xp uber lag

[lordroba]

2 questions....

Ok, so my friend has this computer that he got from MDG (:?) and it runs really really slow. Like 200MHz slow and actually takes over 10+ minutes just to startup. When you right-click on something, it takes 1minute+ for the right click menu to load. His computer has XP Home, 2.8GHz, 1GB of DDR ram and a Radeon 9200.

Anyways, Iv'e tried a bunch of things to help him. Swithed the ram sticks around. Checked for spyware/viruses(couldn't find any with McAfee). Even checked the bios to see if it picked up the ram at all(it did).
His virtual ram is set at something over a gig, so were thinking his actual ram might have died or something and his computer is only using the virtual ram.

Anyone got any other ideas at what might be causing the problem?

We're thinking of reformating it, but his mom, with her infinite stupidity apparently threw out his windows Xp disc. Here's where my second question comes in. I have the Xp disc, and I was wondering if he could reformat and reinstall windows using my disc but register it using his product code and serial number.(Which he has because of that sticker thing on his case)?

[Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

I have the Xp disc, and I was wondering if he could reformat and reinstall windows using my disc but register it using his product code and serial number.(Which he has because of that sticker thing on his case)?

I know for a fact that this is perfectly possible having done it myself twice, so there's no need to worry about that

Even checked the bios to see if it picked up the ram at all(it did).
His virtual ram is set at something over a gig, so were thinking his actual ram might have died or something and his computer is only using the virtual ram.

That can't have happened, if the bios is picking up the ram it must still be working, right? As for solutions to the problem, i haven't got a clue, try taking it into your local PC tech guy and see what he/she has to say.

[gangstaj8]

I don't know about using a different Windows disk, but don't Nuke and Pave unless it's your last resort. It's no fun at all.

Now, your issues with performace. There are several things to check on when you've got poor computer performance. And I doubt you're having any problems with the hardware, it's usually software related, and adware related.

First, checking for spyware/adware and viruses is top priority. However, McAfee is notorious for failing to detect minor problems. I would recomend scanning for viruses with Norton, I know it has problems and causes errors with some other programs and games. But they seem to be on the ball with detecting and repairing the most current threats. The program itself isn't that expensive, but you can always do a full HDD scan from this website. You have to be using Explorer to do the scan properly, and it doesn't fix any problems, it only detects them. It does usually take a long time as well.

Second, I would recommend downloading Ad-Aware and Spy-bot Search and Destroy and scanning with both of these programs, just not simultaneously. They usually find and get rid of all the spyware and adware that finds it's way onto a computer. Spybot will help to keep it off as well. Just make sure you run the updates on both programs.

Next, run some of those System Tools that Windows provides you with. I try to run Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter atleast once a month. If you feel like it, you can also run Check Disk with all the options checked. You'll have to restart the computer to run this long test, but it's worth it now and then to know that your HDD is still functioning properly.

All this should help out considerably with computer performance. I would also recomend to make sure your Virtual Memory is set to "System Managed Size". And you might want to look through the Add/Remove Programs list to see if there are some programs installed that never get used, like old games... Anyway, good luck, hope this helps you out a bit.

[milkmandan]

Follow gangstaj8 advice...

My suggestion is this, follow these simple steps:

1. Uninstall any programs you dont need
2. Open My Computer --> Tools --> Folder Options --> View --> Bubble IN "show hidden files and system files"
3. Delete any extra crap files that are built up in C:
4. Run windows disk cleanup
5. Go to Start --> Run --> type in "%temp%" can delete EVERYTHING in this folder
6. Clear your Internet Cache or Temporary Internet Files
7. Clear Cookies
8. If you have anti virus, update your virus definitions, and virus search engine
9. If you find a virus and can't delete it, copy down where the virus is in your computer, restart, press F8 before windows loading screen pops up. Boot in safe-mode, in safe-mode manually delete virus infected file.
10. Run anti virus again. repeat step 8 if you see more viruses.
11. Get ad-aware, get spy-bot search and destroy, Install both, update definitions for both, Run both over and over again. Restart computer.
12. Go to Start --> Run --> type in "msconfig" --> Startup tab --> unclick everything "for now". Restart.
13. Defrag your hard drive completely.
14. Use the windows xp cd and REPAIR your copy of windows
15. There is a RUN command i used to know that would auto fix your registry from the windows xp cd. But i forgot it. sorry I suggest you go download different registry cleaners out there and try them out.
16. Open the computer case, use an Air Duster and clean out ALL the crap and dirt inside. if you can, take out the RAM as well and clean those as well.

