My computer is running really slow!?

Question

A message came up about increasing the virtual memory, but it disappeared before I got the details. How do I do that? I have a Dell, with Microsoft XP 2002, with 2.66 GHz.

Answer 1

increasing the virtual memory: follow this steps;
right click on my computer>properties>advanced>under Performance choose Settings>Advanced>click change on the lower part.> click on custom size and increase virtual memory..

Answer 2

Several things here. If you are running out of memory then it could be:

1) too many applicatioins running at the same time
2) spyware running extra processes which are eating up your ram

Not memory related it could be a lack of defragging.

In order to solve the memory problems rule out the spyware by installing and running spybot search & destroy and also ad-aware. If these don't show any critical problems and even if it does and they are removed and you still have problems then you will need to think about getting more memory for your pc.

You should defrag the pc start ->accessories ->system tools ->disk defragmenter and run this. It will take ages if you have a large drive with a large number of files and this hasn't be completed before. However if you run this once or twice a week then this process will take much less time as it is already well optimised to begin with.

Answer 3

Yeah, follow doyler78's advice. I would assume you're having a spyware problem as well, as I've been through the same problem constantly.

If you want more details, do a ctrl-alt-del to check on the running processes. It should indicate on what process your computer is currently busy with. Check out the process name that takes up alot of your time, and do a google search on those that look suspicious, especially those that ends with the extension '.exe'. If your search result says that it's a spyware, just go and download a spyware agent to get rid of them. I would recommend Prevx1 ( http://free.prevx.com/ ).

You might like to check what programs that runs once you start your computer as well. Go to Start > Run and type in "msconfig". That should open a window, where you can select the tab "start up". Remove the ticks to programs you don't use usually.

Answer 4

well the reason why that happens is when ur pc is using all the RAM space u have. so what u do here is go to Start>Run and type "msconfig" and then go to the "startup" tab on top of the window that comes after u run the msconfig. then in there u have list of applications that run when ur windows starts up. so u just uncheck the ones u dont want. but there are some u dont need to uncheck. like ur antivirus software or those that r in "C:\WINDOWS\System32" other than that its ok to uncheck the rest that u dont want. but u'll have to uncheck most of them to make ur system run faster. and avoide installing a lot of useless softwares on ur system. and try uninstalling softwares that u dont want. after that i guarantee u that ur system will run unbelieveably faster than u think.

i need a confirmation that this worked so email me [e-mail]

Answer 5

There are a lots of reason Why your computer could be slow.
i) Fragmented files which computer takes longer to access
Sol:- Try defragmenting atleast the system volume.
ii) Low virtual memory, System needs to swap files to hard disk.
Sol:- Set user defined Virtual memory size.
iii)Low system resource like ram.
Sol:-Get a ram with bigger capacity.
iv)Spywares n viruses using system resources.
Sol:-Use a good and updated antivirus and spyware to scan and get rid of them.
v) Finally lots of junk files in the boot partition and sometimes powerful antiviruses which use lots of system resourses can also slow down your computer.
Sol:-Get rid of antivirus once you have scanned your pc with it. Use disk cleanup to delete unnecessary files.
Goto 'C:\WINDOWS\temp' delete everything you can.
Goto 'C:\Documents and Settings\"YOUR LOGIN NAME"\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files' delete everything.

now your computer might show significant increase in performance. If you are still not happy then goto my computer>rightclick properties>advanced>in performance, click settings select 'Adjust for best performance'. BE WARNED THOUGH...your windows will look somewhat like win98 after that. But dont worry its reversible...by selecting 'Adjust for best appearance'.

Answer 6

You need to find out how to 'Defragment"...Call your Dell 800# or go on their LiveChat Messenger.
Then, also learn to clear your "Cache & Cookies" every SINGLE DAY! You can do that at the top of your browser window's toolbar under Tools & "Internet Options".
Then, you need a good Anti-Spyware software program to keep spyware out. If I may recommend one...and be careful---most of them are NOT FREE...they just offer a FREE "Trial Offer" (30-days or something).
But, this one is totally free. It's called Ad-Aware Personal SE. Go here to download it..: http://www.download.com/Ad-Aware-SE-Personal-Edition/3000-8022_4-10045910.html
and you should open it and run it at LEAST once every couple of days.
So, Defragment once a week.
Run your Ad-Aware once every 2 or 3 days
Clear your Cache & Cookies & Temporary Internet Files EVERY DAY!
This should help...
I'm sure there's others that are "pesty" and you can't get rid of them too, but if you want something totally free, may I suggest you do NOT ever download even a TRIAL period of "Registry Mechanic"...or anything like "something DOCTOR"....they do nothing unless you BUY something...and you can't get rid of them---even the "SpyBOT" is that way. Ad-Aware Personal SE is one that is TOTALLY FREE.
One last thing: Have you heard of Kim Komando? You might benefit from her newsletter emailed to you every week...with computer tips and knowledge --- and a place where YOU can ask questions from EXPERTS. Look here and decide yourself:
http://www.worldstart.com/newsletter-testmnls.htm
.

Answer 7

Right click on the My Computer icon on your desktop, goto Properties-->Advanced Tab. Choose "Settings" under Performance frame-->Advanced tab. There is frame titled "Virtual Memory", you can change it to a desired setting. It will show the recommended setting also there...usually it should be around 25% of your RAM.

Answer 8

That is not something you really want to mess with. It was prolly just the program at the time (with other things going in the background) that caused the message. RAM is super cheap these days so it is better to add real memory if you truly need it.

Answer 9

you can increase the virtual page by doing the following, click start/ right click on my computer/ click properties/ advanced/performance settings/ advanced/ you will see a tab that says change click that and it will let you know how much you can increase it by

Answer 10

try defragmenting your computer. that usually helps to make it run a bit faster....as well as before you do that, clean it up, get rid of cookies or files you don't really need. you'd be surprised how much you download with out realizing it or not using it....