Why Why WHy???

[tailtap]

Hi Everyone, new here, but loving it already!

My problem is, im running a standard computer that is totally fine

I have a 1.3Ghz single core intel processor, (Pent.3 I think)
1GB RAM
80GB HD
No video card
Standard Ethernet card
Low grade Souund Blaster Card.
Windows XP Home.

As you can see, it's a pretty standard home computer.

Over time, the computer has become sower and slower, and even tho it has no errors or as far as i can see, no viruses, it takes at least ten minutes to boot XP, and about the same speed to do everything else. As it is so slow, it cannot play audio files or anyhing like that.

I have already tried...
- Clean Installing XP (twice over, with removal each time)
- Removing hardware such as Audio card, ethernet card.
- Swapping arounf the RAM chips.
.. and all ths to no avail.

The strange thing... is that when i networked it to another computer.... i could acces the hard drive at normal speed, and could file transfer each way wthout a problem.

So, i take it that i dont have a HD problem. I would have guesses that the Data must somewhat travel through the processor too to get to the network card, so im not sure.

Is this a hardware problem? are my RAM chips stuffed, or am I looking a a new processor.

P.s.. i tried increasing the cache (Level 2) in bios.. and the computer just resets half way through the boot.. or even just as i reset the comp. Level 3 is worse.. i had trouble even getting back into the bios to make it level 1 again.. vecause the comp would just reset.

Cheers guys, this will be a long lived problem solved. Any help would be great!

 

[Quiksilver]

One interesting thing I would try it to partition the hard drive into say a 60 gig and 20 gig partitions. The install a linux distro like Ubuntu onto the smaller partition just to be sure it's not a windows problem (IE: Bloat) If the problem disappears and you only use the computer for basics (Linux users don't shoot me down for saying that!) then I would suggest keeping the linux distro; granted it probably would take a few weeks/months to get used too.

If it doesn't go away, I don't know what too say other than upgrade to something a bit newer. You coudl easily get a brand new computer for about $500 that would more than likely perform better than what you have now and you won't need some of the peripherals you have to use now (Ethernet card...)

 

[tailtap]

Thanks Quiksilver!

Im not sure how partitioning the hard disk would help, seeing as it networks with other computers normally. Plus i want to use the computer for quite technical operations in the future, so im hoping i can spend 50$ - 100$ to simply replace RAM cards, and hopefully not the processor.

This computer has run fine in the past, and i have an older laptop, with a 0.5Ghz P3, 500MB RAM, and completely full 12GB HD, that boots in less than 2 mins!

Surely this is just a small error, rather than needig an upgrade!

Cheers

 

[law9933]

If Safe Mode starts up in a normal amount of time, it would be a software problem.

 

[RadiclDreamer]

Run the manuf diag for your hdd
Run goldmem www.goldmemory.cz

 

[Ausm]

Originally posted by: law9933
If Safe Mode starts up in a normal amount of time, it would be a software problem.

I was thinking a driver issue myself.



Ausm

 

[ForumMaster]

check that the drive isn't in PIO mode. you do this by going into device manager and selecting the IDE channel on which your drive is on.

also, try memtest to verify that your RAM is ok.

 

[tailtap]

Computer boots slowly in safe mode im afraid!

Ill run mem test tonight, and get back to you

when checking that the drive isn't in PIO mode, how do i know, and which IDEchannel on which should my drive be on?

 

[bendixG15]

Your hard drive that has the OS should be on the primary channel.

Just right click on Primary and read the properties.

While you are at it, double check the master/slave thingy.