Slow Computer Fix

17 years ago

Several months ago I noticed my primary computer was slowing. Clicking on a desktop icon for WordPerfect or Quattro Pro would take 15 seconds for the program to open. Also, cloning with Acronis went from 32 minutes to just under 4 hours.

I'm running Windows XP with service pack 2, 1 gig ram, 180 gig hard drive with 150 gig free, 2.49 Ghz. I've increased virtual memory to 1.5 gig. I'm using AVG 8 Free, Zone Alarm, SuperAntiSpyWare, Spy Bot, and Ad-A-Ware. Updated all and run. I've also defragged, run the check disk, checked task manager for unneeded stuff and no improvement.

In addition, couple days ago it started asking on boot which user I am. Screaming at it that I'm the only user dosen't seem to help.

I'm retired but not retarded, although at times I wonder, but I simply could not find anything to fix the problem. That is until today. On another computer forum I stumbled across a piece of advice which I tried tonight, while mumbling a prayer.

Here's the procedure:

Right click on MY COMPUTER

Select HARDWARE tab

Select DEVICE MANAGER

Expand the IDE ATA/ATADI controller group

Double click PRIMARY IDE CHANNEL

Select the ADVANCED SETTINGS tab

What is the currect transfer mode for Device 0?

If the mode is set to PIO select the DRIVER tab and click uninstall

This will uninstall the driver and reboot the system. Upon restart the driver will be replaced and you should be using the correct setting.

The good news is that it worked. Wordperfect and Quattro now open in 1 to 3 seconds. Acronis now clones in 27 minutes. As a bonus I guess, that WHO ARE YOU USER account opening has disappeared.

Don't know how my computer got changed but if I ever find the grandson that did it I'll break his little fingers.

Hope this helps those that need help.

Bob

Central Arizona

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Comments (4)

bpgreen
17 years ago
Bob--I gave this same bit of advice to another grandparent recently.

Set up an account for guests to use and don't give that account admin rights. Password protect your account.

If one of the grandkids wants to install something, you'll need to get involved (and don't let them watch you type your password).

Another alternative is to get a cheap PC and when the grandkids visit, they can use/abuse that all they want and they can't touch yours.
daylilydayzed
17 years ago
My grandson that lives with my hubby and me does not have permission to touch my computer.The only computers he is allowed to use are the old HP Pavilion that used to be mine and his mother's laptop. He uses them to go to a site called Odyssey for his school . It was given to his mother for him to go there and keep up his knowledge during the summer. He is somewhat challenged when it comes to math and time telling. He is 8 years old and still can't figure out money or telling what time it is.
ravencajun Zone 8b TX
17 years ago
linux is great for kids to use! if you have an old pc that you could not get to work well with windows anymore because it is just old and not powerful then it will probably run linux just fine since linux uses much less space and memory.

Just use one of the live cd's and run it right off the cd rom drive if you want, they can still use the browser to surf all they want and pretty much anything else they want to do but nothing gets installed and nothing gets infected!
Once you have the browser up it is just like using firefox on windows, I had company recently that asked if they could use my pc to check email and play some online games etc, I said sure and I pulled up firefox for them and after about 10 mins I walked over and said everything ok? Yes fine. I said so have you used linux before, NO , well you are now! they could not believe it, I had to prove it to them. They left my house with the instructions on getting a copy!

Those grandkids just do the darnedest things LOL
owbist
17 years ago
rrcrossing the correct setting should show the transfer mode as "DMA if available". It is strange how a computer will change to PIO and I am not sure that this is anything your grandchildren did.