[MCSA]

This isn't about my machine...client's PC. Computer is an IBM ThinkCenter, P4 with SATA HD. It's very slow in responding...needs some defrag, but not enough to cause all the slowness experienced. Ran checkdisk in read only...found errors in the I130 file. Ran again in /r and /f modes, and it didn't find any issues. Ran again from within WinXP in read only...same errors found. The hard drive is a Hitachi (yeah, I know) Deskstar.

Have run msconfig to clear out non-essential programs. No detectable spyware using (yeah, I know) Spybot or Adaware Personal.

Currently running SFC /scannow and will run a defrag when complete but wanted to see if anyone had any suggestions/ideas.

TIA!

 

[bonk]

Didn't mention what Memory it has have you?

 

[MCSA]

512 MB, PC4200. Not great, I know...but not terrible.

 

[bonk]

If you put it in safemode is it as slow?

 

[MCSA]

Haven't tried that. It's used as a "projector" PC in a conference room, so there's not a lot of extraneous applications, etc on it. Graphics card is the IBM built-in.

 

[MCSA]

If it makes any difference, the Deskstar hard drive makes a lot of noise when it's in use. I know the original IBM versions were POS's but don't know the reputation of the Hitachi version.

 

[bonk]

Could be the Hard dive on the way out.......

 

[MCSA]

Kind of what I was thinking, based on the amount of drive noise. Running some additional diagnostics to see if that shows anything.

 

[bonk]

You can go to the manufacturers site and get their diagnostics to test the hard drive.

 

[MCSA]

IBM has diags pre-installed...I'd just forgotten about them as I don't normally work on these things. Dells are my usual patients.

 

[Rollin' Rog]

Check item 6 in this list in particular:

0 > when did the problem seem to be begin?
1 > is it very slow to boot up?
2 > do programs open slowly?
3 > does the same behavior occur both offline and on?
4 > does it matter how long the system has been on, and does a restart improve things?

Slow performance issues can often be due to overheating, so if the system is faster after it has been shutdown for a while and then restarted -- that would be especially suspect. To check for possible problems here, shutdown, open the case and blow out any accumulated dust. Then turn it
on and check to see that the fan is working. Sometimes it helps to physically clean the fan.

If a laptop, check to see that the vent is clear of dust and verify the fan is working. Temps and fan speed can usually be monitored with SpeedFan (except on Dell desktops), a free utility.

5 > if you do a ctrl-alt-del, do any processes show excess cpu usage, other than System Idle Process?

6 > If you open the Device Manager (run devmgmt.msc) and select the entry for IDE ATA/Atapi and select the Primary IDE > Advanced Settings, does it say the "current transfer mode" is DMA or PIO?

If it says PIO, first ensure "Use DMA if Available" is selected, then select the driver tab and uninstall the driver and reboot. Then check again.
____________________________________________________________________________
COMMIT CHARGE

Do ctrl-alt-del to open up the task manager. Select the "performance" tab. Let me know what you see under:

Physical Memory

Total: this is your total installed ram -- "physical" memory
Available: this is the amt of real "physical" memory presently uncommitted

Commit Charge

Total: this is the combination of total physical and virtual memory currently in use
Limit: this is the total physical and virtual memory available
Peak: this is the most you have had in use in this session