Posted on 06/10/2005 1:09:43 PM PDT by texasflower
I sure could use some help for a couple of problems I'm running into. My dad died a few months ago and I'm trying to make sure my mother's computer stays updated.
What I am finding is that everything new programs install very slowly. Last night she bought a new HP all in one scanner, printer etc.
Last night, I tried to install it and in 12 hours now it has only 31 percent installed. It is still trying to install, but it is just so slow.
I would take it out and start over, but the install screen has no cancel or X button. I've tried to shut down the computer but it won't shut down while this is in progress.
Other minor things seem to install, like virus updates etc., but they also run slowly. Not this slowly of course.
What can I do about this?
I have run all of the virus scan and spyware scans I have available.
Spybot Search and Destroy
Ad-Adware
Norton Anti-virus
AVG anti-virus.
Spyware Doctor
Zonealarm is the firewall.
I'm thinking this must be an installer driver or something like that but I don't know anything substantial about computers.
Also I would love to get rid of a dead program on here called pc-cillin, but the add and remove program thing won't let me do it. Any ideas?
So, if you have an answer or suggestion, you probably should baby talk me through it.
The computer is a SonyViao running Windows XP.
Oops. One more thing, for some reason there is an external zip drive attached to this computer. Shouldn't the computer be able to unzip regular files?
I did what you and the others have asked and the CPU thing says system idle 97-99% and the task manager has the rest.
Something else is slowing you down. I suspect drive access. Is the drive thrashing?
Total: 523808
Available: 1191184
System Cache: 348168
Yes, although you can try the 'task manager' route suggested by someone here already.
Has the system always been slow, or only when installing new stuff?
Even if your system was low on RAM or an underpowered CPU, no install of printer drivers and software should take 12 hours, so something else is wrong.
I'll look back up the thread to see if you posted any specifications that other FReeps asked about...that may be part of the problem.
Drive thrashing?
I would just pull the plug or Cntl-Alt-Del to reboot.
If this is your first try at installing the software, I'd try one more time after rebooting.
Drive thrashing?
Geek speak for the system trying to use the disk too much. The little green light in the fron of the computer that comes on when the disk is used, which normally just blinks a little bit will be on most of the time.
If you see that then you have a clue.
BTW-other than inslalling new software, how does the computer work? can you get to web pages ok? can you access emails? everything else seem normal?
Are you running all those anti-virus programs at the same time? That could be a problem. Some AV programs will interfere with installations. You can turn off the AV programs by stopping and/or disabling the corresponding service. Services are found in the Administrative tools program group, or right-click on My Computer and select Manage, and browse down to the Services node.
If you turn off the AV software, even temporarily, don't go into email or browse the web, as you are at risk of infection. The best thing would be to pull out the phone/network cable during the time the AV services are stopped.
Try running the install again with the AV software turned off, and see what happens.
The other suggestions about FDISK and reinstall of XP are valid, but that may be beyond what you want to attempt at this time.
debug.exe is still there in XP, in system32...
The continued efficacy of "g=c800:5" is left as an exercise for the reader (NO, not you, TexasFlower!)
It doesn't have a "general tab" What else could it say or give me an example of what you are looking for will look like.
An old archaic term meaning the drive is trying to physically find a place to put stuff. When you delete stuff, it just frees up that space on the drive. Eventually, your drive map looks like a checkerboard. Programs try to make room for themselves by filling in little spaces.
It's like a toolbox. If you just throw stuff in, it will eventually fill up and it comes hard to find room for more tools. If you organize it, you find that room more easily.
Local Disck (C:)
File system NTFS
Free Space 4.48 GB
Total Size 14.9 GB
Local Disk (D:)
Free Space: 59.5 GB
Total size: 59.5 BS
12 hours is way beyond what would be reasonable.
Right click on "My Computer" and select "manage" from the context menu.
Expand the little plus labeled "Event Viewer".
Click on the item "System".
If you see a lot of red stop signs that mention disk devices then you probably have a serious problem with your disk drive that would not be something you would likely fix yourself.
CA GUY, is that something serious or are you messing with me?
You were right about the iomega thing. So I can ditch this thing?
If you see an icon on the desktop called MY Computer, click on it. Right-click on the C: drive and go to Properties. It should tell you how much space you have on the disk. You should also see a Tools tab. Click on that and you can do Error Checking and Defrag.
If you don't have My Computer (I don't), right click on the bottom left Start button and do an Explore. You'll see the C Drive there.
You beat me to it. Now try Error Checking and Defrag from my previous post.
Okay, I did the end program thing. Thanks.
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