Serious PC Problems

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NetDude

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Hi guys,

Your advice needed, please. Let me start off by stating that I realize that it's about time that I invested in a new PC. But, this may not be possible at least for the next few months.

The machine in question: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3, v.6055 (build 2600) | Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. 945GCMX-S2 | 3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4 | 2560 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory | c: (NTFS on drive 0) 320.07 GB 72.42 GB free

I am experiencing several problems with this machine. Firstly, monthly MS updates are not applied automatically despite the "automatic setting." For the past two years, I have been using Belarc Advisor to scan for missing updates after every Patch Tuesday. This is a painful exercise since I have to manually download and install all the missing patches. You can imagine how painful this is on a month with many patches. My Windows installation is legal. Why do I not receive automatic updates?

Secondly, there are currently two patches identified as missing - they are both not "critical" but rated as "important", I'd still like to apply them. I downloaded all patches relating to these holes but installation fails with a message: "this patch not being applicable to the machine." Why are they listed as "missing patches" by the scanner then if not applicable?
  • MS09-004: Description of the security update for SQL Server 2000 GDR and for MSDE 2000: February 10, 2009
  • MS11-025: Description of the security update for Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package: June 14, 2011

Thirdly, I have tried several times to install IE8 but I get a message about a missing patch. I try to download it but during the installation process I get a message that the patch is already installed! :cry:

Fourthly, this PC takes way too long to boot up. The other day it took more than 15mins from the time I switched it on up to the point that I could start to work. This included about two automatic restarts. The restarts happen immediately after typing in the password. Then it would hang for a minute or two and eventually restart.

What can I do, without investing too much time, to make the last few months bearable? Do I need to format the HDD? Would it make sense to buy a SSD and install Windows on this drive? Install software on SSD but keep "data" on the current HDD? Will the SSD be compatible with my current set up? I could perhaps use this SSD in my new machine in a few months' time? Any other ideas?
 
Words that I live by "a reinstall can be as good as buying a new p.c. ... mostly" and a SSD on xp is not a good idea.

Sent from my Nexus One using MyBroadband Android App
 
For the slowness, disable some programs that start up automatically. To do this, Start > Run > Msconfig > Startup.

You can also download a program called CCleaner. Cleans registry entries. After that, Defrag the PC.

Failing that, backup, format and reload Windows.

When was the last time you did this? You should reload Windows once a year, every 6 months if possible.
 
Kroks said:
Words that I live by "a reinstall can be as good as buying a new p.c. ... mostly"...
Click to expand...

Thanks Kroks... This machine is almost 5 years old! Truth is: I hate it!!! :( I think it's time for change.

Any tips before I format my HDD? Any useful tools that will make drivers reinstall, etc. less painful?
 
NetDude said:
Thanks Kroks... This machine is almost 5 years old! Truth is: I hate it!!! :( I think it's time for change.

Any tips before I format my HDD? Any useful tools that will make drivers reinstall, etc. less painful?
Click to expand...

Yes get the CD's out and use them to install the drivers after formating and reinstalling windows

Another point never install windows updates unless they are important driver updates. Some updates have been reported to slow your pc down a lot.

1. IE8 is not as good as Microsoft claims, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome are way better for protection and for internet browsing/downloading and speed.

2. What antivirus/internet security program do you use? and don't say AVG/Norton Antivirus :D they slow down PC's a lot. I would rather use COMODO Internet security or Avast.

Comodo blocks unwanted internet/program access and deletes viruses quickly, also tells you how much bandwidth each program is using.

3. You should also scan your PC with malware bytes, Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy to see if you got spyware/malware on your PC.

4. You can also defrag your hardrive using Smart Defrag it will free up space and may improve your PC Speed slightly.

5. Use a registry cleaner

6. Delete the Temporary Internet Files, cache and the download folder for your browser (has temporary files) > C:\Users > Your Username

If this and a reinstall doesn't fix your problem you might have a faulty hardrive or power supply and might be other causes.

Browsers
Mozilla Firefox
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/new/
Avast
http://www.avast.com/free-antivirus-download

Spyware/Malware
Malware Bytes
http://www.malwarebytes.org/
Adaware
http://download.cnet.com/Ad-Aware-F...-10045910.html?part=dl-lavasoft_products_noTP
Spybot Search & Destroy
http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/Spybot-Search-Destroy/1043809773/1

Defrag tool
Smart Defrag
http://www.iobit.com/iobitsmartdefrag.html

Registry Cleaner
Comodo Registry Cleaner
http://system-cleaner.comodo.com/
PC Optimizer Pro
http://www.pcoptimizerpro.com/download.aspx
 
Last edited:
Kuga said:
For the slowness, disable some programs that start up automatically. To do this, Start > Run > Msconfig > Startup.

You can also download a program called CCleaner. Cleans registry entries. After that, Defrag the PC.

Failing that, backup, format and reload Windows.

When was the last time you did this? You should reload Windows once a year, every 6 months if possible.
Click to expand...

