Computer simple tasks/multitasking slowly

[Static EMP]

Hi, I have a Pentium IV 2.2 GHz processor, and the performance is starting to drop. I've noticed that performing simple applications, such as loading Winamp or opening a .PDF file takes more time than it should. Also, multitasking has been affected. If I try to do more than one thing at once, it will eventually complete; however, there often is a large lag time. I have ran defrag and scandisk, and many disk cleanup utilities, including ad-aware and spybot. I have a lot of free space, am running Windows XP SP2. I believe I take good care of my computer. Does anyone have a solution to my problem? Thank you.

 

[Super_Nova]

Scan it for adware using ad-aware AND spybot. Switch to Firefox. And delete the contents out of your TEMP folders. I know for a fact that Acrobat is effected by a full TEMP folder. Right click on my computer then click properties > advanced > environment variables. Under both sets of variables look for TEMP and TMP. This will show you the location of your temp folders. clear them out but don't delete the folders themselves.

 

[aqsg72]

am running Windows XP SP2

Maybe it was caused by SP2?

I have ran defrag and scandisk, and many disk cleanup utilities, including ad-aware and spybot.

When that happens to me, I format and do a fresh install. Judging by this, it doesn't sound like theres a lot else you can do to speed it back up, defragging is usually a good solution in this instances.

 

[Lorand]

You can try one of these tweaks: http://www.tweakxp.com/performance_tweaks.aspx

Right click on my computer then click properties > advanced > environment variables. Under both sets of variables look for TEMP

There's a much easier way to get there: Start / Run, then type in %temp%

 

[dansilva]

the best solution for multi-tasking from the experinence is use of Hyper-threading.also while u using ur programes check task manager>>proccess see what programes use how much of CPU usage.check if there is any unsual usage of CPU i.e. wupdate.exe.
if u really wanna do multi-tasking i think u better of with an upgrade i.e. P4 Hyper-threading.

 

[Static EMP]

maybe this will shed a little more light: whenever i open a folder, it takes long to view the contents. it can be something like my mp3 folder, where the flashlight will animate for a while, or even something like control panel, where it takes a while for the icons to show. they start showing from bottom to top, one by one. it's not too slow, but it didn't used to be like this.

 

[Lorand]

You could try this registry hack: http://www.uninets.net/~blaisdel/whistler5.htm#RegKeySlwodownFix

 

[kof2000]

you need more ram maybe?

 

[Super_Nova]

I'd clear that temp folder out. but you may also have a virus. Did you run any antivirus software?

 

[Praetor]

I know for a fact that Acrobat is effected by a full TEMP folder

Full? It's a dynamic folder

the best solution for multi-tasking from the experinence is use of Hyper-threading

There isnt much you can do to "use" HT because its (a) soemthing most people dont know how to force-enable and (b) a hardware spec.