Vista machine getting slower and slower everyday

Why is this? It's a Dell Precision laptop running Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit
and it started off being quite snappy when first installed and now it just
gets slower and slower everyday. It starts up slower and programs are
launched much more slowly than before.

I defrag the disk(s) regularly and there are 4GB of RAM so what could be the
reason? Yes, there are more programs installed and more disk space actually
used over time but why should that slow down the whole machine?

--
And loving it,

-Q
_________________________________________________

(Replace the "SixFour" with numbers to email me)

Qu0ll wrote:
> Why is this? It's a Dell Precision laptop running Vista Ultimate SP1
> 32-bit and it started off being quite snappy when first installed and
> now it just gets slower and slower everyday. It starts up slower and
> programs are launched much more slowly than before.
>
> I defrag the disk(s) regularly and there are 4GB of RAM so what could be
> the reason? Yes, there are more programs installed and more disk space
> actually used over time but why should that slow down the whole machine?
>

Scan for spyware, disable all startup programs that aren't necessary,
find out exactly what software is running in the background while you're
using your machine, make sure your virus software isn't running
scheduled scans in the background etc.

http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html

Sounds like it could be spyware Quoll.
Download, install, update, immunize your system and scan with Spybot Search
& Destroy version 1.5.2 from the above link
--
Mick Murphy - Qld - Australia


"Qu0ll" wrote:

> Why is this? It's a Dell Precision laptop running Vista Ultimate SP1 32-bit
> and it started off being quite snappy when first installed and now it just
> gets slower and slower everyday. It starts up slower and programs are
> launched much more slowly than before.
>
> I defrag the disk(s) regularly and there are 4GB of RAM so what could be the
> reason? Yes, there are more programs installed and more disk space actually
> used over time but why should that slow down the whole machine?
>
> --
> And loving it,
>
> -Q
> _________________________________________________
>
> (Replace the "SixFour" with numbers to email me)
>

What they said, plus...

Launch Task Manager.
Go to the Processes tab.
Click Show Processes from all users.
Go to View:Select Columns.
Make sure Memory (Private Working Set), Commit Size, Handles, Theaders, and
GDI Objects are on.

Now when things are slow -- who's piggishly out of line here? Using lots of
memory won't kill you ... to a point. Using lots of handles/gdi objects can
definitely cause bad performance.

Plus, hey Task Manager shows you CPU usage... =\

--
Speaking for myself only.
See http://zachd.com/pss/pss.html for some helpful WMP info.
This posting is provided "AS IS" with no warranties, and confers no rights.
--
"Qu0ll" <> wrote in message
news:595DF3C8-3090-4F10-A063-...
> Why is this? It's a Dell Precision laptop running Vista Ultimate SP1
> 32-bit and it started off being quite snappy when first installed and now
> it just gets slower and slower everyday. It starts up slower and programs
> are launched much more slowly than before.
>
> I defrag the disk(s) regularly and there are 4GB of RAM so what could be
> the reason? Yes, there are more programs installed and more disk space
> actually used over time but why should that slow down the whole machine?
>
> --
> And loving it,
>
> -Q
> _________________________________________________
>
> (Replace the "SixFour" with numbers to email me)

"Mick Murphy" <> wrote in message
news:99FFF3CC-FDE7-4DC2-8EE3-...

> http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
>
> Sounds like it could be spyware Quoll.
> Download, install, update, immunize your system and scan with Spybot
> Search
> & Destroy version 1.5.2 from the above link

G'day Mick,

I did as you suggested and Spybot found no threats. I think this is because
I am running Kaspersky Internet Security Suite which I believe is excellent
in its defense level.

The problem is a gradual slow down of the machine over time. Each couple of
days or so I can notice that things are happening a little more slowly than
they were before. There don't appear to be any rogue processes running.
The machine starts up slower, shuts down slower, launches apps slower and
feels slower overall. I have run benchmarks using Sandra and it appears
that it's not the machine itself as those results have not varied so it only
leaves an OS-related problem.

Fragmentation would be the obvious choice but, as I said, I have defragged
regularly.

Any other ideas?

--
And loving it,

-Q
_________________________________________________

(Replace the "SixFour" with numbers to email me)

"Qu0ll" <> wrote in message
news93DF747-F45A-441A-A070-...
> "Mick Murphy" <> wrote in message
> news:99FFF3CC-FDE7-4DC2-8EE3-...
>
>> http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
>>
>> Sounds like it could be spyware Quoll.
>> Download, install, update, immunize your system and scan with Spybot
>> Search
>> & Destroy version 1.5.2 from the above link
>
> G'day Mick,
>
> I did as you suggested and Spybot found no threats. I think this is
> because I am running Kaspersky Internet Security Suite which I believe is
> excellent in its defense level.
>
> The problem is a gradual slow down of the machine over time. Each couple
> of days or so I can notice that things are happening a little more slowly
> than they were before. There don't appear to be any rogue processes
> running. The machine starts up slower, shuts down slower, launches apps
> slower and feels slower overall. I have run benchmarks using Sandra and
> it appears that it's not the machine itself as those results have not
> varied so it only leaves an OS-related problem.
>
> Fragmentation would be the obvious choice but, as I said, I have defragged
> regularly.
>
> Any other ideas?
>
> --
> And loving it,
>
> -Q
> _________________________________________________
>
> (Replace the "SixFour" with numbers to email me)

Do a thorough check for malware, following all of the steps at one of these
Web pages.
Help with malware:
All MS-MVP Sites.
http://aumha.org/a/parasite.htm
http://aumha.org/a/quickfix.htm
http://www.elephantboycomputers.com/...moving_Malware
http://mvps.org/winhelp2002/unwanted.htm
http://inetexplorer.mvps.org/darnit.html
http://www.mvps.org/sramesh2k/Malware_Defence.htm

Unexplained computer behavior may be caused by deceptive software.
http://support.microsoft.com/kb/827315

So How Did I Get Infected Anyway?
For quite a few people it's by installing programs like Messenger Plus,
whose ads for malware don't identify the malware as such and try to convince
you that you owe it to the author. See also:
http://www.wilderssecurity.com/showthread.php?t=27971
Don't ever do a "default" install of anything. Always choose Custom and see
what else is being carried along. Don't install any extras you're not sure
of.

--
Frank Saunders MS-MVP IE,OE/WM
Do not reply with email