WINDOWS XP gets slower and slower

Question

my pc was crashing CONSTANTLY and it was so very sllooooowwww . I called dell and explained my problems. For some odd reason, they thought it was my modem. They sent a dell tech 2 days later, and the tech did not even think it was modem, but installed it anyway and of course it did not fix or help. So I called dell again and we did some troubleshooting and he helped me set my 'virtual memory setting up higher-it was at 192 and max, 364. We set both of them at 500. after that, my pc was working great for 2 days. Then on the 3rd day, pc started slowing down again, but not as bad. At least it does not crash like it did and it is not as slow as it was, but I can't figure out why it didn't stay working as good past 2 days. Can anyone help me out here? I have and run adaware and pc doc pro[paid versions on both and I have paid avg anti-virus program Thanks in advance, Ky.angel

urscreamin4it · Answer

How much Ram do you have?   Have you run chkdsk?   Do you have any other anti virus programs running?   When does your anti virus scan? How often?   How many programs are in your start up? Check msconfig to see.   Do you run alot of messengers?   Have you defraged lately?

Ky.angel · Answer

:smileywink:yes, I have done all that you mentioned when, as I stated I was on the phone with dell for HOURS. We done it ALL. plus he increased my virtual memory-THAT WAS MY PROBLEM...SOME PROGRAM OR DOWNLOAD HAD CHANGED IT!-- AND i DO RUN DISK CLEAN AND another disc cleanup program-can't think of name right now. but it compresses all the old files. I have gotten used to doing my own troubleshooting on this pc. I have had it for 3 years and started having problems right off the get-go!     I have ONLY nessasary startup programs. I even went inti msconfig and took EVERYTHING OUT! Then I put back in only what I needed. and NO messengers

dunedin · Answer

Since the Virtual Memory seems to be the culprit, it may have become corrupted. The way to fix this is to shut it off and then recreate it.

Right click “My Computer”/Properties/Advanced/Performance/Settings. Click Advanced Tab then the “Change” button for Virtual Memory

Put a check at “No Paging File”
SET
Then OK your way out.

Reboot, then go back in there and reset it back to 500 MB for both minimum and maximum settings.
SET
OK your way out.

Reboot

Try that and see if it helps

Since you have it set to 500MB, I`m assuming you have 256MB RAM or less.
The Virtual Memory should be at least 1.5 times the RAM on your system

osprey4 · Answer

Please note there is a great deal of misconception on the issue of the size of the page file. Two common myths are: (1) the file should be a fixed size so that it does not get fragmented, with minimum and maximum set the same, and (2) the file should be 2.5 times the size of RAM (or some other multiple). Experts recommend an initial size as the greater of 100 MB or enough to bring RAM plus file to about 500 MB, with a maximum of 700 or 800 MB or even more if there is plenty of disk space.

Ky.angel · Answer

I actually have only memory of 128-the very least that dell puts in these 'WORLDS BEST COMPUTERS'    But still knowing this, dell had me set my virtual memory at 500. So I don't know enough about it to know how that would effect my long term performance. But short term-it sure did help it. But like I have already stated, my pc is not doing quite as good as it did for the first 2 days that we changed those settings:smileysad:

urscreamin4it · Answer

That was my first question to you. Anyways, you can't trust some of the tech guys from dell. I know from personal experience. I have asked them questions about my computer and about their own site, and have them tell me no it can't be done. Only to turn around and find out it can be done. Such as I had asked them if it were possible to upgrade the video card on a Dim3000. They told me no you can only use the intergrated card. I ended ordering a PCI card from their own website and installing it myself, and it has been working fine ever since. The fact of the matter is, if you want tech support you'd have better luck googling it yourself and reading up on the issue. It's sad to say but alot of the 'tech support' honestly know little about computers.   Back to your problem, it is definately a ram issue. If you want to run windows as quickly as it sounds like you would. You pretty much would have to run Windows on the bare minimum meaning no anti virus, and only using windows firewall. 128mb of Ram is the bare minimum needed to run just WinXP so running anything else obviously your going to run into some issues. My recomendation is that you get some more ram. Until then you will keep on having these issues.

dunedin · Answer

128MB RAM is really not enough for XP to run properly. Why don`t you upgrade to 256MB.   Most people find that 512MB is far far better

Ky.angel · Answer

I agree that I do need more memory-although dell did not seem to think so! Where can I get memory? I do closest to a small town.

I am currently creating a web store and with all the problems I have been having, I need to something or IO will never get my store open>or will probably lose orders when I start forwarding the orders myself!! Now that would not be good!

dunedin · Answer

You are very welcome.

I don`t know where you live. If it USA

http://www.crucial.com/

Use the Crucial Memory Advisor Tool.
Find Dell in the drop down box and follow it through, It will find memory suitable for your system.

This is a good company and good RAM too.

Ordering online is easy

Ky.angel · Answer

SOMETHING IS DEFINATELY GETTING LOST somewhere! Your first ? was how much ram do you have- and I have answered that 2 times, but anyway, in my last post I wanted to know if ANYONE could tell me where I could purchase memory-OR RAM- since I live close to a small town, I do not haVE ALOT OF OPTIONS. AND i DON'T KNOW IF i WANT TO GIVE THE HIGH PRICE THAT DELL WOULD PRICE IT FOR. and I can not do without my anti-virus programs or my spyware protectio either- I would just be setting myself up for someone to mess with my private info and that of my customers.

I do Want to thank all of you who have taken the time to help me out with my pc problems. It is people like you that show that you care about someone else's problems, and not just their own. GOD BLESS all of you!!!

Ky.angel · Answer

Sorry OSPRY,  I have a Windows XP Home Edition,     Dell 2400 Dimension,     is this the info that you were asking about?

osprey4 · Answer

Sandara: Sorry, but I've gone through the entire thread and cannot find any reference to the model of your system.

Ky.angel · Answer

I went into the Crucial.com and I think that is what I need to do. They said that you should subtract the memory that you have from the maximum memory your pc is capable of running on, but they recommended a 512.   I looked thru my dell book and it said that my max. mem. that I could run is    1 GB!!        That means that I could install more than 512 right!    But I did the test that they have on there and I guess I will go with what they recommend.  It will make this thing run faster won't it?       I am STUCK with dial-up!!  This little rinky dink local phone co. we have here in this part of eastern Ky, has ALL other internet systems blocked!     One of thes days though the price of satalite internet will go down, and that is how I will go!!

dunedin · Answer

Yes, do what they recommend.

The extra RAM will make everything except accessing the Internet faster. That won`t get any better as long as you have dial-up.

I hope you will be able to get satellite Internet soon. :smileyhappy:

Ky.angel · Answer

I think I offended you OSPREY. I am very sorry if I did. I appreciate everybodys help.

Windows General

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