My computer is really slow. Is there anything I can do to make it faster?

Question

I don't have any viruses on it ( I ran a system scan a few hours ago ) and I always delete temp files cookies and history but it is still really slow.

Answer 1

A clean computer is key to a faster computer. Run the 3 scans below.

Update and run your Anti-Virus program. Don't have one? You can run a free online scan from Trendmicro. When I have tested it it takes some time to run it but it may be time well spent if it can fix any problems.
Download and run http://housecall.trendmicro.com/


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

Now lets clean up your registry.

Download RegScrubXP--http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?d...

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/clea...

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


Now lets clean up your disk.

Do a Disk Cleanup and Disk Defrag. You can find both of them by following the path below.

Start>all programs>accessories>system tools>Disk Cleanup. Let it do its thing. You can check every box that has something to delete.

Now follow the same path and do a Disk Defrag. Again just let it do its thing.

Now lets tweak your connection. There are many programs out there to do this. I will give you 2 of them.

The first one is TCP Optimizer.

Description: The TCP Optimizer is a free, easy Windows program that provides an intuitive interface for tuning and optimizing your Internet connection. There is no installation required, just download and run.

http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php...

You can get support for the best way to set it up right from their forum http://forums.speedguide.net/

The second one is Cablenut.

Windows XP tested and approved

CableNut is a tool for optimizing your Internet Connection. We have provided a way to tweak any option you may want to in the adjuster. You can load "CableNut Custom Setting" files that are included with the program to tweak your Internet connection.

http://www.cablenut.com/

Again support is available right from their forum.http://www.broadbandnuts.com/index.php?p...

Answer 2

I recommend that you go to http://www.download.com and get AD-AWARE and SpyBot Search & Destory. Install, run, update and scan your computer with both programs.

You can also HIT the start button and pick RUN. Type MSCONFIG and go to the startup section. Uncheck everything except your Anti-virus, and restart. You will see that it will run better with fewer programs at startup.

Also, if you have less than 512MB of RAM, your computer would run better with MORE. Check your system at http://www.coastmemory.com

Use Disk Cleanup from the Accessories -> System Tools section. This will find other files that you should delete. Then OPEN your MY COMPUTER icon, and right click on your C drive and pick PROPERTIES. Go to TOOLS and click on CHECK NOW. Pick both tests and let it RUN the test after you restart the computer. With that test done, use Defrag to make your hard drive run more efficiently.

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Answer 3

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 4

There are many programs out there is clean up your computer. There are two that I really like and would recommend to you.

When my computer starts acting fun, I run the two programs listed below.

Also, there is an excellent site for free downloads that I use on a regular basis -zdnet.com

Answer 5

From what little I know about computers, the more memory space you have on your computer the faster it will run. Try deleting unnecessary files and limit the items you add to your computer.

Answer 6

You should defrag your harddrive. Start -> All Programs -> Accessories -> System Tools -> Disk Defragmenter. It will take a while but it will help make your PC run faster.

Answer 7

One, send me an email at this addy, and give me the specs on the puter, and I'll see what I can do to help.. this nick @yahoo.com