU. Then maybe we can shed some light on what's going on.

onekid · #6 (**permalink**) 02-26-2007, 04:30 AM

oh.. i didnt know that... i thought ms config listed all the programs .. but thanks,,, ill keep that in mind for future usage

Brian Cloke · #7 (**permalink**) 02-27-2007, 03:36 AM

Thank you for the help. I will see what happens for while on start up.
I am wondering if my hard drive is giving up. What would the symptoms be for a hard drive problem.
Thanks.
Brian.

**Ash** · #8 (**permalink**) 02-27-2007, 07:45 AM

General signs of hard drive failure are strange noises from your disk, files not saving properly or disappearing, random Windows errors, and SMART errors, if your hard drive is SMART compatible. How old is the computer and hard drive?

Brian Cloke · #9 (**permalink**) 02-27-2007, 11:49 PM

My computer was purchased in November 2003
What is smart compatible?
In msconfig I only have two programs, shaw secure & adobe.
The rest are all microsoft programs. They are all abreviated so I
do not know what they are for and hesitate to remove them.
Brian.

**Ash** · #10 (**permalink**) 02-28-2007, 07:43 AM

SMART is a disk monitoring system that you can find on most recent hard drives and computers. Download and install SpeedFan - Access temperature sensor in your computer - there is an option to run a full check on your hard drive.

Brian Cloke · #11 (**permalink**) 03-01-2007, 04:00 AM

Hello.
I have downloaded Speed Fan and it looks like my hard drive is OK.
I am still having to refresh several times to get things to work.
Thanks.
Brian.
________________________
This user added the following:
________________________
Hello.
I have downloaded Speed Fan and it would appear that my
hard drive is OK. However I am still having to refresh several times
to get things to work.
Thanks .
Brian.

**Sigh-clone** · #12 (**permalink**) 03-03-2007, 10:05 AM

Hi Brian
You said you have Adaware and Reg Mechanic, do you have an Anti Virus prog such as Norton's or McAfee? It seems to me it could be something like a browser hijacker that is causing pages to load slowly and then time out so run your Anti Virus first. Another possibility is that your Security settings are too high for the sites you are trying to access - check whether you have 'Download signed ActiveX controls' enabled. The third thing could be the settings in any Security Suite you are using - McAfee's Privacy Suite has been known to cause this problem because of it's ad blocker - if you have this try turning the ad blocker off.

Good luck

Brian Cloke · #13 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 06:24 PM

Hello Sigh Clone.
I checked the following. Download signed activex controls are enabled.
Ran my anti virus which is provided by my cable company. { Shaw Cable} no
virus detected. Moved my security setting lower to medium.
Ad blocker turned off. These adjustments have not improved my operation at all
I am sad to say. Thank you.
Brian.

**Ash** · #14 (**permalink**) 03-05-2007, 06:26 PM

Have you tried another browser, such as Firefox, yet?
http://www.compuforums.org/get-firefox.html

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