Slow Slow Slow Computer

Hi chantel14,

You could certainly perform a system restore if the recovery partition is active. Please follow the instructions from the link below to perform a restore. Also ensure that you back up your data before performing a restore.

http://dell.to/Y9WXru

You could also perform an H/W diagnostics to check for any H/W issues on the system. Kindly find the steps below to perform the H/W diagnostics.

Turn the computer off >restart the computer

At the Dell logo screen, start tapping the F12 key a few times until you see the ‘One Time Boot Menu’ appear.

At the one time boot menu, press the down arrow key to highlight ‘Diagnostic’ and then press Enter to begin the PSA diagnostics. If the test fails, please make a note of any error codes listed. You can also refer to the link below.

http://dell.to/i5zbDR

What model and operating system?

2400 and XP is the OS

Thanks I tried that but all I got was IDE Drive Diagnostics is this the same as what you were talking about?

If you have access to a clean computer, you might try downloading the ISO for the Kaspersky rescue disc, burning it to CD, and using it to boot the 2400, after which it will clean out known malware. That won't restore the factory settings, but it may make your existing XP install usable.

Do a disk clean up,and then delete all your temp files, then do a defrag

@chantel14 -  If I may make a comment...

You mentioned the system works ok in Safe Mode. That tells me you have a lot of unnecessary junk running in the background. Here are some things you might try before you do a clean install, but at some point PC Restore or a clean install may be your best solution:

1. Have you scanned thoroughly for malware lately?

2. Press Ctrl-Alt-Del to open Task Manager

• Click Processes tab
• Click "CPU" to arrange the list in order of CPU useage, highest to lowest.
• Identify what process(es) is using the most CPU time; System Idle should be highest user, because that's the amount of free CPU time. That might give you an idea how best to fix the problem.

3. Prevent unnecessary junk from loading when you boot normally:

• Power off and disconnect the network/modem/router cable so the system can't go on line
• Reboot
• At desktop, click Start>Run
• Type in: msconfig      -then click OK
•  Click Startup tab and uncheck everything. Do NOT uncheck anything on any other tab in msconfig!
• Exit msconfig and reboot
• Put check in box "Don't show this again..." that appears when you reboot
• If it's faster now, go back into msconfig and re-check your antimalware software and firewall. Reboot and check that "Don't show..." box again. Repeat the cycle to see if you can identify what's causing the system to run so slowly. You can re-check several things at a time and reboot, until you see it slow down and then narrow it down further. It could be one or several things running at the same time in the background. Things like anything from Adobe (eg, Reader, etc),  iTunes, RealPlayer, jsched,  Windows Search, QT (QuickTime), DVDLauncher etc. do not have to load every time you boot. They'll still work when you need them, but they won't be hogging system resources and slowing the system down when not needed.

Don't reconnect the network cable until after you re-check antiviral and antimalware software in msconfig, reboot at least once and confirm they're running again so you don't risk an infection when you go on line. :emotion-5: