Advent 5421 Slow.

[Braindead]

(2) Why are you using two browsers (Firefox  & Explorer)?

Not my thread I know, but the reason I run Firefox and Internet Explorer is simply that Microsoft makes it difficult to use its site with Firefox...

As to the question, a quick google shows the Advent 5421 comes with just 1gb of ram, not really enough to run Vista + programs in my opinion. Check how much ram you've got & if necessary order more - 2gb is £33.99 from crucial.com

I would also download & run (regularly) ccleaner from here .

Run the cleaner, then in the tools section, clean out all the unwanted items from your startup menu.

I also much prefer using it to remove programs than the standard Windows add/remove programs - it's much quicker.

You can also use it to clean up your registry, but if you do MAKE A BACKUP first in case it messes something up (it never has for me though!)

When you've finished cleaning up you could then defrag if you wanted to.
Good luck.

[mezentia]

Adding more memory will certainly help, and 2Gb I think is a minimum. Interestingly, I put a windows 7 beta on a system with only 512 Mb, and it worked fine!

Can I just add a note of caution on ccleaner, and that is to make sure you have a full backup first. I've used ccleaner and by and large it works ok, but you must make sure that you check carefully what it proposes to delete. I have come across instances where it has failed to recognise valid commercial applications and deleted registry entries and dll files that it shouldn't have, and that came from trusting it a little too much! In my case, it was the security system we used to transmit our payroll to BACS - Ouch!

[oldhippy]

Never ever download or install programs that you don’t fully understand. You are more likely to do more harm than good to your P C.

If you do as someone said, you need to have a back up first. The trouble is many people can't be bothered to do such a thing.

I’ve had people come to me after the damage has been done. I ask them why install such a program, many say it looked good and they wanted to try it. 

[Tomdanpete]

Looking in the Resource Manager VSMON.EXE is using 1,554.This i understand is part of ZoneAlarm and monitors internet traffic.
Peter.

[oldhippy]

I've found this about VSMON.EXE. Not sure if this fix will sort out your problem, might be wort a try.

VSMON is a program that can eat up to 100% of the CPU time (on occasion), and can be VERY annoying to the user.

Thankfully, there is a simple way to stop it doing that.

1. Open CONTROL PANEL
2.Open ADMINISTRATIVE TOOLS
3. Open SERVICES
4. Find the TRUEVECTOR INTERNET MONITOR
5. Right click on it and select PROPERTIES
6. In the STARTUP TYPE drop down select MANUAL.

Restart your computer.

That’s all there is to it.

The next time you access the internet, you MAY find that your blocked, but don’t worry. Just start up your Zone Labs firewall program and them shut the program down. This will reset all connection protocols and allow you to access the internet without using Zone Labs.

Also, as an extra plus, if you ever again use Zone Labs firewall, when you decide to close the program, VSMON will also close down too…It will not be left open running in the background.

[mezentia]

If stopping VSMON works, I'd actually remove ZoneAlarm as the standard windows firewall is probably just as good. I used to use ZoneAlarm, and in fact still do on one rather old works PC. I've never had any problems with the standard windows firewall, and although I'm reluctant to blow Mr Gate's trumpet, the built in firewall seems to do what it says on the tin.

[downside]

I'd actually remove ZoneAlarm as the standard windows firewall is probably just as good. I used to use ZoneAlarm

That's probably one of the worst pieces of advice I've ever heard.

Just let VSMON do its thing.  ZoneAlarm is the most recommended free firewall programs available.  Unlike the Windows firewall, the ZoneAlarm firewall works two ways by monitoring incoming and out-going traffic.  Each time a program on your computer tries to send data to a server it asks for your approval first, unless it is a repeat program that you have already approved.  The Windows firewall only moniotrs incoming traffic.

I would recommend that you keep ZoneAlarm and do not interfere with it by stopping it starting - put it back on automatic in Services.

[robbo43]

I've had problems with recent versions of both Zone Alarm and AVG seriously slowing everything down .  I've swapped to Kaspersky and don't seem to have any problems with it

Robert