Question for computer geeks

[trilinearmipmap]

I am having trouble on my two office computers and I need help figuring it out.

The basic problem is intermittently both computers (they are networked together by a wired network and router) will slow down to a snail's pace. One keystroke will take a few seconds to show up on the screen, closing or opening a window will take 5 seconds.

I ran a virus scan, two spyware scans and I defragged both hard drives. The problem is still happening.

The slowdown happens when I run one program which is an office scheduling and records program. This program is running all day long. I need to figure out if it a problem with the program, or a problem with something else slowing the computer down. I contacted the vendor for my program and they have looked at it and can't find anything wrong.

Is there a program I can run to see how fast my computer is running at any given time, and how much memory it is using up? Then when my computer slows down, I could run this program, and it will help me figure out what is slowing my computer down.

[midgetwaiter]

When it happens

Hit Ctl-Shift-Esc

Click on the process tab

Click on the CPU column to sort it

What is using the most CPU cycles when it happens?

[ClubReef]

I would look at the startup and see if there is anything unusual. In the windows -> start -> run -> type msconfig ...click ok.

View your start up and start disabling programs until you isolate the problem.. you can reactivate them using the same method.

[albert_dao]

The scheduling program or whatever might have a memory leak?

[Der_Iron_Chef]

What virus protection software are you using? Sometimes, especially after an automatic update or fresh install of virus software, this will happen.

[trilinearmipmap]

Thanks for all the advice, I will try the ctrl-shift-escape thing and the startup program thing.

I am not sure what a memory leak is.

I am using the AVG free anti-virus program.