Computer slowdown

[relapse71]

Specs:

Asus A8N32-SLI Deluxe
ATI X1800XT 512
Opteron 170 x2 2.0
500w seagate
sound blaster live
Dell 22 widescreen monitor
corsair 2G ram


I build this computer 4 years ago, but in the last month or two, when I click to open a window (XP), especially if the folder contains media info, it takes like 5 seconds or more to open, when before it was instantaneous. Is my ram malfunctioning? CPU slowing down?

 

[jdjbuffalo]

There are several possibilities.

Since this was working quickly before, I would lean towards a hard drive going out. I've also seen this sort of thing with a disconnected network drive. But this is something that most home users don't have. If you have more than one hard drive then try copying one of the folders to the other hard drive and see if you get the same issue. If you do, then it's not likely a hard drive issue.

Another possibility is that you are low on RAM and it's taking extra time to process your request.

Yet another possibility is that you are using most/all of your CPU when you are navigating, this could cause it to take extra time to process your request.

 

[Intexity]

you should check your task manager see if any process's are hogging resources.
edit-also use msconfig (carefully) to disable unwanted programs from running at startup

 

[crown711]

ccleaner (free) may be needed.