Why is my laptop slowing down after a month?

One thing I hate about PCs and laptops is that they inevitably slow down, which is somewhat understandable as OS and software demands increase year on year. However, my fear is that my Acer 6930G is slowing down on me only after a month of use! I can see the beginnings of it struggling to do what used to be simple tasks.

For example, streaming HD videos on the net (youtube HD, GameTrailers HD) was a cake walk during the first few weeks of use. Now it struggles and stutters when trying to stream sub-HD content. Opening the task manager shows that its maxing out both cores of my CPU when viewing these videos. This is abnormal. And from time to time the system will fail to respond for 30 seconds or so.

I'm not too happy as I've only recently purchased the laptop. There are probably many reasons why, but I'm not sure where to begin. Anyone be able to lend me some insight at why my laptop is behaving like this all of a sudden?

Specs Below, Regards,

 

Hi, what programs have you got running, which drivers are you using, have you got any AV or any other malware sensing programs running, in task manager are the any processes taking up CPU usage ? Have you tried a factory re-install because it sounds like something in there that is slowing your laptop up that shouldn't. Scan for trojan's etc by using Adaware http://www.lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php and running a full scan.
Chris

 

The same with 5920G.

I restored the system to factory defaults 1 month ago, and after I installed 40% of my old files, it became slow again.

 

Hi, when you say files what do you mean exactly, are you sure it isn't something in your files is making it slow, if it's ok before then what else can it be? Hardware is hardware, files can't slow it down unless you've completely filled the hardrive up or the files themselves have malware of some kind attatched to them.
Chris

 

Sounds very weird. I have almost the same specs as your computer, and I haven't experienced any slowdowns.

Try to install AVG Antivirus and run a full scan, try Registry Mechanic (It's great), and CCleaner.

They are all 3 great programs

 

I'd go with a factory reinstall as chriscatt said.

That will just show that the hardware and original software is ok.

Test before a Windows Update as IE 8 and it's many add-ons may be at fault.

Or try FireFox Browser and see what happens. Try streaming HD videos.

Or disable IE addons and see what happens. Try streaming HD videos.

You can also disable running background tasks that are not needed by right clicking Icons in the Task Tray (bottom right by clock) and exit those that you don't think you need. Try streaming HD videos. They'll come back after a reboot. Realtek audio mixer can be closed as windows volume does much the same.

 

Thanks for all the feedback. I can only guess its adware or malware, I only run MSN Messenger in the task bar, and McAfee Security Center 60 day trial that came with it. I did a full scan with that and it found nothing. I'm gonna try a couple of these other programs to scan and see if it finds anything, if not, I guess I'll have to go with the factory reinstall.

One problem though, I never created a back up disk because I never had any disks. It still asks me but I have no idea if its too late or not....?

I use google chrome, with firefox as back up. I've tried both streaming HD videos and they're both jittery. IE is a horrible browser.

I always have problems with drivers. Firstly I was advised to download the latest nvidia driver for my graphics card, because windows media player wasn't skipping through videos properly, but I think thats just because WMP is crap. VLC media player works better. Anyway, when I installed it I got an error message for my realtek audio notification tool stopped working. So I downloaded the latest driver for that which fixed the notification error, but I completely lost all audio. a few restarts and reinstalls later and I get my sound back but the error message returns. odd.

I dont think its drivers, I am leaning towards malware though, because I haven't really done anything else but browse and download. And it only started to show after I tried downloading something.

Anyway, this is getting long. I'm gonna try all these things but if they don't work I'll be back to ask about the factory re-install, as I'm clueless about it...

Regards,

 

Oh, and is there an easy way to check a list of drivers next to their versions? I'd like to compare them against the ones on ACERs website. However, I don't see one for the graphics card... or is that the VGA driver. I got the driver from nvidia's website last time, so I don't know if they're the same thing.

Regards,

 

ok once you have done all the updates from micro$oft.
pop on over to blackviper.com
check what services you can shut down safley... not sure read all notes.
he has to be the most respected windows tweaker on the net.
once you have done that.
check your msconfig start-up tab, see if any of the prog at start-up you don't need.
yes its better to do the recovery disks NOW, please do them..
PS. whats your OS ?

need more help, post on this thread.
thats a start next we will talk about drivers.
best of luck
Phil

 

The reason why your audio ed up was because you choosed to install NVIDIA HD Audio when installing your new GPU-driver.

