Post by StefPost by ***@sdkwt.comIt's an install from years back and has other problems, too. But this
nonsense where I have to open and close a program two or three times
before it will function properly is bugging me. This just started a
week ago. Anyone heard of this before?
Sure. And a lot of other things, too.
To begin with, check how much free RAM you have If more
than 50 to 60% is used after you boot, it's too much. Your system may
start hitting virtual memory after you load a few apps. Causes system
slowness, sometimes to the point it can't be used at all. Other
strange things can happen, too.
I'm using a bit over 60% of the memory.
I've got only 2GB of memory for XP. I kept putting off getting the max
of 4GB. I guess I should have gotten it long ago.
Post by StefIf your hard drive is 90% or more full, look for ways to reduce that. I
don't like to have mine more than 2/3's full.
Only about 20% of my C: is being used.
Post by StefDo a Disk Cleaning. I prefer CCleaner, but the one that comes with
XP is good enough.
Use it all the time. Always before turning box off.
Post by StefUse task manager to see what background and startup processes are
running and eliminate those you don't really need. Also, look at what
apps are in the "quick launch" bar. They use RAM since "stubs" of each
app are loaded at boot, so the app launches more quickly.
I have 6 items in the Quick Launch bar.
Post by StefDo a malware scan using both Malwarebyte's AntiMalware and
SuperAntiSpyware utilities, the free versions. If it's an old system,
you've probably got all sorts of nasty things on it. (Your antivirus,
if installed, won't catch a lot of it.) You may have to do the scans
several times to really clean things out, if it's never been scanned
before.
I have Kaspersky AV installed. I scan at least once a week.
Post by StefDefrag your drive. The one that comes with XP is sufficient.
Check that every week or two.
Post by StefForce a disk check (and repair) to see if the file system is all good.
Consider a Repair Install to check and fix possibily "broken" system
files.
Well, that's another problem. My CD/DVD player went south a few weeks
ago and I haven't gotten around to replacing it yet.
Post by StefAs a last resort, there's always a complete reinstall of everything.
I think this is my more sure option. I ain't a tekkie, and I'm not too
sure about using the Repair function on my XP disk. Besides that, I'm
lazy. :o)
Your answer pretty much reinforces what I already knew. I'm going to
take it to a shop and have it wiped and Win XP installed again. I'm an
old, old geezer and don't see any need to kick XP to the curb. As the
someone once said, 'better the devil you know than the devil you
don't'. I ain't interested in any new devilish nonsense out of
Redmond.
Thanks for answering.