My Slow Computer

16 years ago

Hi Ian

There are some computer experts who'll no doubt be in shortly to give you specific tips to optimize your computer. But here's something you can do right now -- run a couple virus checks. Viruses can really slow down a computer.

Cheers,
Becky

Thanks

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minisite911

16 years ago

hi,
from my experience, the most possible caused is VIRUS.
especially when it happens suddenly, i.e, it's ok the day before, but the next day it's become extremely slow.

Have you try updating your antivirus database, and scan the whole drive?

Perhaps you should do the full scan from a safe mode (press F8 after the BIOS startup screen).

Btw, I'm talking about Windows here, if you're using Mac then just ignore my advice, lol

Good luck,
OKi Trice

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rosetrees 16 years ago

Run a virus scan and then a spyware scan with Adaware.
Then Defrag the hard drive.
Then look to see how full the hard drive is - if it's more than about 3/4 full it won't run efficiently
Next look to see how much RAM you have. The antivirus databases take up increasing amounts of RAM and are slowing down all computers. Upgrading your RAM might help.
Have you installed any new software lately that could be slowing you down?
Uninstall software you don't use.

And yes - a heavily used computer will benefit from having Windows reinstalled every 12 - 18 months. It's a nuisance, but it works!!!
- Thanks
- 1 reply
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- jcmentor 16 years ago
  
  CC Cleaner. It's free and it's awesome. Run, don't walk.
  
  Here's what it does from their site...
  
  ***************************************
  Cleans the following Internet Explorer
  Temporary files, URL history, cookies, Autocomplete form history, index.dat.
  
  Firefox
  Temporary files, URL history, cookies, download history.
  
  Opera
  Temporary files, URL history, cookies.
  
  Windows
  Recycle Bin, Recent Documents, Temporary files and Log files.
  
  Registry cleaner
  Advanced features to remove unused and old entries, including File Extensions, ActiveX Controls, ClassIDs, ProgIDs, Uninstallers, Shared DLLs, Fonts, Help Files, Application Paths, Icons, Invalid Shortcuts and more... also comes with a comprehensive backup feature.
  
  Third-party applications
  Removes temp files and recent file lists (MRUs) from many apps including Media Player, eMule, Kazaa, Google Toolbar, Netscape, MS Office, Nero, Adobe Acrobat, WinRAR, WinAce, WinZip and many more...
  
  100% Spyware FREE
  This software does NOT contain any Spyware, Adware or Viruses.
  
  ****************************************
  
  Go get it. You will be amazed.
  
  All the best,
  
  Jack
  
  Thanks
  
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Richard Tunnah

16 years ago

Originally Posted by jenki1

Hi everyone,

Can any one give me a bit of advice please.

My computer is getting slower and sllloowwweeeeeeeerrrrrr on start up.

When I start up it takes an age for the desk top to show all the icons that are on it.

Do you need to clear your drives and re-load windows every year or so?

Help please, it drives me mad.

If this is in the wrong forum, sorry.
Tell me what one and I will post there.

Ian

Hey Ian,
Here's some tips for you to speed things up.
1. Firstly make sure you have at least 10% of your hard drive free to use. If you can get 15% the better.
2. Run CC cleaner (free to download). This will declunk your system
3. Check what is loading upon start-up. Often many programs default to start upon start-up but aren't needed. If you type msconfig into the run box (off the start menu). You'll find a start-up option in there. Post here what is named and ticked in there if you want and I'll tell you whether you need it to run upon start-up. his slows things down.

Hope that helps?
Rich

Thanks
1 reply

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Richard Tunnah 16 years ago

Sorry I was presuming you'd run an anti-adware/spyware scan and anti-virus with up to date software but if not you also need to run those. Try ad-aware (for adware/spyware) and avg anti-virus if you need software. Both basic additions are free.

Rich
- Thanks
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jenki1

16 years ago

Thanks everyone it's nice to know people are quick to try and give assistance to those of us who are not that up to speed on computers.
I will give all the suggestions a try.

Many thanks,

Ian

Thanks

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Roger Mayne

16 years ago

Originally Posted by jenki1

Hi everyone,

Can any one give me a bit of advice please.

My computer is getting slower and sllloowwweeeeeeeerrrrrr on start up.

When I start up it takes an age for the desk top to show all the icons that are on it.

Do you need to clear your drives and re-load windows every year or so?

Ian

Ian

If the problem only seems to be when you're starting your computer, then here's my advice:

1) Check how much data you have actually stored on your desktop. I've seen so many times people storing files on their desktops, instead of shortcuts. Each time you load your PC, it has to pull all these files into your running system RAM. If you are storing files there, move them to your Documents folder, or anywhere else on your hard drive, then create shortcuts for those you use regularly.

2) CCleaner will do this, but right click your C: drive, and run a disk cleanup. Ensure you get rid of temporary files and temporary internet files regularly (recommend monthly).

3) Defragment your hard disks

4) As already said, ensure you keep at least 10% free on your operating system drive (usually C

5) As Rich said, check msconfig.

Think that's it for starters!

Thanks
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John Henderson 16 years ago

Hi Ian. That used to happen to me about every 6 months. To rectify it, I'd have to backup all of my files, wipe the hard drive and re-install Windows and all applications.

But one day, I spent £399 and cured that problem forever: Apple (United Kingdom) - Mac mini
- Thanks
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Lloyd Buchinski

16 years ago

And here is the url for ccleaner, as the recommending post had an
extra c that might create confusion. CCleaner - Home

There are also programs that let you look at all the programs that
are rigged to open on start up, and they can be blocked. That could
be the problem. Good luck with all that.

Thanks

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ianstables

16 years ago

An excellent free software called Winshampoo should sort this problem out for you.

The reason your computer gets slower is that each time you install new software it trys to load up at start up. You usually are not aware of these programs but if you run Winshampoo it list them all and you can deselect ones you don't want loading up. It's safe to use and I'd suggest you read the help file before first using it.

Regards Ian

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danette77

16 years ago

Very likely causes are viruses or spyware, I recommend scanning with a good antivirus program and a good spyware program.

Personally I use AVG and Ad-Aware, they are both free. Do a search for "AVG free" and "Ad-Aware free" as there are also paid versions out there.

Limiting the number of programs that load in your startup and defragging the hard drive are also very good ideas.

Thanks
1 reply

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Killer Joe 16 years ago

Ian,

Another thing to look at is your Prefetch file if you are using XP. Maybe other Windows OSs have that file too, don't know.

What Prefetch does is keep things you use in que so that they load faster.

The problem is after a while you have so many things stored in que that your system slows down.

You can go to Start>Find> type in Prefetch, and look at the files you have.

I just delete them as it causes no harm, but deleting them will speed the computer up a bit.

KJ
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rocky balboa

16 years ago

Hey Ian,
Some tips:
1. Dele files which u wouldn't require.. More the space on hardisk, better the speed
2. A couple of time we forget to delete temp internetfiles and cookies.. make sure u do that as well
3. Also spywares/viruses could be a problem

Thanks

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My Slow Computer

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