Bought new computer and is running sluggish can I fix this... or is it just a slow computer?

Question

I just purchased a HP Pavilion a1637c and it is running a little sluggish while opening up some folders and such. Is there a way to speed the system up some.

http://www.hp.ca/products/static/pavilion-desktops/a1637c-b/index.php

Answer 1

http://mypchelp.blogspot.com/2006/10/pc-running-slow.html

Answer 2

Being a total computer idiot myself I always look at the simplest thing if my computer is running badly. I think you have too much running on your computer. I know with new computers, the people you bought it from loads a bunch of stuff from AOL or media players.

Assuming you have windows, check what's running on the computer by pressing control-alt-delete, click the applications and see what is running. Also, might want to go into the Control Panel/Add or Remove Programs and remove files or programs that you don't need or don't use. Be careful though, only delete what you recognize. I once deleted a bunch of drivers. Like, if you don't use AOL and it's there...delete it.

Then run a disk clean up and defrag the computer. Another thing to try is downloading Adware or similar program and run that as well incase you have cookies. Another program I've seen is Window Washer. Also run your virus scan.

I hope this helps and if all else fails call their customer service and they will be able to help you further.

Answer 3

Excuse me, but DAMN!

That's an amazing computer!

This is not a "slow computer" by anybody's standards. It is probably slow because of spyware or viruses.

These programs got here by web browsing with Internet Explorer, or a flavor of it in a dsl browser or whatever.

You need to run a spyware scan with a program like Ad-aware or Spybot Search and Destroy. Google for links.

Then you need to switch your browsing to Firefox.

Firefox is much safer than Internet Explorer for web browsing than IE, and will keep your computer from getting all of this junk.

Even if you never "download" anything, these files can get on your computer through security holes in Microsoft's software, such as IE>

Also be sure that your computer is getting the lateset Microsoft Windwos Updates through windowsupdate.com.

This will patch any security holes that Microsoft has found and patched for your benifit.

Good luck, and please email me with any questions!

Answer 4

- Many users are not aware of how much RAM is used by wallpaper and a screensaver full of graphics. They run in the background and eat memory. Lose the wallpaper and set your screensaver to blank or none.
- How many programs do you load at startup? Maybe you should check it out and ensure you are running just what you need.
To do this: cl Start, cl Settings, cl Taskbar and Start Menu.
- cl Start Menu, cl Customize, cl Remove.
- cl the icon for the program you wish to remove
- then cl Remove.
- This will prevent the program from loading at startup, but will not remove the program from the hard disk.
- Are you in a large file? If so, save frequently to restore full memory access. (Your work remains in memory until you “save” it to disk.)

1. Did you run an error check? Open My Computer,
Right-cl on C:, Select Properties, Tools – Run an Error Check ( checkmark “check all and fix); then run a Defrag

2. Are you using Yahoo Toolbar? Run a full Norton Antispy.

3. From IE, click Tools, Internet Options
delete cookies
delete files (offline files)
clear history (set days to save to 0 if you want)
click o.k., and Restart

3. click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools – run Disk Cleanup

4. click Start, Run ipconfig renew (type ipconfig space renew)

All these things should be done regularly. The more frequently they are run, the less time they take.
- Note: Games and videos are mostly graphics. Graphics create large files. If this doesn’t help, you should consider getting more memory.

Answer 5

You are probably running too many programs/files at a time and maybe thats why, since you said its new I dont think you have a virus yet, unless you visit X-raided pages then most likely you do. But try to describe the problem more, like was it like that right out of the box? Did it slow down after installing something?

Answer 6

This should be a smokin computer. If folders are opening slower that you would like, change the settings in folder options to open lists or details instead of thiumbnails or icons. If there are not too many changes to these files, the icons/thumbnails will be cached and you will have faster response.

Answer 7

That's a decent system. Do you have a lot of icons down by your clock (in the tray)? These are programs that run in the background, taking up memory (RAM). See if you can uninstall ones that aren't needed. That system takes from your system memory (RAM) to use for it's video subsystem, a minimum of 256MB. You can consider adding RAM in the future, doubling it at least. This will also help you prepare for Windows Vista.

Answer 8

Working with a slow computer can be time consuming as programs/ applications take a long time to start. This problem is more pronounced in computers which have been used for 6 or more months. More information at http://fixit.in/slowcomputer.html

Answer 9

Delete things you don't need that are on there to free up space like games you don't use, media players you don't use, also get a start up program checker like winpatrol, it lets you see what is running when you are using your computer and at start up and lets you shut it off, that makes it faster too. If you have alot of cookies, temp files or spyware that slows you too. Clean your cookies, files out and run your spyware program. Crap cleaner is available for free and that will clean alot of stuff off for you.

Answer 10

it's possible that you have spyware, in this case download ad-aware, scan your computer and erase any infected files. Also do not browse the internet using internet explorer, instead download mozilla firefox (www.mozilla.com) and use that, I havent had any spyware since I started using it

also buy a decent virus scan program
-norton
-macaffe
-pc cillian

don't use AVG... it doesnt really block anything

Answer 11

damn good pc if that is slow do not format it with all hp computers you set up da recovery cds . i have one now if that pc is slow do a spyware and virus scan this way i know there is all to know about hp -pc dont use windows xp to format it ur make a right mess of it just do da scan and all will be good and make sure you have your recovery cds that you set up .

AD-aware - personal
avg antispyware
spybot search and destory
anitspyware blocker
A-squared
spyware doctor
xoftspy

you download them . then you run 1 at a time to scan ur pc . use deep scan with them all .when found spyware or addware .malware .trojan in da scan . just hit on delete.also have registry machanic . that will clean up ur pc registry you want to use a good anitivurs .. Kaspersky .antivirus is verry good .when you have scan ur pc .and remove da malware . then start pc in safemode and scan da pc again as in safe mode it will do a even more deep scan for spyware or malware or trojans you will not need to format da pc at all you can remove any spyware or trojan malware in da way i told you how to it is easy