My computer has slowed down,tried restart but no better,help?

Question

Its so slow that iv stopped using it like i used to,im spending all my time waiting

Answer 1

Try running the Disk Cleanup and Disk Defragmenter

Answer 2

There are a number of things that can cause a slow machine. If your machine has slowed down over night, the most possible cause is a virus or spyware.

Also, note that some anti-spyware programs (especially the ones free from the Internet) can actually come with spyware built in.

Always best to remove any other spyware programs you have installed before continuing....

Initially, visit http://housecall.trendmicro.com and run the online scan - this will check for virus' and spyware.

You may also wish to download the free microsoft spyware cleaner which is about the only one which has been tested and proven in all the years I have been doing IT Support. This can be downloaded at:

http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx

If your machine has slowed down over a longer period, then...

1.) Defragment you harddrive (start --> programs --> accessories --> system tools)

2.) Remove any software that you no longer need (start --> control panel --> add/remove programs)

3.) Run a registry cleaner (recommend registry mechanic)

http://www.pctools.com/registry-mechanic/

4.) It may also mean that your hard drive is failing. Best to copy all of your files and folders to another harddrive or external storage device (usb key/usb harddrive)

At least then, if it does fail - you have everything backed up!

Answer 3

1) Check for spyware. Run both Ad-aware Peronal Edition ( http://www.lavasoftusa.com ) and Skybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/) to remove any spyware. Run both as one may caught something the other missing. Then go to microsoft.com and download Defender to protect against future infections.

2) Check that you have a least 10% of your hard drive free. Go to My Computer and right click on the Local Drive (C:). Look at the properties. If it has less that 10% free space, you will need to delete some files, or move them off the hard drive and on to a CD or DVD. Start by running the disk cleanup, which will remove temporary and other unneeded files. Go to Start, then All Programs, Accessories, then System Tools and click the Disk Cleanup icon.

3) Run the msconfig utility. Go to Start, then Run and type in: msconfig
Go to the startup tab
You will see a list of all the programs that are loaded when your computer starts up. Uncheck any that you do not have to have. (Usually you can uncheck them all). If you decide you to need one, you can go back and recheck it.

4) Defrag the hard drive. Go into My Computer and right click on the Local Drive (C:). Select Properties and go into the Tools tab. Click the Defragment Now button to start the defrag program. If you have not defrag recently (or never) it may take several hours for the program to complete.

Answer 4

This unfortunatly is too general of a question. Its like saying my car doesnt start. There can be many many things that can be wrong with it.

Here is a small list for you to check.

Do you need more RAM? Windows needs a minimum of 256 to run.

Do you have Viruses or Spyware? You need to run a scan not just with 1 scanner but at least 3-4 to make sure everything is out.

What is the processor speed of your computer? Some people complain about the speed of their machines only to end up having like 700 mhz processor.

Have you disabled startup? Sometimes unwanted programs will run during startup which will slow down your computer. It has to run all the neccessary win xp files and on top of that files that you have added to startup.

If you checked all of this and still a problem go to your local tech asap.

If you need free scanners go to free.grisoft.com
do a search on spybot search and destroy
and free.lavasoft.com

If you need to disable startup go to start - run type msconfig
click on selective startup. Go up to startup tab and uncheck all items.

Good Luck.

Answer 5

You might have a virus or some spyware. If you haven't got a good anti-virus program installed, you can download AVG or Avast for free - either one is excellent, just go to either website and download the free edition. Then follow the instructions for running a scan on your computer. I use Avast myself and never had a problem with it. Before you do that you might like to try C Cleaner, a nice little program that gets rid of a lot of junk on your computer and can help it run a bit faster. Go to the C Cleaner website or File Hippo for that.

Answer 6

It could be your hard-drive,
if you have less than 500 MB remaining on your hard-drive your computer will slow down allot.

It could also be spy-ware/viruses
not much to say about this but try downloading yahoo toolbar and do a spy-ware check . as for the viruses get your-self a copy of AVG free addition ( free on the net hence the name ) and do a full system scan.

It may be your desktop
If you place all your downloaded or other files ( not shortcuts ) on your desktop your computer will take forever to start up and may slow down during use

i hope these help

Answer 7

You recommend reload each little thing. in case you obtain the pc from a mainstream place like maximum suitable purchase you in all risk have between the same old producers , HP/Compaq, Gateway there'll be a restoration CD/DVD which you will apply. back your records up, you will loose records in case you do no longer because of the fact it truly is going to in all risk format the force. additionally if it truly is an HP and it truly is particularly new you may hit "F11" once you first turn the pc on and it will pass right into a restoration mode. i've got considered Gateways have the comparable functionality. some Dells are CRTL+F11 or a restoration CD in accordance the techniques chosen once you get carry of. maximum suitable purchase will additionally do it for a fee and in case you have not one of the above techniques it truly is worth money in the event that they comprehend what they're doing (our maximum suitable purchase adult men don't have a lick of expertise)

Answer 8

I feel sorry for you, cuase I have a lop-top that's doing the same thing;it takes forever and a day to just open my computer or open iternet explorer.

Have you tried going back to the last good point on your computer.If you go to control panel, there should be something that will let you go back the the last known good point when your computer was working right. I had to do that on this computer I'm on right now cuase a pop-up decided it would intstall itself on my computer;i didnt click nothing, I didnt push anything; it just installed itself. So I went back to the last known computer check point when my computer was working right.

Good luck & God bless!:-)

Answer 9

Can you remember all the software you removed from your computer? It could be still there in the back ground on your hard drive although you think it gone. I have always edit my register afterwords when I removed any software because you will find that not all software ever leaves your computer so you need to do it manually but be careful so not **** the computer up afterwords, so back up first although I never do. It should help to solve you problem
OK.

Answer 10

Try to defrag it and to compress some of the files on your hard disc. It would also be a good idea to run your Anti virus and to delete and uninstall any programs or screensavers, pictures etc that you no longer need or use. did this to mine a while back and now its running a lot better.