Computer Speed and Performance May Decrease (310419)
The information in this article applies to:
- Microsoft Windows XP 64-Bit Edition
- Microsoft Windows XP Home Edition
- Microsoft Windows XP Professional
This article was previously published under Q310419
If this article does not describe your hardware-related issue, please see the following Microsoft Web site to view more articles about hardware: SYMPTOMS
Under some conditions, your computer may run slowly.
CAUSE
This behavior can occur for any of the following reasons:
- Programs may be started automatically when you start your computer. Programs that run when you start your computer typically run all the time; this uses a portion of your computer's system resources that cannot be used for any other task.
- You may be running a program that creates memory leaks. When you quit a program, the system resources that the program uses should be returned to the operating system. However, some programs do not return all of these resources, effectively "leaking" memory, and this can create a low system-resource state.
- Your computer may have a small or minimal amount of random access memory (RAM), or a slower central processing unit (CPU). For example, although Windows XP can run with a minimum of 64 megabytes (MB) of RAM, this amount of RAM may not be sufficient to maintain a high speed while you run one or more programs. Also, if your computer has only the minimum CPU requirements for Windows XP (300MHz or higher), it may not be sufficient to maintain a high speed while you run one or more programs.
RESOLUTION
To resolve this issue:
- Verify that any programs that start automatically when you start your computer are truly needed and, if not, quit them. For example, an antivirus program is a program that you probably want to run all of the time, but you may have other less essential programs that you do not need to have running all the time.
- To determine which programs are running, press CTRL+ALT+DELETE, click Task Manager, click the Applications tab, and note of all of the programs that are listed.
- To quit a program, click the Applications tab, click the program that you want to quit, and then click End Task.
- To permanently prevent a program from starting automatically, view the following article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
310353 How to Perform a Clean Boot in Windows XP
- Determine if you are running programs that create memory leaks. Your computer may be leaking memory if your computer becomes slow after you run and quit one or more programs. If your computer runs well before you run a program, but then slows noticeably after you quit the program, the program may have a memory leak.
For additional information about using performance monitor to identify memory leaks, click the article number below
to view the article in the Microsoft Knowledge Base:
130926 Using Performance Monitor To Identify A Pool Leak
- If you are using the minimal amount of RAM or a slower CPU, you can add more RAM to your computer or obtain and install a faster CPU. For information about how to do this, contact your computer manufacturer, or view the documentation that is included with your computer.
| Modification Type: | Major | Last Reviewed: | 8/8/2006 |
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| Keywords: | kbenv kbPerformance kbprb KB310419 |
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