Can anyone help?

I'm running XP Home ed SP2.
Start up is taking absolutely AGES - several minutes.
System is running mega slow most of the time.
I've checked the start-up processes and removed things like adobe and skype.
Virus checked, CCcleaned
But no effect!

CPU is frequently at 100% and fluctuates wildy. Opening up firefox takes about a minute. Having one tab open on FF and nothing else running CPU is at around 34%. Trying to watch a video on youtube CPU shoots up to 100% and the audio is disjointed totally.

But it's not all the time. Right now I'm getting 0-6%, but as soon as I try to do something else it will shoot right up again.

I don't know anything about Processes. I have multiple entries of svchost.exe for example, (7) and when I use firefox I nearly always get two entries and I have to close one down by ending the process. Is this normal? What's going on?!

Thanks

Drop windows -- it's a memory hog among many other things. Study linux. It will be well worth the learning curve, but in any case there's plenty of work involved with any system you use. As far as the several svchost.exe processes, I believe they're ok, just windows processes, but it *could* be a virus or spyware using them -- check spybot search & destroy.

Thanks for the response.
I did a spybot check and nothing came up.

I just checked my PF usage 888MB and my ram is only 504. I have open 2 x firefox, excel and task manager. I've had to kill Skype. Obviously have antivirus running, but nothing else that I've wittingly (is that a word?!) opted for.

What can I do to see what's using all this memory?

your antivirus eat a lot of your memory at start up, may be you should change it. Kaspersky for example save more memory when start up.

For the rest application you can use the tune-up utilities to dis activate it when start up. With tune-up utilities your computer problem can be solve too.

good luck...

you can add memory ,i think it doesnt matter with your operating system, the memory is limited.so try or others reasons..

I have in the past similar problems. First of all try to clean your registry with a good software (registry mechanic for example). If you cannot solve your problem you should reinstall your OS.

If I were you I would reinstall everything. I believe that is the only way in this situation

Simply backup your data on an external HDD, formate your systems HDD and then reinstall windows...

i don't think you're ready for a complete reinstall yet

try this http://www.iobit.com/advancedwindowscareper.html

have a look in task manager at the third column where it shows cpu cycles and see if you can find the culprit.

try temporarily turning off your AV for a few minutes and see then.

i try to run spyware programs regularly. I have a lot of issues with my PC, and am STRONGLY considering switching to MAC when the time comes for an upgrade.

It seems that there is a virus on your system. Get a good antivirus software . AVG is a goon one and also its free. You can also try a registry cleaner it will hep to boost computer speed plus you can control startup programs.

Scan your PC with Anti virus, It may be some kind of virus that has slowed down your PC.

Upgrade to XP pro...install another stick of ram...512mb. Don't use Mcafee or Norton, install the free version of AVG and install Spybot also. XP home is limited as far as the OS goes to begin with. What type of pc is it? What processor does it have?

check the processor and ram of ur pc

Get a program called hijackthis Do a scan and clean it up should help

Do These two things and you should be good to go!

1. If you can, click start/ all programs/ accessories/ systems tools/ disk deframentation.
You probably need to deframent you disks. Make sure all programs are closed so that you can deframent your disk. Defragmentation takes an hour some times. Your disk is probably wak ie spaced out . Defragmentation should repair that.

2. Get rid of unecessary files . Your disk is probably loaded with wak stuff like Aol, Skype and memory draining stuff. After you do that do another Disk defragmentation. Idealistically you want your main disk to have ample room to function. Idealistically half full .

Reboot after each operation.

Multiple entries of svchost.exe are not a problem. Windows opens more than one of those to handles functions as it needs them.

512 of ram is a major problem. A gig is better and 2G is even better. Ram is was dirt cheap a few months ago. You should be able to go to the Crucial site and learn how many slots you have and how many of them are in use.

You may also have some spyware running. Not all spy catchers catch all of them. You could always post a screen shot of your running processes.

I agree, all the advices are good. Defragment you hard disk ( I am using diskeeper) every week. Update your anti-virus, clean up your registry and if possible you can upgrade or add some RAM. Can you give us your pc specs please? Or much better you should reformat your computer just don't forget to back up your important files.

Thanks guys.

I didn't mention that I had already done a defrag, I use Avast antivirus. I also did a check with superantispyware and a load of other stuff - nothing showed up as odd.

Gave up in the end and took it down the computer shop - they said a windows reinstall was necessary and that they had no idea what was causing it! They also said my ram was enough - it's a crappy laptop with no extra slots anyway.

Thanks anyway for your advice!

The name "svchost.exe" brings back unhappy memories for me. For 15 years I've used an apple macintosh, I tried windows for a couple of years in between. There's no comparison. Windows is so annoying. The worst thing about it is how slow, blockish and crappy the web surfing feels on windows. I work with data, websites, basically a lot of network information, and no matter how I have to read or write my work, doing it on a mac is so much easier, smoother, faster. I have a windows machine as well these days and all I use it for is watching pirate-tube television (a lot of episodes of House, lately, for example).