About 3 days ago my computer started to slow down, I don't know the exact term for this so I'll explain what I mean.

I'm sure most of you know how the initial loading of opening up a window takes longer than usual, and that each time after that it is noticeably quicker. Well, with my computer, each time I open up My Documents or any other window it is as slow as when I first opened it.

My brother disabled Virtual Memory and that changed nothing, I re-enabled it yesterday and it still runs as slow.

Someone please help me with this, it is EXTREMELY frustrating. Thanks

you really shouldnt disable virtual memory. you prolly have to many programs running in the background. do ctrl-alt-del and see how many are running. close the ones that your not using.

I've added no new programs for at least a couple months. I have 71% system resources still free.

Should I try reinstalling Windows ME?

Make sure you don't have a virus or spyware...
(check with an updated antivirus program or
online and use Spybot S&D)

I ran a virus scan earlier today, it found nothing. I did a spyware search it found things, I got rid of them and no improvement. I've defragmented and ran scandisks and the lag still remains. :(

OK. You could try Disabling System Restore and then re-enabling System Restore function. Corrupted System Restore files can cause this problem.

If the problem only occurs when you are connected to the Internet, try disabling the Automatic Windows Updates and the Internet Explorer automatic updates.

If you can not resolve the problem, install a copy of WinTop tool. To understand what tasks and programs are running on your machine, may be causing problems and taking up the processor bandwidth, download WinTop, one of the free Micro$oft Kernel Toys. It gives accurate % CPU usage by program. This could help identify which process is taking up the processor cycles. Normally it should show "idle" at about 98% unless something else is running.

System Restore keeps creating restore points until the max is reached; thus slowing down your operation.
Limit the number of restore points:

Check 'disable system restore', restart pc. Then enable it and go to performance, file system and decrease the diskspace for
system restore.
When a new restore point is established, check the size of the file, multiply by ten for an approx max size...

lo dude,

ok i've had the same problems when i do a fresh reboot and all i c is 74% resources to mess about with...
if u go into the archive on this website u'll c that many ppl hav asked this question b4... but just in case u don't find it take a look at these web sites...

http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_content.htm#Select

http://www.3feetunder.com/krick/startup/list.html

http://www.infinisource.com/techfiles/win-resources.html

and finally....

http://www.videoguys.com/WinME_Tweaks.html

take the last one carefully...
after these tweaks i start with 94% resources... ain't bad!

Same here, untill I learned about the System Configuration Utility and how to use it to remove un-needed apps from loading at startup , my PC was starting out after a fresh bootup with 70 something % user resources free. Then it would go down from there with use , till it started running choppy and giving errors ,lock ups ,etc. After using MSCONFIG my user resources are in the mid 90% range and is much more stable .I also have Norotn Utilities 2001 installed, when I frist ran system check it found over a dozen errors and repaired them ! If anyone decides to use Norton Utilities , check out issuses about using certain sensors in System Doctor in Windows Me ! Take Care Nick

Even though I downloaded no new programs I still disabled some things to start up. I downloaded Wintop and when my computer is on idle I have 99% free, and I still get the lag.

If you are running Norton or any other AntiVirus software, disable it. It will check for viruses when you open programs slowing them down.

I've disabled everything from starting up except for the essentials and I still have lag. I don't think it is what I have starting up that is the problem because I didn't install any new programs. Everything was fine til a couple days ago.

I think I might try reinstalling Windows ME later on if I can't fix it within a couple hours.

I just reinstalled Windows ME and I still have the lag problem.

weird... it maybe a Hardware problem...
what kinda system u got setup?
looks like u got enuf mem, i take it ur HD is primaster, hav u got a good PSU? good cooling?
anyways they might not be significant, u got a gateway PC maybe u can giv it back to them and ask them to service it?

no help ere sry :/

Your Hard drive buffer cache might not be working correctly. You can try and replace it drives are cheap nowadays. You can pick up 40 gig for about 89 bucks with a 8 meg buffer cache

Try running through the tips on the homepage link on this response and then see how it is.