My Matrix² A6000+ XLM (07) is becoming really slow

[raiden]

i recently bought the Matrix² A6000+ XLM (07) and i have began to notice that the performance has really deteriorated over the last couple of days. for example games freeze up every now and again and things are taking longer and longer to load.

anyone know what i can do to rectify this or could this problem be hardware based?

Thanks
Raiden

[ukengineer]

Possibly virus or spyware or adaware.

Endless,, but a good start is to do full system scan.

[raiden]

i have tried that it, but have not found anything
ill do that again to double check
thanks

[Davey W]

Hi raiden,

Depending on your usage it could simply be a case of too much running on your system. Do you install much software often onto your system? (even if you remove it afterwards it needs to be considered).

You may be best backing important data up and re-installing Windows fresh. There are tests you can perform on your memory and hard drive if you feel it's more of hardware slow down.

Davey

[raiden]

i don't really install much but i may have to give it a try some time
thanks for the help
Raiden

P.S how can i test the hardware?

[simonwong1989]

It could also be one of your software is taking all the CPU power.What you can do is monitor the computer without doing anything to it, while viewing the Task Manager (Ctrl+Alt+Del keys. Then go the Performance tab) On the imaage, see if there are any spikes happen while you not using it AT ALL, not moving mouse or anything. May I ask are you using XP or Vista?

[DrATty]

If you have ruled out an infection I'd look at what is running after booting your PC and what starts with Windows.
As above, look in the Task Manager first under 'Processes.' You can get to this with 'CTRL+ALT+Delete' or right click the clock bottom right and select 'Task Manager.' Sort the list by CPU usage and see if something is hogging resources. Also look to see if something is using a lot of memory. If you see a potential culprit, do a search to identify the application that 'owns' the process.
If you are using XP click 'Start', 'Run' and type 'msconfig' (no quotes) into the box that appears and press 'Enter.' You'll see a list of everything that starts with your computer under 'StartUp.' It's often one of these applications or a large number of them that causes a system to slow. Look for references to recently installed software. Using the search function often helps to identify where a file comes from (remember to search for hidden and system files.)
It's rare that stopping one of these files will kill an installation but make sure you have a working restore point before experimenting with disabling any of these applications just in case something horrible happens. If you un-check the box in front of an entry, it won't start when you re-boot. If something doesn't work later you can set it to start with Windows again.
I'd guess there's something similar in Vista but I haven't looked for it.

[Davey W]

Hi raiden,

The two main tests we recommend are Memtest for testing the memory and Seatools for the hard drive.

For best results where possible, run the tests outside of Windows.

Davey

[raiden]

Thanks for the help

Hi raiden,

Depending on your usage it could simply be a case of too much running on your system. Do you install much software often onto your system? (even if you remove it afterwards it needs to be considered).

You may be best backing important data up and re-installing Windows fresh. There are tests you can perform on your memory and hard drive if you feel it's more of hardware slow down.

Davey

could this also affect the GFX card? i have had a few problems with this such as going blank and the games that i have been playing just tab out and could this also be the cause of screen lag in games

thanks again
Raiden

[simonwong1989]

When you say screen lag, do you mean slow movement on the screen momentaily or all the time? Have you tried lowering the video/graphics setting on the game itself?

[Davey W]

Hi raiden,

It could in some minute way be responsible but there isn't enough information to suggest it is. If game freezes up or doesn't respond for a while, but you can alt-tab out of is usually software related though.

A hardware failure at that time doesn't tend to discriminate between operating system and game.

Davey

[raiden]

the problems i can get are that
i get screen lag a lot
the game(s) completely freezes and i have to reboot
screen goes blank and i have to reboot
as well as the game tabbing out ion its own.
thanks
Raiden

could a system restore rectify this

[Davey W]

Hi raiden,

As long as there is no hardware problem at the heart of the problem then yes this is likely to help a great deal, but again usually only if the current system has become clogged up with software installation over time.

Of course it's also a potentially quicker way of testing for a hardware fault if you are willing to do it. If you restore the system to a clean state, install nothing but the game or games in question you can see if the problem persists. If it does then the likelihood that a hardware fault is the cause is greatly increased.

Davey

[raiden]

ok thanks for the help, i will hope to get that done in the near future.
thanks
Raiden

[raiden]

right i have reformatted and there are no drivers or the software that come with the machine on it
where will i be able to get these
i got the gfx drivers i need the network drivers as i cant access the internet on that machine, i think ill need the mobo and the sound too.

thanks
Raiden

[Davey W]

Hi raiden,

If you backed up the C:\DRIVERS folder then the original (and quite old now) drivers can be found there to get you up and running.

If you don't have access to this then you will need to download the drivers for the M2N8-VMX from the manufacturers website which should cover the network, motherboard and sound.

Davey