computer abnormally slow?

Question

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster

16 Years Ago

a couple days ago my computer blue screened
i restarted and now its really slow and takes forever to startup
can someone please help me

acer aspire 5100 3583
1 gb ram
amd turion 64 2.0ghz
windows xp media center edition

also my sounds are slow and distorted

microsoft:windows-nt-2000-xp

Edited 16 Years Ago by mike25620 because: note

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Latest Post 16 Years Ago Latest Post by Xlphos

Dani AI

Generated 8 Months Ago

Brief expert summary: the timeline — a blue screen, followed by extreme slowness and distorted audio, then a machine that will only boot from a live CD — most commonly indicates either physical hard‑drive failure or heavy filesystem/boot corruption. Secondary causes that fit parts of the story are RAM faults (intermittent) and CPU frequency throttling from power/thermal controls (the 799 MHz reading). Data preservation should be treated as the immediate priority.

Recommended, read‑only first diagnostic sequence (non-destructive):

Confirm BIOS sees the internal drive and its model/size and that the drive is listed in the boot order.
From the live CD, mount the Windows partition read‑only and copy critical documents to external media before running write tests. Example mounts and checks:
```
sudo mount -o ro /dev/sda1 /mnt
sudo smartctl -a /dev/sda
dmesg | egrep -i "error|fail|I/O|ata"
```
Look in the SMART output for Reallocated_Sector_Ct or Current_Pending_Sector > 0 and for repeated I/O errors in dmesg. Those are strong signs of an unhealthy disk. Avoid destructive tests (for example write-mode badblocks) until backups exist.

Notes on memory and CPU observations:

The BIOS/OS reporting ~787 MB when two 512 MB sticks are installed usually means some RAM is hardware‑reserved (shared video, PCI mapping) or one stick/slot isn’t being seen. Reseating modules and testing each stick in each slot helps isolate module vs slot faults; memtest86+ is the standard tool.
A reported CPU clock around 799 MHz is typical of dynamic frequency scaling (AMD PowerNow!/Cool'n'Quiet). If the system stays at that speed under load, thermal throttling, BIOS settings, or a low‑power Windows plan are suspect.

If SMART is OK but Windows still will not boot, a non‑destructive repair path is to use a recovery environment (XP Recovery Console or vendor recovery) to repair the MBR/boot files, or to image the drive and perform an OS repair/reinstall. This note expands on suggestions from , , and by prioritizing data rescue, showing how to gather SMART/dmesg evidence from a live CD, and warning against write‑heavy diagnostics before backups.

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Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso

16 Years Ago

Hi,
It could be one or more of many problems so you need to start to rule them out. Firstly, go to "Viruses, spyware and other nasties" and read the sticky note about removing viruses. Do what is offered there and if your machine is still playing up after that, come back and ask here again.

vanwicz 0 Newbie Poster

16 Years Ago

Hi,
-You might tell us whether you're running an antivirus and if presumably so, which one and whether it is updated as well as the results of a recent full scan.
-You should clean out all your temp files by running atf (all temp file cleaner) available free here;
http://www.atribune.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=25&Itemid=25
-Is your disk indeed (almost) full?
-In my experience the bsd is often a failing hard drive (assuming an updated antivirus suite) but you have to do the diagnostics, how old is the hard disk and how long has it run (approx - was it on 24hrs/day or twice a week for example) and is it kept cool and clean etc?
- Assuming an updated anitvirus suite, and not a full disk, then you would want to clean the registry with a good product such as Registry Mechanic which is not free but I've used for years, it works reliably and makes pcs run faster:

Let us know!

a couple days ago my computer blue screened
i restarted and now its really slow and takes forever to startup
can someone please help me
acer aspire 5100 3583
1 gb ram
amd turion 64 2.0ghz
windows xp media center edition
also my sounds are slow and distorted

Jupiter 2 0 Posting Whiz

16 Years Ago

I have found that if the internet updates is turned on, including the options in iTunes, Media Player and several other programs, the computer is constantly searching the internet, even if internet is not connected, at start up.

