Performance Issue

Hi all,
I have had some performance issues with my computer which started in the past 3 weeks. The HDD light appears to be working hard these days, during which time performance drops markedly. My first assumption was that the HDD was dying, though it's not particularly old (just over 2 years).
Here's what I've done to try and resolve the issue:

- Chkdsk /f /r
- Defrag (using Defraggler: this took almost 3 days as my 660GB HDD was 48% fragmented)
- Adaware scan
- Spybot scan
- CCleaner (registry cleaner)
- Western Digital Data Lifeguard Diagnostic (HDD Diagnostic tool - passed the extended test)
- Ending unfamiliar/suspicious processes in task manager (a common practice for me anyway)
- Remove & reseat both RAM chips
- Removed dust from CPU fan & graphics car fan (in case of heat stability issues)

As you can see, I've tried everything I can possibly think of, but nothing has worked! I'm beginning to suspect there might be something wrong with my RAM, but that's really only a shot in the dark. Also, I wanted to do a system restore but I think CCleaner removed the necessary files, so that option's out.

She's a very old computer, at around 10 years (graphics card about 4-5 and more recent HDD), but I do my best to keep her in good condition due to the fact that I'm a full time student and can't really afford a huge outlay for a new system.

Any ideas how to fix this, other tests I could run etc? I'm really eager to get this fixed before next friday!

Many thanks,
S

 

Did you install/update anything before the problem started ?

 

I'm not sure, but I don't think so otherwise I probably would have made the connection. That was why I wanted to try a system restore, but as I mentioned CCleaner was a little too thorough.

 

What did you have checked in CCleaner? I would try a MalwareBytes FULL scan also.

http://majorgeeks.com/downloadget.php?id=5756&file=9&evp=693ee0b20204960edfd909666f809b26

* DoubleClick mbam-setup.exe and follow the prompts to install MBA-M.
* Be sure a checkmark is placed next to Update Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware and Launch Malwarebytes' Anti-Malware, then click Finish.
* If an update is found, it will download and install the latest version if one is available. There are always new updates to the definitions.
* Once the program has loaded, select Perform full scan, then choose the drive(s) then click Scan.
* When the scan is complete, click OK, then Show Results to view the results.
* Be sure that everything is checked, and click Remove Selected if malware is found.
* When MBA-M finishes, Notepad will open with the log. The log can be retrieved by opening up MBAM and clicking on the Logs Tab at the top of the program .

Reboot the computer

 

Check for Errors/Warning in Event Viewer. That may give you a clue.

 

Watch your hard-drive LED. Is it running hard when the pauses happen?

When you first log in, check the figure for Page File Usage in Task Manager. Monitor the HDD LED and check Page File again later in your session. If Page File increases, it means your RAM is being "overloaded" and the system needs to use virtual memory (Page File) to cope. If so, you need to (re-) check what is running at startup (in the background).

You can stop most programs from loading their startup programs in it's Options. For example, some printer programs run a lot of "helper "accessories and updaters, they can be turned off.

Do you have plenty of space on your hard drive? I work on a minimum of 20% freespace on the Windows drive.

Avoid "registry cleaners" unless you are prepared to investigate every suggested deletion it offers. CCleaner removes temporary files well though.

Try running in Safe Mode with Networking. You won't be able to run everything, but see if your basic programs act normally.

Older systems can get "clagged up ", usually by installing programs for much larger (more modern) computers. A backup and reformat "should" make it work the way it did as you first installed Windows. If you are considering needing to go to a new computer, it would be a learning experience. I really don't like suggesting a reformat, but some programs that have been installed over the past might be causing problems (that is, "blow the cob-webs away ").

Matt

 

MrBill,
I installed and ran Malwarebytes as you suggested, it found the following:
- Trojan.FakeAlert
- PUM.Bad.Proxy
Both of which I removed.
I also ran DriverScanner which came with Malwarebytes, but it freezes up everytime and I have to end the program prematurely through task manager.

Rsinfo,
I checked event viewer for errors and there are certainly errors in there, but I don't know how to interpret them nor what action should follow their interpretation.
Errors in 'application' included:
- 'Bonjour Service' (which I believe is part of iTunes),
- 'Application Hang', and
- 'Adaware'.

System errors included:
- 'service control manager',
- 'sptd',
- 'DCOM',
- and some 'Service Control Manager' errors.
I only listed random errors for the past week or two.

Mattman,
yes the HDD LED is running hard when the lag happens. I've deleted a lot of garbage from my HDD over the past week, so I now have about 20% free which is more than I've had previously available when my computer was operating without trouble.
I've been playing around with my online game which I'm using as a benchmark for performance, with task manager performance tab open. I've noticed that PG usage increases enormously from around 400MB to over 1.2GB when the HDD light is lit, with CPU usage varying from 60 to 100% (bouncing up and down). Unfortunately, since this online game is my 'benchmark' for performance I'm not able to push my system in safe mode as it won't load the game, however my directories and firefox do seem to run a lot faster in safe mode (which I think is always the case in any event?).

