why is my computer suddenly slowed to a snails pace?

Question

I'm running windows xp with sp2

Thanks Guys, I managed to clear my start up bar but no applictions will open . I managed to start defrag but after 16 hours it had done 3% i have 80% free space on my hard drive so there is not a lot to defrag . I can't get anything to open and can't get on the net---HELP

Answer 1

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.

9.If you have genuine Windows, keep it updated every month.

10.Trim down the number of games if you have way too many.

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

Answer 2

Could be any number of things... I have XP and in the end it got soooo slow i re formatted and now its quicker than ever

Answer 3

the problem is u did not mention ur memory capacity..........
and the problem may in ur system.....
that is there may be many badsectors in ur harddisk...........
there is another solution open ur PC cabinet take out the RAM and clean it with an eraser nothing else,,,,,this may help and reinstall ur windows ....if u dont have give me ur address
i will send it to u.
free of cost as friend
but in INDIA

Answer 4

In addition to waht Ashutosh has said, your system has been infected with spywares. Download Ad-Aware SE Personal Edition
(http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html)

Spybot - Search & Destroy 1.4
(http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html)
Update their defination files and run them.

Answer 5

You answered your own question, you're running Windows XP!

Answer 6

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