Computer has become really really slow.

Mitch Connor

Hi all, not sure if this should go here or in the Games forum, but hopefully here is ok.

I bought a PC in October, with the following specs.

Windows XP, SP2.

2gb DDR Ram,

250GB harddrive.

Intel Core 2 Duo processor 2.4Ghz.

Gainward GeForce 7900GS 256MB PCI-E GFX Card.

I bought Supreme Commander and installed it last night, the game doesn't load (seems to run at a proper speed through the intro - THQ and the like) as it just freezes on the NVidia logo. Since installing the game, my computer is really really slow at loading up windows and when the windows welcome music plays, it is disjointed, judders and slow. My computer was running perfectly up til yesterday, so i assume the problem is supreme commander, or related to it.

The specs for Supreme Commander are:

Minimum:

XP SP2, 1.8Ghz processor, 512 RAM, 8GB Harddrive space, 128MB Gfx card.

Recommended:

Ghz processor, 1GB Ram, 10GB Harddrive, 256MB Gfx card.

From what i can see, my computer sure be well able to play the game, so i don't understand why it won't load. I also can't see why my computer has become really really slow too, even when the game is not running.

Anyone have any ideas?

Nuttzz

look in the task manager and see what is hogging the cpu and or memory

neGev

Virus scan, malware scan.
Update/reinstall your drivers, particularly your graphics card drivers. Get the newest ones from nvidia's site.

Mitch Connor

ran a virus scan, came up clean - AVG Free, fully up to date.

Unistalled Supreme Commander, just in case, and the computer is still acting up.....if only i had not installed supreme commander!!

tba

try running adaware and Spy bot search and destroy (both free)

christophicus

Do you have a recent system restore date? try putting it back.

Mitch Connor

christophicus wrote:

Do you have a recent system restore date? try putting it back.

i have no idea to be honest - i would guess not, it would be something i would have to set up, right?

Chillwithcian

To set up systym restore click

START>ALL PROGRAMS>ACCESSORIES>SYSTYM TOOLS>SYSTYM RESTORE

ActorSeeksJob

http://www.download.com/HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10379544.html?tag=lst-0-1
dl this, run a system scan and save a logfile. post that, shud tell us why your pc is slow

christophicus

Tauren wrote:

i have no idea to be honest - i would guess not, it would be something i would have to set up, right?

I dont know. Its deffinatly on when you get it form teh likes of dell.

Mitch Connor

ActorSeeksJob wrote:

http://www.download.com/HijackThis/3000-8022_4-10379544.html?tag=lst-0-1
dl this, run a system scan and save a logfile. post that, shud tell us why your pc is slow

heers for that:

Logfile of HijackThis v1.99.1
Scan saved at 21:01:49, on 15/03/2007
Platform: Windows XP SP2 (WinNT 5.01.2600)
MSIE: Internet Explorer v6.00 SP2 (6.00.2900.2180)

Running processes:
C:\WINDOWS\System32\smss.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\winlogon.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\services.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\lsass.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\System32\svchost.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\spoolsv.exe
C:\WINDOWS\Explorer.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\RTHDCPL.EXE
C:\WINDOWS\SkyTel.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\RUNDLL32.EXE
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\jusched.exe
C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe
C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe
C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\VS7DEBUG\MDM.EXE
C:\Program Files\Google\Google Talk\googletalk.exe
C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMIndexStoreSvr.exe
C:\Program Files\Ares\Ares.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe
C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE
C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\svchost.exe
C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\jucheck.exe
C:\Program Files\Mozilla Firefox\firefox.exe
C:\WINDOWS\system32\msiexec.exe
C:\Documents and Settings\Spurling\Desktop\Hijack\HijackThis.exe

