Serious lag, can't figure out why...

[grimorian]

Okay, so... It started a few days ago that my computer began lagging something fierce. I've run anti-viruses, malware removal, even wiped everything out, deleted partitions, and reinstalled Windows XP... Twice. I have no idea what could be causing the lag. It lags when I type, open programs, try to come out of screen saver, pretty much everything. Here's all the spec stuff I saw in the "read before posting" thread... Any help would be appreciated.


Dell Vostro 1000
AMD Turion 64X2 Mobile
2gig ram

 

[frozenlead]

Could be heat, or a bad had disk. I'd check both of those possibilities out.

 

[grimorian]

How would I check a bad hard disk?

 

[delamere]

I found www.hdsentinel.com a while back and have been extremly happy with it for checking state of Harddisks.

 

[frozenlead]

I wouldn't use a web site to check your hard disk. It's just a bad idea.

If you don't have one already, the hard disk utilities on the Ultimate Boot CD are invaluable (not to mention everything else on the disk). I would use those. The IBM/Hitachi utility is my favorite.

 

[ampedal]

This is all good stuff - but there's a solid chance you don't have the correct chipset drivers.

A common problem with running x64 architecture.

Could also be video drivers.

Did you install win xp 64-bit edition?

With a computer of that speed, you may want to consider installing the new windows 7 x64 (download from technet.com).

It is always a good idea to address software issues before you start diagnosing the hardware. Simply because it is easier and sometimes more likely.

How old is the machine?

 

[grimorian]

It is a few years old, and it worked fine until a week ago, when it started lagging. I thought maybe a virus or malware, but every scan with multiple software's yielded nothing. It's something that happened out of nowhere, I didn't install or change anything before it started happening.

Not sure if it's the 32 or 64 XP, it's whatever came with the machine

PS: it took me like 10 minutes to type this reply out... LoL.

 

[frozenlead]

Is there any process using a significant amount of memory or processor time?

 

[ampedal]

Typically hardware problems crash your machine, or don't let you start up in the first place. Which is why I'm leaning towards it being a software issue.

Have you tried contacting dell?

How about downloading all the correct drivers for this model? You can find the driver download center on dell's site - somewhere near the support section...

 

[grimorian]

Downloaded all drivers, no change. System Idle Process is in the 90's, so there's nothing really being processed. It just lags. I am at a total loss as to what it could be.

 

[frozenlead]

Does it still act slow in Safe Mode?

 

[grimorian]

No, it does not lag in safe mode. But, now it's doing it sporadically. It's good for a few seconds and then laggy the next.

 

[frozenlead]

Well, it's most definitely a software issue. You can start disabling things you don't need in msconfig and see if a change occurs.

 

[ampedal]

head over to technet.com (owned by Microsoft)

download windows 7 for free, install it, report back.

this should fix 98% of your software issues.

after the 90-day trial expires: if you're a student you can get win 7 pro for $30 - best Microsoft deal I've seen in a while. If not, at least you'll know that your problem can be fixed by an upgrade.

 

[pcfixed]

just a slow hard disk, put new hard disk drive.

 

[grimorian]

Windows 7 free trial has ended... And why would a slow hard disk cause typing lag as well as the other lag all of a sudden?

 

[ampedal]

...it wouldn't because it's clearly a software issue

 

[grimorian]

Well getting back to software issues, what is essential for me to keep running in msconfig? And just to note, there is nothing but Windows XP Professional on my computer. I deleted everything and reformatted the HDD twice in hopes it would stop the lag and it obviously hasn't.

 

[frozenlead]

That's strange. If you've reformatted, that definitely points to a hardware issue.
Does your HDD activity light pop on when it lags?

 

[ampedal]

1. Run memtest86
2. Technet.com - download the Windows 7 RTM 90-day trial.

This will clear up 90% of issues.

The hardware stuff is all good - but it easiest to address software issues first. As a general rule.