SZ680 running extremely slowly?

I don't know what's just happened all of a sudden, but my SZ seems to be running extremely slowly...CPU usage is 100% the moment I open a few programs...launching outlook the first time lasts almost 30 seconds..browsing new tabs in IE takes ages, switching between windows is slow too, very unsmooth...

I tried running the vista experience index again and after it had completed in an unusually long time of close to 8-9 minutes (before this was <1minute) it couldn't update. I'm starting to fear this may be hardware related...I can't think of anything software-related which might have caused that. The last thing I did before this started to happen was in the Advanced options of Regional & Language Settings was change the System Locale language from English (US) to English (UK) after which the pc rebooted...

Any idea for a good System diagnostic tool?

 

The last time my pc slowed down like that (one week ago) it was because of a trojan. I got infected even though I was running Antivirus, Adaware and Spybot S&D.

Did you run any possibly suspicious files?

If it's not an infection, are you keeping images?

If you click ctrl+alt+del you can see what is using up your CPU. what processes/applications are using up your CPU?

PS. it sounds anything but hardware related to me.

 

No suspicious files and no dodgy webstes visited. I haven't had a virus in 6-7 years and I've had my share of experience knowing what files, websites, etc look safe and which don't.

Not keeping images.

System Idle Process is using constantly between 50 and 80% CPU Usage and nothing's open, except one IE window.

 

That's definitely not normal. If you can, scan your computer with this, http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner

 

Thanks Ken, doing so now.

Btw I think the SmartWi Utility may have something to do with it...seems software related after all....at least I hope it is...

Uninstalled that but there are times when CPU Usage remains 100% for prolonged periods of time.

Oh well...if I'd have more time I'd try find out what it is but I think the quickest fix will be a format...laptop is still pretty empty anyways.

 

Maybe this is a good time to start.

I use Acronis True Image, in case of a problem like this I can have a completly fresh install within 15 minutes.

 

If System Idel process are taking up 50%, there must be something else at 50%.
Do you know what?

Maybe svhost?

My system idle processes are usually between 90-99% when browsing the internet.

 

Yea sorry made a mistake, system idle process was at 90-99%, CPU Usage in total was 50-80%, seems ok for the moment..so probably software related after all...

Though when I boot up the problem is there again... It happens the first few moments i Open up programs, it takes ages then...

Grrr...

 

Btw the Image idea is great, something I am planning to do as soon as I have the laptop hooked up to an external hd. Planning to simply use the Windows Full Backup built into Vista, should suffice too no?

 

I still think something is causing CPU those spikes at 50-80%, and it's not system idle processes....

Oh well, if you are doing a clean install maybe it wont show up again.

ps. i have never used Vista backup. What i like about Acronis is that it lets me format a USB stick to a bootable device, I boot Acronis True image and Disk Director of USB stick!

If you make an image with Vista, how will you restore it?

 

There seem 2 options, one through the Backup and Restore center in Vista itself, the other via the Vista installation disc and then choosing Repair Computer or something like that...

 

That sounds basicly the same as Acronis.

but... when booting from Vista installation disc, and choosing repair computer, does it let you restore an image from an external USB harddrive?

Acronis has this feature. When booting of DVD (or USB) you acces all USB devices.

 

I should hope so...I know when you want to backup your whole computer you have the option to save this on an external disk,so I'd suppose they'd be smart enough to include the restoring from an external disk option at boot-up too...