Slow... really slow
 

Hi, I've recently bought a new system, put it together by myself and installed WinXP.
(specs in sig)

A couple of days later, I'm getting these weird things, Windows being really slow.
For example, the Start menu, it takes like a second before it will expand every single folder.

Also, right-clicking is quite intolerable, being slow.
Alpha effects, sa. a help-balloon, fades out in about 3 steps, each taking ages.

Not only in windows am I experiencing these problems.

Sometimes (!) in games as well, where it'll freeze for about 2 seconds and then continues.
Especially in multiplayer this is quite annoying.

Weird is that sometimes everything is working fine, and the next second it's slow again.

I've already tested, and replaced my RAM, so that isn't the problem. I've also ran a couple of tests with Prime95 and CPU Stability Test 5.0

Tha last one has ran for an hour and a half, indicating no problems.

Prime95 only indicates problems when I OC a bit.


Could this be a hardware problem, or maybe just WindowsXP being annoying ?

I'd like to try and reinstall it again, but unfortunately Ihaven't got the time to do so.

Some info that might be helpful:
I've flashed my BIOS successfully today to the latest version given by Abit.
This hasn't helped at all, unfortunately.
My HD is sATA driven.

nForce² drivers installed?
DMA on HD(s) enabled?

Unified nForce Drivers installed.

I'm not sure about the DMA for HD though...

*MOD* That DMA thingie, that's this: ?

Integrated Periphials -> OnChip IDE Device -> Master Ultra Device
This function stands on 'Automatic'

whether DMA is enabled or disabled can be seen in windows ...

settings -> control panel -> system
--> tab hardware -> device manager
---> IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers -> Primary & Secondary channel
----> tab advanced settings: current transfer mode

that last one display which mode is selected ...

not if you are using a raid controller, or in this case a seperate driver set for SATA HD's...

right - didn't see that s in the above post ...

Nothing of interest there, I'd say

Picture

those are only for your CD , which is connected with PATA I suppose.

other newsies: There was an recent update on Windowsupdate that killed performance on Windows XP, I'm not sure if it would apply to Windows 2000 too, but it might do, there was a patch to sort it out, it could be worth checking to see if there's anything from Microsoft to fix it?


http://www.xtremesystems.org/forums/...threadid=20395

Ofcourse, Windows Update won't work :rolleyes:

I'll make sure though that I'll take a look at it as soon as the services are up and about again.

Windows Update is up again.
Can't find anything that would resolve the problem though :(

btw, there's a little mistake in your sig, it's not a thermaltake heatsink, it's a thermalright

Damn, I always get confused by those two :)
tnx for noticing ;)

simple as it seems.....u actually tried defragging your HD??

Yes :)

Things to check:

- Harddisk almost full -> kills performance
- CPU overheated -> goes over to slow mode
- Via chipset -> check for new drivers
- AGP drivers -> download and install (no beta's!!!)
- check for virusses -> online scan (not through local antivirus, it might be affected)
- check for too much spyware, adware etc -> download & install ad-aware
- put your auto-go-to-sleep-modus off, put your screensaver off, it might put up under windows while playing games!
- check your harddisk with tools available through the internet
- benchmark your pc and check for slow running parts (memory, cpu, vga, hdd, ...)

If you can't find out check for your local pctechnician.

great info!

but..
AMD doesn't have that afaik :)

I've been getting faster results after I've re-installed my agp drivers.
Kinda weird since I already had non-bèta drivers...

I tought that an abit NF2 had such a function, not 100% sure 'bout that

can you verify that statement?

AMD can have thermal throttle with mobo/BIOS support. Not chip based like intel.

And online virus scanners aren't much better, you'll have to download them first, and they can get corrupted during that process. A network scan with a clean PC is the best option.