Computer slowing down, why?

[Alvis]

Just did a fresh install of Windows XP Pro yesterday because my system was slowing down. Well after the new install things don't seem much better as it seems like almost any time I open a new application things slow down. The arrow/pointer moves around the screen in a jerky way as if it can't catch up and other things run slowly until the application is open. I have two hard drives, one is c and the other is f(don't ask), one is the primary master and one is the primary slave. I have Windows XP Pro on the master(Only OS I am running now, and I did a complete format and install). It is still slowing down when I try to do more than one thing at a time. I just don't remember it slowing down like this just a few months ago. Even my wife has commented on it. I checked to see if my hard drives are in dma mode. Both are in PIO mode and I can't do anything to change it(Heck, I don't even know if this is the problem. I followed the instructions here:

http://www.microsoft.com/HWDEV/TECH/storage/IDE-DMA.asp

and no go, my drives won't come out of PIO mode. I don't know if this is the problem, but my frustration level is high. I've tried taking one of the memory sticks out and trying them one at a time, no difference. I've updated my Bios, didn't help.

Has this problem before, in March, and after I did a fresh install, everything seem to work fine for a while. I'm almost certain this thing ran smoothly for a while.

I really don't want to take it to anyone but as I said, I'm very frustrated. I'm beginning to wonder if I'm having a hardware problem with my processor getting too hot or with my motherboard. I'm about ready to upgrade to a mobo with DDR memory and an Athlon 2000XP processor out of frustration. Any ideas?

CPU: Athlon 1.3 Thunderbird
Motherboard: Iwill K266
Memory: 512mb SDRAM
OS: Windows XP Pro
Hard drives: Primary-Western Digital 40gb, Secondary-Seagate 60gb
Creative Labs Soundblaster Live! 5.1 soundcard
Xtasy GeForce 3 Ti200 graphics card(64mb)

Thanks.

[iisbob]

What chipset is the motherboard running? you may have to update the chipset drivers ( like Intel/Via ) for proper performance from XP.

Hang on and some others will chime in on their possible idea's.

[ranchdog]

The Iwill KK266 has VIA-Nvidia-Soundblaster
compatability problems.

Everyone wanted to put the blame on the VIA 266
chipset. But, who know's? VIA based systems had
so many problems with the 266 that it only took
a short while for the 266A to come out.

Have you run any diagnostic tests of any kind
on the primary HDD?


RD.

[Alvis]

Just installed Windows XP again and my hard drives are currently in Ultra DMA mode 5, not PIO. I hope they don't degrade to PIO.

[jabarnutcase]

Hi Alvis

I thought you might find this post interesting. I think it was my first time here at the PCGuide. (Great place by the way - Lots of knowledgeable folks around!) I'm not including myself.

Anyway, I never knew about the M$ article, I just got my DMA enabled by messing around in desperation, I never dreamed they would actually recommend enabling it that way, but it worked for me. And it's been fine ever since!
(I assume your computer is running better now too?)