Image Activation Very Slow on XP-Pro SP2

[datakeepr]

I'm running XP-Pro SP2 on a Dell D630 Lattitude laptop. Every now and then my image activation slows down tremendously. Normal activation (ie: MS Word) is 3-5 seconds. Today it takes 35 seconds to load - same with other apps. I've checked the normal things:
1) disk fragmentation is fine.
2) when the image is trying to open, cpu is only running 4-11%.
3) no issues showing up in event logs.
4) dual core w/2Gb RAM
Once the image is running, everything is fine until I try to open the next application and then I wait another 30+ seconds. This will take place for a few days and then all of a sudden I am back to 3 second activation time again.

Does anyone have some ideas?

 

[Sympology]

What do you mean by Image activation? Are you on about loading pictures, by double clicking?
If so what app is showing the images? This makes all the difference as loading an image in photoshop will take much, much longer than say using paint.

Only the truly stupid believe they know everything.
Stu.. 2004

 

[datakeepr]

By image activation I mean the running of an application exe ... like MSWord, Excel, a web browser, etc (or as you say double-click).

So when I double-click on MSWord it takes 30+ seconds to display a splash window or a blank document. Most days only takes 3-5 seconds, but there are times (like today all of a sudden) when I'm back to 45 seconds just to open up MSWord.

Tks.

 

[BadBigBen]

Thanks for the clear up...

thinks to check:

Prefetching, is it turned off or on? if on, is there any app running that may clear the prefetch cache out at a regular basis, either manually (e.g. CCleaner, etc.) or scheduled (taskplaner)...

AntiVirus, what software are you using? is it Norton or McAffee or some other?

Indexing, is indexing turned on on the drives? if so, try to disable it... similar to the prefetching...

RAM and Virtual Memory, what is your RAM situation, are you running on 512mb (with lots of background stuff going on) or are you running 1gb+ (with no background tasks)... or are the background tasks running sometimes and sometimes not, could indicate that the PC needs to alot of stuff from RAM to VirtualMEM... up the size of your Pagefile and set it to a static size, roughly 1.5 times the size of the installed RAM...

PS: Image = Picture or COPY of a CD/DVD or HDD/Partition, never an APPLICATION or PROGRAM...

Ben

"If it works don't fix it! If it doesn't use a sledgehammer..."

 

[linney]

This was mentioned in another thread where Prefetch might have been the problem?
CPU 100 %
thread1583-1475873

Try Safe Mode (Do you have this problem in Safe Mode?).

Try running ChkDsk to check your drive for errors. Right-click your Drive icon/ Properties/ Tools/ Error Checking. Select both boxes.

Run the System File Checker program from the Run Box by typing.....Sfc /Scannow in it and have your XP CD handy.

HOW TO: Verify Unsigned Device Drivers in Windows XP

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/5/14.asp

xp freeze troubleshooting
thread779-935320

Is there a problem with outdated Video drivers or even a Bios Update available?