Why does my computer run so slow? Do I need to delete some programs off?

Question

When I turn on my computer it is really slow. I have to wait 20min. to even begin to connect the Internet.(I am probably the only dial-up Internet user in the u.s.) So anybody have any ideas on what I should do?

Answer 1

If you have defrag. your pc., opened my computer, open "C" drive and open properties, and then click on clean and your system will clean all the junk files you don't need.

In our IE open tools, internet options, and clean history, files and cookies.

If your antivirus system is Nortons or Mcafee, they are junk and resource hogs, get rid of either one if you have one running.

http://www.avast.com is an excellent free antivirus program I use and never had one virus in nine years. Very low on resources. As an excellent background scanner that really works in real time to destroy a virus before it enters your system.

If you want you can download a free cleaner: http://www.ccleaner.com that comes in many languages an updates often. This program is free of any embedded spyware or trojans. Will perform the cleaning for you.

Still after you have done all of the above and it takes 20 mins. to connect, you should place a call to your ISP and talk to a technician. Because they can resolve the problem or tell you that their servers are over-loaded. Or you may have to find a new ISP, that has more servers and is less over-loaded.

Clinical Psychiatrist, France

Excuse my english

Answer 2

You can download ccleaner for free here: http://bit.ly/1Bk5V5C

First open CCleaner
Go to the Cleaner tab and you will be confronted by a very confusing lineup of checkboxes.
To make this brief, below is my recommended setup:
Under internet explorer check temporary internet files, cookies, and last download location. Most users don't really need this stuff. keep history and bookmarks unchecked, history is a maybe, but you don't want to lose bookmarked sites. You can normally leave Windows Explorer, System, and Advanced alone.
Run CCleaner and it will start deleting files.
afterward it will present you with a list of the files deleted, you really don't need to go through it as it will be several pages long.
The registry cleaner is recommended for slightly more advanced users. Use it after uninstalling programs as they will often leave behind incorrect registry entries.
If you decide to run Registry cleaner then review the items detected and always back up the registry (I keep a folder aside for this)
The Tools tab lets you uninstall programs and set startup programs. Why do you need this if Windows has all of these features? Especially with Vista Home Ed. The windows defender software explorer( startup programs) doesn't pick up some entries (however software explorer is easier to use).
Using CCleaner to uninstall programs and then check for leftover registry entries takes less time.
Under Options you can determine how CCleaner cleans your files. I leave this alone.

Answer 3

I'm not sure if you've tried all the usual options already... But, when I encounter this type of problem the first thing I do is erase all of the cookies and files under "internet options" in the tools menu of your browser. Next, clear the history in the same area of the menu. Next, use your computer's system tools under "Start", "Programs", "Accessories" and "System Tools" to clean up your computer. Choose "Disk Clean Up". Let this run and then completely reboot your computer. If you still encounter this problem try running the Disk Defragmenter listed in the system tools as well. Lastly, you may want to download free software to eliminate spyware from your computer such as "SpyBot Search and Destroy". This is a great free program that works great for eliminating spyware. You may also want to check how many programs you have running on "startup" and eliminate some of them that aren't necessary. This can greatly improve the speed at which your computer starts up upon reboot. Good luck!

Answer 4

Check the startup programs
AOL is the worst
The antivirus program MIGHT be set to scan on re-boot if it really is 20 minutes that would be my guess.

Answer 5

Defragment you computer. It probably has a little disk space left.