XRS

I have a PC which is v - e - r - y slow when accessing file manager whether it is via explorer or when trying to save a file via Word. Also, when I try to open Disk Management (within Administrative Tools) it won't open the application.

It's driving me mad. Does anyone have any ideas out there?

Cheers.

jpor

iTrader: (1)

Could be the IDE/SATA driver has somehow got corrupted. Have you tried downloading and installing a new chipset driver?

bob269

In your device manager, locate the IDE controllers, expand it and right click Primary IDE channel, click properties and then advanced and make sure it is set to transfer mode DMA and NOT PIO.

If in doubt, delete the driver from device manger and reboot to let windows reinstall it.

Or it could be that the hard drives running in 16bit compatibility mode, i've had this before due to a virus/spyware. Can't remember where it tells you this tho

D16GER

Probably a spyware/malware app. Go download Security Task Manager. It will tell you everything that is running and then some, even whether it may be risky or not - superb app. I have used it to kill a couple of nasties. Found it so good I bought the full version.

XRS

Thanks for the input. I have updated to the latest chipset drivers and checked that the primary IDE channel is set to DMA. I still have the problem. Presumably because I can't open Disk Management there is a problem with a Windows component? I am running XP Pro with SP 2 and am up to date with all Windows Updates.

Any more ideas please?

XRS

It appears that it may have something to do with my printer - a HP Photosmart 2710. It has a number of card readers which it tries to set up as separate disk drives, but it has chosen to duplicate the drive names of my DVD drives. Add to that the fact that it won't let me in to Disk Management and I'm not sure what can be done.

It seems that the problem is much worse if the printer (connected via the network) is turned off.

bob269

Boot the pc without the printer attached and if you can access disk manager change your dvd drive letter (and any additional hard drives if necessary) to somthing different than the printer allocated drives, then reboot with the printer on.

lightning101

Check to see that any virtual CD drivers are disabled as well. e.g. daemon tools, virtualCD etc as these create clones of existing drives.

XRS

Bob,

That's the problem I've mentioned above - it won't let me in to change the drive letters.

I have no virtual drives.

bob269

Can you uninstall the printer driver, delete the drives then reinstall it once you've changed the letters?