why is my computer so slow....?

Question

My computer is slow i dont no why but when i start it up it takes about 15 min and it takes for ever to start my media player and its just slow

Volume sizes is = 37.26 GB
Cluster sizes is = 4 KB
Used space is = 9.67 GB
Free space is = 27.59 GB
Percent free space is = 74%

Answer 1

its likely that you need to add some ram. I recently had to do this and it made all the difference in the world. if you don't know how to do it yourself, then take it somewhere to have it done. the ram card itself isn't too pricey, depending on the size you get. I added 512mg and the card cost me seventy bucks. I could have gotten two that size for the same price if I'd been willing to wait and ordered it from newegg.com - but I was in a hurry. lol.

ask around, talk to folks at a computer place - they'll tell you what they think.

Answer 2

Memory, (available/total), and processor speed would be helpful.. but there are a couple common reasons.
1) Spyware/virus - some estimates put spyware compromised PCs at 90% +, If you don't have anti-virus protection, get some! Antivir is free and very good - www.free-av.com If you need it, install and scan.
Next run a Spyware scan - Spybot is good, get it from www.download.com
2) Excessive number of programs set to start with the computer.
Go Start > Run > msconfig
Click on the Startup tab, if you see more then a few items here, you may have too many programs pre-loading, and using memory. You can uncheck them from the list, but it is best to periodically go to control panel > add/remove software, and get rid of all the software you don't use.
3) Hardware problems. If you are in XP/W2K/NT, go Start> Run > Eventvwr Look in the system log for critical errors related to your hardware, things like hard drive, memory and peripheral errors can cause serious slowdowns to performance.

Answer 3

You probably have a lot of 'crud' clogging up your startup menu. Spyware and trojans tend to really slow down a system, as do all those cutesy little 'extras' that take up space on your screen.

My cousin had a computer that took 9 minutes to boot because of all the extra stuff that was in the startup menu. Once I cleaned most of that out, and got rid of the spyware and adware in her system, it took only 90 seconds for her to boot, which is more normal.

Get a computer expert to do the old 'wash and brush-up' on your system- empty the trash, stash, and cache, and clean out that startup menu. Then have your techie run some anti-spyware programs, and degragment your hard drive.

That ought to speed it up quite nicely.

Answer 4

You didn't say what your processing speed is or how many major programs are installed.

First, go into IE and delete your temporary internet files, your history, and cookies.

Go to http://www.lavasoft.com and download the free AdAware to delete malware and spyware from your computer.

Update your antivirus software and run a scan.

Next, run the disk defragment utility from clicking Properties on the right-click menu of My Computer.

Finally, if none of these work, your computer might be older and it may just be running programs designed for a faster processor. The way to compensate for this is to install more memory. 1GB of new memory should do the trick.

Answer 5

Start up is usually slow with all the background programs trying to aunch all at once. Try upgrading to more RAM. That will speed it up. And defrag every now and then. And deselect the auto start feature on programs you don't need to have running like Messenger, etc. Less is always better at startup.

Answer 6

Most of the other answers seem pretty good. I have found that the main reason for a computer's tardiness is that it has to spend too much time swapping in and out of virtual memory. This would be alleviated by installing more memory so that less virtual memory is required.

Answer 7

Maby your computer is really old if so install an older operating system like Windows 2000. Defrag you hard drive, add more ram or buy a newer computer.

Answer 8

Computer Slow

Download and then run startup.exe at:

http://www.mlin.net/startupcpl.shtml......

Can't live without it and windows...

Then disable and/or uninstall whatever u don't need.

Other things to try:

1 - Disk Cleanup (removal of temp files, cookies, etc.)
2 - Defrag
3 - Registry Cleanup (CAN BE VERY RISKY!)

Joe...

Answer 9

maybe you need to upgrade your RAM memory
but u can disable unusual processes on your start up
go to Start>Run
and type MSCONFIG and hit enter
the system configuration utility is in front of u
go to startup tab and unchek unnecessary processes
so it make you system boot faster

Answer 10

too much junk in it, a virus, you need to defrag it, you have too much junk that comes up when you start your machine. how about you pay someone for the answers. im not your tech