Thanks for your recommendations.

I run CCleaner once every month. I'd say each time a new version comes out I run it. The most recent version being 3.08.1493?

I have not formatted in over 2.5 years. :o

Have you created an installation image to reduce the time? Every six months is a bit too frequent?


Merenwenrago said:
Yes get the CD's out and use them to install the drivers after formating and reinstalling windows

Another point never install windows updates unless they are important driver updates. Some updates have been reported to slow your pc down a lot.

1. IE8 is not as good as Microsoft claims, Mozilla Firefox and Chrome are way better for protection and for internet browsing/downloading and speed.

2. What antivirus/internet security program do you use? and don't say AVG/Norton Antivirus :D they slow down PC's a lot. I would rather use COMODO Internet security or Avast.

Comodo blocks unwanted internet/program access and deletes viruses quickly, also tells you how much bandwidth each program is using.

3. You should also scan your PC with malware bytes, Adaware and Spybot Search & Destroy to see if you got spyware/malware on your PC.

4. You can also defrag your hardrive using Smart Defrag it will free up space and may improve your PC Speed slightly.

5. Use a registry cleaner

6. Delete the Temporary Internet Files, cache and the download folder for your browser (has temporary files) > C:\Users > Your Username

If this and a reinstall doesn't fix your problem you might have a faulty hardrive or power supply and might be other causes.
Click to expand...

1. I actually do not use IE. I have used FF for years now. IE7 is still on my machine and was irritated by the fact that I could not get IE8 to install even though I dont use it... I know, that's crazy. BTW, wifey works on this machine once in a blue moon and you will not convince her to use anything else. :o

2. I use AVG - I doubt it is the cause of my problems. :) Will try something else perhaps.

3. I use Defraggler every two months or so...

4. I use SUPER AntiSpyware

5. I use CCleaner

I do suspect my HDD. As mentioned, it's about five years old. Age might have caught up with it. Any recommendations on online stores that build affordable machines?
 
NetDude said:
I do suspect my HDD. As mentioned, it's about five years old. Age might have caught up with it. Any recommendations on online stores that build affordable machines?
Click to expand...

Can't remember the exact website so will try to remember it, but I normally buy my PC parts seperately and then build it up myself.

Normally ends up a bit cheaper plus you can make the PC to your own specifications.

You can try this in the meantime
http://www.pcint.co.za/pcs.php
 
Last edited:
I would download the new drivers from giga-bytes website.
You can try using nlite to integrate the drivers and the latest service pack. Dont integrate the graphics driver as it is usually a good idea to run the newest one.

I am not a big fan of "internet security" suites. They tend to slow your p.c. a lot. But it all depends on if you surf the darker holes in the net or not. :)

I am a big fan of windows 7 (something MS didnt cock up too badly). If your older hardware is supported then it might be worth a try.

Sent from my Nexus One using MyBroadband Android App
 
with Win XP, I typically reinstall every 12-18 months (on my P4, 2.5GHz, 500MB ram).
I finally purchased a laptop this year after 9 years on the P4 desktop, but I still use the P4 for a number of tasks.

Reformat and reinstall the latest hardware drivers, with XP
 
I use AVG - I doubt it is the cause of my problems.
Click to expand...

I had serious problems with AVG Free, to the extent that I ditched it & now run Online Armor++ . I would definitely consider disabling / removing AVG completely before re-testing ...


Thirdly, I have tried several times to install IE8 but I get a message about a missing patch. I try to download it but during the installation process I get a message that the patch is already installed!
Click to expand...

The re-booting could well be as a result of an incomplete install, i.e. one of those installs that announces 'I need to re-boot to complete the installation'. I have had such installs screwed by anti-virus / software firewall protection suites: the computer reboots, the protection suite starts up, the install attempts to continue and is promptly stomped on by the protection suite ... :( Based on your description of the problem - including the reboots - this certainly seems a possibility.


Re the defrags: are you performing a complete defrag, i.e. one of those that require a restart in MS-DOS ?

Re the hard drives: check the manufacturer's websites for drive-specific test utilities.

Finally, is your BIOS current ?
 
I seem to be using a similar setup for browsing pc & it starts up fast from an ancient 80gb IDE drive! Best bet would be a re-install, I do so every year with XP. I have NEVER updated Windoze & use AVGFree with no problems. You can do a quick test on hdd from an Ubuntu LiveCD: enable SMART in BIOS & use Ubuntu's built-in disk utility to test the drive.
 
Windows XP can run fine for years if you do it right.

I would suggest you get a new hard drive, back up your files on a portable/external hard drive and do a clean install.

After the clean install & installing all hardware drivers, find a copy of XP Service Pack 3, install it, then download and install Microsoft Security Essentials. It takes care of viruses, spam, malware & trojans - and its free! Been using it for more than a year (had AVG paid edition before) and its brilliant.

Then download & install TuneUp Utilities 2011 & you are sorted. Unfortunately you'll have to pay for TuneUp, but it is well worth the money.