If your compy is STILL running slow after ALL THIS. You will need to reformat.

He will need to buy a new copy of windows, EACH WINDOWS XP PROFESSIONAL CD HAS A UNIQUE CD KEY JUST FOR THAT CD, IF YOUR CD WORKS WITH MULTIPLE CODES YOUR CD IS A BOOTLEGGED VERSION. A VERY GOOD ONE FOR THAT MATTER.

i BOUGHT my windows xp pro, officially at BestBuy, so it CANNOT be fake. i dont know about xp home or media center edition. but i know for a FACT that xp pro cds have unique keys per cd.

if he lost his cd, call microsoft support and explain your problem. They might even send him a new copy. i dont know if it will work, BUT hence before i lost my cd key for windows, but not the cd, and no other code would work, so i called microsoft support and told them i have the cd but no key. They told me to read off certain numbers that were engraved on the plastic part of the cd and they gave me my original cd key over the phone.

So answering your question, no you cannot use your cd to install windows on his computer, plus he wont be able to recieve windows updates, if he activiates his copy with your key.

Either go buy a new windows xp copy or download a bootlegged version that works with multiple cd keys.

[Zaphod_Beeblebrox]

i dont know about xp home or media center edition. but i know for a FACT that xp pro cds have unique keys per cd.

I told you: it works with XP home, home doesn't have a unique CD-key for each CD, but one for each machine, so you can install home from someone elses disc: I said i've done it.

[Qyot27]

I would also highly recommend using Firefox or Opera instead of IE, especially if Ad-Aware and Spybot pick up any results.

[MortalGathum]

Your only hope is to reformat most stores give uber student discounts if you have a high school/college ID. Next I would open the case and check to see if all the wires are properly connected and make sure nothing is lose. Yes a lose connection to your gpu can cause that.

Personally I wouldn't even bother dealing with spyware and such unless you cannot reformat/backup his important files first.[/code]

[risk one]

The very first thing to do in a situation like this (and I'm surprised noone has suggested it yet, but maybe I missed it) is to check task manager. Press ctrl+shift+esc, and switch to the processes tab. Sort the processes by clicking the CPU column. This allows you to see if anything is hogging cpu time. Normally with nothing running, the System ldle Process should have at least 90 percent of your cpu cycles. If anything is eating up resources, that's your problem. Sorting by memory is also a good idea,

If no process is hogging resources, the odds of it being a hardware or configuration related problem increase.

[milkmandan]

i dont know about xp home or media center edition. but i know for a FACT that xp pro cds have unique keys per cd.

I told you: it works with XP home, home doesn't have a unique CD-key for each CD, but one for each machine, so you can install home from someone elses disc: I said i've done it.

zaphod's got a point. if you both used to have xp home, then different cds should work..

like i said, i dont know about the others...only xp pro..

riskone made a good point too...but i tried not to lead him to do that, by instead turning off start up processes, and delete other potential spyware stuff..

[raiju]

I have had the same problem with my old desktop...(it was also just old) but it was the fastest operating Pentium II on the face of the planet! But, It is not possible to use two different Product Codes on a single disk, this is because all of the OS disks are Hard Coded with one particular Product Code, so there for, if you've lost the disk for that computer, the product code from that computer's Proof Of License Sticker (the "sticker thingy") is Void and no longer usable...sorry to burst your bubble... if you wanted to reformat the computer you would have to use Your Product Code from your computer if you want to use your disk...