windows XP performance really bad

ScarletHippo · 27th May 2002, 6:26 PM

I have been seduced by winXP so reverting to an earlier version is not an option. But windows is really sluggish. Simply maximising and minimising windows encurs a wait of a few seconds. It takes about 5 seconds for it to display the start menu. Sometimes it gets better, sometimes its way worse. Loading any kind of 'big' programs like photoshop make it really slow. My system specs are in my sig

My computer always has the following proggys running:

Girder [IR reciever app]
WinLirc [same as above]
Norton AV 2002
Icon Corral [Hides programs in system tray]
Kazaa Lite
CoolMon [Displays system info]

and is usually running either Folding Console or Trillian depending on whether im at the computer or not

At the moment i have 33 processes running.
I cant think of any more related info. if you need more, plz ask

baby · 27th May 2002, 7:11 PM

add some more ram is not a bad idea. and disable window animation effects. search in help for how to do this

Sonic · 27th May 2002, 7:42 PM

I have 29 processes running, with no troubles. Mind you I have 512mb of DDR, with a 1.4Ghz CPU

RAM would be a good idea, and the folding console slows things down a lot. (and you folders know that)

pippin88 · 27th May 2002, 7:45 PM

I'd really not reccomend running XP on anything less than 256 ram if you want decent performance.

XG8 · 27th May 2002, 8:23 PM

MS released a program for winxp.. to optimise your registry and other things to speed up boot performance and startmenu.... i had a problem where the start menu too ages to load up..

http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...otVis-Tool.exe

for other tweaks goto.. these sites

www.tweakxp.com
http://www.xp-erience.org

PersianImmortal · 27th May 2002, 9:05 PM

There's a lot of things you can do to optimise windows. See my sticky thread in Via Hardware forums here. Lots of tips, even for non-via users.

However with 128MB of RAM, a 900Mhz Duron, and so many intensive processes it's little wonder everything is slowing down.

I have 15 processes running on booting WinXP. 33 is a large amount my friend. Optimise.

looktall · 27th May 2002, 9:12 PM

definitely get more ram.
i run xp pro on 384mb and c600@750. it runs fine with no problems at all.

until then you could try increasing the page file a bit. take some of the load off the RAM.

it also might be worthwhile checking that xp hasn't turned off DMA support for your IDE controllers. sometime when it gets errors it progressively drops the controller lower and lower until it locks it into PIO mode only.

Igneous · 27th May 2002, 9:43 PM

I'd definitely try upping the RAM to 256M as the hardware upgrade step. It certainly made XP snappier on my PC. I'm running a non-overclocked Duron 900 and minimising/maximising windows and opening menus is practically instantaneous. Currently running 35 processes. Opening large programs like Photoshop, Fireworks etc takes 4 to 5 seconds, with most programs taking a second or under. Major background tasks would be Norton Internet Security 2002, Download Mage, Popup Killer and SETI.

ScarletHippo · 28th May 2002, 7:51 AM

Looktall, how do i check the DMA settings? I looked in device manager but there is nothing there about it.

Ingeous, thanks. Im gonna buy more ram soon. But do you think the problem may be related to my 5400rpm hdd? what speed do you have?

eva2000 · 28th May 2002, 7:52 AM

up the ram.. i got 1GB ddram and 43 to 80 running processes @100% load 24/7

looktall · 28th May 2002, 10:40 AM

Quote:

Originally posted by ScarletHippo
Looktall, how do i check the DMA settings? I looked in device manager but there is nothing there about it.

Ingeous, thanks. Im gonna buy more ram soon. But do you think the problem may be related to my 5400rpm hdd? what speed do you have?

i have a 7200 rpm seagate. your 5400 will slow things down a bit, but i don't think it should slow it down that much.

to check the DMA, look under IDE ATA/ATAPI controllers in device manager. there should then be the choice of primary channel, secondary channel and usually the bus master (via, intel whatever).
if you look in primary channel there should be an advanced settings tab where you can pick from a drop down box either "DMA if available" or "PIO only".

if it is already set to dma if available, it should be in UDMA mode 5 for an ATA100 drive.
if it is locked in PIO mode, the only way i know of to get it back to DMA is to uninstall the controller and reboot the pc. it should be redetected, and let you be able to choose dma if available.

kay · 28th May 2002, 12:10 PM

i wish i had that dma setting now

xtortion · 28th May 2002, 3:33 PM

Quote:

Originaly posted by pippin88
I'd really not reccomend running XP on anything less than 256 ram if you want decent performance

AGREE with pippin88
RAM!!!!!.. I got 256mb DDR333.. but hell!!! when i run photoshop7, imageready, 3dsMax4 and lightwave 7 modeler.. i can feel that i slows down..

ScarletHippo · 28th May 2002, 3:53 PM

thanks for the pic, looktall. I checked in primary IDE and it was all set to DMA mode, but the secondary was set to PIO. Anyway i've set that to dma mode and the current transfer mode now reads Multi-word DMA mode 2.

It *could* be faster but i cant tell, im not sure if im just imagining it or not (if you understand). Now all i have to do is wait for my new RAM to arrive

Igneous · 28th May 2002, 4:41 PM

Quote:

Originally posted by ScarletHippo
Ingeous, thanks. Im gonna buy more ram soon. But do you think the problem may be related to my 5400rpm hdd? what speed do you have?

I'm running a 7200rpm drive, but the PC I put together for my mother is also a Duron 900 running XP, but only has a 5400rpm drive.

It definitely does slow things down a bit, adding a second or two to program load times and slightly delaying the menus as well. She doesn't mind it, but I couldn't live with it as I'm too used to what I have now. Sounds like your problem may be a combination of RAM and the hard drive? If possible, borrow a 7200rpm to see if you think the extra speed is worth the extra money.

