anything i do on it takes ages. downloading a simple link from an email can take as long as 15-20 minutes. someone please help its doin me head in
2006-06-13 09:38:06 · 15 answers · asked by Anonymous in Computers & Internet ➔ Internet
Have you defragmented?
Done a virus scan?
Defragging is great for clearing up your computer. You can do this by going from Start->Accesories->System Tools -> Defragmenting.
When you do this, leave your computer running overnight and don't run any programs in the background.
You may also have a virus, so run a scan, maybe download Spysweeper from www.download.com.
Good luck!
2006-06-13 09:43:35 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
You might have been zombified. A zombie pc is one that is being used to send spam without the owners knowledge or consent. If your pc is taking that long over the internet it could be because something else is also using the internet connection, perhaps sending out spam without your knowledge. You don't say what chip you have but even a Celeron on dial up shouldn't take this long.
Make sure your pc is physically disconnected from the net while you're not using the web by disconnecting the modem from the phone line. Only plug it in when you want to surf. If you're on broadband your internet connection is always on.
Uninstall all programs that you don't need.
Defragment the hard drive by going to start - accessories - system tools - defragment. Just leave the pc to defragment and don't try to use it until its finished, no matter how long it takes. In future, defragment about once a month.
Then download and run all of these security programs, run each one in turn and see what turns up. Some stuff you can deal with yourself, some you will need expert help with.
Microsoft have two free online scanners that look for malware.
http://safety.live.com/site/en-US/default.htm
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
You can also download Microsofts free Windows Defender from the official Microsoft site, and the Malicious Software Removal Tool.
The Windows firewall doesn't stop malware on your pc from dialling out. Either of these firewalls are free for personal use and stop unwanted incoming and outgoing traffic. You choose which programs are allowed to access the internet. They are both fairly easy to use and updated regularly.
Zone Alarm firewall
www.zonelabs.com
Kerio firewall
http://www.kerio.com
Winpatrol is a handy utility that tracks cookies on your pc and stops unwanted changes to your startup folder.
www.winpatrol.com
Spywareblaster works with Internet Explorer. It won't uninstall spyware that is already on your pc, but it will prevent hijacks and other malicious changes to I.E.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html
The best antispyware is Spyware Doctor
http://www.pctools.com
Ewido anti trojan
http://www.ewido.net
Ad-Aware SE Personal anti adware
http://www.lavasoft.de/software/adaware/
Spybot Search and Destroy anti spyware
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html
AVG Antivirus
http://www.grisoft.com
Ccleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com
Remember to update and run all of you anti malware programs at least once a week.
What I am most concerned about is if your Hosts file has been altered. There is a program called Hijack This but it is advanced, plus anyone who sees your Hijack This file knows more about your pc than you do; NEVER post your Hijack This file on a forum such as this one. You might have to pay for an engineer for help, Microsoft can help you find one who is certified. Don't use a cowboy.
2006-06-13 10:21:19 · answer #2 · answered by sarah c 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Tweaking your Operating system, It covers most if not all of the answers here, and it is easy to do. Just follow this free step by step guide that can be found on this site and your system will not only speed up but also run in a more stable manner
http://www.tweakhound.com/
2006-06-13 10:04:41 · answer #3 · answered by citalopraming 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you mite have to many programs running. run msconfig. click on startup tab then uncheck every thing but systray, anti virus , and firewall this should help speed up your pc as the programs you have unchecked will no longer be running in the back ground but will work when you use the normally. also run a virus scan and adware scan. you may also want to consider upgrading your ram
2006-06-13 09:56:55 · answer #4 · answered by species8472 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
delete all your cookies and temporary files will help. Do a Disk clean up that will free space by comressing your files. Defragment your computer too. Do virus scan also
2006-06-13 09:43:05 · answer #5 · answered by jibbers4204 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Has it always done this? Get dsl or cable.
defrag the hard drive...Boost your ram.
Maybe your drive is just about at capacity.
What OS are you running?
Get a new computer.
2006-06-13 09:41:36 · answer #6 · answered by DanielofD 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
get broadband cus that can speed it up x50 but it usually costs about £15 a month.
2006-06-13 09:49:03 · answer #7 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
sometimes you could clean up your computer by deleting unnecessary files and things you don't use or you could go to "best buy" and buy more RAM to insatall on your computer that usually works or you could get a new hard drive
2006-06-13 09:42:35 · answer #8 · answered by Adventist 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
upgrade your ram(memory), or just buy a new computer at least a pentium 4 type...if ur using dial up, upgrade to dsl or cablem connection..
2006-06-13 09:43:52 · answer #9 · answered by bluemontoya 1 · 0⤊ 0⤋
install more RAM.
defragment your hard-drive.
clean your pc.
un-install programs you dont need any more.
control the programs that runs on the start-up.
etc....
2006-06-13 09:52:40 · answer #10 · answered by ...................... 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