Slow Computer?

Question

My computer's got a lot of junk on it and it's a little slow. I'd like to wipe everything off and start again with what I had when I first bought it, though I understand doing a system restore is not the way to do this. If that's true, how do I go about it?

Is doing this going to do any damage to my computer?

And other than to make sure I've got an external copy of all the data I want to keep, is there anything else I need to do before I carry this out?

Cheers in advance.

Answer 1

Try downloading spybot or windows defender - they're both great! I just did it and the difference in speed is amazing!

Answer 2

A good way to speed up a computer is a total new system installment. Over time Your systems carries data junks, broken application, needless fonts, etc. and slows down. A fresh system is even more stable and runs smooth. Keep it so. Otherwise begin anew and optimize Your installment.

Preparing a system for tabula rasa (wipe off all and put on new and clean) is important.



0. BEFORE YOU BEGIN

Read these steps (better print them) BEFORE You act. Understand what You are doing. Reread them again. Then begin to act.

Preparation is the most time consuming yet most important task of any good work.

At some points You might also ask Yourself, if You honestly want to install this hard- or software again. Some things cling into habit - even if we don't need them anymore. Or some things could be replaced by a better solution.

Again: preparation - even now - is the outermost important task.



1. BACKUP DATA

Backup You dearest data (documents, pictures, waves, bookmarks, e-mails - whatever) to a backup medium of Your choice.

That is: it should be able to carry all the data and must be fast recognized by Your new system automatically.



2. ACCOUNTS AND PASSWORDS

Take notes of Your user accounts, passwords and other important information. That is: write it down on paper and/or print the information.



3. HARDWARE

Prepare hardware for installing anew. That is: if Your hardware is easy recognized by Your computer You don't have to worry; better note some important settings of the devices.

Also important: make sure all hardware devices work 100%. Maybe this new installment depends on some failure-loaden device - so be sure of Your stuff.



4. SOFTWARE

Prepare software for installing anew. That is: is all software You need (the Operation system, application programs, drivers, etc) available at Your hands?

You'll get the actual driver on the internet, but before You are connected to the internet again You depend on these drivers.



5. A PAPER LOG BOOK

Prepare a tiny log book for filing the installing steps. That is: file all installing steps in short terms for easy handling. Ask yourself prior to install the next software: do I need it really? Maybe it's not necessary this time - so skip it.

You can lookup in Your log book, what was/is really necessary to work with. And lesser data jumble means also a more stable and faster system.



6. WORST CASE SCENARIO

In any case You should have the possibility to get internet for help.
That is: Your nearest internet computer (family, friend, neighbour, etc.) should be available to You for some urgent emergency information and/or help requesting.

Should You ever stuck in some problem facing the new installment this option comes in handy. Hopefully and most times You don't need it - but be prepared to the worst case scenario.



7. BEGIN UNIMPAIRED AND LIGHT

After these preparations successfully done begin Your installment unimpaired and in no hurry.

Today's computer are fast, but installment, yet from the basic, takes it time. Don't be in a rush. Don't start on a deadline. Don't start with a bad feeling, hang-over, what-ever.

Start lightly, prepared and calm - things will run smooth in most cases.



8. AFTERMATH

After successfully install anew You should keep Your little log book near Your computer.

At any time You install something new, file it in this log.

If You need to install Your system once again, use Your entries in the log book as red thread to follow.



9. A GOOD ADVICE

To finish this in a way my mentors would appreciate: always secure Your system.

That is (depending on Your operation system): use a firewall, a virus protection and Your healthy mind to shelter Your computer and Yourself to the unknown harm from the net.

Answer 3

If you have enough space on your Harddisk (let's say 3-5 GB) you can do an easy recovery, without having to backup your data to CD or other external drives (however, this is still advised, in case anything goes wrong).

Create a so called Live CD, where you can start a small Windows off a CD.
A program called BartPE will help you creating one.

Restart your PC with this CD in drive, and booting to CD. You should boot into the Windows on th CD.

After this mini-Windows has started, go to your harddisk, and rename the following folders:
Rename "Documents and Settings" to "Docs"
Rename "Program Files" to "Progs"
Rename "Windows" to "WinOld.OLD"

Now reboot your PC with your original Windows XP Setup Disc.
Do a normal install.
If you are prompted if you would like to format the disc, *don't do any changes to the harddisk!!!* Keep the filesystem! Otherwise, all your Data is lost!

After you set up your PC correctly you can copy your files back from "Docs\YourUsername\My Files" to "Documents and Settings\YourNewUsername\My Files" and all other settings you need, like Favourites or Emails.
If you have Windows XP Home, and XP denies you access to "Docs\YourUsername", reboot in "Safe Mode" by holding F8 before the black Windows XP screen appears, and log in as Administrator.

If everything is back to your liking, you can safely delete "Docs", "Progs" and "WinOld.OLD" to free up space again.

Keep in mind to update your fresh installation of Windows with Windows Update.

To avoid slowdowns in the future: Don't install Norton Internet Security. Use a more ressource friendly virus scanner, like the free Avira Anti Virus.
Don't install programs that you don't really have use for (especially keep away from the CDs that are in magazines with a hojillion free programs).

