My computer has slowed down in the last week what might be the problem?

Question

Its a Gateway Laptop 6 years old it was working grate until last week

Answer 1

Try..
Deleting temporary files
Disc cleanup
Defrag
If it still runs slow get an expert to look at it.

Answer 2

if you haven't installed anything recently that you suspect is the cause of the problem, you might be having a malware (aka virus/spyware/adware) on the laptop. I can't say it for sure, since there could also be other causes, like corrupted memory, there isn't enough information to rule out what causes your slowdown, or etc. Check for viruses using an antivirus, I'll suggest
- AVG (http://free.grisoft.com/ )
- Avast (http://www.avast.com/ )
- Clamwin (http://www.clamwin.org/ )

and antispyware:
- Ad-aware (http://www.lavasoft.com/ )
- Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/ )
- AVG Antispyware (formermly Ewido) (http://www.ewido.net/ )

And also take care to do regular PC maintenance which includes:
- Cleaning Temporaries, Junk Files, Recycle Bin, etc.
- Defragmenting harddisk (In command prompt, type "defrag C:" (without quotes))
- Do a checkdisk (In command prompt, type "chkdsk C: /F /X" (without quotes))

Do some tweakings:
- Turn of unnecessary services (Start > Run > Type "services.msc" > Disable services you don't need. Google a good guide to determine which ones you need and which ones you don't)
- Minimize startup programs. Check both startup folder and registry.
Startup folder is at: Start > All Program > Startup
Registry at: Start > Run > Type "regedit", check the following addresses, there are more startup point, but these are the two most common:
- HKEY_LOCAL_MACHINE\ SOFTWARE\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Run
- HKEY_CURRENT_USER\ Software\ Microsoft\ Windows\ CurrentVersion\ Run

Last but not least:
- Reboot.

Answer 3

This could be due to various factors.

Use the Process of Elimination to narrow down to the root cause.

First of all, clean up the Temp files. Junk on your machine can slow it down because it needs to be verified for consistency.

Check your Start Up menu and keep only the most vital Programs pinged there. Too much clutter there will also slow down the system for the same reason as before.

Clean up the registry of invalid paths and unused pointers. This is another thing that usually slows down your computer.

Remove unnecessary Programs that you don't need or very rarely use. These space consumers generally slow you down immensely.

Check for Virus and Trojans. They perform a lot of bandwidth and page file usage which can slow you down. Of course, the Security of your system is also compromised.

Defragment your drives regularly. Fragmented drives are usually very slow.

All the best.

Please use the links below to download and install C Cleaner and Windows Advance Care, to help you clean up your system.

Answer 4

Have you installed any new program over the past week? If so, try removing it and see if that makes a difference. Run a spy ware program to clean and run a anti virus program to make sure that is good.

Answer 5

1 antivirus and as many asu like with antispyware
if you run more then 1 antivirus there will be a pc error
antispyware you can use
spybot
ewido antispyware
ad-ware(se)
antispyware blocker
xoftspy
spyware doctor
scan pc in safemode for
virus .trojans .malware. adware. .pc worms
and update ur antivirus and scan for virus in safemode only scaning for

virus .trojans .malware. adware. .pc worms

in windows mode will misss some it is best to scan in safemode

Answer 6

If your computer is not working properly while you are working on it, it could be a problem with device drivers, hardware or software.
Detailed instructions at http://tinyurl.com/yk5zpr

Answer 7

Hmm........

Answer 8

VIRUS