Computer running slow, even in Safe Mode. I'm thinking CPU Issue

[mau64]

Got a Dell Dimension E521 here that the guy said got a virus from Facebook and that it has been running slow. I ran some scans, when the computer would let me. Hardly anything is opening. I can't run Speccy or access My Computer properties. Booted up UBCD and tested the memory (memtest for about 30 mins.) and HDD, they appear to be fine. I cannot load GSmartControl.

It's also running like this in safe mode. I booted from a Fedora Live cd and it ran ok but was really slow. I'm thinking that the CPU is just going bad. Everything boots fine, a little slowly, but once it fully boots some stuff will just not open. What are your thoughts?

 

[SprinterTech-WI]

I would try swapping the ram just for testing, also what cpu does it have?

 

[NYJimbo]

Can you boot to the utility partition ? Hit F12 on boot, then see if its an option. Most Dells have a slew of internal tests and either can get there from a boot menu, alt-d or fn-d or a boot CD.

If you can then run ALL the tests.

 

[HFultzjr]

Got a Dell Dimension E521 here that the guy said got a virus from Facebook and that it has been running slow. I ran some scans, when the computer would let me. Hardly anything is opening. I can't run Speccy or access My Computer properties. Booted up UBCD and tested the memory (memtest for about 30 mins.) and HDD, they appear to be fine. I cannot load GSmartControl.

It's also running like this in safe mode. I booted from a Fedora Live cd and it ran ok but was really slow. I'm thinking that the CPU is just going bad. Everything boots fine, a little slowly, but once it fully boots some stuff will just not open. What are your thoughts?

Boot and run an offline scanner and see if anything shows up....Kaspersky

Live cd's are usually quiet slow.

Then go to checking hardware
Hard Drive - very likely bad.....use gsmart control offline or a least manufacturer's tool.
Ram - could be........try with 1 stick of known good ram. Does it have enough?
I go by....win xp min 1gb....win vista/7 min 2 gb....
Power supply _ could be....try with a known good one.

Could be CPU, but RARELY do I see a bad one. Is it overheating?

If all else fails, strip down to the bare essentials and start addings things one by one.

My guess from what I've been seeing is bad hard drive.
Can you check and see what is using all your resources?

Lots and lots of things to try....go with the most likely first.

I'm sure you will get a lot of other good replys on things to try.

 

[codegreen]

30 minutes isn't very long for memtest. I'd say the RAM is the more likely suspect. Generally, CPUs don't "go bad"; CPU problems have been exceedingly rare in my experience. If the processor does develop a problem, it would normally ruin it completely.

Try swapping out the RAM with a known-working stick. I'd also look at swapping out the power supply.

 

[mau64]

Crap, forgot one more thing. Every time I try to test the CPU in UBCD, it freezes. I will attempt to swap the ram and report back. I hope that's the issue.

 

[bertie40]

First of all, have you backed it up ?
Taken an image ?

Once that's done, Nuke and pave it. Then you are dealing with a fresh base line so you can discount misbehaving software.

Also you have checked for rootkits, or other nasties which could survive the scrub.

Regards

 

[mau64]

First of all, have you backed it up ?
Taken an image ?

Once that's done, Nuke and pave it. Then you are dealing with a fresh base line so you can discount misbehaving software.

Also you have checked for rootkits, or other nasties which could survive the scrub.

Regards

That's the problem, I cannot get stuff to download and run. I'm going to attempt the RAM right now then report back. I haven't discussed Nuke and pave with the client yet.

 

[mau64]

Not the RAM. Swapped it out with some of mine and it's still running weird. I'm going to do the Kaspersky rescue disc next. I'll be in touch. It's driving me mad. I still cannot install stuff and run it.

 

[NYJimbo]

Le'ts try a different approach...

Whatever you do, when the machine is booting and you are at the startup Dell screen, DO NOT hit "f12". That might take you to a boot selection
menu which might offer a utility menu to run diagnostics.

That is the last thing you are going to want to try.

 

[JustInspired]

Le'ts try a different approach...

Whatever you do, when the machine is booting and you are at the startup Dell screen, DO NOT hit "f12". That might take you to a boot selection
menu which might offer a utility menu to run diagnostics.

That is the last thing you are going to want to try.

Hehe. Sorry couldn't help myself

 

[FremontPC]

I'd also suggest opening the case and taking a look for bad capacitors on the mobo and (if so equipped) the video card. While bad caps were mainly a problem on intel-based systems, I have seen the problem on some AMD systems.

+1 on Jimbo's suggestion.

 

[Metanis]

CPU Overheating?

I had this problem once and opened the case to find the CPU fan and heat sink had come loose. CPU of course throttled itself WAAAAY back to keep from burning up.

 

[mikeroq]

Le'ts try a different approach...

Whatever you do, when the machine is booting and you are at the startup Dell screen, DO NOT hit "f12". That might take you to a boot selection
menu which might offer a utility menu to run diagnostics.

That is the last thing you are going to want to try.

How dare you suggest running the built in dell diagnostics!

 

[bertie40]

How about ripping the drive out, slaving to another machine and running diagnostics from there.

After an initial set of testing, this is the next step i would perform.

Get that data off !!

Am I missing something here?
This is 101 stuff.

 

[mau64]

Le'ts try a different approach...

Whatever you do, when the machine is booting and you are at the startup Dell screen, DO NOT hit "f12". That might take you to a boot selection
menu which might offer a utility menu to run diagnostics.

That is the last thing you are going to want to try.

lol, I'll get to that if Kaspersky Rescue Disk doesn't work. This thing takes hours for some reason. Hopefully its because its thorough.

The client called me out of the blue and said if its going to cost a lot he would rather put it towards a new computer. I'm still going to attempt to fix it only because its driving me bananas now.

 

[mau64]

After Kaspersky Rescue Disc, this computer is running a lot better. Seems like this is a great tool to use. I'm still going to test the hardware some more. Thanks for the help everyone. Means a lot.

 

[JustInspired]

After Kaspersky Rescue Disc, this computer is running a lot better. Seems like this is a great tool to use. I'm still going to test the hardware some more. Thanks for the help everyone. Means a lot.

So did it find viruses or did the simple act of running the disc make things better?

 

[mau64]

So did it find viruses or did the simple act of running the disc make things better?

It found about 5 items.

 

[LifelineIT]

I've never seen a cpu go "bad" and still work at all, but I may be in the minority on that, just overheating issues causing a throttle.

In the future, you may save yourself some time and try running RKill before assuming hardware, and/or "killemall", by the author of d7.

The KasperskyAV disc is great, but I've had it take 20 hours to complete a scan before.