Computer Slowing Down??? HELP ME!

[K1LLuM1NaT1]

First of all, I'm going to give my comp specs:

P4 2.8GHz 533 Bus
ASUS P4T533-C MOBO
1024 MB (4x256) PC800 NON-ECC RDRAM
Seagate 80GB 7200RPM HDD
52x24x52x CD-RW
16X DVD-ROM
480W DEMON PSU
Sennheiser PC155 USB Headset
Radeon 9800 Pro 128MB
Windows XP Professional

Now, let me get into the details. I have had this same setup for more than 6 months. During this time, I have never had problems with the speed of my computer, and have always been happy. However, about 2-3 weeks ago, I noticed an EXTREME sudden slowdown with my computer. Thinking it was, perhaps, a virus or two, I ran my anti-virus. I found a few viruses, and thought that this was my problem. No! As soon as I booted my computer back up, I saw that it was still running the same. After defragmenting, running spyware removers, and other things, I finally resorted to reformatting.

After going throught with the format I installed every single WindowsXP Service Pack 1/updates availible. I then installed DirectX, my video drivers, and rebooted. After installing some misc. software and games, etc., I ran the ultimate test. I ran some games!

First, I ran Counter-Strike. If you don't know, this game is now running on 6 years old. While I can usually get 100 FPS (the max) in game, whenever I get a pop-up or need to alt+tab, I find that when I re-enter the game it is extremely choppy (freezing every few seconds for a good half-second). This has NEVER happened before the last few weeks, and it's EXTREMELY frustrating. I then installed some older ATI drivers, and the same results occured.

So basically, even after a REFORMAT the computer acts exactly the same. Sadly enough, I cannot run KaZaA effeciently without my whole computer continuously lagging. Whenever I try to run Windows Media Player with ANYTHING open (downloads, internet explorer, games, etc.) it skips quite frequently.

I think that this is a problem with my processor because it is always running a high percentage of it's usage, but it really could be anything LEADING to the processors problems. Please help me to let me know what is going on here!

Thanks a lot,
Kevin

 

[Mik3y]

not to be rude or anything, but ur system isnt very high end. if anything, its mid range-ish. well, i'm suprised a full reformat didnt help u. are u sure u actually deleted the whole harddrive? well, ur cpu is on the weaker edge because of its 533fsb, and if u find that ur cpu is constantly being used by hidden apps, then thats the cause. i say disable many of the apps that you have running in the background.

 

[Budman]

After you formatted did you install your Agp/chipset drivers?

 

[OCedHrt]

I've had experience with NAV 2002 and Creative drivers causing extreme slowdowns. To be sure, you shuoldn't install the "misc" software after the clean re-install.

 

[IncredibleHutch]

Okay... I got something that may help...

You have one piece of software who's name I think should not be mentioned on these boards... and taking it from there... this piece of software is a resource hog and a half and the newest one starts some services up automatically.

A fix...

HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SOFTWARE\Microsoft\Windows\CurrentVersion\Run

Here you can find most things that will start up automatically... I'd say delete things from here that you don't want to start up automatically... cause you can always run these with a double click of an icon... hopefully this will help you out a good bit.

 

[VirtualLarry]

Check your HDs with the mfg. diagnostic tool. Also consider installing a SMART tool in Windows, to monitor the HDs. You could also install HDTach 2.61 and benchmark your HDs.

(The reason for doing any/all of these things, is to eliminate a potentially-failing HD as the cause of your slowdowns.)