Laurie wrote:
>My computer is running VERY slowly now>>
I assume you've already run System Restore and/or a registry backup if you
have any. Try System Restore before you run any on-line security checks,
as these will require you to disable SR which effectively destroys all
existing Restore Points.
First steps to take for most troubleshooting are:
1. Run SFC /scannow. This will check and replace missing/corrupt system
files. It will ask for your XP disk, from which it will retrieve any
necessary files. Reboot.
2. Remove everything at startup--use Msconfig or whatever better
alternative Startup manager you may have. Don't forget to check the
Autoexec.bat and Win.ini tabs for unusual run entries. Msconfig won't allow
you to remove anything vital, so uncheck EVERYTHING and see what
happens. Reboot.
3. Reboot into Safe Mode and see how the computer performs while in Safe Mode.
If any of those results in dramatic improvement, you have a software
conflict which should then be easy enough to isolate.
4. If you suspect hardware problems, try reseating memory, check all
cables, check for sticking fans or blocked vents causing overheating.
4. Do more than one on-line virus check (Trend, McAfee). Some viruses can
disable certain a-v software.
Do you have automatic updates set on anything? (eg XP). If so, check on
dates of last updates to see if there is a correlation. Try uninstalling
latest system update.
I distrust auto updates. Although experts recommend them, Ms have a nasty
habit of "fixing" things which are sometimes better left "unfixed". Yours
wouldn't be the first system to be hosed by a "critical" update.
It's possible for example that the .dll file you mention has been
"improved" by a later version, so that now one of your startups is now
rendered partially inoperative, so that it can't fully open.
Dll files should ideally always be backwards-compatible with earlier
versions, and usually are. Sadly, it doesn't always happen.
Sounds like the hard drive is in a perpetual loop trying to load something
it can't find, or that is now incompatible with something else unique to
your computer. Just a guess.
<<if we can figure out WHERE that specific ATL.DLL is supposed to be, we
can put it back or fix it somehow.>>
It lives in the System32 folder. It's more likely that your system has a
version incompatible with some piece of software. And you'll need a
specialised utility to replace any protected system file, eg Gipo
Utilities. It can only be done on a reboot.
Get back to us once you've exhausted those basic remedies.
Don Penlington
From the Beach at Surfers Paradise in sunny Queensland.
Computer tutorials, local scenery, and other things at my website:
http://users.tpg.com.au/deepend/index1.html
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our special coffee cups and mouse pads
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