27th May 2002, 6:26 PM	#1
ScarletHippo Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,034	windows XP performance really bad I have been seduced by winXP so reverting to an earlier version is not an option. But windows is really sluggish. Simply maximising and minimising windows encurs a wait of a few seconds. It takes about 5 seconds for it to display the start menu. Sometimes it gets better, sometimes its way worse. Loading any kind of 'big' programs like photoshop make it really slow. My system specs are in my sig My computer always has the following proggys running: Girder [IR reciever app] WinLirc [same as above] Norton AV 2002 Icon Corral [Hides programs in system tray] Kazaa Lite CoolMon [Displays system info] and is usually running either Folding Console or Trillian depending on whether im at the computer or not At the moment i have 33 processes running. I cant think of any more related info. if you need more, plz ask __________________ 2nd Year Information technology / Creative Industries (Communication Design)

27th May 2002, 7:42 PM	#3
Sonic Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Devonport, Tas. Posts: 265	I have 29 processes running, with no troubles. Mind you I have 512mb of DDR, with a 1.4Ghz CPU RAM would be a good idea, and the folding console slows things down a lot. (and you folders know that) __________________ ["Dogs are like: "OMFG THERES SOMEONE THERE OH HI YOU'RE THE GREATEST THING IVE EVER SEEN I MUST LICKZOR YOU ON TEH FACE" but cats are like: "dance for me"" - my lizard friend]

27th May 2002, 7:45 PM	#4
pippin88 Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Newcastle Posts: 7,309	I'd really not reccomend running XP on anything less than 256 ram if you want decent performance. __________________ Solar Facts - all the info on solar 7xCNC.com - mini lathe CNC

27th May 2002, 8:23 PM	#5
XG8 Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Bendigo Australia Posts: 921	MS released a program for winxp.. to optimise your registry and other things to speed up boot performance and startmenu.... i had a problem where the start menu too ages to load up.. http://download.microsoft.com/downlo...otVis-Tool.exe for other tweaks goto.. these sites www.tweakxp.com http://www.xp-erience.org __________________ -Matt I'd still be a noob, If it wasnt for OCAU. Acer Aspire 1640z Laptop / 80gb sata hdd usb2 enclosure.

27th May 2002, 9:05 PM	#6
PersianImmortal Member Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Canberra Posts: 6,375	There's a lot of things you can do to optimise windows. See my sticky thread in Via Hardware forums here. Lots of tips, even for non-via users. However with 128MB of RAM, a 900Mhz Duron, and so many intensive processes it's little wonder everything is slowing down. I have 15 processes running on booting WinXP. 33 is a large amount my friend. Optimise. __________________ TweakGuides.com

27th May 2002, 7:11 PM	#2
baby Awaiting Email Confirmation Join Date: Dec 2001 Posts: 486	add some more ram is not a bad idea. and disable window animation effects. search in help for how to do this

27th May 2002, 9:12 PM	#7
looktall Working Class Hero Join Date: Sep 2001 Location: morley.wa.au Posts: 17,910	definitely get more ram. i run xp pro on 384mb and c600@750. it runs fine with no problems at all. until then you could try increasing the page file a bit. take some of the load off the RAM. it also might be worthwhile checking that xp hasn't turned off DMA support for your IDE controllers. sometime when it gets errors it progressively drops the controller lower and lower until it locks it into PIO mode only. __________________ JoJoker endorses this product and/or comment.

27th May 2002, 9:43 PM	#8
Igneous Member Join Date: Aug 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 772	I'd definitely try upping the RAM to 256M as the hardware upgrade step. It certainly made XP snappier on my PC. I'm running a non-overclocked Duron 900 and minimising/maximising windows and opening menus is practically instantaneous. Currently running 35 processes. Opening large programs like Photoshop, Fireworks etc takes 4 to 5 seconds, with most programs taking a second or under. Major background tasks would be Norton Internet Security 2002, Download Mage, Popup Killer and SETI.

28th May 2002, 7:51 AM	#9
ScarletHippo Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,034	Looktall, how do i check the DMA settings? I looked in device manager but there is nothing there about it. Ingeous, thanks. Im gonna buy more ram soon. But do you think the problem may be related to my 5400rpm hdd? what speed do you have? __________________ 2nd Year Information technology / Creative Industries (Communication Design)

28th May 2002, 7:52 AM	#10
eva2000 DDR1/DDR2/DDR3 Addict Join Date: Jun 2001 Location: Brisbane, Australia Posts: 21,887	up the ram.. i got 1GB ddram and 43 to 80 running processes @100% load 24/7 __________________ * Questions about memory? No PMs Ask on forums * i7 980X Club @4844mhz H20 * Asus P6T6 WS Revo - W3540 @4821 H20 \| W3570 @4997Mhz H20 \| DFI UT X58-T3EH8 USB3.0

28th May 2002, 12:10 PM	#12
kay Member Join Date: Feb 2002 Posts: 130	i wish i had that dma setting now

28th May 2002, 3:53 PM	#14
ScarletHippo Member Join Date: Jul 2001 Location: Brisbane Posts: 1,034	thanks for the pic, looktall. I checked in primary IDE and it was all set to DMA mode, but the secondary was set to PIO. Anyway i've set that to dma mode and the current transfer mode now reads Multi-word DMA mode 2. It could be faster but i cant tell, im not sure if im just imagining it or not (if you understand). Now all i have to do is wait for my new RAM to arrive __________________ 2nd Year Information technology / Creative Industries (Communication Design) Last edited by ScarletHippo; 28th May 2002 at 4:03 PM.