Computer Lag

Here are the specification of my laptop
Model- Dell Studio 15
Operatin System- Windows 7
RAM- 4gb
Processor-Intel Core i3
Graphic Card- ATI Radeon HD 5470

The Problem

It has been about a year since i bought this laptop. For the first 6 months or so it was running smoothly with no lag even when i was playing the latest games on the highest configuration. However, recently it has been giving me considerable problems. It started out with the computer beginning to lag after i played graphic intensive games for 30-40 minutes. but now the computer lags and slows down when i start playing any game. Heck, it starts lagging even if i play poker on facebook. No only does the video slow down but all the actions of the computer slow down including all other programs and mouse movement. What could be the problem here? Any help is greatly appreciated.

 

Hi Zu01 and welcome to CHF

My first thought is Dust and Dirt causing a build up of heat, here is a link to a useful app to tell you your internal tempratures.

http://www.piriform.com/speccy/download

 

Hi zu01, welcome to CHF...

There are a few things you can check on your computer that are easy to do. I'll assume that you have an antivirus program installed. This being the case...Run a full scan of you PC to check for any unwanted bugs, etc.

Next in line would be to run an anti malware scan. There are a few free programs available, but the one I would suggest using is Malwarebytes AntiMalware...See the link below:

Note: Make sure you get the free version!

http://www.malwarebytes.org/products/malwarebytes_free

After making sure that MalwareBytes is fully up to date, run a full scan and if the program finds anything (will show findings in red text) follow the instructions to remove the offending bugs.

It is also possible that there are programs running at startup (In the background) that are not needed. To check which programs are running at startup....
1. Click the start orb/button and type "msconfig".......Without the quotes.
2. Click on the Startup tab and uncheck (Remove the tick) any program that you do not need at startup. Be careful not to stop any program that needs to run all the time...such as your resident Antivirus program, etc.

Note: If you have any doubt about which progams to uncheck, take a screen grab of the startup window and post it here in this thread for someone here to advise you.

It's quite likely that one of our other technicians will be able to offer further advice. It will help both myself and them if you can tell us which antivirus program you are running, and also if you have a AntiMalware program already installed.

Please post back with your findings.

 

@PseFrank
I am currently using McAfee Security Center. I did previously have any anti malware program installed but upon your suggestion i did install MalwareBytes. I ran full scans using both McAfee and Malwarebytes.Both results indicated a clean computer. I also unchecked a lot of start up programs which i though were unnecessary. I have attached a screenshot of the programs running so you can tell if there are any others that can be "unchecked".




@match
I did run speecy and have attached a screenshot of the results. If the temperatures are unhealthy how can i fix them?




Despite all this the problem continues to persist.

 

I am not a hardware expert by any means but from the speccy report it does appear that your CPU and Graphics card are running pretty hot. One important thing about speccy is the conditions that it is reporting. Are these temperatures at a fairly full load (eg. while a game is running or was it basically idle?

 

A few tabs on google chrome and a scan was running at that screenshot

 

Have you opened the case to check for dust accumulation? Do you notice anything abnormal about your fans? At those temperatures they (it) should be running at full speed.

 

so i should open the bottom of my laptop and remove the dust? if so should i be opening all of the cover? and yes my fans were running at full speed.

 

Whoops, sorry, a Studio 15 is a laptop isn't it? Still you should notice fan activity at those temps. Try buying a can of compressed air and spraying short bursts through all the vents. Do not use long bursts as it will cause moisture to build up and create even bigger problems.

 

Hi, I fully agree that from the speccy report your main problem is going to be heat. Carry out what BeeCeeBee has suggested and see how it goes and if any improvement. Quite often it is all that is needed.
However, if only a small improvement or not much at all, it is going to need a proper clean out, of course that can only be done by dismantling the laptop.

At this point and considering how difficult this can be, we would only recommend it if you are skilled in this level of dismantling, if any hesitation on your part, I would recommend taking it to a reputable technician for cleaning.

It is too easy to damage something if not skilled or trained.

Nev.

 

Right. Thanks a lot of the help. time to get cleaning