Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=724Skinsfan;271424]Have you added any new software applications to the computer in recent memory. Downloaded anything (videos, games, etc) just before you experienced these problems? How often do you run ad-aware, Avast, spybot, etc? What processes are you running (task manager)? Have you run disk defragmenter or scan disk?

If all else fails, remember: some laptops make a great [B]second base[/B]![/quote]


hahaha.

Um I havent defragged and yes I have downloaded tons of stuff online. Mainly games and music, some software too. I think that's where it is coming from. I will defrag today and see what happens.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271415]XP with only 256..thats my problem.


But it never ran slow before.[/QUOTE]

You have sufficient memory unless you wish to have many application open all at once (i.e. watch prOn while browsing multiple web pages and typing your English paper :)).

Personally I hate windows because of all the garbage it collects over time. If you can't seem to solve your problem by yourself seek someone to help you fix your laptop. If all else fails, you might also want to reformat and reinstall windows

p.s. I have been using Linux for almost 4 years now and I have no intention of ever going back to the garbage that is Windows. If you want to try something new, try [URL="http://www.ubuntu.com/"]Ubuntu[/URL].

Re: Need Computer help
 

If you are running a non standard screensaver(didnt come with windows),I would recommend defaulting back to something simple.

Also, I would run a virus scan. Try Avast or AVG, THey have free versions.

If you can, I would suggest a reformat. It forces you to get windows up to date.

Re: Need Computer help
 

First thing, try what saden says. RAM just goes bad from time-to-time. Also do this, boot up your computer, open up task manager and sort by CPU. Don't do ANYTHING on your machine and just watch the processes that work on your machine. If there is a process that takes up a lot of CPU power, research what it's for and that's likely your culprit.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Correction, check out memory usage in your task manager. If you see something constantly changing, that could be it. Also, check out if something goes over 50-60MB. If you're not running anything but the task manager, there should be nothing running with that type of size.

Re: Need Computer help
 

I didn't reformat, but I tried to system restore and it won't work!!!

Could something on my computer be preventing this from happening?

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=TheMalcolmConnection;271682]Correction, check out memory usage in your task manager. If you see something constantly changing, that could be it. Also, check out if something goes over 50-60MB. If you're not running anything but the task manager, there should be nothing running with that type of size.[/quote]

I have so much stuff in my task manager I have to keep on scrolling down to see new stuff. And ALOT of things are changing. Ahh i odnt know what to do :(

Re: Need Computer help
 

thanks for all the help guys, I just hope my computer doesnt crash.....

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271708]I didn't reformat, but I tried to system restore and it won't work!!!

Could something on my computer be preventing this from happening?[/QUOTE]

I'm pretty sure the cause of your problems isn't spyware/malware. It's time to back up your prOn and reformat.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[quote=saden1;271719]I'm pretty sure the cause of your problems isn't spyware/malware. It's time to back up your prOn and reformat.[/quote]

bummer, I guess that is the only option.

I don't even have all the disks they give you to install stuff in the beginning. That is all at home. Great.....

Re: Need Computer help
 

You are solidly in reformatville. Anything you do will only delay the inevitable. The machine is dying and the only way to fix it is to kill it and bring it back alive. It will fix all your problems(outside of physical issues like mem failure of course). Oh and stop downloading/installing and unistalling crap. That seriously screws with the puter Keep it lean and mean. Run what you need and like. Leave all the crappy games and screen savers and stuff for everyone else to mess up their machines. You probably don't even use 85% of the stuff.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Yeah it just jumped to about 391 MB of ram being used.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Its needs to be reformatted.

Re: Need Computer help
 

[QUOTE=hooskins;271769]Yeah it just jumped to about 391 MB of ram being used.[/QUOTE]

Which means it is page caching 135 mb of RAM. That will kill just about any machine.

Re: Need Computer help
 

Ok so I reformatted. I do not have my drivers CD, which sucks but I had my XP CD. So windows is installed and I did install an antivirus software.

I still have a couple issues. I have a widescreen laptop and right now the settings make it look very distorted. It looks liked a streched image. Is that because I am missing some kind of video/graphics driver?

Also when I scroll up and down, like on this site for example, it doesnt flow smoothly like it did before. This one is hard to explain, but I know something is missing.

Thanks for the continued help guys.