Discussion
My PC has suddenly started to 'stutter'. For example if I am listening to iTunes every 3-4mins it will behave as a 'CD' does if it has a scratch (i.e. stutter). This is just an example, as it generally slows down the PC for a second or two every few mins. Obviously this is bloody anoying.
I have, and have always had, Norton Anti-virus running and it doesn't detect anything nasty.
What else can I do to try and track down the cause???
I have, and have always had, Norton Anti-virus running and it doesn't detect anything nasty.
What else can I do to try and track down the cause???
could it be Norton checking your disk for virii? Has Norton been updated recently?
Have you ran all the usual spyware detectors (ad-aware, spybot)?
XP? right click on the taskbar and choose "Task Manager", what apps are running, which services?
Do you have loads of things running in the backgound (i.e. messenger, email...) or do you have anything which uses your harddisk regulary (i.e. P2P).
What about software firewalls (ZoneAlarm, Sygate Personal) - is there anything coming in from outside/talking to 'net. Is anything trying (regardless if it can or not).
Have you defragmented your harddisk recently? If not do so, while you are there do a scandisk to make sure it's all ok.
Usually PC's only slow down when the harddisk is accessed as nowadays thats the slowest thing (assuming of course you don't have something which is using 100% CPU) so thats what I'd be checking first.
Oh, and do a backup of your really, really, life threateningly important data
>> Edited by docevi1 on Saturday 2nd April 17:32
Have you ran all the usual spyware detectors (ad-aware, spybot)?
XP? right click on the taskbar and choose "Task Manager", what apps are running, which services?
Do you have loads of things running in the backgound (i.e. messenger, email...) or do you have anything which uses your harddisk regulary (i.e. P2P).
What about software firewalls (ZoneAlarm, Sygate Personal) - is there anything coming in from outside/talking to 'net. Is anything trying (regardless if it can or not).
Have you defragmented your harddisk recently? If not do so, while you are there do a scandisk to make sure it's all ok.
Usually PC's only slow down when the harddisk is accessed as nowadays thats the slowest thing (assuming of course you don't have something which is using 100% CPU) so thats what I'd be checking first.
Oh, and do a backup of your really, really, life threateningly important data
>> Edited by docevi1 on Saturday 2nd April 17:32
Ok so updated all Virus stuff, installed Spyware doctor and run a whole host of other stuff, but can't sort the problem.
One thing I have noticed is, if I unplug my wireless router (i.e. turn it off), the problem is 10 times worse i.e. it stutters every 4-5 seconds.
On top of that Norton anti virus wont run in safe mode. And, what does norton have to say about that? The very useful, "well boot it up normally then..." Bloody great.
One thing I have noticed is, if I unplug my wireless router (i.e. turn it off), the problem is 10 times worse i.e. it stutters every 4-5 seconds.
On top of that Norton anti virus wont run in safe mode. And, what does norton have to say about that? The very useful, "well boot it up normally then..." Bloody great.
the first thing I'd do is un-install/de-activate Norton as that will be taking up a lot of processing power.
Then I'd run down the list of other things like your soundcard, iTunes, iPod management, 3 copies of IExplorer, winamp, Outlook, MSN Messenger, USB card reader, Quicktime and Java. Disable the lot of them and then re-introduce them one at a time as you need them.
If I had to put money on what was causing the slow down I'd say it was
1) Norton
2) Creative
3) iPod/iTunes
4) Java
the rest shouldn't need to be running, but should slow the system down too much.
Then I'd run down the list of other things like your soundcard, iTunes, iPod management, 3 copies of IExplorer, winamp, Outlook, MSN Messenger, USB card reader, Quicktime and Java. Disable the lot of them and then re-introduce them one at a time as you need them.
If I had to put money on what was causing the slow down I'd say it was
1) Norton
2) Creative
3) iPod/iTunes
4) Java
the rest shouldn't need to be running, but should slow the system down too much.
ultra violent said:
One thing I have noticed is, if I unplug my wireless router (i.e. turn it off), the problem is 10 times worse i.e. it stutters every 4-5 seconds.
Do you have any mapped drives to other machines on your network? If they're not available, it could just be Windows checking for them every so often...
To test, turn your router back on and switch on anything you have maps to, browse to them in explorer and then try iTunes again.
I have seen problems with the Windows Update client utility, however this was on my corporate machines, where McAfee Enterprise (Anti-Virus/Basic Firewall) wasn't allowing a particular file to process - thus causing the WAUCLNT process to infinitly loop, resulting in the machine 'constantly pausing'.
A patch fixed this, but obviously the train of thought here could be useful...
>> Edited by neil_cardiff on Monday 11th April 10:36
A patch fixed this, but obviously the train of thought here could be useful...
>> Edited by neil_cardiff on Monday 11th April 10:36
knowing nothing about iTunes this might be a silly thought but does iTunes (like Windows Media Player and some other apps) every so often check the internet for additional media information relating to the tunes you are playing? If you disconnect the router etc then you'll be causing this process to fail therefore probably resulting in the stutter ? ? ?
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