Why does my computer take so long to execute a process or run a program?

Question

Recently, my computer has been running slower than usual. I thought it would be Adware; however, Ad-Aware and Windows Defender wasn't able to find any thing wrong. I also went through my processes list and removed all the unnecessary files. I have also upgraded my RAM to 1 Gb and cannot go any higher.
I'm not trying to run videogames that require lots of memory, I am just trying to run simple programs like Outlook and Adobe programs.
Does anyone have any ideas to the cause of my computer running so slow? Should I buy/download Norton Utilities and/or programs like it to try to boost my computer's performance? Do these programs make my computer more efficient?
System Info: 1 GB Ram, 55 GB Hard Drive, Intel Pent. 1.6 Gz.

Answer 1

The configuration is Decent enough to run the processes you want to run.
Firstly you should install an antivirus utility like AVG or NOD32 or AVAST, dont install anything like Norton, McAfee etc coz by experience i know it really slows down a system!
you can scan your entire HDD and remove all viruses and worms..
The main reason for a slow system is a "TROJAN Horse", This is a program that eats up not only your HDD space but consumes even your massive 1GB Ram, there are some trojans you just cannot remove no matter what Antivirus you use!
The option is to Format your HDD after taking only Text files as your Back-Up, after formatting you can install an anti-virus, and keep it updated well, spywares and trojans usually come from crack sites, Porn sites etc...

Answer 2

they go slow for two reasons, one there getting cluttered and there is a lot you can do about that, keep your computer free of software that you realy dont need. remove all the adaware antivirus and firewalls and go for an all in one pack like zonelabs, not norton(your pc will stop!) try defragmenting your harddrive(work a bit - try o&o defrag) and also get a cleaner(XPManager - use this to clean your iexplorer files and other usless things from your pc). dont defrag your registry as this will slow things down evenmore. and also try using a programme like BCWipe(set it up to wipe you harddrives free space with '0' you will see in the settings) this will help the seek time on the harddrive(make it go better) dont do this too often thought, once every couple of months should do

winXP manager should also be good for a few tweaks.

the other problem is that you computer is getting old, its dying, in this case you should get some new parts. the memory was a good buy, maby try a faster harddrive(2 if you can afford it) this will make things go better - there are a few settings with pagefiles that 2 drive are good for(for speed) get a pro to do it thought) other than that get a new one. getting a processor wont help much or anyother bits.

software:
Google -> softtex meganet.
www.serials.ws

hope this helps.

Answer 3

Spy/Adware cleaners/blockers (I recommend Spybot Search & Destroy, by the way) only go so far. They won't protect you from or clean up viruses and trojans.

Stay away from Norton. They've improved but it's still bloated and will cause problems for you. I recommend Trend Micro's PC-Cillin. It includes built-in spy/adware protection, an improved firewall, wireless network intrusion detection, parental web controls, etc. Use it in conjuction with Spybot S&D.

You can also do an on-demand scan for free at their web site: http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

Answer 4

the in basic terms component "outfitted" right into a pc is "fetch the subsequent practise". which means the computer can't do something till it receives a chain of, you guessed it, preparation. The operating equipment is one "layer" of teaching. It tells the computer a thanks to speak with the mouse, keyboard, disk pressure, and so on. It has to stay contained in the computer, because it needs the guidance each and each and every time it needs to "communicate" to its "parts". (It not in any respect learns.) that gives you the computer the muse for the subsequent layer - software progression software. it really is what helps a programmer to write down a chain of teaching for a recreation, a be conscious processor, or any of the various applications consumers savor (or swear at). in case you want to write down a document, you want a be conscious processor - i do not recommend you create a be conscious processor. It takes somewhat (often times a lot) of teaching to effectively write classes. surely you want a software - termed progression software - to write down a software. I take position to easily like the challenge of it, yet many human beings do not. i'm hoping this clarifies it a touch.

Answer 5

There may be many reasons for this problem. I can give you a link that deals with hard drive problems. Some RAM/hard drive problems can be easily fixed yourself by using easily available tools. I found the info at http://fixit.in useful

Answer 6

bcoz ur pc has many data in the hard disk. there is many softwares that slow down ur pc like norton antivirus,webshots,there are many games like counter strike.i think ur pc should have a good ram but itz and motherboard's ram doesn't match =these are the answers i think so bye.

Answer 7

you probably have spyware on it,

I advise loading, Spybot, Adaware, and CCleaner,

these can be found on www.majorgeeks.com under the spyware folder