Our computer is running slow so we want to delete everything unimportant and start all over again. Without losing the stuff we need. Is this possible???
2006-11-09 10:51:56 · 13 answers · asked by curious_59 3 in Computers & Internet ➔ Other - Computers
First-STOP!!!! Do not reformat anything yet.
First update your antivirus program. Now run the antivirus program. Find anything??
Next: Update your anti-adware program. Now run your anti-adware program.
IF you do not have both of these programs then you need to get them like yesterday. You can pick them up at Compusa, Bestbuy, Office Depot , Officemax, Walmart.......you get the idea.
You can also find free antivirus and adware programs on the WWW.
If you have done all this and the sluggishness continue then: Run Defrag. Just go to help and type in Defrag. This probably won't do much though.
Next gets a little complicated: You can type ctrl-alt-delete and use the task master to see what is running in the background. If you feel a little out of league give Microsoft a call. I've found them very helpful.
Backing up your files and reformatting the hard drive should be a last resort. I've done it and it will probably work. But, why go though all that if you may not have to. If you are getting no error messages, I would start with looking for viruses or adware. I've seen them bog down a computer so much you couldn't do anything.
2006-11-09 11:16:17 · answer #1 · answered by ontopofoldsmokie 6 · 0⤊ 0⤋
first if you do not have any antivirus programs you need to install some. Next if you don't have spybot search and destroy you should get it because it will get rid of all the adware and spyware on your computer and it is free. Adware slows down your computer and makes it sluggish. Second you should delete all your temporary internet files by going to the internet options in the control panel. delete all offline content, and delete all your cookies. this should also speed up your computer. if it takes a moment you should wait while it deletes because if you have a lot of stuff on your computer it could take up to a minute to delete every thing. you should also go into control panel and delete all the programs that you are not using. these can also slow down your computer as they run in the background. You can also go to start, programs, accessories and system tools and go to defragment, disk clean up and such and this can also help your computer run faster. If you wish not to go through this lenghty process then just save files you want to keep to a disc and then do a system restore. you like many others should always have a factory restore disc or you should have made a system restore disc on your own when you first got your computer. If you decide to restore your computer be sure to go into the control panel after that and make yourself a retore disc. It may come in handy once again. Also be sure to install antivirus and spyware control software on your computer, and you will have less problems in the future. good luck.
2006-11-09 12:06:08 · answer #2 · answered by ILuvDollz 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Go to the Control Panel and select Add/Remove programs, then remove the ones you don't want. Also go through your files and just delete the ones you don't need anymore, especially big ones.
You can buy more memory for your computer because that is what causes it to be slow. This is working memory, and without more of it your computer will still be slow, although getting rid of stuff you don't need will help some, but it won't solve the problem.
2006-11-09 11:00:11 · answer #3 · answered by T'Vral 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Reinstalling Windows XP shoudl do the trick as long as you still have the cd for it and you license number(that should be on the back of you computer tower). If everything is there go ahead and reinstall windows. If you dont have everything you should still be able to run a system restore on your computer(located under your start enu or your control panel). Best of luck to you!
2016-05-22 01:27:36 · answer #4 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
First you need to save everything you want to keep on an external disc. The easiest way to do this these days is to buy an external hardrive. Then you reformat your internal hardrive which wipes it clean. Then you need to install all of your software back on the internal hardrive. You can also take your computer in for service and have someone else do this for you if you don't want to spend the time.
2006-11-09 10:55:58 · answer #5 · answered by bb80266 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
well u can get an anti-virus thing to clean off da viruses but understand dat it wont alwayz be the solution and in case it isnt u would to reboot. save everything u need in a cd or disk or send them to a friend computer the reboot wich would earase everything and u would have a fresh start then make sure u get an anti-virus.
2006-11-09 10:56:38 · answer #6 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
You need to Back up your data then do a Full Reinstall with a Format. To format your drive pop in the Win XP CD then it will ask you if you would like to format say yes
2006-11-09 10:53:45 · answer #7 · answered by eagle4life69 2 · 1⤊ 0⤋
If you don't want to reinstall your entire operating system, I suggest you defragment your C drive. just go to the control panel/performance and maintenance/rearrange data on your hard drive... its also called defrag
2006-11-09 10:56:34 · answer #8 · answered by snoboarder2k6 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Your PC should have came with a reboot disc. You install it and it brings everythign back to the factory settings.
2006-11-09 10:54:15 · answer #9 · answered by Mommyk232 5 · 0⤊ 1⤋
sure you backup your data and do a complete format and reload
2006-11-09 10:54:35 · answer #10 · answered by spankdis 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