Diagnose A Slow Vista Home Basic Machine?
Feb 25, 2009
A friend found out that I have a Vista computer so he brought me his wife's computer to find out why it is so slow. I have no problems with mine but this Vista Home Basic PC is ungodly slow. Just to open an Explorer window takes over 90 seconds. I scheduled a checkdisk and ran it on the next reboot. I defragged and ran the disk cleanup wizard. I downloaded and reinstalled the ATI video drivers after seeing an eror message about ATI. It is slightly faster but not enough to make any difference to the user. Where do I find the diagnostics, or logs or something that can tell me what is slowing it down so that I can fix it? I couldn't find a diagnostic on the eMachine site. My last option will be to reformat and start over but I'd rather not do that if there is a way to fix it instead. It's an eMachine with only 512 MB RAM, but it did run much faster when new. Intel Pentium 3.0 GHz, 160 GB HDD. Also the wireless card is very slow, but the wired connection is pretty fast for downloading.
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Jun 30, 2008
CANNOT SIMPLY UPGRADE WITHIN VISTA??? FIRST TIME ISSUE EVER POSTED! I have a question that I cannot make sense of. I have Windows Vista Home Basic with SP1 installed on my computer. I have a copy of a legit retail version of Windows Vista Ultimate Upgrade SP1 DVD-ROM. I want to upgrade my current Vista Home Basic to Vista Ultimate. Sounds simple enough. I have read everywhere on the web and it can upgrade easily as long as you upgrade within Windows Vista and not a reboot installation. Okay, but when I get to a point in the Vista grade process, I CANNOT! During the installation process, when I get to the screen that states, "Which type of installation do you want?" AFTER INPUTTING THE VISTA ULTIMATE KEY CODE ON A PREVIOUS SCREEN, the option should be "Upgrade" ONLY and NOT "Custom (Advanced)" since the key code is set for upgrade option only. I GET THE TOTAL OPPOSITE!!! I only get the option "Custom (Advanced)" and the "Upgrade" option is grayed out. WHAT??? NO "Upgrade" option??? I SHOULD BE GETTING THE "Upgrade" OPTION!!! This does not make any sense!!! It states at the reason at the bottom of this screen, "Upgrade has been disabled. - The upgrade option cannot be started, to upgrade, cancel the installation and then choose to upgrade to a version of Windows that is more recent than the version you are currently running." This does not make any sense, does it??? I should be able to only upgrade since I only have an upgrade disc. I am upgrading from a lower edition of Vista to a higher edition of Vista, therefore I should ALSO have this feature to upgrade enabled too when it knows my CD key is a higher ("upgrade") edition. I have spent several hours searching and read around the web and cannot find my same or similar case scenario. A first time! People who have upgraded between different editions of Vista with either the Windows Anytime Upgrade retail package or (mine) the Windows Vista Ultimate Retail Upgrade box (includes the Windows Anytime Upgrade anyways on it) say it is a breeze! What is going on with me??? I should not be having any problems what-so-ever!
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Jul 30, 2009
What is VIsta Basic (as opposed to Vista Home, Pro, or Ultimate)? A local retailer has the ACER 5516 laptop for less than $300, but it says it has Windows Vista Basic - that makes me wonder what features you don't get. Wht features will Vista Basic not have that Vista Home would?
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Sep 10, 2007
My friend and I have been going back and forth about his computer for a while. When Vista is installed it runs fine. Its not until we add the ATI vista 64 drivers does the machine slow down to a crawl. Originally this was with an x1600xt so we upgraded to the hd2600xt. Same issue. Now comes the weird part. So we got our hands on a single core amd 64 3200+ cpu and put it in. Now the machine runs fine. Why would using a dual core processor slow the machine down significantly. He has set up a dual boot with xp 64 and it runs fine with the x2 processor.
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Mar 26, 2008
In our Language School we have a Multimedia Language Lab (allowing the school
students to access through user name and password an internet platform to do
the exercise work after each class lesson). This system uses Windows Vista Basic as operating system and is based on a 802.11a/b/g Wireless LAN.
