slow running computer, what else can I do ?

Question

My son got a computer that was used to download movies off the internet. It is running really slow.

I deleated the movie files, and did did disc defrag. It is still running slow, what else can I do?

It shows 70 % hd space is free .

Answer 1

Get a newer and better one.

Answer 2

The two biggest causes of slow down is a fragmented hard drive and lots of programs running in the background. Here are a couple of suggestions that will help you control both situations.

DEFRAG: I use a program called Diskeeper 10. It costs $30 but is worth it. It will run automatically when it see the need to defragment and if it launches the defrag process and you begin doing something on the PC it will take a back seat to whatever you are doing and give the priority on the CPU.
Go to www.download.com and do a search on it. Review the Publishers Description and the Tech and Users reviews and see what you think.

RUNNING PROGRAMS: Most software makers tend to install execute programs into your Start Menu and/or your Registry. These *.exe files cause a small portion of the software program to be "running in the background" so that when you click on the program ICON it will launch the main program without any hesitation A good example is Adobe Acrobat Reader. If you stop it from running in the background it may take a second or two longer to initiate when you click on it. Do you really care?

Here's some great help to remove most of these *.exe files from running. This will prevent you from having to edit the Start Menu or the Registry manually. This is a FREE program.

Go to www.sysinternals.com
Down load and install the autoruns utility.

During installation make sure the installation path reads:
C:\Program Files\Autoruns
Once installed you can open the Autoruns folder in Program Files and drag and drop the Autoruns icon to your desktop.

Double click the Autoruns icon and launch the utility.
It will open a window that has several tabs along the top.

Be primarily concerned with the LOGON tab. Click on it to see what programs are launching at Start Up. Remove the check from the box on the left of any program that you don't want to launch at boot up of the PC.

Just be careful in general. Leave everything else as it is. If you clean up the hard drive and the start up programs you should see and increase in speed.

Another helpful little tool I use is a RAM meter. This will install a little digital meter in the lower right hand corner of your monitor. What this will tell you is exactly how much of your RAM you are NOT using at any given time. It will also help optimize your RAM usage. It is a FREE program.

Go to www.download.com and search for FreeRAM Pro
Download and install it.

Hope this helps.

Answer 3

I think you are making the same mistake that so many make. If you are talking about the speed of the ISP company you use then there is very little you can do unless there is a problem with their equipment. If you are talking about the speed of just the computer then it most likely is an older model and needs updated some. If you are running windows ME or anything below that then it needs to go and upgrade to XP. There is a vast difference. If you have less than 512mb RAM then add to it. Some of the older models are not worth updating because they were never designed for real updating. The speed you run on the net has very little to do with what is in your computer. If you feel the ISP provider is not giving you what you thought you would get then talk to them. there may be a problem with them. I run a PC that has two processors runing and 1024mb RAM. I have the old one sitting next to it that was up to date seven years ago but now is so slow compared to this one. When it comes to the internet though it is running at the same speed as this one is. the difference is that it has to stop from time to rime and load a lot on the hard drive and then start again. Not enough RAM to keep up with DSL.

Answer 4

You don't mention if you have an anti-virus program and if you tried scanning for viruses but you should if you haven't because a virus will slow you down big time.

The advice about using spybot and ad-aware is good, these can definitely speed up your computer.

Also go into Internet Explorer and under "tools", "Internet options" you will see "temporary Internet files" click "delete files" and "delete cookies" this can help speed you up a bit.

If you have less then 512MB of memory you will want to add more, you can tell how much you have by looking at the black screen when you first turn on the computer it will usually count up its memory.

If after all this your computer is still slow it may just be an older model that isn't as fast as the newer ones.

Answer 5

You didn't mention what hard drive it has, ie: Penium 4, etc. If it has a capacity hard drive, it will still run slow. 70% of small is still small.
I would suggest that you go to a place with knowledgeable computer sales people, who don't make a commision off of sales; for example Best Buy, or Fryes. Before you go, make a list of the operating system in the computer, the hard drive, and the amount of memory. Then pick their brains. Take a little notebook so that you can write down the info they give you.
I hope this helps you out, and good luck.

Answer 6

If you want it to run like new.Copy the files that you want to keep to some soft ware. Find the Operating System CD open up the disc tray shut down your computer place the Operating System CD in the tray close it. Switch on you computer and reformat. An Application and Driver Recovery DVD is next. Both of these discs should have come with the computer

Answer 7

My computer was running slow for a very long time. I tried adding memory to it, cleaning things up, and nothing worked. The guy at best buy told me to take the back off the pc and clean the fan that was on the inside with one of those cans of air. I couldn't believe the dirt that was inside that thing! I had to actually reach in with a butter knife and break some of the dirt loose before it would blow away. I put it back together and now it runs perfectly. They will also do this for you at best buy if you don't feel comfortable doing it.

Answer 8

download spybot and ad-aware anti-spy programs, and sweep the system with both programs. You may have a load of spyware that got downloaded with the movies.

consider adding more memory - the link below is a good place to start, but your local computer store or big box appliance outlet may carry it as well.

Answer 9

Use SpyBot Search & Destroy to look for viruses and trojans! Most computers that are solely used for downloading things are bogged down with dirty bugs that came with the download.

Also try CCleaner. It clears up all the unneeded files that clog up your computer's system.

Answer 10

try uninstalling programs that you dont use, how?
Click Start then Control Panel then Add/Remove Programs
this'll bring up a list of programs installed on your computer, uninstall the ones that you or anyone else who uses the computer dont use.
good luck :)

Answer 11

I'd download AdAware from www.lavasoft.com and check your computer for spyware. (I'm wondering if the movie download software he was using was laced with spyware.)

I'd also check for viruses. If you don't have a good virus scanner like McAfee, get one.