hard drive continously searching and pc dog slow

real_484 · 21-07-2008 9:46pm #1

hi there, have a dell dimension. it is a few years old. running windows xp. for the last week it is running dog slowly with the hard drive light is continuously flashing. I checked the taskmanger for any type of indexing program. I scanned the hard drive for any bad sectors. I did a scan with bitdefender and stomped. I have exhausted my knowledge, what can i try next?

Standard Toaster · 22-07-2008 12:43am

Set windows search indexing service to idle?

Right click my computer/manage

Under services & applications, right click "Indexing service" and choose "All Tasks" & "Tune Performance"

Go to "Customize" and set to Lazy and Low Load

See if that make a difference.

You could probably disable the service iif you feel it something that you won't need.

Overheal · 22-07-2008 1:42am

run spybot? adaware? ccleaner?

Lazarus2.0 · 22-07-2008 2:00am

Overheal wrote: »

run spybot? adaware? ccleaner?

+1

Why would you assume it's indexing ? It could be the HDD is on it's way out but if your chkdsk came back good (you dont say otherwise) then spyware/malware/virus are next on the list .

In Task Manager were/are there any processes running at high CPU usage ?

Col_Loki · 22-07-2008 2:03am

Dell have a Diag disk which will give the HD a good test....i would pop that in, boot from it and run the HD Diag. If it comes back ok then go from there....

Standard Toaster · 22-07-2008 6:34am

nessyguin wrote: »

+1

Why would you assume it's indexing ?

I've seen it numerous times in the past not to ignore now.

Op, you could also run ProcessExplorer from Sysinternals and see when exactly is running in the background, verifying the digital sig as you go.

real_484 · 22-07-2008 7:07am

thanks guys just into work so have to wait to this evening to try out your suggestions,

have looked at the task manager but no large CPU usage exe files.
Tried googling the name of each .exe file in the task manager to see if there were suspect but think sysbot, adware etc are worth a go, will do some more scans with bitdefender and then try
Did install process explorer but to be honest will have to spend a little time with it to try and understand what it is showing me.
Though only vista did file indexing but will check it on xp
have scanned with chkdsk took a few hours but no problem found, will have a look at the dell version.

so will let you know how i get on, thanks for the advice

batman2000 · 22-07-2008 3:13pm

Try a freeware program called CleanUp! 4.0 (http://www.stevengould.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=26&Itemid=223) Have been using it and it's not malware/adware/virus infected. Just ensure on the advanced setting page (http://www.stevengould.org/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=33&Itemid=223) you dont tick the box Fully Erase !!! Standard cleanup usually does the trick. Also try a Disk Defrag.

Lazarus2.0 · 22-07-2008 10:40pm

The_Edge wrote: »

I've seen it numerous times in the past not to ignore now.

The_Edge and OP , sorry if my querying the assumption that indexing was the problem caused any slight . Rereading my earlier post I can see it probably read that I was dismissive of the possibility but I assure you it wasnt the thrust of the question - more that I am unfamiliar with that as an issue so thanks for the reply . I thought only Vista was inclined to index without being told to do so . Something new to watch out for when troubleshooting , yippee

!

hard drive continously searching and pc dog slow

Comments