Windows XP "my computer" SOOO SLOW TO ACCESS all the sudden!

[Caveman2001]

Hi guys, I thought I would see if anyone out there has dealt with this problem. Let's see how good AT'ers are at OS's.

Out of the blue yesterday morning after booting my machine, I double clicked the "my computer" icon to access my drives and all I get is the "searching flashlight" icon for about 2 1/2 minutes and then everything finally shows up. Normally you would think that one of my removable media drives is stuck trying to access a disk, but sadly this is not the case because I have unplugged all removable media drives to test this possiblity. I have a triple boot system so I was able to prove that all my hardware is working correctly in W98se.

This is the weirdest thing I've ever come accross. I haven't ruled out the possiblity of a virus, but the chances of me getting a virus without knowing it are slim (i.e. firewall, up to date virus software, and full system scan yesterday).

I run a RAID setup with 2 30g drives that are only 4-6 months old. Like I said all hardware works in 98se just fine.

Now, I am able to access all drives from the "run dialog box" on the start menu by typing the drive letter (c: for example) and hitting "enter". The drive comes up in it's own window and I can access all files and folders. I can access all removable media the same way. Everything is quick and easy there.

This is simply weird. I've never run into a problem of accessing "my computer" icon like this.


This will blow you away too. I decided to just restore a ghost image of the OS from a month ago (that's the last time I backed it up). Theoretically, this should eliminate the problem if it's OS related. Well, the problem is exactly the same with the fresh restore. This is what leads me to the possibility of a virus OR hardware. The problem is that the hardware is working perfectly in another win98se. If it is a virus, a fresh install is going to fix it, however, I would like to know if anyone has seen this problem before.

Thanks for any help!

 

[Caveman2001]

Nobody wants to take a jab at this problem?

 

[ineedsleep]

I once experienced this... when i mapped a whole lot of network shares... and lan traffic was already pretty high... (i was transferring files from one comp to another). But i don't think that's what's causing you probs...

In your case, since you say the drive is fine.... i have a few guesses... <-- please note i said guess.

1. Your power supply is faltering... 😱

2. Your ram is faltering... since 2k / xp will use more ram, maybe that's why it works fine in 98

3. Your ide cables/connection is weak... 😱

Well who knows... it's probably none of these... but maybe by someone disproving my theories... we'll come to a conclusion... as a counter-point might lead to a solution 🙂

 

[wlee]

Just a though. Your pagefile may have become corrupted. You could try flushing it and/or rebuilding it.


How to Clear the Windows Paging File at Shutdown (Q182086)

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The information in this article applies to:


Microsoft Windows 2000 , Professional
Microsoft Windows 2000 , Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 , Advanced Server
Microsoft Windows 2000 , Datacenter Server
Microsoft Windows NT Server, Enterprise Edition version 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Workstation versions 3.51 , 4.0
Microsoft Windows NT Server versions 3.51 , 4.0


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For a Microsoft Windows XP version of this article, see Q314834 .
IMPORTANT : This article contains information about editing the registry. Before you edit the registry, make sure you understand how to restore it if a problem occurs. For information about how to do this, view the "Restoring the Registry" Help topic in Regedit.exe or the "Restoring a Registry Key" Help topic in Regedt32.exe.


SUMMARY
This article documents the method for clearing the Windows paging file (Pagefile.sys) during the shutdown process, so that no unsecured data is contained in the paging file when the shutdown process is complete.

Some third-party programs may temporarily store unencrypted (plain-text) passwords or other sensitive information in memory. Because of Windows virtual memory architecture, this information may be present in the paging file.

Although clearing the paging file is not a suitable substitute for physical security of a computer, you may want to increase the security of data on a computer while Windows is not running.



MORE INFORMATION
WARNING: Using Registry Editor incorrectly can cause serious problems that may require you to reinstall your operating system. Microsoft cannot guarantee that problems resulting from the incorrect use of Registry Editor can be solved. Use Registry Editor at your own risk.

For information about how to edit the registry, view the "Changing Keys And Values" Help topic in Registry Editor (Regedit.exe) or the "Add and Delete Information in the Registry" and "Edit Registry Data" Help topics in Regedt32.exe. Note that you should back up the registry before you edit it.

Start Registry Editor (Regedt32.exe).


