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Computer Problems
This blog posting is only an interesting read if you are a tech geek like me. It's about trying to solve problems with my Vista laptop, so I will forgive you if you don't read the rest.
Vista Latop Problems
I'm using my older XP desktop computer to write this post. My Vista laptop started chugging slowly last week. The startup process is really slow and I have had problems with slow performance (last straw was waiting for the characters on screen to catchup with my typing on the keyboard). Here is what I have tried so far:
- A scan with Norton Antivirus (from Rogers) came back clean (not sure this is a good version but thanks to Rogers' implementation I experience problems when I try to remove it and install another anti-virus).
- I also scanned with PC Tools Spyware Doctor and it picked up some low risk cookies but nothing major.
I'm figuring Vista is after getting bloated with all the programs I'm after installing, so I bought PC Tools Registry Mechanic and Disk Tools to optimize the laptop.
- The Registry Mechanic ran well and fixed a lot of problems.
- I ran the Clean and Optimize section of Disk Tools (kind of an advanced version of the Disk Cleaner in Vista). It ran for several hours checking the temp files for my account and then the laptop just shut off. I ran it overnight and had the same problem.
Well, I have a lot of temp files in my user account and I think I will have to get rid of them somehow. Here are my next steps:
- Currently running a Surface Scan (Disk Tools) to check the hard drives for errors. They previously reported being healthy but I want to make sure.
- I think I am going to have to try an online anti-virus scan to make sure it is not a virus hiding somewhere.
- I am going to start removing programs. Once that is done I will have to runtyhe Registry Mechanic again.
- If all else fails, I will have to format and reinstall Vista with my Recovery DVDs. i don't really want to because I will have to go through a lot of Windows Updates (Service Pack 1 in particular).
Windows 7 Beta was released recently and all reports is that it runs smoother and faster than Vista. Actually I heard (from tech podcasts I listen too) that it is Vista they way it was supposed to be. One can only hope. I'm think Ubuntu Linux sounds good. I have it as a dual boot with my Vista laptop. If it was not for work I would probably use that all the time and try cloud computing (Use applications and services on the Internet for all my computing needs). Ah, to live the dream.
Thomas Sheppard
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Comments
Hi Thomas,
I don't know much about VISTA, as I use XP. However, I wonder if I can offer some advice, as I have been troubleshooting PCs in labs for years.
I would try to uninstall the Linux from the same PC you are using VISTA on. I know it is not the optimal solution, but it might do wonders to clear up the issues.
I would then try restoring the PC back to before the time you had installed the Ubunto system. Backup the system files and more recent programs you have downloaded and installed.
How much free space have you got left on your C drive? Certainly the disk cleanup and defragmentation will be a first step. But if there is currently less than 15% free on the drive, you must free up space by unistalling programs (or system) before you can even begin to do that.
Try removing some of the temporary Internet files from the browser first, by clicking on Tools --Internet Options -- Delete (Browsing History). It may free up the space you will need to run the disk cleanup.
Remove any and all toolbars (Google, Yahoo) and even uninstall MSN messenger if you don't use it that often.
What programs are running at startup? Running in the background? They might be drawing out a lot of juice.
Are you using a peer to peer network such as Limewire? Have you disabled it?
Have you yet installed all the necessary fixes and service packs from Microsoft?
My thinking is to run different systems on different PCs, and be sure to run a dowloading peer to peer service on a separate PC. Better to have three medium sized PCs that all work well, than rely just on one that makes you want to pull your hair out all the time.
Hope some of this might help. Some of this might seem givens, and you have done it already. Let me know.
Glenn
Glenn,
It has been an interesting couple of days. The problems I was experiening with my Vista laptop had nothing to do with Ubuntu. I've been running both for a while.
I downloaded and installed PC Tools Disk Suite and tried a surface scan of the drives on reboot. On reboot, I got a blank screen for hours. I called PCTools and they could not help me. I had to reinstall my Vista OS.
I used my Recovery DVDs and reinstalled Vista. I ran the updates and I installed NOD32 as my antivirus (one of the few that could run with minimal impact on resources). I installed my antispyware program that I have used succssfully for the last year, PCTools Spyware Doctor (ranked by PCMag as one of the best). The trouble started again. Slow boot and my system bogged down. It would not even complete a virus scan. So I guess you know what the problem was.
Yep, the two programs conflicted. I suspect that this may have been the problem before despite the fact that I was using Norton Antivirus previously. I removed Spyware Doctor and my problems disappeared.
Anyway, I'm up and running again with a fresh install. In my job I manage the school network and despite my exerperience, this was a challenge to figure out. I had already done most of the things you mentioned. That's why I was so frustrated. I know how to take care of computers. The up side of this is that I have a clean install and that should eliminate most of the problems I was having. The down side is that I have to install everything again.
Hi Thomas,
Thank you for your update.
When talking techtalk, I was pretty sure you had already done most of what I mentioned, so it was more of an exercise for me to go through the checklist on paper, so to speak, as a just in case thing. I hope you don't hiink I was talking down to you by suggesting this or that. Quite the opposite. I am happy to hear your troubleshooting skills identified the difficulty. It is certainly info I will store away for reference at some point in future when a gremlin comes out to wreck havoc.
Glenn
Glenn,
I appreciated the advice. It was helpful to be reminded of some of the troubleshooting techniques. I find that sometimes I have to walk away when I am frustrated and then it usually comes to me. The curious thing was that I knew that you could not have 2 antivirus programs running at the same time but I did not think anti-spyware programs were the same. Most techies would tell you to run a couple anti-spyware programs because one does not cover all types of threats.
I like Vista but it is a big resource hog. I'm hoping Windows 7 is better.