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Computer Running Slow Is there a way to see if my drivers are outdated


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#1
lynnecurtin

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Hi! I was wondering if some expert can help me see if my drivers need to be updated? My computer is running slower than when I first got it and I think it needs a tune-up.

Can an expert assist me with:

1. seeing if my drivers should be updated and remove any ones that dont need to be there

2. remove malware

3. see if i have anything slowing it down?

thank you so much!

Edited by lynnecurtin, 18 March 2009 - 10:10 PM.

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#2
Broni

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Please, post some computer info:
- processor type, amount of RAM (hold Windows logo key, hit Pause/Break key)
- hard drive size/free space (open "My Computer", right click on hard drive letter, click "Properties")
- security programs in use (antivirus, firewall)

Download Autoruns for Windows: http://technet.micro...s/bb963902.aspx
No installation required.
Simply unzip Autoruns.zip file, and double click on autoruns.exe file to run the program.
Go File>Save As, and save AutoRuns.txt file to know location.
Attach the file to your next reply.
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#3
lynnecurtin

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thank u! here ya go:

Microsoft Windows XP Professional
Service Pack 2
Intel CPU
981 Mhz, 0.99GB of RAM

I dont have any antivirus or firewalls installed.

AutoRun file is attached.

Thx a bunch!
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#4
Broni

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I dont have any antivirus or firewalls installed.

This is not good at all.

1. Turn Windows firewall on:
Go Start>Control Panel. Double click on the Security Center icon. Click on the Windows Firewall icon beneath the status updates. Click On, then OK.

2. Download, and install ONE of these:

- AVG free antivirus: http://free.grisoft....us-free-edition

- Avast! free antivirus: http://www.avast.com...avast-home.html
- Avira free antivirus: http://www.free-av.c...load/index.html

- free PC Tools Firewall Plus: http://www.pctools.com/firewall/

- free Comodo Internet Security (firewall + AV): http://www.personalf...all.comodo.com/

If you decide to install Avast, or Avira, make sure, Windows firewall is turned on, or use PC Tools Firewall Plus.
If you decide to install Comodo, make sure, Windows firewall is turned off.

IMPORTANT! Make sure, you use only ONE antivirus, and ONE firewall.

After installation, update, and run full scan.
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#5
lynnecurtin

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Hi thank u sorry I do have Windows Firewall turned on. However I do not have anti-virus installed. I did a malware scan and it came back clean.

I had to reinstall XP and ever since then it has been a bit slower than usual. I am wondering if it is perhaps a driver issue?
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#6
anzenketh

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lynnecurtin,

About how old is your system?
It seams like this could be a hard drive issue.
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#7
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No matter what you do, an AV program is a must.

Your processor is pretty slow. I don't see too many startups by checking Autoruns.
Any errors in Device Manager? Does everything work?
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#8
lynnecurtin

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oh okay, perhaps. I purchased it in 2007. then just had windows reinstalled. its not that much slower but just a little bit. i thought it might be an outdated driver issue since they all were re-installed. any suggestions? thx so much!
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#9
Broni

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981 Mhz processor in 2 years old computer? Are you sure?
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#10
lynnecurtin

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oh yes! wait there are 2 issues:

when I start my computer, the first screen that displays is a black dos-type screen and it offers 2 choices Windows XP or something else. If i dont click on a choice, it starts in 20 seconds automatically. Then the main windows screen comes on. Start up is normal fast speed. But I cant figure out what that screen is or why its there. It only started doing that after re-installation.

Then, my sound device is weird. It doesnt look how it looked when I first got my computer. I have sigma tel audio, but im not sure if thats the right one, and so i removed it. then my sound didnt work. so then i reinstalled it now when i start the computer it says Device Manager looking for hardware something like that.

so those are 2 weird issues. not sure if they are perhaps related to my computer not being as fast.

the only part where i know its slow is when i am online and my email page takes a few seconds to show the messages. and i when i click to compose a message the window to pop up is slow.
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#11
Broni

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it offers 2 choices Windows XP or something else

What is "something else"?

How exactly did you reinstall Windows?

Now, you're saying, it's not your computer being slow as a whole, but your email program. Is that it?

You didn't say anything about errors in Device Manager.
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#12
lynnecurtin

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Ok i just restarted my computer again to see what the screen says. It says please select an operating system:

Windows XP Professional
Windows XP Professional

(it lists this twice).

not sure why it does that but it only started after i re-installed everything.

the device manager comes up and says new hardware found and it tries to install it. it just did that because i just re-installed teh sound device and maybe it didnt install properly.

either way thanks for your help it sounds like I might just need to take it to someone to fix it in person. i have a feeling its a driver issue. thx!
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#13
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1. Click Start, click Run, type sysdm.cpl, and then click OK.
On the Advanced tab, click Settings under Startup and Recovery.
Under System Startup, click Edit. This will open boot.ini file in Notepad.
Copy all content, and post it in your next reply.

2. One more time....are there any errors in Device Manager? What is listed as your sound device there?
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#14
lynnecurtin

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hi here is the file:

[boot loader]
timeout=30
default=multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS
[operating systems]
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(1)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect

regarding device manager how do i check to see what my sound device is? when i start my computer, it still says new hardware found and tries to install it from a disk, it pops up automatically.

also in regards to startup the screen upon startup gives me that screen where it says windows xp (it looks old like a dos type screen) and it never used to do that before I reinstalled windows.

and email is a bit slower to load and videos dont play as fast.

forgive me if i am missing any of your questions (i am not the expert...) :) so if you need more information please tell me and i will try to provide it, if not then i will go to someone to fix my computer in person, no biggie. thanks.
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#15
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Follow all steps from my reply #13 to open boot.ini file in Notepad.
Delete last line:
multi(0)disk(0)rdisk(0)partition(2)\WINDOWS="Microsoft Windows XP Professional" /noexecute=optin /fastdetect
Click File>Save
Restart computer.
You shouldn't be bothered by selection issue anymore.

As for the sound...
Go Start>Run, type in:
devmgmt.msc
Click OK.
Look under Sound, video and game controllers
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