Change the data value of the ClearPageFileAtShutdown value in the following registry key to a value of 1:
HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\SYSTEM\CurrentControlSet\Control\Session Manager\ Memory Management
If the value does not exist, add the following value:


Value Name: ClearPageFileAtShutdown
Value Type: REG_DWORD
Value: 1
This change does not take effect until you restart the computer.

For additional information about Session Manager memory management settings, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q102985 REG: CurrentControlSet Entries PART 2: SessionManager



How to Configure Paging Files for Optimization and Recovery in Windows XP (Q314482)

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The information in this article applies to:


Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
Microsoft Windows XP Professional


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For a Microsoft Windows NT and Windows 2000 version of this article, see Q197379 .


SUMMARY
The paging file (Pagefile.sys) is a hidden file on your computer's hard disk that Windows XP uses as if it were random access memory (RAM). The paging file and physical memory comprise virtual memory. By default, Windows stores the paging file on the boot partition (the partition that contains the operating system and its support files). The default, or recommended, paging file size is equal to 1.5 times the total amount of RAM. This article discusses how you can configure the paging file for system optimization and recovery.

To enhance performance, move the paging file to a different partition. When the paging file is on the boot partition, Windows must perform disk reading and writing requests on both the system folder and the paging file. When the paging file is moved to a different partition, there is less competition between reading and writing requests.

However, if you completely remove the paging file from the boot partition, Windows cannot create a dump file (Memory.dmp) in which to write debugging information in the event that a kernel mode STOP error message occurs. This can lead to extended downtime if a debug procedure is necessary to troubleshoot the STOP error message.

The optimal solution is to create one paging file that is, by default, stored on the boot partition, and then create one paging file on another, less frequently accessed partition. Additionally, it is optimal to create the second paging file so that it exists on its own partition, with no data or operating-system-specific files. By design, Windows uses the paging file on the less frequently accessed partition over the paging file on the more heavily accessed boot partition. An internal algorithm is used to determine which paging file to use for virtual memory management.

When you place a paging file on its own partition, the paging file does not become fragmented, and this counts as another definite advantage. If a paging file resides on a partition that contains other data, it may experience fragmentation as it expands to satisfy the extra virtual memory that is required. An unfragmented paging file leads to faster virtual memory access and greater likelihood of a dump-file capture that is free of significant errors.

If you follow the preceding recommendations, you meet the following paging file configuration goals for optimization and recovery:

The system is properly configured to capture a Memory.dmp file if the computer experiences a kernel mode STOP error.

-and-


The paging file on the less frequently accessed partition is used most often because it is on a partition that is least busy.


NOTE : If your computer contains multiple hard disks, you can also create a paging file for each hard disk. When information is distributed across multiple paging files, the hard disk controller can simultaneously read from and write to multiple hard disks. As a result, system performance is enhanced.



MORE INFORMATION
For additional information about how to move the paging file in Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:

Q307886 HOW TO: Move the Paging File in Windows XP
For additional information about how to set performance options in Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q308417 HOW TO: Set Performance Options
For additional information about how to configure recovery techniques in Windows XP, click the article number below to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
Q307973 HOW TO: Configure Recovery Techniques in Windows XP

 

[Caveman2001]

Hey thanks for the replies, but so far no dice.

I know all my hardware is good. I have a PC Power and Cooling PS 400W and it's not even 1 year old. My ram is Crucial and Mushkin also not 1 year old yet. Like I said before I can run all hardware in W98se. Plus, I can do everything in WinXP except open the my computer icon without a 3 minute (searching flashlight) delay before it displays.

I put the 1 value in the clear page file so it would clear it at shutdown and that didn't help.

Next, I changed the drive for the page file to my data drive and put higher values which should only make performance better. I have 512mb ram so I used 767 / 1024 for values. I used the recommended settings and that didn't change anything either.

This is so totally weird. The machine is acting like it's trying to find something it can't find and then gives up and displays everything in my computer or finally finds it.

I haven't found anything in Microsoft's knowledge database that addresses anything like this either.

 

[Caveman2001]

OMG, you guys are gonna laugh.

For some reason my scanner was like in a stuck mode or something. I turned all the lights off to leave the office and noticed the scanner light was on. I normally don't leave it plugged in. Anyway, I unplugged the thing and rebooted and everything is fine.

Thanks for the efforts, I really really appreciate your time.