2006-09-01 14:38:40 · 11 answers · asked by Ireqiredlotofhelp 1 in Computers & Internet ➔ Software
Assuming you're running Windows XP...
How many programs are running in the background? (To find out, bring up your Task Manager (CTRL + ALT + DELETE), right click on any of the tasks, and click "Go to process".) Less than ten programs actually need to be running...so try closing a few of them, especially the ones that are being run by something other than SYSTEM.
Also, some programs, such as LimeWire, slow the computer down when they're open. Close those programs, and then right click on their icons at the lower right of the screen and choose "Exit." Just having that icon there slows the computer.
Have you defragmented your computer recently? If not, click Start>>All programs>>Accessories>>System Tools>>Disk Defragmenter and defragment your hard drive. If you're going to delete a lot of stuff (see the lower suggestions), do that before running the defragmenter.
Have you run a virus scan recently? If not, run one now and fix any problems that come up.
Have you installed any other new software recently? That software may be slowing your computer down. Try uninstalling it.
How many icons are on your desktop? Just having the icons there uses extra memory. If you have more than two columns, you probably have too much.
Do you have many games installed on your computer? Games take up a lot of memory, slowing your computer down. Play one at a time, and uninstall it after you've beaten it.
While we're on the subject, go to Add or Remove Programs and get rid of anything you don't use.
Do you have a lot of songs on your computer? While having a song or two won't take up much memory, having hundreds or thousands of songs can slow the computer greatly. Download them into an external hard drive or a USB drive (memory stick), so they're not clogging up your computer.
Sometimes a defragmenter won't catch all the fragmented files. So go through My Computer, and start opening folders. If you find files or folders that go with programs you've deleted or uninstalled, send them to the recycle bin.
Remember to always empty your recycle bin.
Also remember to delete your cookies and temporary internet files. Go to Start>>Run and type "Cookies" and delete everything except the index. Then go to Start>>Run and type %temp% and delete all of the (temporary internet) files. Then go to Start>>Run and type "prefetch" and delete all those files.
How full is your hard drive? A computer will start to slow down at about 25% full, and will slow immensely at 50% full. If you go to My Computer, and click once on the drive, the capacity and free space on that drive will be on the left side of the screen. If your hard drive is too full, delete some programs.
Hope this helps!!
2006-09-01 15:04:44 · answer #1 · answered by Crys H. 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The new software is doing it's job, but that also slows down your 'puter. Sorry - but you were very wise to install the software, and will be much better off with it in there working for ya. Some of the bugs that can get into an unprotected computer can REALLY louse up your day! They can be very expensive - far more than the antivirus software was and than the time you lose waiting for the slowed machine. Just be patient and by all means, do not go and delete the software. You need it - you really do.
2006-09-01 16:21:01 · answer #2 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
It really isn't anything too complex. The virus protection is probably just scanning anything and everything you try to run. Naturally your computer is going to slow down. If you were to install more ram, you would probably notice that this problem would become less noticeable (maybe not noticeable at all if you get enough).
2006-09-01 14:43:53 · answer #3 · answered by chadgirouxjr 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
The anti-virus software is obviously hogging alot of your available computing power. If you installed a Norton product, I recommend that you completely remove it and try something like http://free.grisoft.com instead.
2006-09-01 14:42:03 · answer #4 · answered by karkov48 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
You have too many programs running, or have Spyware.
You should have an anti-spyware solution on your computer. I recommend that you go to http://www.download.com and get AD-AWARE and SpyBot Search & Destory. Install, run, update and scan your computer with both programs.
This double whammy will help keep you safe and running faster
Now, let's minimize your startup programs. There is always more junk running than you need.
Go to START and RUN, type MSCONFIG and uncheck programs that you do not need in the STARTUP section.
Also, consider increasing your RAM. Look up your machine at http://www.coastmemory.com I recommend that you try to get 512MB or more.
2006-09-01 14:41:38 · answer #5 · answered by Anonymous · 1⤊ 0⤋
Your computer is lagging because the software uses up too much space. There's not enough free space left for your computer to run faster.
2006-09-01 14:42:52 · answer #6 · answered by Tina 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
That's normal.Either do any of these
1)Install softwares which uses less system resources like AVG.
2)go for Dual Core processors
2006-09-01 14:41:27 · answer #7 · answered by Elo 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I hope you used the URL of the website to down load the software and not some sheisster spyware????
2006-09-01 14:42:13 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
was it Norton Antivirus that you installed?...that will really slow down your pc..try installing a prog that wont consume as much system resources like Etrust Internet Security Suite
2006-09-01 14:41:42 · answer #9 · answered by panda64 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Virus protection takes up alot of MEMORY!
2006-09-01 14:47:05 · answer #10 · answered by Jeff2smart 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