What could be causing my computer to slow down so much?

Question

I have a current and regularly updated anti-virus
program,adware for spyware...and regularly do a disk clean-up and defragment when needed.
Any ideas?

Answer 1

There are a number of other products you should use as well to ensure you are free of spyware.

Get any of these you dont have.

Antiviral. (free)

AVG free. Excellent protection available from: http://www.Grisoft.com

Don't use two antiviral products together as they may be incompatible. If your Antiviral trial has run out, then remove product from your computer and get the AVG installed.

Anti-spyware (all free)

Essential products are: Adaware SE from: http://www.lavasoft.com

Spybot SD http://www.safer-networking.org/en/spybotsd/index.html

Spywareblaster http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

Windows Defender - from Microsoft downloads.

Spycatcher
http://www.tenebril.com/consumer/spyware/spycatcher-express.php

PC starter kit at download.com 20 of the best recommended programes for people new or less advanced in computers. Check all three pages, at bottom see Security/Tools/Fun

http://www.download.com/PC-Starter-Kit/2001-12350_4-0.html?tag=dir

Answer 2

There could be so many things that could be the cause of the problem. Since you say you keep up to date on virus and spyware scanning, i won't go into that.

I would suggest defragging your harddrive if you haven't done that in awhile (Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter).

But more than likely, you probalby just have too many things loaded in your system. What is your virus/spyware scanner? Please don't tell me you're using Norton or McAfee, because if you are, then they're a huge resource hog, and probably contributing to your slow speed. I would remove those and use something better, like Kaspersky (my favorite, and hands down the best virus scanning out there.. and if you get the latest Internet Security suite from Kaspersky, it also does Spyware scanning as well).

You can look on the lower right hand corner of your screen where the time is, and the little icons besides it, those are the programs that are loaded in memory (that's called the systemtray). If you have a lot of stuff in there, you may want to start removing some of them, especially things you don't use. You can do that by going to (Start > Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs).

Also, how much memory (RAM) do you have? 512mb should be the absolute minimum these days, but i would recommend 1GB. Ram is sooooo dirt cheap atm, you can probably upgrade to 1GB for about $50.

Answer 3

It's because you're using Windows. Windows isn't supposed to work the way you want or expect it to. It's main job is to create service calls to all the consultants who get paid handsomely to make it do what you want. Toward that end, it has always been difficult to use and maintain.

Think of it this way, if Windows really were cheaper than a Macintosh, why would consultants push Windows so heavily? This is a capitalist society, and it doesn't make sense to push the product that brings in less money. They aren't. You've got a PC, and now you have to spend more money to get it to work right, and even then you won't be done, since the protection you'll be paying for won't last unless you keep paying.

If you want a computer designed for your needs instead of an IT tech's wallet, get a Macintosh!
http://www.apple.com/getamac

Answer 4

Since you are doing regular anti-virus and anti-spyware scans as well as defragmenting,my guess is temporary and duplicate files.You can clean some of them by clicking start,all programs,accessories ,system tools then disk cleanup.For a more thorough cleanup I recommend System Mechanic.A trial version is available at www.iolo.com.

Answer 5

Computer slow downs can happen from a myriad of things. A new program installed with some improper registry lines. Try bringing up your task manager and check out the PROCESSES tab, and look for any abnormal running, and check out the CPU usage as well as the Mem Usage. There is another great program called HijackThis, there are several places to download it, and many forums that you can then Upload the HijackThis report to so that they can help you find the culprit.

Answer 6

Programs running in the background. What i suggest is seeing what is running on the task bar (The row of icons on the bottom right corner) if alot is running then thats your cause and you need to look into using "MSCONFIG" which can be done in the Run command, i suggest getting a tutorial.

It may also be that you dont have enough processing power or RAM. I suggest a minimum of about 1GB RAM and 2.0GHz CPU.

Answer 7

You might want to do a disk defragment you could be running low on free space. Just go to start>all programs> accessories>system tool and then click on disk defregment that can clear up space and cause it to not be as slow.

Answer 8

Your system Registry is probably just overloaded with old and outdated entries. Windows is terrible at managing it's registry, this is why people usually have to reformat/reinstall every year or two.

I would recommend a registry cleaner but really you're just putting off the inevitable, and they really don't help as much as a fresh install.

Answer 9

Viruses. Install an antivirus. I recomand you Bit Defender 9 Professional Plus.

Answer 10

Possibly could be you need higher Mgh,, what ya running right now. Might want to get rid of some old files and programs that U don't use anymore. Hope this helps a bit.. :)