1.It is possible to create a Vista Install DVD allowing ??? in case of serious problems with the hardware on one PC ??? to format the hard disk and reload the Operating System, Configuration, Programs and LAN configuration (not exceeding 2 or 3 GB of disk space for the image) just by loading the Install DVD, without the need for calling any expert to solve the situation. I have to explain that recently a similar situation occurred and it took three hours of an expert???s time to reload the whole configuration and programs on the PC concerned.
2.If the answer to the above point is yes, what are the simple steps to follow to achieve what described at above point 1.
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Jul 15, 2008
How do i back the date up on windows vista home basic?
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Mar 7, 2009
Our family has 3 laptops running Vista - 1 basic and 2 home premium. One of the home premiums will not stay sleeping. Sometimes I have to make it sleep twice or even 3 times before it will appear to stay sleeping. But the next morning it is no longer sleeping. I have to unplug the Ethernet cable to be assured that it is not doing anything on the web. How can I correct this problem?
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Mar 18, 2010
Is it possible to purchase a windows vista home basic product key on line? I'd like to validate an illegal installation (inherited). Couldn't see the facility on the MS web site. Or would I be better just to go to the store and buy the package (solely for the product key)
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Mar 23, 2008
Just for the record I downloaded SP1 and ran it on my Vista Home Premium machine. Went away and had a cuppa. Came back and it was all done and dusted. No problems, no issues, no disasters, no glitches, no crashes, no blue screens, no screaming or gnashing of teeth. What HAVE I done wrong?
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May 22, 2008
I understand this can be done online. The information says that I need the Anytime upgrade disk to complete the process. Is this so? Sorry to be stupid but need to know the steps involved. If I dont have an anytime upgrade disk, how do I get one?
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Mar 10, 2009
Vista 64 home premium is suddenly very slow, too slow to the point of programs not even launching. When trying to start in safe mode with networking, got a "repair" notice and then it tried to do a repair, saying that the volmgrx.sys was corrupt. However, the repair reported that it failed. I tried a system restore, and after seeing the "system restore is initializing" for over 12 minutes, I hit the power switch. It will start up in normal mode, but the disk activity light almost never goes out and is on almost solidly. I tried to copy the volmgrx.sys from a sister machine (two were ordered at the same time from HP), and then found that even in safe mode with command prompt, the file was protected. Is there a another way to copy over that file, or is that a "custom-made" file during the first turn-on of Vista?
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May 8, 2010
I've got a 6 year Compaq old laptop running Vista Basic, 1.5 GB of RAM, most WU's are current, MBAM, SAS, CA Security Suite with the FW shut off. Windows Firewall, Windows Defender. The system is very slow for file/program commands (Open, close, shutdowns, etc.). For instance, if I right click on Start and select `Explore' it takes 4-6 seconds for Explore to open up, and when it does open up a green status indication running across the path window just creeps along to the right very slowly. Is this some sort of an indexing problem?
Same thing with Task Manager. Internet browsing is ok speedwise, although when I run Brighthouse network's Road Runner Speed test, the results are poor (3500 kbps downloading). If I do this test on my Acer Desktop or laptop, the speed is over 9000 kbps). Running Firefox (but it's chewing up about 150 MB of process space)...........
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May 24, 2008
I am confused. I recently purchased a brand new Toshiba Satellite laptop (from a very well known retail vendor). I have Windows Vista Basic running on it. For reasons I won't go into right now (but perhaps in a later post after this), you might say I was forced into doing a little research on my laptop in order to determine whether it is a 32 or 64 bit operating system. Well I found out that my version of Windows Vista Home Basic is 32-bit. However, I am also aware that it is available in a 64-bit version. I also found out that there is such as thing as Windows Vista Starter Edition, which supposedly is the ONLY version of Vista which is NOT 64 bit. If this is true, then why does my System Information tell me that I am running a 32 bit version of Vista Home Basic edition? I do not understand this.
