slow win vista double core laptop

Yes, it has all the updates from microsoft and toshiba, that was one of the first things I did.
This laptop it has too many things running in default from factory, I removed some of them but others I cant because they are vital to the laptop, but anyway, it was running fine before with all those programs.
Like I said, a double core with 2gb ram should not have this problem, it is slower than my old pentium 3.

Thank you Aryeh

You say the trouble started about a month ago? did anybody install new software in that time frame? You might try uninstalling all programs installed in the past month or so, and see if one of them is a resource hog.

Do a control alt delete and see how many services are running. Should be less than 40 or so. I have seen computers running more than 80 because of installed software.

Have you changed security programs? firewall, anti-virus, anti-malware?
Do You have anything Symantec or Comodo running on it?

Hello,

It is always a good idea to update the drivers and software when you get a new computer, but it is a good idea to periodically check the manufacturer's support web site as they often release additional updates. Have you checked with Toshiba recently for updates? If so, did installing those make any difference?

Regards,

Aryeh Goretsky

What software did u use to clean ur system, registry etc? Cleaning is not exactly the same as repairing your registry. That could be one reason. I have never used Vista for that long a period - still sticking to XP, and I regularly clean and repair the registry. Its a good idea to format your hard disk and perform a clean installation of everything if you still find your system slowing - but make sure you have all the drivers.
You have not mentioned the kind of graphics card in your system. Is it a dedicated graphics card like NVIDIA, ATI or integrated?

Regards,
Indrajit

By Default Windows only Boots on one core reguardless to how many cores you have. But you can fix this

Press Windows+R to get the run command, now type in msconfig press Enter then click on OK.

Click on the Boot Tab, then click Advanced place a check in the box above cores, where it has (1) listed, now use the down Arrow at the end of that line and select (2), and then OK or apply. while in msconfig you might also check you start up programs, and you can disable all, then check to see that your antivirus and firewall has a check in front of it, and any neccessary programs. (office is not neccessary as you can still open it and use it as with any of the others.

Click apply then when you get the warning on your screen put a check into the box that says do not show me this again. Note msconfig is not a 3rd party application, it is from Microsoft. Now reboot. And notice the difference.

NOTE of IMPORTANCE: SpySweeper, and System Mechanic will by themselves use 80 - 93 % Resources while they do their background things, for this reason I have removed both from my Startup.

Georget,
Are you running Vista when you do that MSCONFIG thing?
I'm sitting here running XP-Pro right now and there are NO such settings under the 'advanced' area. I'm also running an AMD Dual Core cpu.

I'm assuming that the Toshiba Laptop is running Vista if it's only six months old. I don't think that was specifically mentioned.

An "Ah HA!" hit me when I read that "My daughter uses for homework, listen to music and navigate,". I regularly find Limewire and similar download software on PC's used by teens (children of any age).
Limewire is known to be laced with Spyware. Only an accomplished hacker can separate the bad from the good.

I install about one new Toshiba laptop per month and it takes me over two hours to clean them up and delete all the factory installed JUNK. That includes either McAfee or Norton and the 90 day trial of Office 2007.

I'm sure I could solve the problems with this particular PC by just doing my standard cleanup. I do it all the time. It's not high tech or Rocket Science, just time consuming and knowing what to delete.

Also using a custom hosts file, will protect the PC and the user from the browsers ever going to really BAD web sites. Young people have NO concept of what sites are good and which ones are BAD. It's up to the parents to install the proper protection, to protect both their children and the family PC.

Besides using a custom hosts file, getting the Immunizations provided by Spybot Search & Destroy and SpywareBlaster also go a long ways toward protecting a PC from ever going to some really bad sites.

All protection software must be checked for updates at least once every week. Spybot S&D, for instance posts updates every Wednesday.
It varies for other programs.

Good Luck,
The Doctor

Are you running Vista when you do that MSCONFIG thing?
I'm sitting here running XP-Pro right now and there are NO such settings under the 'advanced' area. I'm also running an AMD Dual Core cpu.

You are correct about Vista , No XP neither Home or Pro have this setting.

Also kudos for the custom HOST file, and I highly reccommend HOSTMAN for doing the customization, because the HOST file can contain Duplicates making it even bigger than it is. Host man will delete these duplicates as it updates the HOST file for all know bad sites. HostMan http://www.abelhadigital.com/ works on both XP and Vista, gets its updates from MVPS.org, HP HOST and 2 other sites for blocking bad content. The HP Host once updated blocks all access to MYSPACE

I do use Spybot S&D to scan, have active AVG Antispyware FREE, use and Update Spyware Blaster. Since I have been using HOSTMAN to update my host file I have had not one instance of any spyware from any site as the link to the spyware install is blocked. I strongly suggest getting it and using it.

Georget,
Sounds like you've been reading me......

I use the same package for every customer. Getting and installing the latest custom hosts file used to be a real pain in the buttruss and way beyond the average home PC user.
"HostsMan" has made it so easy, 'A Cave Man could do it!'

I installed my "Package" of security software for a customer about a month ago. They never did the first update or scan.
I was back there today, removing Spyware, Adware and a few Trojans.

I even give my customers a booklet of explicit instructions for running every program that I install for them. But when they throw the booklet in a drawer someplace and won't even read it, or touch any of the programs, that leaves them virtually "Un-Protected".

Some people are getting a reminder from Grisoft that AVG 7.5 FREE is ending on May 31..... and some are NOT. I've not figured that one out yet. I've done the update on several PC's running AVG 7.5 FREE in the last few days and I have not seen such a message. Has anyone?

I like the new AVG 8.0 FREE, because it incorporates protection against Spyware/Adware and Trojans and even Rootkits and does not rely on the user to do manual updates. AVG gets one Automatic Update every day with NO operator intervention what-so-ever. It don't get NO simpler than that.

AVG 8.0 FREE will be great for those little ol' ladies that wouldn't do an update if you beat them with a club.

Cheers Mates!
The Doctor