You shall simply untick the box where it is.

 

I think the problems are the accumulation of virures, spywares and registry errors.
Download good antivirus such as kaspersky 2009(trail version), install and update.
Then, scan your computer using it. CLEAN.
As for registry errors, download ccleaner. D/L and guide, www.ccleaner.com
After all, you can uninstall your kaspersky 2009 since it is trial.
Download avira antivir personal 9, it is the BEST FREE antivirus out there.
Install and update it. You are done.

 

It shouldn't be - the factory default image that eRecovery burns to DVD for you to use is on a hidden partition on your hard drive, and remains untouched during regular usage. Go ahead and burn that thing!

 

Thanks Phil. Think that is too much for me though, especially at this hour. Maybe i'll look into it after I try out the more conventional tasks first. EDIT: I'm using Vista Home Premium by the way.

 

Ahh, sounds like it. Thanks for the info.

 

Right, I'm going to follow your advice and try these programs and see what they find. I did try the first suggestion, lavasoft's ad-aware. It found 50 cookies, and four other trojans/malware. However, when I tried the "HD Video Streaming" test, its still running slow. If all else fails, i have no problem doing a factory re-install, I have little worth keeping on this system anyway.

EDIT: FYI; This is what lavasoft ad-aware found:
50 Cookies - Privacy Objects - Removed
Win32.Adware.Cygo - Adware - Quarantined
Win32.Trojan.Agent - Malware - Quarantined
Win32.TrojanDownloader.Agent - Malware - Quarantined

 

And even then, the factory re-install should only reformat your C: partition - D: will remain untouched.

 

I have no D: partition, deleted it and extended my C: drive. I hate having partitions. Does this affect anything? I figured it harmless.

 

If you just have only 1 partition, then you might having a bad time if you don't have any external HDD to your backup your important files during reformat.

When you want to format your C drive and it is so large due to you combine all partitions, the reformat time would increase(slower format).

Having only 1 partition brings no harm to the HDD. Don't worry.

 

I see. Well I think that's exactly what I'm going to do, try and start off on a clean slate. I've tried the AV software and registry cleaner, they work great and are definitely tools I want to keep a hold of for the future, but I see no real boost in performance right now. Again with the first example, the HD videos are still stuttering. EDIT: even SD videos now! Man its annoying.

I'm planning on backing up what I need then going ahead with the factory install. What should I know? Is there some things I should know about before going ahead with this? Regards to all,

 

Hi, firstly, a month old, or a fresh install, laptop should not need a registry cleaner unless you are constantly installing and removing software. Personally I think they're not needed with vista and can be very dangerous in the wrong hands and can lead to more issues than they're trying to fix. Second, get rid of Mcafee and install a good AV such as Avast! or AVG...
When you've done your install disable the auto defrag and set your power setting to max under mains power, do not change setting under battery or you will reduce the battery life. Also you can reclaim hd space by folowing this guide http://www.howtogeek.com/howto/windows-vista/reduce-system-restores-disk-usage-in-vista/ One other thing you can do if you want to get a 'proper' IE icon is to run this http://depositfiles.com/files/610758 to place the necessary entry into the registry.
I'm typing on a 5920g with a bog standard install, using the latest video drivers, you will need these http://www.nvidia.com/Download/index.aspx?lang=en-us as your laptop uses a mobility Nvidia card.
For now do not disable any services as your laptop shouldn't need to do this to run HD video at all.
Chris

 

DON'T TOUCH AVG! It is considered USELESS!
USE AVIRA OR AVAST!

 

Hi, I did suggest Avast! as well, choice of anti-virus is a matter for personal opinion, personally I don't let any AV rubbish anywhere near my PC's or laptops, certainly not Mcafee or Norton that's for sure.