Let me clarify something very quickly here. I am a Computer Networking major at the present time. I do not need someone to speak to me in terms which only someone who doesn't know who to turn on a computer would understand. Lastly, let me also clarify one last thing (hopefully). If there is such as thing as a 64 bit version of Vista Home Basic, then why does my laptop only have the 32 bit version? Is this because I have the "starter" edition, and in order for me to get the better one I would need to actually PAY to upgrade? But why in the world would I need to actually have to PAY in oder to get nothing more than yet a DIFFERENT edition of the exact same OS that I am already running on this laptop of mine? To me, either Windows or Toshiba would have made this a whole lot easier to understand if they would simply have made a DISTINCTION between Vista Starter edition and Vista Home Basic.
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Feb 6, 2009
I am wondering if it is possible that I could create a new partition on my Vista home basic just for storage for pictures and document files mainly. If I could do this, would it help the speed of the computer? If so, how would I go about doing this? And, once stored in the new partition, would I be able to open them as normal? I already
use flash drives, etc for storage, but have run out of room on both of those, and just cant afford to buy more right now. I need to speed up this pc, and I know the vast number of pictures and documents and scans I have on here are probably the main culprit for slowing it down. (I do genealogy, and ebay- and have huge number of pictures relating to both, as well as text documents, .rtf files, .pdf files, .doc, etc).
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Jun 16, 2008
many websites show the minimum system requirements for vista home basic: they say 512 mb ram will do. i have this "old" pc (p4 1.7 ghz, 3 x 256 mb ram, geforce6200 64-bit), a "siemens scenic t", and i am wondering if "home basic" will run smootly on this machine. although it meets the minimum system requirements, i need to know if "home basic" _will_ run smoothly on this computer. nothing "special" will be done on this machine, just internet, some basic word processing ?? la ms word, opening photographs, listening to music (mp3), watching the average online movie like on Internet. before i spend money on vista (home basic) for this computer, i sort of need to know if it will run "normally" with the above mentioned specifications.
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Mar 17, 2009
I keep seeing great Vista security tutorials in which they use GPEdit.msc to change a setting. Unfortunately, I'm running Vista Home Basic and have yet to find this program.
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Mar 28, 2008
I have windows vista home basic and i going to execute asp.net file but i cannot
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Aug 30, 2009
I have a Compaq laptop which has a amd Processor.
I had some problems with the built in wireless.
When i took it to hp they replaced the motherboard.
After 2 days it stopped working. When i told them about they said i would need to format the laptop.
I put a Ubuntu CD in and it recognised the wireless driver, after that windows saw the wireless driver.
I feel the wireless is working, not sure about windows Please tell me what info you need.
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Mar 29, 2008
After activating the pre-loaded applications on my new notebook Acer Extensa
4220, it broke down. Error: C:Windowssystem 32dfrgui.exe, - 1073741502.
I tried to press alt+F10 and F2. Tried to boot it with recovery disc and to
get into bios. With no results. The screen remains grey and dead. Can anyone
tell me whats wrong? I can't get an answer from Acer Aspire support and
there is no warranty for software-errors.
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Nov 2, 2009
i recently had to take my dell dimension c521 back to factory set, using repair my computer on the f8 key advanced boot options (basic installed). everything loaded well and running basic no probs!!however i have an upgrade disk for home premium when i install it, it has disabled option to keep original settings and files and performs to install home premium and moves my old settings to (windows old folder). when i first got disk it just upgraded to home premium with settings and files no problem.have i done something wrong at factory set or is there a way to upgrade keeping my settings.
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Mar 23, 2008
the machine is veery slow loading say the home page or a email,,it is not too slow starting up.it is a new dell with 4gig and i do not know wheather to delete some dell products and try that or what.and if that is not the answer then what do i do with the support deleted and all. everything on the machine seems to work correctly except for the page loading.we get our internet from cable and the house is on a wireless dlink system.it is just so slow and i thought that by getting the home premium and the 4 gb everything would work great,,but it is just tooo slow to load pages that you want to go to that it is getting to be a problem which need so help. there are 2 other computers both running xp on the wireless also and they work great and load quickly.......so what is with that
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Jul 20, 2009
im new here by the way, i have a vista home basic 32 bit, what do i need in order for me to upgrade it to vista ultimate? what are the procedures?
