simple XP tasks have a hesitation now
I have a Windows XP SP3 Dell D630 laptop.
- 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo
- 3.5GB RAM
- c: partition 30GB (30% free) hold OS and apps
- d: partition 200GB holds files
- AVG 9.0 free
- Office 2003
- No other strange apps or weird software installed.
There are two problems that perhaps someone knows something about...
1. This problem began right after I decided to defrag the C drive. Now, quite often there is a delay when doing simple tasks like opening a folder, selecting a file, choosing an email, closing a browser window. The delay is usually 3-5 seconds and is accompanied by the HD grinding during that time. It's annoying as heck because it happens all the time. I've also noticed there's a delay in responding to right mouse clicks or even typing - approx 2-4 seconds. There is no HD activity on this delay, but it too is annoying. It happens all the time, including when I type this sentence, there is a delay or a hiccup where the PC stops responding to keyboard strokes for 2-4 seconds and then all of a sudden catches up. To my knowledge, it did not do these things a month ago.
2. Windows XP auto updates has identified two updates to install however they fail installation every time. Security Update for office 2003 (KB976382) and Outlook junk email filter (KB981725). I havent found anything in the MS knowledge base on either of these.
- 2.2GHz Core 2 Duo
- 3.5GB RAM
- c: partition 30GB (30% free) hold OS and apps
- d: partition 200GB holds files
- AVG 9.0 free
- Office 2003
- No other strange apps or weird software installed.
There are two problems that perhaps someone knows something about...
1. This problem began right after I decided to defrag the C drive. Now, quite often there is a delay when doing simple tasks like opening a folder, selecting a file, choosing an email, closing a browser window. The delay is usually 3-5 seconds and is accompanied by the HD grinding during that time. It's annoying as heck because it happens all the time. I've also noticed there's a delay in responding to right mouse clicks or even typing - approx 2-4 seconds. There is no HD activity on this delay, but it too is annoying. It happens all the time, including when I type this sentence, there is a delay or a hiccup where the PC stops responding to keyboard strokes for 2-4 seconds and then all of a sudden catches up. To my knowledge, it did not do these things a month ago.
2. Windows XP auto updates has identified two updates to install however they fail installation every time. Security Update for office 2003 (KB976382) and Outlook junk email filter (KB981725). I havent found anything in the MS knowledge base on either of these.
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This will speed up the boot process, however when it comes to waiting for folders to load... Either processing power/harddrive or ram health...
It's not startup time, it's time to do simple tasks like the hilighting of a file when selecting it in a folder. Not opening, just highlighting it with a right click. The computer essentially freezes while the HD does something that now takes several seconds. Realize how many times you do simple tasks like right clicking a file, as you'll get an idea of the problem. This problem did not exist in *any form* prior to me defragging the HD. I wouldnt expect defrag would have caused this, but clearly there is some sort of "HD access" issue that is causing the PC to access the HD often, even for simple tasks, thus causing the delay. The PC is otherwise clean and healthy. No malware, all hardware is modern and fast and in good working order.
OK - I will tonite since it is a 250GB HD with a lot of files and that will take a long time. But tell me, what is your thinking about running it? thanks Thrax.
OK - I ran chkdsk on the C drive, (ran on the next boot), and the same problem is happening still. It has become quite bad, more than half of the time when I attempt to do an operation, such as select a file, click on a menu, select an icon, right click, etc - the HD will grind for a good 5-10 seconds (it has become longer) before the action is completed. There is something not right for the HD to be so heavily involved in such simple everyday operations that one would think belong in RAM, no?
No I have not - I don't know much about that. Is that a program?
You can download a USB stick maker, an ISO or a floppy image from here: http://www.memtest.org/#downiso
If it comes back with even one error, you have bad memory. From that point, you need to test the sticks one by one to find the bad one.
OK - I'll run it and see what happens. Curious - why might a hardware memory problem cause the symptoms I described?
OK - so better late than never, I ran Memtest and it came back with no errors (boy is that a long set of tests!). So to me, there is something amiss in the OS that is causing this frequent long hard disk access (several seconds to now 10 seconds) where essentially the laptop is all but stuck (except for the mouse). It happens regardless of what application, regardless of task. The only thing common, is that it always happens in response to a selection or action. In other words, it doesn't happen if you sit there and dont use the computer. I am baffled and a tad frustrated with the whole thing. Any ideas as a next couple of step? Why must PC's be so hard to maintain?