Windows sort of, stalls...

[ferrari_chris]

OK, so here's the deal:

I bought a secondhand laptop and it's come with a very weird problem - occasionally Windows XP refuses to load new applications for a period. This usually occurs shortly after startup, but I think I've noticed after coming off standby too.

When launching a new application, it's added to the 'Processes' list in Task Manager, but the CPU stays at idle and the application doesn't launch. Sometimes it can take about a minute before there's any action, other times I get sick of waiting and have to reset. I say I have to reset because while I can access the Shutdown window, clicking the 'Turn Off' button doesn't actually do anything...

I still have access to some applications that are running - for example if an MSN convo is open I can continue chatting while other applications refuse to run, but my web browser will stop downloading some things.

I can look in the Task Manager and the process is running, but the processor is idle and there ain't nothing happening, then after a short time (we'll say between 1 and 2 minutes) it just fires into life as if nothing has happened and everything is fine. This only seems to happen once though - once 'we' get passed this little tantrum, she runs fine.



Here's the stats on my laptop, as I figure they may be useful?

Toshiba Satellite
1.5GHz
256MB RAM (PF of 384MB - my mate says it may be a Page File issue, but I don't know)
Windows XP Home with SP2

I've run spyware and virus scans with no result, so I don't think that is the problem...

Any help for this problem (even if it's just pointing me to further information) is greatly appreciated. Even if you can let me know where to start looking for answers would be good, because at this stage I have no idea, and the next stop is the Computer Repair Store...

If you need any extra info., just ask - I'm happy to provide.

Thanks is advance.

 

[amp88]

Look at the Memory Usage of the process during the time it takes to start. Does the Memory Usage start off very small (tens to hundreds of kilobytes) and build up slowly to its normal level (probably thousands to tens of thousands of kilobytes)? If this is the case, it could be either the RAM or the pagefile at fault.

edit: Also, go into the Performance tab of Task Manager and tell us what the Available Physical Memory is and what the PF Usage is.

 

[ferrari_chris]

Thanks. I'll be sure to check these things next time it happens post up the results.

👍

 

[Evolution.]

PF is supposed to be set at about 2x what your RAM amount is I believe (so maybe increase it to 400 or so and build up from there).

If you can easily upgrade more RAM, I would reccomend purchasing a 512 MB stick, as 256MB isn't even enough to really run FireFox or IE 7 with other apps open. It will eat your memory whole.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Product.asp?Item=N82E16820145506

Assuming your laptop takes 200 pin DDR SO-DIMM memory....

 

[Shannon]

PF is supposed to be set at about 2x what your RAM amount is I believe (so maybe increase it to 400 or so and build up from there).

Actually the recommended is 1.5x your RAM. So if you have 512mb, set your page file to 768.

Although, if you have a large amount of RAM, say 2-4GB, you can get away with no page file at all. If you disable the page file, everything Windows does will be loaded into RAM, which is much faster than reading virtual memory from a harddrive.

 

[Omnis]

Actually the recommended is 1.5x your RAM. So if you have 512mb, set your page file to 768.

Although, if you have a large amount of RAM, say 2-4GB, you can get away with no page file at all. If you disable the page file, everything Windows does will be loaded into RAM, which is much faster than reading virtual memory from a harddrive.

What would you recommend for 1.5gb?

 

[Evolution.]

What would you recommend for 1.5gb?

About 2,304 for the page file.

 

[Omnis]

I can't just eliminate it?

 

[ferrari_chris]

OK, so stalled again this evening.

Got the stats:

The program holds steady at a set amount of memory usage, not building or falling.

The PF usage at the time was 167MB.

The available Physical Memory was set at 261488.

So, is that good news or bad.

 

[Evolution.]

I can't just eliminate it?

Without 2GB or higher it might run slowerj than using PF. It depends somewhat on timings.

chris:

As I said, try checking out that memory stick I posted earlier. That may solve your problem...


If all else, just reinstall windows/reformat.

 

[sucahyo]

OK, so stalled again this evening.

Got the stats:

The program holds steady at a set amount of memory usage, not building or falling.

The PF usage at the time was 167MB.

The available Physical Memory was set at 261488.

So, is that good news or bad.

