Slow Computer Speed when left running over night!!

Question

My computer runs pretty good, but when I leave it running over night, the next morning I can barely get the screensaver to go off of the screen. I am forced to have to shut it down and restart because it takes 10 minutes to get my icons back on the screen. I have also had a problem with low virtual memory in the past. I will get a message that says 'please wait while windows tries to increase your virtual memory.' I didn't know if this had anything to do with it or not. If virtual memory doesn't have anything to do with my problem, I would like to know how to fix my virtual memory problem also. Thanks. christy

volcano11 · Answer

Which model computer?  Which version of Windows?  What programs are running in the background when you leave the computer over night?  Steve

ejn63 · Answer

Is Windows up to date on all critical patches?

Is your antivirus/firewall software up to date and running at all times?

Have you scanned the system for spyware with AdAware or Spybot Search and Destroy?

If the answer is no to any of those questions, a thorough security checkup is overdue.

ChristyMichelle · Answer

I have an inspiron 500m XP. When I leave my computer on at night, the only thing in the background is my desktop. I don't leave any of my programs running.

volcano11 · Answer

Christy,

You probably don't think that you have anything running in the background, but lots of programs run at startup and continue to run so long as the computer is running. Check the startup list by going to Start > Run and typing msconfig, then click OK. Click on the Startup tab to see what programs are running from startup.

Steve

volcano11 · Answer

When you leave the system overnight, is it going into Standby mode or Hibernate mode? Steve

ChristyMichelle · Answer

Way ahead of ya on the msconfig. I cleared my msconfig startup awhile ago and keep a check on it every now and then. I do scan wity my adaware software daily. I am up-to-date with all my scanning for windows. I'm not sure about my firewall. I don't really know much about firewalls and what they should be on and how to change. Any more solutions? Would extra memory help or have nothing to do with the problem?

ChristyMichelle · Answer

Neither! When I leave my computer on overnight, the screensaver won't go off of the screen. When it finally does, my background picture on my desktop shows but none of my icons. It's like it freezes up or something.

volcano11 · Answer

Have you tried a different screen saver? Steve

ChristyMichelle · Answer

Yes, I have tried several different screensavers and they all do the same thing. Any suggestions  that might help?

volcano11 · Answer

To eliminate the screen saver as the problem, have you tried using no screen savers?  You say nothing is running, but something must be running in order to cause this problem. Steve

ChristyMichelle · Answer

If I tried not having a screensaver, I don't suppose I would have the problem with getting the screensaver to go off of the screen. How are you so certain that having a program running is the key to my problem? Even if it is the key to my problem, why would having a program running effect my computer this much? What I would like is for my computer not to be effected by something like this; I'm just not sure how to get it to that point.

volcano11 · Answer

If it is not a software problem, then the only thing it might be is overheating.  But if it works normally after being on all night and then rebooting, that would suggest that overheating is not a problem.  Something is apparently consuming memory forcing the computer to use virtual memory in vast quantities, thus slowing down the machine.   That's why I think it is likely some process that is running that is consuming both physical memory and virtual memory.  Misbehaving screen savers can do this.    Steve

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Slow Computer Speed when left running over night!!

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