Computer Performance is Decreasing? PC WIZ REQUIRED?

Question

Pc Spec: 3.39 GHz Processor and 512MB of ram.

My pc has been running slow lately. I have been using the internet, frequently. I have a 125GB hard drive so any games i have installed and files i have saved.. there is still over half of the space left (90GB).

My problem: The pc takes a while to load up pictures on internet browsers, Games take extra long to load, Frequent disconnection from wireless network (DIFFERENT PROBLEM I THINK).

I am wondering, Should i FORMAT the pc removing all that was previously on it.. and reinstall any programs that were top priority inorder to restore computer speed? Or is there another way i can increase loading speeds.

NOTE: I have ran DISK CLEAN UP, Deleted all TEMPORARY INTERNET FILES, and cleared the history.

Answer 1

You need to run msconfig and go to the start up tab. uncheck any items associated with software that you don't use every time you start your computer.

Answer 2

Well, from the sound of it, your machine shouldn't really be slow at all, or exhibiting any of those problems. The first thing that pops to mind is virus/spyware. Every computer that connects to the internet should have:

A software firewall that prevents both inbound and outbound traffic. The firewall built into XP SP2 is a good start, but only offers partial protection (inbound only).

At least one spyware scanner. Many of them are passive programs that you scan your PC with after you think you've been infected, but some do have active components which will stop the spyware before it gets installed.

An anti-virus program. These as well can be both passive and active, but again active scanning that prevents the infection is always the way to go.

For novice PC users, it's usually best to keep it simple and go with one of the big names all in one suites, either Mcafee, Symantec/norton, Computer Associates, or Zonelabs. They'll cost you a few bucks to purchase, and most of them have annual subscriptions to download the latest updates to keep you protected from new threats, but it's money well spent especially if you use the internet frequently to download games and files (the most common way of infecting your computer)

Good luck!

Answer 3

Have you ran an updated antispyware/anti-adware program? Have you ran an updated anti-virus program?
If not, do those before doing anything else. Since you did not mention it, I bet this solves your problem.

Also, look at what programs are running in the background whenever you start up your computer. Turn off stuff you don't need. You'd be suprised what automatically loads each time you turn on your computer. You install a new program, and you don't realize that it's programmer decided to have it start up everytime you start the computer.

Answer 4

possible the website you've enter had sent a worm virus, u know some website specially porn site, they use this as a bridge to throw virus in the computer, mostly hackers do that stuff, now your PC is vulnerable to hackers and something like that, try to find a software that can detect worm or trojan virus aside of that can detect ifr someone are trying to hack your PC, but for me the way to back to normal you PC is to BACK-UP ALL YOUR FILES, and after that REFORMAT YOU COMPUTER to delete all virus and some stuff that might hacker use to infiltrate your PC... make sure to back-up all your files and after you reformat your PC install the best anti-virus you have and after you copy all your files in your PC run the anti-virus scan the drive C entire drive to make sure no more virus there.

Answer 5

http://bartman1.blogspot.com/ go here and follow the directiond on if your computer runs slow