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Aug 28, 2009
I am currently using my Dell Inspiron in safe mode as I cannot use it in normal mode without freezing soon after loading. For some reason, the Ms Help page says there is a prob with my Product ID so I can't get help there unless I pay for it. I have just had Service Pack 2 installed but the problem started before that upgrade. Also, in device manager, under Network Adaptors, I have 6TO4 adapters 'unable to start' and also ISATAP adapters similarly unable to start. Would these events be the cause of the freezing? I don't have more than 1 anti-virus running.
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May 30, 2009
already has a Vista Home Basic trial installed but it has ended by now. It also has a couple of drivers already installed. However I have an OEM CD of Vista Business 64 that I'm going to use and I also want to have Vista to be in it's own partition. It's been a long time I had to format and create partitions so I don't remember much. And it was with XP then, not Vista. I was planning to format the drive and then install Vista Business 64, but I've been told I can simply select an 'upgrade' option from Home Basic to Business and keep the rest as it is. Is this true?
I also know you can create a partition in Vista, but can it be created in the drive where Vista is already installed? Like for example it's installed on a 640GB drive. Can I split it and have Vista be in a 80GB drive while the other 560GB are in a new completely empty partition? Also, in case I decide to format instead, should I do Quick Format or Format? I've been told the only thing normal format does is check for errors at the end. Taking in consideration that Vista Home Basic is currently installed is Quick Format acceptable?
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Jun 28, 2008
I've been browsing the forum watching several posts on Windows Vista and 4Gb memory issues, but couldn't find a solution. I have a Sony Vaio NR210FH. I upgraded memory to 4 Gb (2 x 2Gb). BIOS recognizes ok, but Vista Home Basic doesn't start. If I only use one 2Gb, it works ok.
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Dec 9, 2008
I have a friend with Windows Vista Home Basic on his HP laptop, he has a valid key in the back of it on a sticker, it worked before, but after a reformat and reinstallation of Windows, it keeps bugging him that it's not genuine. We tried various command prompts found online to reset validation keys or stuff like that, we passed the phone activation successfully, but still there's no change.
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Feb 6, 2009
I got a pre installed version of Vista home Basic. Now i just purchased an upgrade disc to Business. I cannot do the upgrade, the computer tells me that i need to get e newer version. what do i need to do.
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Feb 6, 2009
I have a disc and a code of Vista Ultimate, can it be used to install Home Basic/Premium? Or I need a seperate disc of Home Basic/Premium?
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Mar 17, 2008
windows sound recorder does't open and isteada pop up message comes up:
Windows sound recourder is not istalled properly.RunREGSVR32 WavDest.dll.
When I tried to run REGSVR32 WavDest.dll I got an error 0x80070005
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Jun 24, 2008
Its been about three months since I've given up trying to network my Vista machine with my XP machine, but I thought I would try it again. here are my symptoms again:
*Vista (Ultimate) machine cannot see XP (Home SP2) machine.
*XP machine can see and access the Vista machine.
*Xp machine shows up in the Vista Network Map, but not the Network Folder.
*Both machines can ping each other.
*I can access the XP machine via IP address, I can access the shared folder but not a shared printer.
*IPConfig for Vista shows that NetBIOS over TCP/IP is disabled even though it is enabled in the Network Adaptor Properties dialog. (NetBIOS over TCP/IP always enabled, the middle radio button)
Other information:
*Everything worked as it should once apon a time, then it all went to Hell. It could have been an update, tweaking software, or antivirus setting, but I notcie too late to do anything about it.
*I know it can't be that I don't have the same User/Password on both machines (I tried it anyway but it still didn't work), because it worked awhile back without having the same accounts on both machines.
*I had Bitdefender 2008 on the Vista machine, the Firewall log had entries that the ports 138 and 139 were being refused, despite having the XP machine being on the trusted list (by its IP address). So I uninstalled the Antivirus, but the problem persists.
*The XP machine has Zone Alarm Internet Security.................
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Mar 23, 2008
New PC bought with Vista pre-installed. I own an unused XP Professional Upgrade CD. Can I upgrade / crossgrade / downgrade from Vista to XP Pro using the upgrade CD ? I'm anticipating failure when it doesn't detect a previous complying product - is this so, and if so what media and licensing steps offer a workaround ?
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