Laptop running slow - tried lots, nothing works

K

Kelter82

New Member
Hi there,

So right of the bat, I have a Dell Vostro 1520. It runs on Windows 7, and has an Intwl Core 2 Duo CPU T6670 @2.20GHz, 4.00GB RAM, 64-bit OS, and a NVIDIA GeForce 9300M GS Video Card.

I find that whenever I am watching something in fullscreen or gaming the computer lags. For example, when watching something, the sound will proceed as normal but the video will slow down for 4-5 seconds, then speed up to "catch up with itself."

I have turned off all processes other than the Microsoft services, changed my page size to 250-1000MB, and cleared all temporary files using CCleaner. I don't see what else I can do! This computer is not old, I got it this March - it shouldn't be acting so slow (and it hasn't until this month). CPU is fluctuating, sometimes it will stay between say 5 and 25, and other times it is up to 40-85.

FRUSTRATION. lol.

Any help is GREATLY appreciated
 
Have you looked at the performance of your Laptop in your task manager "CTRL+Alt+Del"r? I am betting the memory is being uded up by windows 7.
Right now my H.P.Pavilion dv6 Intel 1S processor and 4GB ddrIII ram. And I am using 1.43gb of my ram.
If your up to 50% things will run slow. I feel you need more ram.
 
by page size, im assuming here you mean your page file, Microsoft generally recommend your paging file to be 1.5x your physical ram so in your case it should be roughly 5500mb - 6000mb that might help possibly

And are thses internet videos that your streaming or they are on your hard drive?
 
It seems it only lags when viewing streaming videos. But the thing is it only lags in fullscreen. Why is this?

Also, the computer lags A LOT when gaming, so something is definitely up - I just don't know WHAT.

"plugin container" frequently has the highest CPU when I check the processes tab. Don't know if that information makes a difference at all, but there you go.

Thanks for the link McNamara! Care to explain these for me (please excuse me I am a total noob when it comes to this kind of thing)?

-Windows search bar removed (not used by user) (common reason for computer slowdown – indexing files in real-time)
-Performance tweak set for the virtual memory
-Full Disk Defragmenting scheduled (how much good can this do?)

Thanks so much!!!
 
Thanks John, I'll give it a try.

So frick, I started up a game and it was running alright (it always does in the beginning, then it starts to lag) and suddenly the screen went black and the computer turned off. I hit the start button and saw a blue screen (NOT the blue screen of death) telling me the computer was testing its memory for errors. It got to about 8% when it switched off again! I'm lucky to be typing this now.

The battery is SOMEHOW 100% charged now, which I don't believe seeing as my charger went a few days ago and could only supply power to the computer but not actually charge the battery. So that's odd.

Also, maybe random, but jucheck.exe NEVER registers on my computer. It asks me if I want to run it and I have tried to update java a few times but it doesn't "take", so to speak. Don't know if that means anything...
 
Windows 7 has its own memory checker, I didn't think it automatically ran it unless it was user started. If the laptop is shutting down on its own, then most likely its heat related. If its under warranty, I would take it in to have it looked at.
 
Feels warm but it's been far hotter, and it's on a flat surface. I'm not saying it's NOT heat related, I'm just saying something's gotta be going on in there if it can't stand a little bit of warmth. It's under warranty (3 years) so thank goodness for that.

I appreciate your help - will probably call Dell today and see what they think and if they'll send someone over.
 
Kelter82 said:
It seems it only lags when viewing streaming videos. But the thing is it only lags in fullscreen. Why is this?

Also, the computer lags A LOT when gaming, so something is definitely up - I just don't know WHAT.

"plugin container" frequently has the highest CPU when I check the processes tab. Don't know if that information makes a difference at all, but there you go.

Thanks for the link McNamara! Care to explain these for me (please excuse me I am a total noob when it comes to this kind of thing)?

-Windows search bar removed (not used by user) (common reason for computer slowdown – indexing files in real-time)
-Performance tweak set for the virtual memory
-Full Disk Defragmenting scheduled (how much good can this do?)

Thanks so much!!!
Click to expand...

Theres sometimes a search bar enabled in your taskbar which isnt needed and can strain a little on your pc.
Your virtual memory, or paging file is basically a part of your hard disk that acts a little like actual RAM when really its a virtual type. and this should be set at 1.5 times your physical RAM, for the optimum level.
and under start all programs system tools disk defragmenter. Disk defragmenter is a little utility that orgranises your hard disk to reduce searching or writing and accessing time.

I know this might sound a little techy so let me know if you need more help or a full explanation on how to do each thing. :)
 
Changed the page file size to 5500-6000, there's no taskbar search thing, and defrag did nothing as everything was in place (interesting because I haven't defraged once since I got this thing, which was 8 months ago).
 
also what sort of internet connection are you getting? you say its streaming videos and playing games, are the game online play? or while you are playing in offline single player etc.
 
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