Alternatively, get yourself Windows 7. Been using it since 2010 and my pc still feels as fast as the first day I installed Windows 7. No need to reinstall Windows anymore.

Yes, its that good. ;)
 
Installing a SSD in such an old PC is simply a waste of money. I found that my 120GB SSD was under performing on my Dell laptop (C2D T7200 @ 2GHz with 4GB RAM), but it now runs like a dream on my i7 940.

I think it's time that you rather just buy a new PC and install like Windows 7 x64 Home Premium on it.
If you're actually working on that PC, then you should've replaced it a long time ago, especially if you're working with Visual Studio.

If you cannot afford a new PC at this moment, but have the time, I'd suggest that you backup your data and format + reinstall Windows XP with a SP2 or SP3 disk.
 
NetDude said:
The machine in question: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3, v.6055 (build 2600)
Click to expand...

problem found :p just kidding ... sortof.


rather get windows 7 64bit (for incase you upgrade your ram more than 4gb in future), ccleaner ever week or two weeks. i haven't done a windows re-install since the stable version of win 7 64 came out thnx to ccleaner and a clean desktop !
 
Hi Hi

Perhaps before fiddling with your current installation... slap in another HDD, disconnect the current primary one, do a fresh install.
15 minutes is a seriously looooong time for any boot.
You can then install the stuff you need, reconnect the old drive and copy all your settings / stuff across again, then when done, remove the drive again.
A fresh install often feels like a new machine !

OR... slap in another drive, clone your current drive onto this... and then fiddle. You then have a complete backup on your original drive should the poo hit the fan.

It sounds like a HDD wobble to me... I have seen similar issues recently with loooong boots and it turned out to be bad block on HDD.
 
NetDude said:
Hi guys,

Your advice needed, please. Let me start off by stating that I realize that it's about time that I invested in a new PC. But, this may not be possible at least for the next few months.

The machine in question: Windows XP Home Edition Service Pack 3, v.6055 (build 2600) | Gigabyte Technology Co., Ltd. 945GCMX-S2 | 3.00 gigahertz Intel Pentium 4 | 2560 Megabytes Usable Installed Memory | c: (NTFS on drive 0) 320.07 GB 72.42 GB free

I am experiencing several problems with this machine. Firstly, monthly MS updates are not applied automatically despite the "automatic setting." For the past two years, I have been using Belarc Advisor to scan for missing updates after every Patch Tuesday. This is a painful exercise since I have to manually download and install all the missing patches. You can imagine how painful this is on a month with many patches. My Windows installation is legal. Why do I not receive automatic updates?

Secondly, there are currently two patches identified as missing - they are both not "critical" but rated as "important", I'd still like to apply them. I downloaded all patches relating to these holes but installation fails with a message: "this patch not being applicable to the machine." Why are they listed as "missing patches" by the scanner then if not applicable?
  • MS09-004: Description of the security update for SQL Server 2000 GDR and for MSDE 2000: February 10, 2009
  • MS11-025: Description of the security update for Visual C++ 2005 SP1 Redistributable Package: June 14, 2011

Thirdly, I have tried several times to install IE8 but I get a message about a missing patch. I try to download it but during the installation process I get a message that the patch is already installed! :cry:

Fourthly, this PC takes way too long to boot up. The other day it took more than 15mins from the time I switched it on up to the point that I could start to work. This included about two automatic restarts. The restarts happen immediately after typing in the password. Then it would hang for a minute or two and eventually restart.

What can I do, without investing too much time, to make the last few months bearable? Do I need to format the HDD? Would it make sense to buy a SSD and install Windows on this drive? Install software on SSD but keep "data" on the current HDD? Will the SSD be compatible with my current set up? I could perhaps use this SSD in my new machine in a few months' time? Any other ideas?
Click to expand...

So if you haven't formatted yet.

Here is what I would do:

Firstly go to Start Run, type in> services.msc and click ok or enter.

Go to Automatic Updates and stop the service.

Now go into your C: drive> Windows> SoftwareDistribution. Rename the folder to SoftwareDistribution_old Start the Automatic Updates Service again. It should create the folder again and start scanning for missing updates and present it to you through Windows Update. It's safe to delete the _old folder.

Now the rest:

Download this: http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/sysinternals/bb963902 Execute Autoruns go to the Options Menu and Select Hide Microsoft and Windows Entries Refresh it to scan again.

Go to the Logon and Winlogon section after it has scanned and delete or untick entries you are sure you don't need at startup. Checking scheduled tasks may help as well.

Visit the drivers section as well and delete any "not found" drivers there.

Close the application if you're done.

Download this program:
http://www.pro-it-education.de/software/deviceremover/

Install and launch it. Click the View Option and select Show Only Hidden/Detached Devices, let it load.

Remove all Hidden and Detached devices, reboot the computer.

After the above is done. Run Ccleaner again as well as a registry clean and see if the system is improved :)
 
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