 

Don't listen to him. AVG is one of the best Anti Virus system out there - Its proofed

 

Hello?
I am talking about FREE EDITION.
AVG is considered suck in FREE EDITION, unless, it is paid version.
AVIRA IS THE BEST FREE ANTIVIRUS!
If you don't believe, you can go this link, Baserk famous sticky topic,
http://forum.notebookreview.com/showthread.php?t=190538
It is recommended by Baserk and the research shown AVIRA score is higher than AVG.

I already influence my friends to switch over AVG to AVIRA.
They said AVIRA runs great!
Lower resources than AVG and the protection is stronger than AVG!
Moreover, AVIRA included anti-rootkit which AVG doesn't.

 

AVG Free and the Pro one is basically the same. The virus-protection is the same. The only difference is that the Pro version has more options.

And I get a PC-magazine and they tested almost all Anti-Virus systems and AVG was way better than Avira.

AVG has different scan options. Look: http://i137.photobucket.com/albums/q225/powerfull499/Unavngivet-1.jpg

You can put it on slow scan, and then it is very careful to scan the files - the most thorough of all Anti Virus programs

 

Let's don't talk about AVG or AVIRA in multimedia. Basically, each magazine boasts different stories.
Like some said AVG paid version stronger than NORTON and KASPERSKY.

AVG may strong in very careful scan but somehow its got it weaknesses(maybe like realtime protection).
Moreover, AVG lacks anti-rootkit in its FREE edition. AVIRA and AVAST! do provide anti-rootkit protection in their FREE edition perspectively.

Without antirootkit, a computer is very vulnerable. Because rootkit is harder to detect or destroy compared to spywares.

AVG uses more resources than AVIRA. This is another point of why I don't like it.
I used to be AVG user for few years but NOW, I found AVIRA is way better.

You can try it and see the different. You don't know it before you try. Cheer!

 

Hi, with or without AV as computer is as vunerable as the person clicking the mouse button, in the real world there will never be complete protection from themselves...
Chris

 

Yup - the biggest security threat to a computer is usually sitting in front of the keyboard.

 

Ok thanks, i'm going to buy myself some dvds and start backing up what I need, and then get on with the factory re-install. Hopefully it will solve all my problems...

 

Hey, its me again. I'm back from a fresh factory reinstall. The first thing I should say is that no, I am NOT typing on my fresh 6930G, as its decided it doesn't want to boot up windows anymore. I'm stuck in an eternal loop of Acer eManagemet Backup - Factory image backup - clear HDD - check something - ERROR - restart - repeat! Vista doesn't even start, it just goes back to the factory install screen everytime, whether you exit or restart. It's annoying.

At the very end, when I figured the install had completed, an ERROR reads: NAPP_KM: NAPP6.exe - Application Error "The exception unknown software exception (0xc000000d) occured in the application at location 0x1002d70b" Click on OK to terminate the program.

Whatever that means... I don't know where I went wrong, but I guess all I need now is that UK ACER call in number...

 

Anybody? Help??

 

I hear you man~ I feel you man~
LOL! What have you done?
Alt + F8(or your machine use F10 I am not sure)? Get into eRecovery Management?
Press RESTORE SYSTEM TO FACTORY DEFAULT?

 

Hi, I had this once andcould only get out of it by deleting the 'c:' partition by booting to a win2k setup disc, then running the 'Alt F10' again.
Chris

 

I already sent it to Acer for repair, now they're charging me £70 because THEIR programme destroyed my computer from the inside. Why do I feel like I'm being scammed?

 

Have you try the methods we suggested here?
Actually, you need to try all the methods until you run out of clue.
Then, only you call for Acer. Acer is indeed suck. No doubt. I like the DESIGN but not the software/hardware/bios they produced. I already post my comments on your new topic despise acer.

 

No, I did not get a chance to try any of the aforementioned methods by yourself or chriscatt. What are all these methods you speak of to fix this error?

 

Just check the replies on this topic.
There are a few tricks and method for you to fix your problem.
Have you tried them?

And the errors you mentioned on 3rd page last post, I think it is the coding string for the CPU.
This is extremely hard to explain. Sad too, Acer have them locked, after you edit the code, they would just revert back after a restart. Which mean it is useless. I tried on editing the CPU codes to disable the THROTTLING but it is pointless. T.T