O2 - BHO: AcroIEHlprObj Class - {06849E9F-C8D7-4D59-B87D-784B7D6BE0B3} - C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 5.0\Reader\ActiveX\AcroIEHelper.ocx
O2 - BHO: Megaupload Toolbar - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-CCB0-B130EEDBE97C} - C:\PROGRA~1\MEGAUP~1\MEGAUP~1.DLL
O2 - BHO: (no name) - {53707962-6F74-2D53-2644-206D7942484F} - C:\Program Files\Spybot - Search & Destroy\SDHelper.dll
O2 - BHO: SSVHelper Class - {761497BB-D6F0-462C-B6EB-D4DAF1D92D43} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\ssv.dll
O2 - BHO: Windows Live Sign-in Helper - {9030D464-4C02-4ABF-8ECC-5164760863C6} - C:\Program Files\Common Files\Microsoft Shared\Windows Live\WindowsLiveLogin.dll
O3 - Toolbar: Megaupload Toolbar - {4E7BD74F-2B8D-469E-CCB0-B130EEDBE97C} - C:\PROGRA~1\MEGAUP~1\MEGAUP~1.DLL
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [RTHDCPL] RTHDCPL.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SkyTel] SkyTel.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [Alcmtr] ALCMTR.EXE
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvCplDaemon] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvCpl.dll,NvStartup
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [nwiz] nwiz.exe /install
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NvMediaCenter] RUNDLL32.EXE C:\WINDOWS\system32\NvMcTray.dll,NvTaskbarInit
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [NeroFilterCheck] C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NeroCheck.exe
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [AVG7_CC] C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgcc.exe /STARTUP
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [SunJavaUpdateSched] "C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\jusched.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [QuickTime Task] "C:\Program Files\QuickTime\qttask.exe" -atboottime
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [iTunesHelper] "C:\Program Files\iTunes\iTunesHelper.exe"
O4 - HKLM\..\Run: [TkBellExe] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Real\Update_OB\realsched.exe" -osboot
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ctfmon.exe] C:\WINDOWS\system32\ctfmon.exe
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [BgMonitor_{79662E04-7C6C-4d9f-84C7-88D8A56B10AA}] "C:\Program Files\Common Files\Ahead\Lib\NMBgMonitor.exe"
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [MsnMsgr] "C:\Program Files\MSN Messenger\MsnMsgr.Exe" /background
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [googletalk] "C:\Program Files\Google\Google Talk\googletalk.exe" /autostart
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [ares] "C:\Program Files\Ares\Ares.exe" -h
O4 - HKCU\..\Run: [H/PC Connection Agent] "C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\WCESCOMM.EXE"
O4 - Global Startup: Adobe Reader Speed Launch.lnk = C:\Program Files\Adobe\Acrobat 7.0\Reader\reader_sl.exe
O8 - Extra context menu item: E&xport to Microsoft Excel - res://C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\EXCEL.EXE/3000
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Sun Java Console - {08B0E5C0-4FCB-11CF-AAA5-00401C608501} - C:\Program Files\Java\jre1.5.0_09\bin\ssv.dll
O9 - Extra button: Create Mobile Favorite - {2EAF5BB1-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra button: (no name) - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Create Mobile Favorite... - {2EAF5BB2-070F-11D3-9307-00C04FAE2D4F} - C:\Program Files\Microsoft ActiveSync\INETREPL.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Research - {92780B25-18CC-41C8-B9BE-3C9C571A8263} - C:\PROGRA~1\MICROS~2\OFFICE11\REFIEBAR.DLL
O9 - Extra button: Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O9 - Extra 'Tools' menuitem: Windows Messenger - {FB5F1910-F110-11d2-BB9E-00C04F795683} - C:\Program Files\Messenger\msmsgs.exe
O12 - Plugin for .spop: C:\Program Files\Internet Explorer\Plugins\NPDocBox.dll
O16 - DPF: {6414512B-B978-451D-A0D8-FCFDF33E833C} (WUWebControl Class) - http://update.microsoft.com/windowsupdate/v6/V5Controls/en/x86/client/wuweb_site.cab?1137490676250
O18 - Protocol: livecall - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\MSGRAP~1.DLL
O18 - Protocol: msnim - {828030A1-22C1-4009-854F-8E305202313F} - C:\PROGRA~1\MSNMES~1\MSGRAP~1.DLL
O23 - Service: AVG7 Alert Manager Server (Avg7Alrt) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgamsvr.exe
O23 - Service: AVG7 Update Service (Avg7UpdSvc) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgupsvc.exe
O23 - Service: AVG E-mail Scanner (AVGEMS) - GRISOFT, s.r.o. - C:\PROGRA~1\Grisoft\AVGFRE~1\avgemc.exe
O23 - Service: iPod Service - Apple Computer, Inc. - C:\Program Files\iPod\bin\iPodService.exe
O23 - Service: NBService - Nero AG - C:\Program Files\Nero\Nero 7\Nero BackItUp\NBService.exe
O23 - Service: NVIDIA Display Driver Service (NVSvc) - NVIDIA Corporation - C:\WINDOWS\system32\nvsvc32.exe

