Troubleshooting a Slow Computer

A User calls in and complains that her computer and network is running very slow. How would go about troubleshooting it?

Questions by sanj108

Editorial / Best Answer

smokedragon  

  • Member Since Nov-2009 | Nov 18th, 2009


I would first ask the user whether every application on the computer is slow or is it just one particular application. if it is just one, try and sort that out.
If the answer is all applications are running slow, look at common causes like, virus scans scheduled, free disk space on the home drive, RAM, lastly if the deployment team is rolling out any updates (which should not be done during business hours, but i've seen that happen too ;)
If you suspect network latency, a simple ping test from the user's computer will tell you how many milli seconds network traffic is taking to reach the server.

Showing Answers 1 - 24 of 24 Answers

smokedragon

  • Nov 18th, 2009
 

I would first ask the user whether every application on the computer is slow or is it just one particular application. if it is just one, try and sort that out.
If the answer is all applications are running slow, look at common causes like, virus scans scheduled, free disk space on the home drive, RAM, lastly if the deployment team is rolling out any updates (which should not be done during business hours, but i've seen that happen too ;)
If you suspect network latency, a simple ping test from the user's computer will tell you how many milli seconds network traffic is taking to reach the server.

Arjian

  • Nov 26th, 2009
 

First things first, figure out if her computer is the only one that is working slow. Secondly if it is just her computer, I would run some basic troubleshooting method. Check her latest anti-virus program make sure she is performing a scan if not on a daily every 2 days. Perform a diskcleanup, defrag her drivers and hardrive.

Delete all of her temp files, unwanted programs in start up and unwanted services. then increase her virtual memory and click apply for best performance option. (In win XP). Also delete temporary internet files from her profile. this is the correct way to clean the system. then check for the virus and if any virus scan and remove it.

First of all I have to check the RAM capacity, processor  frequency, virual memory and OS drive space.  Many time if we clean the event log  & temporary files from  the system  we get a better performance.   If we have large space in OS drive this will help  the computer programmes to  run smooth.

If I was there, My first step is open msconfig.exe then remove heavy and unused files from startup then I removed the unused services not Microsoft. Then removed Temp, Temperory Internet files, History and restart.
If the problem continues then we need to scan the PC through antivirus program after that I need to increase the RAM.

DanielGoad

  • Jul 23rd, 2010
 

'Slow' is a relative question, so first determine what the user is experiencing.  Is it slow opening applications or while working in them? is this a networked application or local? If it is a website or network application, the tech can try to open it from their workstation.  When did this start?  Can you check co-workers sitting near you to see if they also report slowness? 

Also, ask the user what, if anything, has changed since it was working 'correctly'.  Ask if the user is working from the location they normally do -- maybe they are working at an alternate workstation, working from home over VPN or other issue which they might not realize is a factor, so they fail to inform you.

rgawthorne

  • Oct 26th, 2010
 

First question, when did the problem start?

Is anyone else in the same work group
experience slowness.
Does it happen all the time, or is it intermittent, any patterns of timings eg, in the morning or late at night.


If they are you need to take the route of looking at network response times.
User network test - First telnet or ping to an external website.
If they can, the network administrator will need to investigate.
Check how many users can painlessly be on the network concurrently

If solely relating to one computer

What task are you performing when you experience the slowness.
Ask what browser and operating version they have.
thoroughly check the process they are using remote access if possible.

Work in safe mode to see if its still an issue. this brings the computer back to factory apps rather than added 3rd parties.

Check your programs list if anything was recently installed that
Does not need to be there of your recommended office virus scanner

Clear cookies
Clear history
Make sure you have all the windows updates.
Switch security of pop ups to on.
Make sure security level is medium high.

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