Slowest PC ever!

[Maccam16]

Pentium 3 2.8ghz :: 512 RAM :: XP Home :: ATI Radeon 9200 SE

I have run every spyware destroyer under the sun. I have Norton installed and constantly updated. I have done every type of system scan and defrag, but my computer still has the most annoying slowdown. I have a slight feeling that it's the video card because I had no problems until I installed it (even though I had the PC for only 1 week before I installed it.)

At first my PC was only slow during Morrowind (a game notoriously slow/glitchy/whatever) but then it started to slowdown in other places (Winamp, internet, etc...) Until I finally started up and my mouse no longer worked.

Either my PS/2 port was fried, or a virus disabled it (according to the BIOS, it is still enabled.) After buying a USB mouse, I did all the research and problem solving I could (Mentioned above.)

Now my PC is only slightly faster but will randomly crash, slow down over time, and still wont load certain programs although no spyware/adware/viruses are detected anymore.

Any help would be the best.

Also, Is there any sort of hardware diagnosis program I can get for free?

Thanks, and here's to hoping I can play Morrowind again sometime this year.

[Flyfsh]

There is a ton of info on XP Home here. Black Viper's Site. I have used it , he will give you lots of tricks to help speed up your machine.







http://www.blackviper.com/Articles/O...indows_XP_Home

[sp_100]

Check Device Manager for unknown / improperly installed devices (right-click My Computer -> select Manage -> click Device Manager). Install/update drivers as needed.

Check Event Viewer (right-click My Computer -> select Manage -> click Event Viewer) for possible errors. Research errors (if any) using Google.

How to optimize Windows XP, 2000, ME for the best performance (Step-by-step Visual Guide)

All the Best!

[Miz]

For troubleshooting purposes, try disabling all things Norton and see if there's improvement. My experience has been that when NAV likes a configuration, it works great. When it doesn't like it for whatever reason, it can cause problems seemingly unrelated to NAV itself.

[Maccam16]

Thanks guys, I had already tried some of that, and the things I didn't I just tried now. The PC is still slow as all hell, it took me 3 reboots to even get back online. I'm debating whether or not to reformat tonight, but I'm starting to have a feeling that it may be a hardware problem (generic ram, generic mb, you get the idea.) If reformatting isn't going to solve it, I'd rather not lose all of my important files and music.

Thanks for all of the suggestions, please keep them coming!

[Rocket]

What type of video did the ATI card replace?

was it a video card, or on-board video?

Is the new card AGP, or PCI?

Un-install the new card, and put back your old video, to see if it is the card.

[Casper]

If you got alot of TSR programs running this will slow a machine down as it will eat your ram. I'am curious if you checked the mini requirements of the game your playing meet your systems specs. If not you'll need to upgrade to meet the mini requirements of the game, or better. I know sometimes they say min requirements are 512 ram but sometimes you need more cuz they don't take into count all the other stuff that is running like your virus scanner, chat programs etc. So its always best to have alittle more if its in your budget espicially with games cuz they use alot of your resources if its a good game

(Tip) you can find the mini requirements on the side of the game box.

[Maccam16]

Originally Posted by Rocket

What type of video did the ATI card replace?

was it a video card, or on-board video?

Is the new card AGP, or PCI?

Un-install the new card, and put back your old video, to see if it is the card.

It replaced an on-board S3 chip. THe card is a PCI.

I might try taking it out tomorrow, after I see if there's any new catalyst drivers.

[Maccam16]

Originally Posted by Casper

If you got alot of TSR programs running this will slow a machine down as it will eat your ram. I'am curious if you checked the mini requirements of the game your playing meet your systems specs. If not you'll need to upgrade to meet the mini requirements of the game, or better. I know sometimes they say min requirements are 512 ram but sometimes you need more cuz they don't take into count all the other stuff that is running like your virus scanner, chat programs etc. So its always best to have alittle more if its in your budget espicially with games cuz they use alot of your resources if its a good game

(Tip) you can find the mini requirements on the side of the game box.

Thanks but the requirements are a measely 128mb of RAM. I'm really debating with myself about taking it to a repair shop, but I have no idea what they'll do to it. They might just try the same things I;ve been trying.

Most likely I'll need parts too.

[Rocket]

A 2.8, 512ram, with the ATI 9200, on low to medium setting will play any game made to date!
RAM is not the issue.

I think you have a hardware conflict between the on-board video, and the new card.

You must disable the on-board video in bios.
(especially with a PCI video card)

It`s also possible that the PCI slot you`ve put the card in is conflicting with something else.....
solution: try a different PCI slot

here`s an ATI link to look at for other info:
http://www.ati.com/support/products/...suesgames.html

[Maccam16]

Originally Posted by Rocket

A 2.8, 512ram, with the ATI 9200, on low to medium setting will play any game made to date!
RAM is not the issue.

I think you have a hardware conflict between the on-board video, and the new card.

You must disable the on-board video in bios.
(especially with a PCI video card)

It`s also possible that the PCI slot you`ve put the card in is conflicting with something else.....
solution: try a different PCI slot

here`s an ATI link to look at for other info:
http://www.ati.com/support/products/...suesgames.html

There's a solid idea... however I don't know if I have another PCI port available...

But would that really fix slowdown and crashes?