I turn the "search for updates at start up " off or disable them in each program.

Microsoft Updates and Windows Updates, I disable these also.

At least disable them for this scenario and see if this makes any difference for you.

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso

16 Years Ago

It is possible to make a new boot disk to repair your windows, you must have a i386 Directory (Folder) on your Hard Disk
This is essential. Without this, the procedure will not work. To find out whether you can re-create your bootable Windows XP setup disk, look for into your system drive (usually the C: drive), and see if you can find a folder named I386 in the root directory. That is, use the search function on your PC and see if you have the C:\I386 folder on a hard disk.
If your PC or laptop came from the major PC vendors like HP, Dell or Acer, chances are that there is an I386 folder at the root of drive C:, unless you've deleted it.
Note that only c:\i386 contains the files needed for this operation. Do not use the files in "C:\Windows\Driver Cache\i386" or any other folders. If you do not have it on your PC but can borrow a disk with it on you will still be OK.
If you do have this folder on your PC or borrowed, go to this site and see if you can make a new boot disk.
http://www.howtohaven.com/system/createwindowssetupdisk.shtml

Follow the instructions there and if you are lucky, you will be able to make a new disk

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso

16 Years Ago

I have 2 512mb sticks
I looked in my bios and it says I have 787mb extended memory
what does that mean?
also I checked for viruses with many programs and I have not found anything
I used a program today and it says my cpu is running at 799mhz
I know for sure that I have a 2.0ghz amd turion
what would cause this?

I think you will find that your video has been allocated the rest of the memory.
799mhz, I do not know! what program did you run?

Adamsappleone commented: I'm doing repairs +2

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Jupiter 2 0 Posting Whiz · Answer 1 · 2009-11-12T07:33:31+00:00

You might have reached your limit of HDD space. A good rule of thumb is to have (at least) 10% free space on the main Partition.

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 2 · 2009-11-12T09:21:45+00:00

God bless you Jupiter 2,
Did the poster fill his hard drive to more than 90% after he got the BSOD and that is why it is now so slow?

jeniferandrews -3 Newbie Poster · Answer 3 · 2009-11-12T13:27:23+00:00

try defragmentation and also check for errors. right click on the drive and select properties > tools > error checking - check now and when d dialog box opens click on both the checkboxes and click on start.

after this try defragementation...
slowing down of system is due to some missing parts of files or setups present is some of the drives... also do a complete scan of viruses in your windows and system32 folders..

hope this will help to reduce your problem...

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 4 · 2009-11-12T14:01:18+00:00

Hi,
Firstly, go to "Viruses, spyware and other nasties" and read the sticky note about removing viruses. Do what is offered there and if your machine is still playing up after that, come back and ask here again.

also do a complete scan of viruses in your windows and system32 folders..
hope this will help to reduce your problem...

Where have I heard that before somewhere.. thats right i just said it!!

Jupiter 2 0 Posting Whiz · Answer 5 · 2009-11-12T14:11:22+00:00

Hi,
It could be one or more of many problems so you need to start to rule them out. Firstly, go to "Viruses, spyware and other nasties" and read the sticky note about removing viruses. Do what is offered there and if your machine is still playing up after that, come back and ask here again.

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 6 · 2009-11-12T14:33:39+00:00

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso

16 Years Ago

Good one Jupiter 2,
May god continue to bless you.

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 7 · 2009-11-13T04:10:34+00:00

ok im am clean of viruses
ive done everything and i know i am clean of viruses
this is a hardware error
i have 30% free on my main partition and i have defragged
i will run a disk check now and get back to you soon
thanks for the help

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 8 · 2009-11-13T06:09:57+00:00

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster

16 Years Ago

disk check ran
clean - no problems

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 9 · 2009-11-13T07:18:34+00:00

Hi,
Do you still have a problem or is everything working now?