Memory utilization should be bellow that, remove any memory management application if any.

stalled ap usually caused by non marked bad sector used as page file, try to check for bad sector (scandisk). try to lower your screen refresh rate/resolution/color too.

my recomendation: check disk tool, look for bad sector.

 

[Evolution.]

http://www.memtest.org/

Try it.

 

[ferrari_chris]

Thanks.

I'm looking into getting more RAM (for this and for my box), and I'll run that memory test.

 

[Robin]

hmmm..... windows stalls for me aswell.... but its with the right click menu and the start button.... click it and you have to wait like 5 seconds for it to appear... ive tried the solutions on the net but none have worked... it doesnt really matter because reinstalling windows will solve the problem...

 

[ferrari_chris]

... stalled ap usually caused by non marked bad sector used as page file, try to check for bad sector (scandisk). try to lower your screen refresh rate/resolution/color too.

my recomendation: check disk tool, look for bad sector.

Sorry for the delay, I've been very busy starting a new job...

Anyway, I ran the CheckDisk and it came back all a-OK. So can I rule out any HDD problems with that result, or not?

Thanks.

 

[Evolution.]

Did you run Memtest?

 

[guska]

Actually the recommended is 1.5x your RAM. So if you have 512mb, set your page file to 768.

Although, if you have a large amount of RAM, say 2-4GB, you can get away with no page file at all. If you disable the page file, everything Windows does will be loaded into RAM, which is much faster than reading virtual memory from a harddrive.

I was always under the impression that the bigger the page file, the better? I use a 10Gb Harddrive, devoted solely to PF, it that bad?

 

[ferrari_chris]

Did you run Memtest?

I sure did.

I ran a couple of different ones actually, and they all came back with no errors. So that's good - I think...

So, any ideas on where to from here?

 

[ROAD_DOGG33J]

I sure did.

I ran a couple of different ones actually, and they all came back with no errors. So that's good - I think...

So, any ideas on where to from here?

Formatting?

Do you have all the Windows updates?

 

[dougiemeats]

Here's a couple links about emptying Windows' Pr3f3tch Folder ( see my thread "Problem Posting Reply" in the Site Feedback forum)

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Gaining-Speed-Empty-Prefetch-XP.html
http://tech.yahoo.com/gd/windows-xp-folder-headaches-does-my-prefetch-folder-slow-me-down-/3298

I hope that helps somewhat. I'll try it on my PC and I'll note any speed differences. Let me know if any of the links don't work.

 

[ferrari_chris]

Formatting?

Do you have all the Windows updates?

Windows is fully updated.

Formatting is a last (and I mean last) option for me as some of the software I have is un-recoverable at this point in time.

Here's a couple links about emptying Windows' Pr3f3tch Folder ( see my thread "Problem Posting Reply" in the Site Feedback forum)

http://www.windowsnetworking.com/articles_tutorials/Gaining-Speed-Empty-Prefetch-XP.html
http://tech.yahoo.com/gd/windows-xp-folder-headaches-does-my-prefetch-folder-slow-me-down-/3298

I hope that helps somewhat. I'll try it on my PC and I'll note any speed differences. Let me know if any of the links don't work.

Thanks.

Links work fine.

I'll look into that shortly and get back here with the results. 👍

 

[GTFever]

How or where do I get a Polyphony Formula GT car so I can race the Formula GT World cup in the Extreme Hall? I know if I had the Japanese version of the game I would win one of those cars, but I have the U.S. version. Even if I had the japanese version, I would still need a car before the race to be able to race in that cup. Am I missing something???

 

[ferrari_chris]

You're missing the correct thread to post in - way off the mark here buddy.

Try the GT4 section.

 

[Evolution.]

Wow. He..

1. Doesn't use the search function.

2. Posts a GT4 question in a computer thread.

FTW NEWBIE!!!

 

[ImprezaAddict]

Oooh that sucks.

Maybe you gotta get a repair...

 

[Mx²]

Do you have all the Windows updates?

I doubt updates are relevant in this case.

I'd suggest doing some cleaning up; run CCleaner, a disk de-fragmenter, and etc. Try those because if you've never used CCleaner before, you might have alot of unnecessary junk on your computer. 👍

 

[ferrari_chris]

I think I'm just going to do a format and re-install and take it from there.

Thanks guys.