Hello,

I recently had a problem with my computer. It had a virus which has now been removed. But there are still some issues that haven't been resolved with my computer.

Firstly the sound is distorted or 'lagging' - thats from playing music on itunes to watching you tube videos. Often it will cause the video of music to operate slowly which is frustrating.

Is there any cause for this? I think that I still have a sound virus which my anti-virus scans aren't picking up. I don't know though.

Secondly my comptuer still runs fairly slow. I'm a photographer and the masses of images mean't that my computers hard drive became full - so I moved everything to an external hard drive but my computer (although a bit quicker) is still very slow, especially when I have photoshop running and will often freeze (not respond).

It's getting to the point where I'm thinking of buying a new computer - which I really cant afford but I'm in the third year of my degree and I need a laptop that runs smoothly.

I'd like some sound advice on how to resolve these problems?

My laptop is a toshiba and it has windows XP.

Ross

Was everything OK prior to said virus?

What virus was it and how was it removed?

What is the exact Toshiba model?

Reinstalling drivers is one option.

Also check your Device Manager for any yellow exclamation marks. (right click My Computer then click Manage then Device Manager)

Also monitor your Task Manager (right click the bottom bar and choose Task Manager) What is the CPU Usage and what is using it? (processes tab)

Also check your Event Viewer:

Event Viewer
--------------------------------------------------
Check your Event Viewer via Administrative Tools.

Open the System as well as Application tabs and look for red X errors that coincide with your problem. Details here:

How to view and manage event logs in Event Viewer in Windows XP

Basic information on Event Viewer errors can be found here: EventID.Net

Hi,

Yes everything was fine before the virus, I cannot remember exactly what the virus was but I do recall it notifying that there is a sound virus on the computer. Removed it through AVG anti-virus.

It's a Toshiba A100.

So if I reinstalled the driver would I lose all my work and applications? i.e Photoshop.

I've gone into Computer Management > Stystem Tools > Event Managment. I've got red errors at the points where the computer has frozen, for example, in photoshop. Am I able to do anything with this information? The error is called application hang

I've also checked the system under Event Management and have yellow exclaimation marks titled dhcp. There are red errors titled disk and it says the device/harddisk0/D, has a bad block. (Not sure what this means) Also got the same red cross titled atapi where is says device/ide/ideport0, did not respond within the time out period. There is also a red cross called service control manager.

Nothing about the sound.

I then went into the device manager section and looked in the sound section and it says everything is working fine.

I went into the task manager and had a look at the CPU usage (this was all a bit beyond me) and it said it was operating at 4%(ish). If thats what you mean? If it isn't, just direct me more and I'll have a look.

Thanks for taking the time to reply

Ross

Toshiba lists 7 different models under Satellite A100:

Toshiba Support - Homepage

Just for example I am choosing the first listing: Satellite A100-S2211TD

Model Content Page

There is a BIOS update in regard to battery issues and this pops up as an apparent critical issue if you are having battery problems.

Drivers are simply code/software that translates your OS/XP to the hardware. They have no other affect on your programs or settings.

If you can ID the computer further it would help us help.

Toshiba lists 7 models as said. You might try our scan at the top of the forum page but I am not sure if that will get the exact detail

If you right click an entry in the Event Viewer and choose Properties you will find details. You can also copy/paste by clicking the clipboard icon.

Your dhcp and atapi errors are common and most likely benign. The bad blocks is troubling but repairable. Bad blocks are sections of the drive that can no longer be used due to some damage. The repair consists in informing the reading head to ignore the bad blocks. Most hard drive manufacturers provide tools but Toshiba does not.However it is suggested that one can use the Hitachi tool instead:

Support - Downloads and Utilities

If you do not have a floppy drive you will need to create the CD ISO. If you are unfamiliar with ISO creation just ask and we can provide the details.

Another preliminary step you can take: Try running Check Disk:

Go to start Run... and type: cmd

Then type: chkdsk /r

You will be told the volume is in use do you want to run chkdsk on next boot? Type: Y and reboot.


Another option for an attempt at a "quick fix" is run a System Restore to a point prior to all your problems.

System Restore
--------------------------------------------------
You might try a System Restore to a point prior to your problem:

start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > System Restore


However you do need to address those bad blocks and that could very well be your performance issue.

Hi

I apologise I didn't realise there were 7 different models. How can I find out the ID of my computer?

I am not familar with CD ISO. Could you assist? Also what is it exactly I have to download?

A system restore means I will lose all my work from that restore point?

Ross

No problem.

Do you have the manual? If not there must be a label on the bottom or somewhere.

A system restore restores the registry. Data will not be affected but if you have installed any new programs after the restore point you choose then those programs will be lost.

You will have a choice of dates to choose from.

I would run check disk prior to the HDD diagnostic. If check disk cannot fix the bad blocks then we can show you how to create the diagnostic CD.

Check disk will take some time to run just to let you know. Could be a half hour maybe.

If you opt for a System Restore try I would try System Restore prior to Check Disk but then run Check Disk after.