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 10 · 2009-11-13T07:29:50+00:00

Hi,
Just check if you do have an obvious hardware problem, open "Device Manager"
http://technet.microsoft.com/en-us/library/bb456985.aspx
look for any yellow exclamation marks against any for the hardware. If there are, right click the hardware and reinstall/update the driver.
Another software try is to do a System File Check.

Please tell us how you get on.

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 11 · 2009-11-14T04:23:07+00:00

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster

16 Years Ago

thanks bob ill try that and get back to you

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 12 · 2009-11-14T04:44:24+00:00

ok so i checked device manager and it was ok
i ran the sfc and it asked for my windows xp sp3 disk
i unfortunately dont have one

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 13 · 2009-11-15T00:58:34+00:00

thanks i think i am going to try this
is it possible that I have a bad stick of ram
one of my friends said that I might have a bad stick of ram but I am not sure

Xlphos 16 Veteran Poster · Answer 14 · 2009-11-15T01:29:03+00:00

Hello, Did you install any new software or updates shortly before the blue screen?

You say you have no viruses. Was there any? or did you not find any?

As for you thoughs on RAM can you do a memory test? some linux distros have a memory test function there maybe other programs out there I am not aware of. You may want to get a light linux distro to test the memory.

- Let us know how it goes.

Bob_180_Bob 41 Posting Virtuoso · Answer 15 · 2009-11-15T04:14:46+00:00

It is possible that you have a bad stick of RAM. You have 1GB is that 1 or two sticks? If it is two, you can remove one, try one in one or more different slots, then try the other, and try your PC each time you change (turn off at power point first) If you only have one stick you can download a test program from Microsoft and test it..........

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 16 · 2009-11-15T05:46:57+00:00

I have 2 512mb sticks
I looked in my bios and it says I have 787mb extended memory
what does that mean?

also I checked for viruses with many programs and I have not found anything

I used a program today and it says my cpu is running at 799mhz
I know for sure that I have a 2.0ghz amd turion
what would cause this?

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 17 · 2009-11-15T05:47:49+00:00

Hello, Did you install any new software or updates shortly before the blue screen?
You say you have no viruses. Was there any? or did you not find any?
As for you thoughs on RAM can you do a memory test? some linux distros have a memory test function there maybe other programs out there I am not aware of. You may want to get a light linux distro to test the memory.
- Let us know how it goes.

No I have not installed any updates

raffy_jo 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 18 · 2009-11-17T08:36:23+00:00

hi from PH,
try to remove your unnecessary files to make your Hard drive free up...
try to clean your parts

raffy_jo 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 19 · 2009-11-17T08:45:31+00:00

that is your hard drive extended memory each drive reserve 3 or 5 % for the virtual memory,your bios show it.

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 20 · 2009-11-19T07:30:42+00:00

ok so i was going to test my sticks of ram but before i could do anything, i turned on my computer and ...........nothing.
it posts but nothing more than that. it never shows the windows loading screen
is my harddrive locked up?
is all of my ram shot?
what happened?
i will check back soon but that was my only computer

mike25620 0 Newbie Poster · Answer 21 · 2009-11-30T02:30:01+00:00

ok so i was going to test my sticks of ram but before i could do anything, i turned on my computer and ...........nothing.
it posts but nothing more than that. it never shows the windows loading screen
is my harddrive locked up?
is all of my ram shot?
what happened?
i will check back soon but that was my only computer

i still havent gotten it to work but i am on a live cd and it works fine
does this mean its my harddrive?

Xlphos 16 Veteran Poster · Answer 22 · 2009-11-30T15:46:38+00:00

If you have a live cd try running a memtest, usually shown as you boot from CD.

Can you access your hdd from the live cd?

can you find out what is being display for your system spec from the live cd?

computer abnormally slow?

Dani AI

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