Any ideas on why my computer is running slow now?

[primarypunisher]

My computer was running fine one night, when i restarted it in the morning it was running really slow. I went into safe mode and did virus scans, defrag, and spyware/adware scans all found nothing. It takes about 4-5 minutes to open a program ( like ventrillo ) and longer to open internet explorer (about 7 minutes). I have no idea whats wrong, any suggestions would be greatly appreciated.

system specs
AMD Athlon64 3000+
MSI K8T NEO
1024mb corsair xms pc3200
radeon 9600xt 128mb
80gb ATA hd at 7200rpm
winxp home w/ service pack 1

 

[mechBgon]

Does the system have a firewall (hardware, software or both)? Does Internet Explorer open any faster if you close it after the first time and then re-launch it, or is it slow on the second launch too? Have you confirmed that your CPU fan is running?

 

[primarypunisher]

No firewall, Everything is slow no matter how many times i try to open it, like i said it takes about 5 min to open up a program, another 2-3 to close it i let it just sit there for like an hour and came back and it was still slow. Im pretty sure my cpu fan is running. I will check it.

 

[mechBgon]

No firewall?! :Q Uh, welcome to 2004 my friend, you need a firewall Click the Photo Guide link in my signature and go to the Resources page.

 

[primarypunisher]

Still how would i fix my problem :-/ Even if i downloaded zonealarm?

 

[primarypunisher]

btw that is an awesome photoguide, and im on my OLD computer, the one that is messed up is just too frustrating to try to use without being in safemode.

 

[mechBgon]

Originally posted by: primarypunisher
Still how would i fix my problem :-/ Even if i downloaded zonealarm?

If your computer is compromised, then my suggestion is to back up your important data files onto a spare hard drive, unplug your network cable, and Drop The Bomb On It­? :evil: Reinstall WindowsXP with the system isolated from the broadband connection, install Service Pack 2 while still isolated from the broadband connection (or else install ZoneAlarm), install your antivirus software, and now connect and immediately update your Windows and antivirus before doing anything else.

If you have a broadband connection, which I'm guessing you do, also get a hardware firewall, a router like the Netgear RP614 (search Newegg.com for "RP614", they're very affordable) and use that in conjunction with your software firewall and antivirus software.

The Resources page of my photo guide goes into more detail as you can see.

Too bad you have WinXP Home and not Pro, or you could take "best practices" a step further by having a seldom-used Administrator account and then using a Limited-class account for daily-driver stuff.