Windows XP - My system runs slow. C07750102

Article Number: C07750102

Note: This checklist is not customized for specific system scans and checks to increase processing speed. Check the computer's specific user guide for more details.

  1. Check how much memory (RAM) is in your computer

    1. Right-click the My computer icon, and then select Properties from the drop-down list.

    2. In the System Properties menu, select the General tab (if not already selected). The system RAM is listed under Computer:

      3. If there is not at least 256MB of RAM listed, consider upgrading the memory. Refer to Gateway Memory on gateway.com to upgrade the computer's memory (RAM).

  2. Check drive space

    When looking at the Hard Drive properties window incorrectly, you might assume that the hard drive is not the correct size.

    1. On the desktop, double-click My Computer.

    2. In the My Computer window, right-click the C: drive, and then click Properties.

    3. The Local Disk (C:) Properties dialog box opens.

    Note: System performance may begin to deteriorate if there is less than 10% of drive space available. If this is the case, go to the Empty Recycle Bin step.

  3. B>Empty the Recycle Bin

    1. Right-click the Recycle Bin icon.

    2. From the drop-down menu, click Empty Recycle Bin, and then click OK.

  4. Running Disk Cleanup

    1. Click Start, point to Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click Disk Cleanup.

    2. In the Select Drive dialog box, in the Drives list, click drive C:, and then click OK.

      Select drive dialog box

    3. In the Disk Cleanup for (C:) dialog box, select the appropriate files to delete, and then click OK.

      On the graphic, click the More Options tab for more information.

      More options

    4. In the Disk Cleanup for (C:) dialog box, click Yes.

      Disk cleanup dialog box

  5. Use Task Manager

    1. Press Ctrl+Alt+Del keys simultaneously to enter Task Manager.

    2. Click the Process tab.

    3. Move the scroll bar to the top.

      4. View Picture

    4. Sort the "CPU" column by clicking on CPU so that the tasks taking the most CPU Usage are at the top. (You may have to click on CPU twice).

      5. View Picture

    5. Look at the processes that are using the most CPU usage.

      6. Note: "System Idle Process" is normally one of the top processes running.

      View Picture

    6. If the process can be stopped, highlight the process and click End Process.

      7. View Picture

    7. When the Warning dialog box prompts Are sure you want to terminate the process, click Yes.

      8. View Picture

  6. Run an anti-virus scan

    1. Refer to the help file or the documentation for the specific anti-virus software program to get the instructions to run a complete scan of the computer.

    2. Follow all on-screen instructions.

    3. Refer to the Windows XP - Detecting/Identifying Viruses checklist for additional information.

  7. Run an anti-spyware scan

    1. Refer to the help file or the documentation for the specific anti-spyware software program to get the instructions to run a complete scan of the computer.

    2. Follow all on-screen instructions.

    3. Refer to the Windows XP - Detecting/Identifying Spyware checklist for additional information.

  8. Run Check Disk (chkdsk) inside Windows

    9. Chkdsk

    Microsoft® Windows® XP does not include scandisk. However, it does contain chkdsk. The chkdsk command creates and displays a status report for the disk. It can also be used to list and correct errors on the disk.

    Notes:

    • Chkdsk requires exclusive access to a disk volume when it runs. Close all programs before running the chkdsk command. If one or more files on the disk being checked are open, you are prompted to schedule the disk check for the next time the computer is restarted.
    • Depending on the number of files and folders, the size of the disk volume, disk performance, and available system resources, such as processor and memory, the chkdsk command may take a long time to complete.
    • Chkdsk may not accurately report information in read-only mode.

    Perform the following steps to use the chkdsk command.

    1. Click Start, then double-click the My Computer icon on your desktop.

    2. In the My Computer window, click to select the local disk. From the File menu, click Properties.

    3. In the Local Disk Properties dialog box, click the Tools tab. On the Tools tab, in the Error-checking box, click Check Now.

      Local disk properties

    4. In the Check Disk Local Disk dialog box, select one or both of the option checkboxes, and then click Start.

      Check disk local disk dialog box
      • Automatically fix file system errors - Fixes errors without scanning the volume for bad sectors.
      • Scan for and attempt recovery of bad sectors - Repairs errors, locates bad sectors, and recovers readable information.

    5. The disk is checked. When complete, close all open dialog boxes.

      Note: All files must be closed for this process to run. If the volume is currently in use, the following dialog box opens.

      Dialog box

    6. In the Checking Disk Local Disk dialog box, to schedule disk check on the next restart, click Yes.

    7. Restart the computer.

    8. The next time the computer is turned on, the disk check executes before entering Windows.

    For more information about the chkdsk command, click the following Microsoft hyperlinks.

  9. If you can not get into Windows, run Check Disk (chkdsk) from the command prompt

    10. Notes:

    • Chkdsk requires exclusive access to a volume when it runs. Therefore, if one or more of the files are open on the disk that you want to check, Chkdsk displays a prompt asking if you want schedule the disk check for the next time that you restart your computer.
    • Chkdsk might take a long time to run, depending on the number of files and folders, the size of the volume, disk performance, and available system resources, such as processor and memory.
    • Chkdsk might not accurately report information in read-only mode.