I'm getting desparate, so I'm going to try reinstalling WinXP on a spare HDD and see what happens - but still looking for answers if there are any other suggestions out there!

I might also mention that I bumped my computer a couple times tonight by accident, and each time it decided to restart. I've checked for loose cables and such a number of times but couldn't find anything. Maybe she's just getting old?
Also I just remembered - I've had two BSODS in the past two weeks. Not sure if that helps at all?

 

Let's make sure there's no other nasties hiding in there.

Read this post, then post the requested log(s) in the Malware and Virus Removal forum.

 

Yep, that would be the best thing to do. Bet that there is more there lurking in the background...

 

That would be an excellent test to rule out a hardware problem. I use it if I have a spare hard disk.

 

It's still laggy!
After using a fresh HDD, formatted and Win Xp reinstalled, she's still running like ****. I guess this means it's almost certainly a hardware issue? It's obviously not the HDD - could it be anything but the RAM? Any way to find out?

 

Which CPU and how much RAM?

 

I have link for memory diagnostics in my signature. Note that the diagnostics are run outside Windows, so cannot examine them the way they would be run under Windows.

You can try swapping RAM of the same type, if you can find some.

You could find strange problems if the motherboard is failing.

Matt

 

After a comprehensive and complete disassembling of my computer over the weekend (unplug everything from the motherboard, remove motherboard from chassis, etc) removing a plethora of dust from inside the chassis (and the power unit!), I reassembled the computer... but with no luck.
Over the past week Windows had not been loading all the way through - the Windows load screen would initiate but after this my monitor appeared to be recieving no signal and switching itself off.

Ahh...graphics card! I'm certain this is the problem, as everything works fine up until the point where the computer tries to use the card. I think the prior symptoms of sluggishness have climaxed in the complete failure of my graphics card - and unfortunately I can't test this hypothesis in Windows safe mode because Windows decided to have a hissy fit about my computer components being altered and now wants to reverify etc and apparently this can only be done in normal mode or after fresh resintallation of Windows.

Anyway....long story short, I think it's time just to replace the whole machine.

>Matt, I might have tried swapping out RAM, but my comp is so old that it's difficult for me to locate any that is compatible. And as mentioned above, I think it's just time for a complete overhaul of the old girl.

 

Thanks for coming back with the update!

That screams drivers to me. You seem to know where the graphics drivers and software load, it is just before the logon screen (the monitor goes black for a moment).

You seem to be keen on a new computer, once I start considering a new computer it snowballs and I can't look back BUT after you have built your new one, you might want to go back to tinkering with the old one. It is good to have one as a backup if you get stuck.

Is it the Abit motherboard? Mine keeps amazing me. I've had some breakdowns and they could have been the motherboard, but were the RAM, the graphics and power supply. The mobo keeps powering on.

See if you can come back to trying to find the cause.

Matt
PS: Drivers? Try going to the startup options (F8, where you select Safe Mode) and choose VGA Mode.

 

I took your advice Matt and reinstalled my graphics card drivers while logged in to VGA mode, which seem to have done the trick! At least now my computer is operational at the level it was before.
(In actuality I need to avoid purchasing a new computer, I just don't have the cash!)

Still trying to figure out what the problem is here - got another BSOD today (something about the kmwdfilter.sys file, which after googling I decided to remove), though I doubt a single file is the cause of my problems. Still experiencing incredible lag and slow downs which seem to be almost random and occurr when the CPU usage actually drops to below 5% (while the HDD light simultaneously is solid red).

 

Snape, Are using a wireless mouse? If so, try uninstalling the mouse driver and see if it still happens.

 

This seems to be the most likely cause of the lagging/ poor performance.

What program is accessing the HDD? You might be able to tell by going to Task Manager and sort the Processes by CPU usage (click on the heading of the CPU column). It might be the antivirus running a scan. Check how and when your AV runs scans. I set mine to a minimal "rate" of scanning and occasionally run full scans manually.

Do you run more than one antimalware? They conflict with each other. Run any secondary scans manually, don't let them run in the background.

I mentioned Pagefile usage, are you sure the system is not running out of memory and swapping the RAM contents to Pagefile on the HDD? (It sounds like you tried a fresh install of Windows on a different HDD and there was still lagging.)

Did you check for updated drivers at Abit? The chipset drivers should be the ones that will be related to IDE/SATA controller drivers. Let me know if you want help looking for the drivers.

Try disconnecting the cables to the HDD and reseating them (don't just wiggle them), also where they connect at the motherboard.

20% freespace on the C: drive is minimal in my opinion. I would look at how I would (more than) maintain that level. For example, I ask myself "Can I put my old data on DVD or an external HDD? "

Why and what is accessing your HDD and is it having problems doing that access?

Matt