topic Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed! in PCs & Accessories

System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

mistura — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:35:36 GMT

Hi there.

I've got a VGN-FS15E laptop and I keep having problems shutting down windows and opening programs.

Specifically, when I open programmes - say word or powerpoint and even online applications - the programmes take ages (at least 5 minutes to open. Also, when I try to shut down window (I have XP) after I've clicked on the shut down icon it takes at least 5 mins to action the request.

The CPU access light flashes very slowly while I'm trying to do any of this.

Any advice or help would be appreciated.

Thanks.

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

Thalamus. — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 20:40:35 GMT

Hi mistura

Welcome to club Vaio,

Have you checked for spyware and run an antivirus scan...?

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

mistura — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 21:32:44 GMT

Yep, but that doesn't seem to be the problem.

Any ideas?

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

Thalamus. — Wed, 21 Jun 2006 22:01:03 GMT

Hi mistura,

You could download and runTune Up Utilities

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

kee-lo_ — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 13:49:41 GMT

Press ALT+CTRL+DEL
Click on processes
Click twice on CPU
Which one is over using it?

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

bluebottle73 — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 20:15:13 GMT

Hi there.

I've got a VGN-FS15E laptop and I keep having problems shutting down windows and opening programs.

Specifically, when I open programmes - say word or powerpoint and even online applications - the programmes take ages (at least 5 minutes to open. Also, when I try to shut down window (I have XP) after I've clicked on the shut down icon it takes at least 5 mins to action the request.

I am also having the same problem. i do belive that its the softwear pre installed on the laptop. it also could do with 512mb more memory ( could any one tell me if the memory is what i think it is DDR2 553mz 200 pin please)

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

Blencogo — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 20:55:13 GMT

Hi mistura,

Some anti-virus programs have a MS Office Plug-In which can sometimes cause this problem. I have seen it in the past with Norton Anti-Virus and Norton System Works.

You could try closing down your AV program manually (preferably when not on line!) and seeing if that makes a difference when loading Office files or Shutting Down.

What AV program are you using and does it have 'active scanning'? What Firewall do you have - some (like ZoneAlarm) do ring-fence programs?

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

Blencogo — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 21:06:52 GMT

Hi bluebottle73 and welcome to ClubVAIO.

It would help a lot if you gave us your Vaio model?

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

bluebottle73 — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 21:40:04 GMT

VGN - FS15E

I am thinking of getting rid of norton. Also adding 512mb of ddr2 witch will give it a boost. at start up. I have 67 odd processes at start up. (thats too much in my eyes) i have had my laptop for a month now so still very clean on the hard drive.

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

Blencogo — Thu, 22 Jun 2006 23:23:59 GMT

Hi bluebottle73,

Didn't realise you had the same model as mistura!

The FS15 Series uses DDR PC2700 DDR333MHz memory modules - you can buy 512MB for £35.24 from CRUCIAL with free (2 day) delivery.

Use the System Scanner on the left of the page to identify exactly what you have at the moment - if you have 2 X 256MB you will probably want to buy 2 X 512MB.

With regards to Norton - lots of people have moved away from this resource hungry suite. It does cause problems for many, particularly when trying to close down. Favorite replacement at the moment is ZoneAlarm ISS 6 - (it is cheapest at Amazon!)

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

bluebottle73 — Fri, 23 Jun 2006 11:57:32 GMT

bullgard have a good offer on amazon. £14.95 for V6.

thats £25 off the normal price.
it also have a back up program that lets you up load your hard drive on to there severs for free....

anyone use this softwear?

just orded 512mb of crucial ram. very good price. thanks for that Mr.

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

mistura — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 16:38:18 GMT

Hi Kee-lo.

Thanks for the help.

I've done as instructed and I have 67 processes running and the system idle process if running 97 % of the cpu usage.

Does this make sense? And if so any advice?

Thanks

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

mistura — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 16:41:22 GMT

Hi Blencogo.

Thanks for the advice.

I'm running Norton anti-virus so maybe I should try shutting this down? What do you think?

Also, I have a trail version of Norton Ghost that I can't seem to get rid of so maybe that's not helping.

What are my AV programs and how do I shut them down manually?

Thanks

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

Blencogo — Sun, 25 Jun 2006 23:32:09 GMT

Hi mistura,

At the bottom-right of your screen you should see the Norton Icon in the taskbar. Right-click on this and choose to close the Norton Security Suite.

Try opening some Office Applications and see if they still take a long time. Shut down your computer and see how long it takes. This should give you an idea if Norton is causing the problem.

When you open your computer again, make sure you activate Norton before going on line!

Norton Ghost can also cause problems on Vaios. If you don't use it, uninstall it: -

Control Panel>Add or remove programs>scroll down to find Norton Ghost and uninstall it.

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

kee-lo_ — Mon, 26 Jun 2006 12:59:04 GMT

Hi Kee-lo.

Thanks for the help.

I've done as instructed and I have 67 processes running and the system idle process if running 97 % of the cpu usage.

Does this make sense? And if so any advice?

Thanks

Woah, 67 processes, no wonder your VAIOs slow!

System Idle Process always runs at 99%, this is normal

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

bluebottle73 — Fri, 30 Jun 2006 23:01:24 GMT

ok. norton has been replaced by bullguard on my (VGN 515E) laptop. WHAT a diference in speed. at least 5 times faster on start up. (thank god). i will be adding another 512mb ddr2. it still needs that push to open programs up and switch between windows. next mision is to clear it up of all the bumph programs that sony have pre installed. ( NO OFFENCE SONY BUT YOU DO LOAD YOUR LAPTOPS UP WTH SOME UNWANTED PROGRAMS.). JUST A BIT TOP HEAVY FOR SOME LAPTOPS YOU HAVE OUT IN YOUR SHOPS TO BUY.

Re: System Idle Problems - Help Needed!

kee-lo_ — Sat, 01 Jul 2006 13:12:11 GMT

Glad to hear it went well.
I think Sony gets commission for every person who subscribes to Norton from their VAIOs