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Older XP installs get slower & slower

Tags:
  • Slow Startup
  • Windows XP
  • Computers
  • Windows Update
Last response: in Windows XP
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July 1, 2014 8:36:06 AM

I've now owned a series of several computers with XP. I've noticed a 'constant' across them all: as they get 'old', they get extremely SLOW.
The first time I saw this, I thought it was because my 40G HDD was almost full (37G of data). Now I have a 320G HD with less than 200G used, and the computer has again become PAINFULLY slow.
It is a Dell 530s; Intel Dual core 2.2GHz, w/ a full 4G of RAM. CMOS battery was just replaced, startup is regularly 'scrubbed' to remove unnecessary programs. All the usual maintenance is performed regularly-browser temp files, cookies, etc.Full virus scan is done weekly, along with a malware scan. Nothing more than tracking cookies have ever been found. It currently takes about 15 minutes to run through the full RESTART cycle; which is completely absurd. Then when its fully active, streaming video will completely stall everything else that's open. It wasn't like this a few months ago.
I've heard 'through the grapevine' that during the boot process, XP is required to review every official update it has received; and this is the cause of this signature "old age slowdown"; as the older an install is, the more updates it will have to peruse (obviously there will be no more after April 2014). Does anyone know if this is true? IF it IS, can it be turned off? Alternately, does anyone have any further suggestions?
THANK YOU ALL in advance!

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July 1, 2014 8:56:00 AM

you be better if you reinstalling fresh windows OS or you may change to windows 7 or 8.1...if that wouldnt help that might be your hdd problem,try to check you hdd health with a hdd software :) 
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July 1, 2014 9:03:53 AM

Hi -

When I've had problems with XP getting slow, it has been a disk on the verge of failing.

Try checking your disk with Passmark's DiskCheckup. It will tell you if you're failing any of the disk diagnostics.

Link to Passmark
http://www.passmark.com/products/diskcheckup.htm

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July 1, 2014 9:05:34 AM

HeavenKidz said:
you be better if you reinstalling fresh windows OS or you may change to windows 7 or 8.1...if that wouldnt help that might be your hdd problem,try to check you hdd health with a hdd software :) 


I've got TONS of software that must all be replaced if I move to Win 7 or 8; which makes this 'solution' financially impossible at this time. Also, I periodically run several diagnostics that check the HDD health, and all is well.
Again, Ive noticed these issues with a SERIES of PCs I've owned with XP as the OS...it always occurs as the install gets 'long in the tooth'; and so far can not be related to any specific cause; either hardware or software. I've also heard anecdotal reports of similar occurences with other folks using XP, who all thought these maladies were caused by something they did.

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July 1, 2014 9:37:08 AM

As you "update Windows" things do slow down. at one point I only updated to Win XP SP2. I don't really use XP any more.
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July 1, 2014 10:35:07 AM

GorfTheFrog said:
Hi -

When I've had problems with XP getting slow, it has been a disk on the verge of failing.

Try checking your disk with Passmark's DiskCheckup. It will tell you if you're failing any of the disk diagnostics.

Link to Passmark
http://www.passmark.com/products/diskcheckup.htm


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THANX MUCHLY for the suggestion! I'll give it a go this evening...but I HAVE to ask...is this disc checker THAT MUCH BETTER or different than the diagnostics in NORTON UTILITIES?
GOD willing, I'll get back to you with results later this evening or tomorrow.
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July 2, 2014 12:05:11 AM

mmoran0513 said:
GorfTheFrog said:
Hi -

When I've had problems with XP getting slow, it has been a disk on the verge of failing.

Try checking your disk with Passmark's DiskCheckup. It will tell you if you're failing any of the disk diagnostics.

Link to Passmark
http://www.passmark.com/products/diskcheckup.htm


###


THANX MUCHLY for the suggestion! I'll give it a go this evening...but I HAVE to ask...is this disc checker THAT MUCH BETTER or different than the diagnostics in NORTON UTILITIES?
GOD willing, I'll get back to you with results later this evening or tomorrow.


Wish I could tell you, but I'm not familiar with what Norton Utilities provides. This utility, which passmark provides at no cost, will allow you to initiate the SMART self-monitoring disk checks, as well as to enable an on-going monitoring activity. When I've had problems w/ XP before, this tool was reporting problems with disk response time.

I've not experienced problems with older XP installations getting slower, except where the disk was failing. That's not to say that there aren't other reasons, but I've just not experienced them.

Hope this helps, do let me know.
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July 2, 2014 4:26:16 AM

GorfTheFrog said:
mmoran0513 said:
GorfTheFrog said:
Hi -

When I've had problems with XP getting slow, it has been a disk on the verge of failing.

Try checking your disk with Passmark's DiskCheckup. It will tell you if you're failing any of the disk diagnostics.

Link to Passmark
http://www.passmark.com/products/diskcheckup.htm


###


THANX MUCHLY for the suggestion! I'll give it a go this evening...but I HAVE to ask...is this disc checker THAT MUCH BETTER or different than the diagnostics in NORTON UTILITIES?
GOD willing, I'll get back to you with results later this evening or tomorrow.


Wish I could tell you, but I'm not familiar with what Norton Utilities provides. This utility, which passmark provides at no cost, will allow you to initiate the SMART self-monitoring disk checks, as well as to enable an on-going monitoring activity. When I've had problems w/ XP before, this tool was reporting problems with disk response time.

I've not experienced problems with older XP installations getting slower, except where the disk was failing. That's not to say that there aren't other reasons, but I've just not experienced them.

Hope this helps, do let me know.
###


I ran this DiskChekup utility (again, my THANX!) and, as NORTON UTILITIES has already told me; the HDD is functioning well within the manufacturers' parameters and is displaying no apparent signs of impending failure.

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July 2, 2014 9:37:44 AM

did you ever checked the task manager?and you see the applications that consume memory and cpu usage?
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August 7, 2014 6:15:24 AM

I want to thank everyone who has offered a solution. Unfortunately, they were all incorrect...but the problem HAS BEEN (mostly) fixed.
Since the initial set up of the PC, I've used a Logitek wireless mouse. Last week I had need of this mouse elsewhere, so I shut the system down & replaced it with a wired USB mouse. When I turned the machine back on, the "long second count" was gone!
This old dual core XP machine is still much slower than it WAS in applications, but at least the boot process only takes a few minutes now; and I don't have to plan 'alternate activities' for the boot time!
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