tba

well I spot ares.exe anyway

Mitch Connor

Chillwithcian wrote:

To set up systym restore click

START>ALL PROGRAMS>ACCESSORIES>SYSTYM TOOLS>SYSTYM RESTORE

had a look there, and i can restore to monday, which is before i installed supreme comander. Checked the available dates and it says i installed supreme commander and directX yesterday, there the only things that could have caused a problem, that i did directly. i'll run the adaware and spybot programs, and see what happens after them, don't want to do a restore unless i have too.

Mitch Connor

tba wrote:

well I spot ares.exe anyway

what is the problem with ares? I use it to download.....homebrew apps, is it a riddled program?

tba

nope sorry my mistake

I should have checked the file structure, ares.exe is a variant of the gaobot worm in some cases, should be ok if its a program on sourceforge.

Mitch Connor

the spybot and adware programs found and removed files, but didn't speed the computer up, so i ran the restore, to the 12th, and the computer is back up to speed now, thankfully.

I do wonder what caused the problem though - i was really looking forward to playing Supreme Commander, but everything went wrong after i installed it, so i'm wary of installing it again.

tba

set a new restore point, then install it again, if it slows down you will have narrowed the problem down.

christophicus

Yeah its strange. there must be some kind of conflict , or maybe it was a bad install, do you have enough spare space on your HDD? you should have at least 200MB free at all times on your c drive.

Im glad teh restore worked for you.

Duffman

My Computer -> Properties -> Device Manager

Right click on "Primary IDE Channel" and see if DMA is turned on.

You'd be experiencing most of the symptoms you have described if it wasn't.

christophicus

You think the installation of a game turned it off?

Mitch Connor

Duffman wrote:

My Computer -> Properties -> Device Manager

Right click on "Primary IDE Channel" and see if DMA is turned on.

You'd be experiencing most of the symptoms you have described if it wasn't.

i have 3 listings for Primary IDE CHannel (and 3 for secondary)

On all 3 the transfer mode is set to DMA if available.

On the first two it says the current transfer mode is "Not applicable"

On the third, it says the current transfer mode is "Ultra DMA Mode 6"

EDIT: This is all after the System Restore, and the comp is working fine now. I'll prob try and install the game tomorrow or saturday, and see what happens after, and what the settings are.

Mitch Connor

christophicus wrote:

Yeah its strange. there must be some kind of conflict , or maybe it was a bad install, do you have enough spare space on your HDD? you should have at least 200MB free at all times on your c drive.

Im glad teh restore worked for you.

i had 174GB of free space left after the install, so HD space really should have not been any kind of issue.

christophicus

Yeah. Well I would deffinatly try installing it agin and seeing what happens.

Mitch Connor

just as a quick up date on this, i installed the game again today (only took an hour this time....) and the computer appears to be running fine, at least i haven't spotted any problems yet.