Some machines i clean are still slow

[Galdorf]

When i clean a customers machine i do the following when they say its slow:

check amount of ram->hd surface scan->rootkit scan->virus scan->spyware scan->registry and temp files clean->defrag

But some machines are still slow after cleaning and yes they have 2 gigs of ram, i found that sometimes unregistered system files can slow a system down but i don't know of any program that can scan for files that are not registered properly does anyone know of one?.

Most times if i see a problem with windows update or other visual problems i will register the system files by script i have scripts to fix those problems.

Also there are many tuneup software out there that set values in registry and tweak things like load times,app execution ect. i use ccleaner myself what tuneup software do you use? im looking for an all in one solution since i have 30 machines showing up a day now and i would like to run as few software as possible to lower time on each machine.

Could be paid or free i don't care tuneup software just looking for something that does a good job.

[rballard77]

Are your issues with booting and resume times of the computer?

If you are wanting to increase the boot and resume times then i would try bootvis. (for XP)

http://www.softpedia.com/get/Tweak/System-Tweak/BootVis.shtml

I have had success with this program. I would also configure the startup programs, and the boot time that is on the startup page in MSCONFIG.

Let us know if you try this and if it helps.

[Galdorf]

Is your hard drive in PIO Mode?

I check that after surface scan to make sure that the controllers are in the proper mode.

Most of the time the machine is slow because some of the system files in windows are not registered properly in a windows service most times i can fix it, some though have no visual side effects other than a slow running machine.

[ITMAN]

30 (THREE ZERO) machines a day?! gimme some!

[PatrickB]

1) Does the customer report that the computer was ever faster? Maybe this is as good as it gets.

2) What ACG said about PIO mode?

3) Firmware Update?

4) Old drivers that need updating?

5) Too many startup programs?

6) Remnants of multiple antivirus programs?


-- Patrick B.

[PatrickB]

Galdorf,

If you believe it is a Windows System file that needs registering, perhaps Installing/reinstalling the latest Windows Service Pack would register the ones that are necessary.

What do you think?

-- Patrick B.

[Mr I]

Try increasing the virtual memory up to 1024MB or double if the system allows. Also disable some services that are not needed.

[Galdorf]

After search a while i found a windows registry tweaker
http://www.registrytweaker.net/index.php/main/about

Anyone use this?.

I scanned it no spyware or viruses.

Looks interesting you can add your own tweaks and add tweaks from online database.

[iladelf]

Galdorf, I'm finding that "slow" machines are usually caused by an HDD that's beginning to slow down, not necessarily die. Several times I've replaced drives, and the speed picked up massively. And not just clean installing windows, even on imaging.

Problem is, IMO, there's no real way to "test" an HDD for speed issues. Not that I know of.

[NYJimbo]

1) Does the customer report that the computer was ever faster? Maybe this is as good as it gets.


+1

Sometimes the machine is just going to be slow with all the crap loaded on it. Customers always remember it being very fast when they first got it, before everything was loaded and that's what they think you will give back to them when they get it back. Likewise sometimes a customer just thinks it was faster but its really not slower now, its just annoying them more now.

[Galdorf]

Galdorf, I'm finding that "slow" machines are usually caused by an HDD that's beginning to slow down, not necessarily die. Several times I've replaced drives, and the speed picked up massively. And not just clean installing windows, even on imaging.

Problem is, IMO, there's no real way to "test" an HDD for speed issues. Not that I know of.

That is the symptom of cache failure on the hard drive, i don't know of any program that can test this.

Cache failure is very common and most misdiagnosed hard drive problem.

[iisjman07]

Don't know if it helps but Eurosoft PC-Check can perform these hard drive diagnostic tests:-
-Check Performance
-Read Test
-Read Verify Test
-Non-Destructive Write Test
-Destructive Write Test
-Mechanics Stress Test
-Internal Cache Test
-SMART Test

[PatrickB]

HD Tune checks the speed of the drive from end to end. Pro version will check write as well as read. (and display SMART attributes, and show current temperature)

http://www.hdtune.com/


@iisjman07, Where on Eurosoft's website is the list of hard drive diagnostic tests by PC-Check? I was visiting: http://www.eurosoft-uk.com/pc_check.htm

-- Patrick B.

[PatrickB]

Galdorf, you got me interested. I found that Passmark's Performance Test offers some advanced options for the hard drive, including: "The choice of four access methods - C/C++ API, Win32 API cached / uncached and raw disk access."

http://www.passmark.com/products/pt_advdisk.htm

-- Patrick B.

[iisjman07]

I didn't get it from their website, I've just used it before.

[NickCat11]

30 computers per day? damn, how many people do you have working for you?

I'd like to know this as well. That's over 200 computers a week. I am assuming you have at least 2 other people?

[hondablaster]

The contents of ram are constantly being written to the HDD in the swap file. Regaurdless if it is needed or not. Readyboost works off this very drawback. You may gain some performance by adjusting the swap file sizes and positions or even moving it to other parts of the HDD partition in question.

TO get a real boost if you have a second HDD you can place a small swap file in the OS partition and the large more heavily used partition in second HDD. Inside of it very 5GB partition. This dramatically improves performance and HUGE boost program/game load times.



Now note there is no swap in C:\ (its recommended a small swap exist for storing BSOD information, but I rarley get BSOD)
My C: is a RAPTOR 10000 RPM
MY D: and below is a partition of 5GB from some cheapie seagate 300gb
Setting up this way allows for my 10,000 RPM to flow unimpeded by the requirements of the swap file. This is pretty much what Readyboot does in vista only much better. ;)
You may custom tailor a solution on a PC to PC basis depending on what you have to work with by client. Microsoft has an entire page of this stuff.
http://www.technibble.com/forums/attachment.php?attachmentid=416&stc=1&d=1248916134

[hondablaster]

I think it was sarcasm for saying.... A lot of computers. He just didn't write it in a way to convey that sarcasm.

I get in trouble with people when I send sarcastic text messages.
There is no way to broadcast sarcasm through text on a cell phone. LOL

:)

[Galdorf]

I really doubt he gets 900 computers in a month, I'm sorry i just can't believe that, thats probably more than geek squad gets at one store in a month.

We do insurance work atm we are the only store doing so with all the flooding in past week. my store is 2600 sq ft and have 4 people who work here and usually have 2 high school students for training.

Sure some days i might get 12 but with all flood claims atm we can't keep up we have a warehouse full of stuff to look at now aprox 200 machines from flood damage.

I have contracts with 5 fire flood restoration companies as well as direct claims with some insurance companies.

It takes from 30 to 60 days to get paid for claims.