Answer 4

Do this...

If u are a Win XP user...
U can restore your computers Best performance...From a previously stored restore point...(the computer automatically saves one restore point evry month..unless u happen to disable this option)
Restore points occupy a lott of space and slow down the computer speed big timE....
so restore the Point....and delete the rest.

Also download crapcleaner from www.ccleaner.com
This will remove all the unnecessary files from ur PC.

This should do it.

If its still Slow.Then check your computer for viruses and spyware.
And if nothing helps...the best thing to do is save all your files and format all the partitions and re install your operating system.

Your computer Will be as good as New..

PS:Trust me DONT download the stuff ppl have mentioned above...spybot and other softwares create Havoc on your computer...and make it hang...Registrycleaner deletes your system files...Then you Cant access Your PC...

Hope That answers Your Question.
Plz rate me if it works

Answer 5

I don't feel such a drastic step as wiping everything out is necessary. Let's see if we can clean it up a bit by using some great free programs. Follow the step below in the order they appear.

Download, update and run Spybot---http://www.safer-networking.org/ . Don't forget to use the Immunize feature.

Download, update and run Adaware---http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/products/select_your_product.php

Download RegScrubXP--http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?det=2048

Safely cleans junk out of the Windows 2000/XP system registry. All changes made to the registry are fully restorable to it's original condition. You can make an exclusion list of registry entries that RegScrubXP will not display as problems. You can sift through a list of file extensions, company names, run upon startup programs, Internet Explorer history, and uninstall programs to delete what you think is junk.

Download CleanUp---http://www.stevengould.org/software/cleanup/

Free disk space, make your computer run better/faster and protect your privacy - all in one easy solution. All for free!

Reboot your computer. Now do a disk cleanup and defrag. You can get to them by Start>all programs>accessories>system tools> now click on dish cleanup and after that is finished disk defrag.

You will have a much cleaner and faster computer after following the above steps.

Happy Surfing!

Answer 6

A system restore is usually the fastest way to clear all the crud off a computer. It should work fine, if it asks you if you want to reformat, say "Yes". and No, other than having a copy of everything you want to keep (and your software CD's) that's all you need.

Answer 7

Open teh Task-Manager and look at the stuff running. I'm sure there's a lot. Then search the files you think they are strange with the Windows search assistant. Normally they are in the Windows or System32 directory. If they aren't and you really don't remember to have them installed, remove them. If you aren't sure, google for the file names. I heard about a website with a list of all strange files and what they are good for.

Answer 8

You can follow these steps and you may even not need anything else, including System Restore.
Please have the patience to read ALL of these:

1.Download CCleaner from http://www.ccleaner.com/ and run it once daily before shutting down your computer. It removes all the trash files that are created while surfing through the net. Use its Issues section once every 2 weeks to delete all the unused registry keys. If you have a lot of Auto Start entries, then you can remove them from its Tools>Startup. But keep the important ones like firewall and the real-time protection shields of your anti-virus and anti-spyware.

2.Keep a decent anti-virus, a strong firewall and two anti-spywares in your computer. Always keep the real time protection shield (or resident shield) of the anti-virus and one of the anti-spyware active. Update them and scan your computer once every week with both the anti-spyware and once every 2 weeks with anti-virus. I have given the links to some free and good anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall; get them all:
AVG: http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10596553.html?tag=lst-0-1
AdAware SE: http://www.download.com/ad-aware-se-pers...
SpyBot Search and Destroy: http://fileforum.betanews.com/detail/spy...
Comodo Personal Firewall: http://www.personalfirewall.comodo.com/d...

Never keep two anti-virus or firewall on a single system. If you are already using a good anti-virus or firewall, then you need not download the corresponding one. You can, however, use as many anti-spyware as you want.

3.Keep a virtual memory booster as an auto-start entry. It frees the clogged RAM. I use RAM Booster, which is very effective. Here is the link to download it:
http://www.download.com/rambooster/3000-...
After downloading it, follow the steps:
*. Click on Edit>Options and tick the follow options:
1.Set auto optimisation on
2.Show CPU usage
3.Start minimised
4.Launch automatically at start up
Also, increase the auto optimisation level and 'Mb of RAM to free at auto level' as per your requirement.

4.Keep at least 35% of your C: free. Transfer all the music, image and video files to other drives.

5.Defragment your hard drives (especially C:) once every month. To defrag, go to Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Defragment. It takes a lot of time (40 minutes or over) so don’t become impatient. It’s for your computer’s good.

6.Get the free Google Web Accelerator to boost up your Internet speed.
http://webaccelerator.google.com/

7.Keep your Recycle Bin empty.

8.Use minimum possible shortcut icons on your desktop.


All these will most certainly speed up your computer. Good Luck!
:-)

Answer 9

~System Restore is exactly what you need to use and it doesn't damage your computer in any way.
You should save your email addresses or emails, anything you don't want wiped off there, because everything will be wiped off.
Remember, or write down your passwords.~

Answer 10

format all drives by starting the computer in safe mode with command prompt and type 'format c:'(c,d,e...)dont first format the drive in which operating system is installed .Before formating system drive make sure that u have a boot disk(floppy) or operating system cd with an autorun in dos