Laggy Computer

Phatty Styx · Post by **Phatty Styx** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 1:55 am

Hey all, I just formated my hard drive and installed a fresh copy of WinXP, but Im having a problem. My computer seems to be kinnda laggy, like when I try to open a program it takes longer than usual, and when I right click on something that takes pretty long too. I thoug it would go away but it hasnt. Can anyone tell me what I can do to make it go away?

HawaiianGhost · Post by **HawaiianGhost** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 3:46 am

If you post your rig'z "specs"...they will come...

Phatty Styx · Post by **Phatty Styx** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 2:45 pm

how bout now?

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 4:44 pm

Could be lots of things.
First, you need to turn off certain memory hogging resources in XP. Visit this site, READ it, then turn off services

Black Viper

Second, buy a nice cheap stick of 256mb RAM. You are proably running PC133 with a 900mhz AMD. It shouldn't cost you anymore than $30 or so. It is my personal opinion that 512mb minimum is best for XP Pro.

Phatty Styx · Post by **Phatty Styx** » Thu Jan 08, 2004 7:48 pm

I have another problem

A while ago I went out and bought a stick of 256MB of ram. I have 3 slots and had 3 sticks of RAM, 2 of them were 64MB,and the other was 128. So I took out one of the 64MB, and put in my 256Mb one which runs at PC133. So I start up my computer and it freezes at the Gateway startup screen. It wouldnt even let me run the BIOS, so I took out the 256MB stick and it started up fine. My RAM is mixed and matched PC100 and PC133, but that isnt the problem becasue I took the 256MB stick and put it in alone and it still froze. Can I do anything to fix my RAM?

BaLa · Post by **BaLa** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 6:29 am

err no..

for the RAM thing...
it sounds like you have a bad 'stick' of RAM

or your mobo doesn't support the 256mb stick..(doubt it)

try exchanging it for a diff one..

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:29 am

Originally posted by Phatty Styx
I have another problem A while ago I went out and bought a stick of 256MB of ram. I have 3 slots and had 3 sticks of RAM, 2 of them were 64MB,and the other was 128. So I took out one of the 64MB, and put in my 256Mb one which runs at PC133. So I start up my computer and it freezes at the Gateway startup screen. It wouldnt even let me run the BIOS, so I took out the 256MB stick and it started up fine. My RAM is mixed and matched PC100 and PC133, but that isnt the problem becasue I took the 256MB stick and put it in alone and it still froze. Can I do anything to fix my RAM?

It's not the best idea to run out and buy "any old stick of RAM"...always always (unless you don't mind having glitches happen once in a while)...always get specific RAM that is tested and approved to work on your systems motherboard.

Like...go to Crucial.com and run through their memory selection utility..you pick your computer/motherboard...brand..make...exact model...and the end result is a list of the exact memory parts that are tested, approved, and guaranteed to work in your system without problems.

Now I agree with 512 megs for WinXP...but your computer still ran faster before your format..so RAM isn't the issue here.

I'm going to guess it's driver issues. Did you just reinstall the OS and let XP plop on it's built in drivers? Or did you go out and download/install the latest drivers for each and every device in your system? Including motherboard/chipset, video, sound, etc.

Phatty Styx · Post by **Phatty Styx** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 6:05 pm

Well how do I find out what drivers I need for my motherboard and chipset?

Dunster · Post by **Dunster** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 6:30 pm

Gatway Tech Support. Gateway computers use their "own" motherboards. You have to use their drivers.

Post by **YeOldeStonecat** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:24 pm

Originally posted by Phatty Styx
Well how do I find out what drivers I need for my motherboard and chipset?

I'm going to put money on it's a Via chipset. I don't work with Via's, but I know Intel has a chipset identification utility...it's a tiny download, you run it..it tells you exactly what motherboard chipset you have. Using that info, you can download and install the appropriate drivers.

I'm sure Via has something similar.

Wherever Gateway gets their sometimes proprietary motherboards from...a chipset is still a standard chipset from one of the few out there.

TrevGlas · Post by **TrevGlas** » Fri Jan 09, 2004 7:36 pm

CPUZ gives you your exact chipset

http://www.cpuid.com/download/cpu-z-120a.zip

RUn this itll tell you what chipset you have. After you find out what chipset you have we can find your drivers for ya