    1. From the Start menu, click Run. In the Run dialog box, type: cmd, and then press the ENTER key.

    2. At the Command Prompt type: chkdsk /r, and then press ENTER.

      3. Note: If one or more of the files on the hard disk are open, the following message is displayed:

      "Chkdsk cannot run because the volume is in use by another process. Would you like to schedule this volume to be checked the next time the system restarts? (Y/N)"

    3. Type: Y, and then press ENTER to schedule the disk check, and then restart your computer to start the disk check.

    The following table lists the exit codes that Chkdsk reports after it has finished:

    Exit codeDescription
    0No errors were found.
    1Errors were found and fixed.
    2Disk cleanup, such as garbage collection, was performed, or cleanup was not performed because /r was not specified.
    3Could not check the disk, errors could not be fixed, or errors were not fixed because /f was not specified.

  10. Run Disk Defragmenter

    11. Disk Defragmenter consolidates fragmented files and folders on your computer's hard drive so that each occupies a single, contiguous space on the volume. As a result, your computer can gain access to your files and folders and save new ones more efficiently. By consolidating your files and folders, Disk Defragmenter also consolidates the volume's free space, making it less likely that new files are fragmented.

    Running Disk Defragmenter

    1. Click Start, point to Programs, Accessories, System Tools, and then click Disk Defragmenter.

      Disk defragment

    2. In the Disk Defragmenter window, click Defragment. The hard drive is analyzed, and then defragmented.

      Note: Disk Defragmenter may take a long time to finish.

      Disk defragmenter running

      Disk defragmenter running

    3. In the Disk Defragmenter dialog box, click View Report or click Close when it is finished.

      View report

    4. In the Defragmentation Report dialog box, click Close.

      Close defragmenter

    5. In the Disk Defragmenter window, from the File menu, click Exit.

  11. Delete uneccessary programs.

    12. Removing unused programs frees up additional space on your hard drive.

    1. From the Start menu, click Control Panel.
      View Picture

    2. With Control Panel in Category View, click Add or Remove Programs.
      View Picture

    3. In the Add or Remove Programs window, click to select the driver or program you want to remove, and then click Remove.
      View Picture

    4. Follow the on-screen instructions.

    5. Use the UP and DOWN ARROW keys to select any additional programs to be removed.

    6. When you are finished removing unused programs, close the Add or Remove Programs window.

    7. Restart the computer.

  12. Remove Startup items in MSCONFIG

    13. Clearing Startup items in MSCONFIG would be used to:

    • Help identify spyware, adware, or viruses being initiated upon Startup of Windows.
    • identify possible problems causing the system to run unusally slow or halting.
    • If errors are appearing upon startup of Windows.

    1. Click Start, and then click Run.

    2. In the Run dialog box, type: MSCONFIG, and then press the ENTER key.

    3. In the System Configuration Utility dialog box, click the Startup tab.

    4. Uncheck everything in the startup list except those needed for proper functionality of the system.

      Note: Leave the following items checked if they appear in the Startup items list.

      BigFixKeeps software and drivers up to date
      TabtipTablet stylus
      SnippingtoolTablet stylus
      readericon45gmultimedia Card Reader
      mHotKeyMultimedia Keyboard driver
      zHotKeyMultimedia Keyboard driver
      ccAppNorton Antivirus
      ccRegVfyNorton Antivirus
      VShield32Norton Antivirus
      SynTPLprNotebook Touchpad driver
      SynTPEnhNotebook Touchpad driver
      AtrayBroadcom Wireless driver (Notebooks)
      BCMltryBroadcom Wireless driver (Notebooks)
      PronomgrIntel Wireless driver (Notebooks)
      SpySweeperSpyseeper, eliminates spyware/adware
      SNDmonSound driver
      UrlLstCkNorton Internet Security Suite
      Remind_XPSoftThinks Medialess reminder
      rec_guardSoftThinks Hidden Partition
      showwndMedia card reader
      shwicon2kMedia card reader
      shwiconemMedia card reader
      msscliMcAfee Anti-sypware
      mcagentMcAfee tray icon
      mcupdateMcAfee automatic update
      cfgwizNorton Anti-virus configuration Wizard
      qfuiPre-Empt
      AtiCwd32ATI video card or Chipset
      AtikeyATI video card or Chipset
      cliATI video card or Chipset
      atiptaxxATI video card or Chipset
      ati2mdxxATI video card or Chipset
      NwiznVidia video card or Chipset
      NvMediaCenter (NvMcTray)nVidia video card or Chipset
      NvCplDaemonnVidia video card or Chipset
      NvCplnVidia video card or Chipset
      RthdcplRealTek Audio Chipset
      ifrmewrkIntel Wireless driver
      EOUWizIntel Wireless driver

      Note: If you change any startup setting thorugh MSCONfig, the following message may appear the next time you log on to the system:
      "You have used the System Configuration Utility to change the way Windows starts. The System Configuration Utility is currently in Diagnostic or Selective Startup mode, causing this message to be displayed and the utility to run every time Windows starts. Choose the Normal Startup mode on the General tab to start Windows normally and undo the changes you made using the System Configuration Utility."

    5. Make sure the Do not show this message again is checked, and then click OK.

    6. When the error does not appear anymore, place a checkmark in a box to test if that is the item that is causing the problem. Repeat until the error reappears to validate the problem startup item.
      Note: If doing this because the system is running slow, remind the customer that more items that are being initiated upon startup, the slower the system will perform.

    7. Update Device Drivers

      8. Go to the Device Driver checklist for procedures on updating the device drivers.

    If following the above procedures did not resolve your problem, please contact Gateway through one of the following methods: