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Article ID : S500011135 / Last Modified : 11/04/2018Print

What to do when the speed of the computer slows down?

    • Why does the running speed of the computer slows down?
    • Why is the running speed of the VAIO computer slower than other computers?
    • How to speed up the computer?

    Sometimes the working conditions will affect the running speed.
    The insufficient space of hardware, the overloading of CPU or the connection to some devices may all lead to the slow running of the computer.


    If the running speed of the computer slows down, please try the following steps to troubleshoot the issue.

    ■ Close all the unused software.
    ■ Set up power options and CPU performance (only for notebooks.).
    ■ Remove all the peripherals.
    ■ Close the resident programs.
    ■ Perform disk cleanup or disk defragmenter regularly.
    ■ Check the free space of hard disk.
    ■ Confirm whether the computer is infected with viruses.
    ■ Optimize system performance in Windows XP and Windows Vista.
    ■ Disable network connection.
    ■ Stop scheduled tasks in Windows XP and Windows Vista.
    ■ Check the CPU usage in Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista.
    ■ Check the memory usage
    ■ Check the size of the fixed virtual memory in Windows XP and Windows Vista.
    ■ Check the transmission mode of the IDE channels in Windows 2000 and Windows XP.
    ■ Close all the unused software.

    When several programs are running, please close the unused ones to verfity the issue.
    Please close the programs or dialog boxes which display the updating regularly（e.g. screen saver and some printer-applied programs).



    ■ Set up power options and CPU performance (only for notebooks.).

    Please use the power adapter of the notebook and set the CPU frequency to the highest level.

    For the computer models which use ACPI (Advanced Configuration and Power Interface) in the power management mode, choose proper items or create specific files in Power Panel or VAIO power saving mode.
    ACPI is related to the specifications of the CPU management in Windows，so users cannot ensure CPU run at full speed continuously.

    For the computer models which use APM (Advanced Power Management) in the power management mode, change the CPU settings to FULL in AC file of Power Panel.

    Different computer models have different orders of the operating steps. Please refer to the user manual or online solutions for more details.


    Remark
    The computer will be out of standby status automatically when the CPU usage increases. This will not occur when the computer is running a single command.
    When users change the setting of CPU usage to Full, the mainframe chassis will be hotter than that in power-saving mode. It is not a malfunction.

    In addition, when the surrounding temperature is high or the CPU temperature arrives at certain level, even if user have not changed the settings, according to its performance, the computer will run more slowly to control the temperature.


    ■ Remove all the peripherals.

    Some peripherals or drivers will cause overload to CPU.
    Please remove the peripherals, and then confirm whether the computer can run properly.

    When it is connected to the peripherals, the computer may not run properly.
    Please contact the manufactures for the peripherals' running state.



    ■ Close the resident programs.

    Disabling the startup items can shorten the starting time.

    ※ Note: Windows or the related software may encounter malfunctions when the startup items are disabled.



    ■ Perform disk cleanup or disk defragmenter regularly.

    When it takes a longer time to read the file, users can run disk defragmenter to speed up the process.

    The data change of creating or deleting files, installing software repeatedly in hard disk will produce fragmentations. The increase of fragmentations will prolong the time to get access to the files.
    Please perform disk cleanup or disk defragmenter regularly.

    Different Operating Systems have different orders of operating steps.
    Please refer to the following information.



    ■ Check the free space of hard disk.

    The running speed of Windows slows down with the decrease in free space on the hard disk.
    Please delete the unused files to free up disk space.



    ■ Confirm whether the computer is infected with viruses.

    If the computer is infected with viruses, please use the Anti-Virus software to resolve the issue.
    Please refer to the following information.



    ■ Optimize system performance in Windows XP and Windows Vista.

    Windows XP or Windows Vista offers various visual effects such as the Window's living display or menu fading.
    These visual effects may cause reduction in the performance of the computer.
    In Windows XP or Windows Vista, if the running speed of the computer slows down, please refer to the following operations to disable visual effects function.

    Note
    By configuring the settings below, users can disable the Visual Effects function.
    To enable visual effects function after Click to DVD, select   Let Windows choose what's best for my computer, and then click OK.


    ● In Windows XP

    1. Click Start, and then click Control Panel.

    2. Click Performance and Maintenanceand then click System.

    3. Click Advanced,and then click Settings in the  Performance section.

    4. Select  Adjust for best performanceand then click OK.

    5. Click OK in System Properties to apply the changes.


    ● In Windows Vista

    1. Click , and then click Control Panel.

    2. Click System and Maintenance.


    3. Click Performance Information and Tools.


    4. Click Advanced tools.


    5. Click Adjust for best appearance.


    6. When Account Control displays, click Continue or Permit.
      For standard users, please refer to the following instructions.


      If User Account Control doesn't display, please proceed with the next step.

    7. Choose Adjust for best performance and then click OK.



    ■ Disable network connection.

    When the computer is connected to the network, according to different network status, the computer may run slowly.
    Disconnect network connection and disable the Network Adapter function, and then confirm whether the computer works properly.



    ■ Stop scheduled tasks in Windows XP and Windows Vista.

    After users have set up task scheduler, some scheduled software may also launch when the computer is running.
    It will slow down the running speed of the computer.
    Please refer to the following steps to stop scheduled tasks.

    ● In Windows XP

    1. Click Start and then click Control Panel.

    2. Click Performance and Maintenance, and then click Scheduled Tasks.

    3. If there are no more than two tasks listed, please refer to the following steps.

    4. Double-click the task want to stop.

    5. Click Taskand then deselect Enabled (scheduled task runs at specified time).



      ※ To enable the task again, please select the option.

    6. Click OK.
    ● In Windows Vista

    1. Click , and then click Control Panel.

    2. Click Performance and Maintenance.

    3. Click Administrative Tools.

    4. Double-click Task Scheduler.

    5. When User Account Control displays,click continue or permit.
      For standard users, please refer to the following instructions.

      If User Account Control doesn't display, please proceed with the next step.

    6. Double-click the task to stop in Task Name.


    7. Choose Disable in Actions.



    ■ Check the CPU usage in Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista.

    Check whether there is any process occupying high CPU usage.
    Please refer to the following related information on the operating steps.

    Note
    If forcefully end a process, users may lose the unsaved data.


    1. Press Ctrl + Alt + Delete simultaneously.

      Remark
      In Windows Vista，click Start Task Administrator in the displayed dialog box.

    2. Click Processes.

    3. Click CPU.

    4. Check whether there is any process occupying high CPU usage.



      Remark
      It is normal that System Idle Process occupies a high CPU usage.
      It runs when no other runnable thread can be scheduled on a CPU.

    If there is a process occupying high CPU usage, it may be the cause of the issue.
    End the process, and then confirm whether the computer works properly.



    ■ Check the memory usage.

    Part of the memory will be used to handle the read-in and read-out of files exchanges on disk.
    Frequent file exchanges will lead to insufficient memory.

    Sometimes, even only one program is stated, there will be frequent file exchanges. The running of the computer may speed up after memory upgrading.
    ※ Before memory upgrading, please check the system requirements of the software.
    In addition, SONY cannot guarantee that the computer will speed up after updating.

    Please refer to the following information to check the memory usage.


    In Windows 2000, Windows XP and Windows Vista

    Users can check the Physical Memory via Windows Task Manager.



    ■ Check the size of the fixed virtual memory in Windows XP and Windows Vista.

    Running some specific software, such as animation software, will slow down the running speed of the computer. Please confirm whether there is enough virtual memory to use the software.
    If the virtual memory is configured overlarge, the processing time of memory and hard disk will be prolonged and the running speed of Windows will slow down.
    If it is mandatory to use the program that will occupies high amounts,it is  recommended to configure virtual memory via Auto Setting.



    ■ Check the transmission mode of the IDE channels in Windows 2000 and Windows XP.

    If the computer is frequently set Stand by, and then resume, IDE channel transmission mode will change to PIO mode. It will cause reduction in the performance of the computer.