1excop36
Topic Starter
A short time ago, I reformatted the HD on my Dell Inspiron 8100 laptop and did a clean install of XP with an updated disk graciously provided for free by Dell. I ran it though all the myriad of Windows updates and the installed my software. All was running very well. Then came the flashy enticement to upgrade from Windows Update to Microsoft Update. After doing so, I began noticing my system slowing to a crawl. In fact, something started using 99-100% of system resources. Frequently, I have to resort to using Ctl-Alt-Del to back out of a program that freezes up.
Shortly after this, I had to reformat and reinstall XP on my Dell Dimension 8200. This time I kept track and made sure I had restore points after everything software installation and upgrade (something I foolishly forgot to do with my laptop). As soon as I went from Windows Update to Microsoft Update, my system began gobbling up resources for no apparent reason, just as my laptop was doing. I restored my Dimension back to before I installed Microsoft Update and it is running fine and no longer has the resource problem. Unfortunately too much time has passed to find the "restore" point on my laptop because even if I could locate it, it would also mean losing many of the installed programs.
I have run every anti-spyware, threatware and anti-virus program on my laptop and all come up clean. Realizing that logic and consistency very often do not apply to Microsoft products am I wrong to suspect this seemingly innocuous upgrade and the root of my resources situation? I can provide a HJT log if needed but I really don't think that's the problem. If not, can Microsoft Update be uninstalled leaving only Windows Update? Or am I faced with the daunting task of starting over with my laptop with another reformat?
This isn't mission critical, as I rarely use the laptop. Still, when I do, I'd prefer not to have things running at a snail's pace.
Thanks for any assistance, ideas, direction or help.
Gerry
