Is my old desk top dying? Advice, please

[Carol Bird]

I have an old desk top which runs XP. For security, I stopped using it for internet access. I do a lot of word processing and church accounts, plus photos and family history using earlier versions of programs that are not happy on later operating systems. Also I do prefer it to the laptop so would like to keep it going, if possible.
Recently, it has chronically slowed down, programs open slowly and sometimes become “not responding”. Even my scanner is painfully slow.

Task manager indicates that the CPU usage is 100%, 99 of which is against svchost. As it is XP, I cannot right-click to display what this covers.

I do hope the old thing is not in its dying throes.

Any suggestions or ideas would be much appreciated, please.

Carol

[Anne in Carlisle]

If you don't connect to the internet with it, make sure you don't have any anti virus programs or similar running. They complain a lot and keep trying to connect!
Anne

[Carol Bird]

Thank you, Ann, for responding.

I did uninstall McAfee Security Centre. Even when the PC was running well, I found that used to slow it down rather when it wanted to scan.

I'm afraid it may be a lost cause :-(

Carol

[angelina]

https://answers.microsoft.com/en-us/windows/forum/windows_7-performance/abnormally-high-cpu-usage-from-svchostexe-solved/eb38d25d-6bb2-47cd-80f2-5389c62337be?auth=1

this is for windows 7 and i dont understand a word of it but you may do - hope it helps.

you could try doing a system restore to say a month or so ago and see if that helps but please dont blame me if it mucks everything up.
i would save what you have already in documents and photos onto a disc or other external drive just in case the machine croaks completely.

[Carol Bird]

Angelina,
Thank you for pointing me to that article. On first look, I don't understand it, but will go through it carefully and try over the weekend.
Yes, I will back up everything before making any risky moves.
I would never blame anyone who was being helpful :-)
Carol

[Guest]

it wont hurt to install and run ccleaner

https://www.piriform.com/ccleaner/download

and did you remove mcafee with the removal tool ?? was it preinstalled ?

[Anne in Carlisle]

Have you Googled svchost? There seems to be quite a bit about it. It may be something an offline computer doesn't need? We need an expert!! LOL
Anne Edit to say .... Ooops looks like the link above is about this. I'm really wondering how much of all that is needed on an offline computer.

[Guest]

if you can install this and run each part it finds and sorts lots of problems

https://fix-it-center.en.softonic.com/

[Carol Bird]

Hi Val,

Thanks for getting in touch.

I assume I could only run CCleaner if I downloaded directly to the desk top, which I can't now it's not online. I did run the internal disk clean-up, which said it was fine.

I had McAfee subscription on both desk top and laptop. Uninstalled it and went through all directories and folders and deleted everything McAfee. Also uninstalled programs I didn't use.

Just don't know enough about what else I can safely delete to ease burden on processor.

Carol

[Carol Bird]

Hi again Anne,

You've put your finger on it! I just don't know what I can do without. Would happily strip it out, but ...

Appreciate the concern and help,

Carol

[Carol Bird]

if you can install this and run each part it finds and sorts lots of problems
https://fix-it-center.en.softonic.com/

Val,
Can I download these through my laptop to a stick, and then run on the desk top?

Sorry to be so pathetic. I really am grateful to all of you trying to help.

Carol

[Guest]

yes you should be able to dont see why not good luck

[Carol Bird]

yes you should be able to dont see why not good luck

Hi Val,

Sorry to say, couldn't get the downloaded programs to run.

After a frustrating weekend, spending hours without anything to show, think I shall have to face the reality of looking to replace it.

In the next few days shall go through the files to make sure I've saved everything I want to keep, then decide which way to go.

Grateful for your support and that of the other FTF ladies who've tried to help.

Thanks again,
Carol

[Guest]

have pmd you

[Guest]

and again