why is my computor running slow?

Question

lately it has taken ages to get any pages up

Answer 1

Get a good antivirus program. Here you have some free options:
http://askcomputerexpert.ws43.com/download/

Answer 2

First it may not be your computer. If you are Bringing up pages, it sounds like to me that you are using the Internet. So a couple things. One test you Internet speed with http://reviews.cnet.com/7004-7254_7-0.html. This will tell you how fast you intern connection is. If you have virus software run a check. The last thing is how much memory on the computer you have. Computers without enough memory tend to slow down because the do a task called paging with moves stuff from Memory to the hard drive. go to System>>control panel>>system and look at how much memory you have if you have less than 256k you should look at upgrading

Answer 3

Why is my computer running so slow, it used to be much faster?

There can be many causes for a general slowdown of your computer. Some are not necessarily security or virus related. You should check all these items to be sure.

1. Run an updated virus scan.
Or Scan for Viruses online.
Sometimes it is a good idea to run more than one to ensure nothing is missed:
Kaspersky Online Virus Scanner
Panda ActiveScan
Trend Micro House Call
Symantec Security Check

2. Download CWShredder.
Be sure to update to the latest version.

3. Run the Microsoft® Windows® Malicious Software Removal Tool

4. Check this link:
Do you have parasites?

5. Run Ad-Aware (free version)
Update if you already have it.
AND
Spybot (free version)
Update if you already have it.
You may want to use both of these tools to be sure all spyware is gone.

Make sure ALL above tools are updated within the last few days. Do NOT assume recently downloaded/installed tools are up to date.

If you still have issues and feel spyware may be involved, go to:
THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL.
Download HijackThis and install it.
If you do not fully understand what HijackThis suggests to delete, post the log to the forum referenced on THE PARASITE FIGHT QUICK FIX PROTOCOL.
An expert can analyze the log and give you specific recommendations to clean your system.

6. Perform Windows Memory Diagnostic

7. Reboot
Search for and delete all files "*.tmp"
Search for all files "temp" Delete the contents of them, do NOT delete the folder.
Go to Control Panel
Click Internet Options
Click "Delete Cookies", click OK, may take a few minutes
Click "Delete Files"
Check "Delete all offline content" click OK, may take a few minutes
Click "Clear History" click Yes, may also take a few minutes
Perform Disk Cleanup checking all boxes except "Compress old files"
Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Clean-up

8. If you have file sharing software such as Kazaa, disable it.

9. Run Defrag.
Start/All Programs/Accessories/System Tools/Disk Defragmenter

If you have problems with any of these, reboot to Safe Mode and try them.
Reboot tapping F8 each second.
Select Safe Mode at the menu.
Not all cookies found by these utilities are bad.
However I always delete everything including cookies that are discovered unless I determine I want it to remain.

10. This may apply if you recently installed Windows XP Service Pack 1:
Heap Algorithm Update for Atypically Large Heap Requests

11. Sometimes a weak CMOS battery can cause various issues including slow, locking as well as other unexplained performance issues.
This is fairly rare but the battery is relatively easy to replace, check your motherboard/computer manual for replacement details.
Usually the battery is a "CR2032" watch battery, about the size of a nickel.

12. This step removed

13. Check this link to identify the running processes and how to stop the unnecessary ones:
Pacman's Portal Start-up Processes
Full List is a good place to start.

Some will suggest to use MSCONFIG to disable running applications.
Start/Run
Type "msconfig" ENTER
Click "Startup" Tab
And uncheck the undesired processes.
While this can work, it is a poor first choice to disable an application.
A problem with this method is some applications will create another instance in the Startup tab, eventually you may have many, all but one unchecked.

Once an item is unchecked in the Startup tab, "Selective Startup" is marked in the General tab.
Ideally "Normal Startup" should be marked in the General tab..

The Start-up tab in MSCONFIG is intended for troubleshooting.
If an application should not be started during boot, the best place to accomplish that is the application itself.
Open the application.
Then look for something like "Settings" or "Options".
Then look for something similar to "Run at boot" or "Load at start-up"
You need to disable it.
If you have problems determining how to disable an application, you may need to contact the application manufacturer directly or at their web site.

14. Go to the website of the hard drive manufacturer, download their hard drive diagnostics and use it to check the integrity of the hard drive.

Answer 4

Okay, you know about the "Not having too many icons" on your main screen, right? Well, if you have a ton of them it will slow your computer down. You can open up a file, and put alot of the ones you seldom use, in that file, and it will help to speed up your computer, a bit.. That's what I Had to do, to get mine in gear. And it worked. Then, you might have too many sites on at once, that can also slow things down alot. So,, there you have it. If you have any further problems, after taking our advise, then I would call your online provider, and ask for their help , their always more than happy to help! Good-Luck, and Happy Bird Day, to you & yours!!! Smile, it'll get better!!!

Answer 5

Hi there,

The fact this has only happened to your PC lately rather than a gradual decrease in performance points to either a hardware issue, or a malware infection of some description.

I would strongly recommend you download and run the free trial of Prevx1 which will scan your PC and remove any infections free of charge. This currently has the largest database of malicious files therefore would be your best chance of having any infections removed:
http://www.prevx.com
 

Answer 6

There are few reasons
1. your PC is lower pentium, so must be updated
2. your PC are getting virus, so the virus hacked and effect your activity on running the PC
3. your file is too much, so there is not enough memory space to handled heavy file....make sure you buy a hard disk and transfer it....so the space are large....and it's possible for PC to run more faster

Answer 7

Hey,
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Pacman Original is one of the best and addictive games ever created. All you have to do is consume all the fruits in the environment and also you have to escape from your evil predators.
You should definitely try it

Answer 8

try the following.. 1. delete all cookies
2.go to control panel and remove any programmes you are not using.
3. go to start menu,all programmes,accesories,system tools, disc defragmenter and run.

the last option will free up a lot of memory on your computer and will speed it up. hope this helps.

Answer 9

virus? spyware? Trojans? don't know, need more info. Go to Lavasoft.com and download some free stuff.

Answer 10

Have you tried scanning for spyware? There are many free ones out there. I found this guide pretty helpful, hope this helps. http://www.basicspywaretips.com/getridofspyware.html