i need a program to speed up my computer?

Question

My computer has crawled to a halt. My kids have downloaded too many programs and no my computer is slow and my internet is slower. My laptop on wireless is 10x as fast. What are the good programs to install to clean up my computer from all the crap on it?

Answer 1

I bet you'll find spyware all over the place if you are not running anti-spyware software.
There is a bunch of useful FREE software downloadable from:
http://www.cassette2cd.co.uk/downloads2.php
As mentioned elsewhere a reinstall of Windows may achieve good results, but it's a bit drastic. Run at least two anti-spyware programs I use AVG spyware (previously Ewido) and Spybot. If you still have trouble consider using 'hijackthis' - all available for free at the above web-page. If it's still bad, you might have to consider total cleansing with a fresh new install of Windows (bit like a colonic irrigation - you don't WANT to do it, but you know it will do the job).
Hope this helps

Answer 2

- Many users are not aware of how much RAM is used by wallpaper and/or a screensaver full of graphics. They run in the background and consume memory. (I have only 512mb RAM, run multiple programs simultaneously, and have set my wallpaper and screensaver to blank.)

I don't do games, but I do know that they are primarily graphics -- which need and use a lot of memory.

- 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.

-When you are working in a large file, 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 3

While there is no one tool that can cure your computer's ailments instantly, here are a few things you can try...

Get Windows Defender, Spybot Search and Destroy and Adaware. The first one you can find at Microsoft's website. The latter two are from www.download.com. That website is run by CNET.

You should run your antivirus software and the rest of the programs above in safe mode (press f8 several times at boot up and select safe mode) and turn off the system restore (in system tools) TEMP only when you do the scans. And pull out your network cable/disable the wireless when you do this.

Depending on the infection you have, you may need to download a tool (from a legit site, like Symantec.com) to run to clear up the trojan horse.

Clear up your temp files by going to tools-->internet options--> delete files if you are using internet explorer. Upgrade to IE 7.0 or mozilla is best. Sometimes, your computer can freeze up in this. Do a control+alt+delete and go to processes. You can end processes there. Err of caution many of them are legit, if you are not sure which one to end. I'd do a google search. You can sort the processes to see if it is taking up a lot of memory.

Run your disk defragmenter as well. You can find that by going to start-->all programs-->accessories-->system tools. You can also clean your disk from there.

If your computer still has junk on it, go to add/remove programs and remove what you can.

ALSO, go to start-->run-->msconfig to remove any thing at startup that looks fishy.

If you are daring, you can go to the registry but you will need to back it up. You can download HijackThis! and there are websites out there that can take a look at the log and give you some advice for free.

If this works for you, then download ZoneAlarm firewall. It's free and works very well. Run Windows Updates, and do a file checker to make sure any of your windows system files are not corrupt. Go to start-->run-->sfc /scannow (there is a space there) and let it run. It may ask for a windows disk. You can also go to www.trendmicro.com for a free online scan. It's a little slow and by the sound of it, you should hold it off until you can get the internet faster.

If push comes to shove, reformat your computer by pressing F11 at boot up (on most computers). You will need to try to backup anything of importance. Reformatting should only be of last resort!!! I had to reformat my computer at least once because of a Trojan.Vundo infection. That was really bad because I couldn't get rid of it, after everything I tried even going into the registry.

You can also add more memory as well.

If you do not have time to do any of this, you can shell out the money to go to a computer store tech shop and they will do it for you. Or you can just buy a Mac. You can also invest into software that has a security suite. Norton is a good brand. And so is MacAfee.

Bear in mind, that if you do decide not to reformat the computer and end up using these programs, remember that these viruses/spyware will come back at anytime. You may not get rid of everything. At nite, when no one is using the computer, turn of the router/modem for the computer.

I hope this helps.

Answer 4

There is couple of different programs i would recommend, the first is a program called Window Washer from webroot software download or purchase at www.webroot.com, this cleans all temporary files and other useless files from your computer really helped mine, also from webroot spy sweeper is an excellent spyware program. Hope this helps, you can also buy these programs at walmart, bestbuy, etc.

Answer 5

go to www.ewido.net and run an online scan. That will find all the stuff thats probably slowing down your machine.

Also go into the control panel and then add/remove programs to begin removing items you don't need. If you don't know what it is, then leave it.

Answer 6

there is no such program that really makes that much difference you can defragment your drive wich put all your files closer together that gives a little bit of space or you could format your computer wich restores it to factory settings or another reason could be spyware try running a few scans but i suggest formatting

Answer 7

Actually the programs that you need are on your computer, start- accessories- system tools. use programs like disk defragemtner and disk clean-up to make your hard drive faster.

Answer 8

The best program for you problem is: FORMAT C:
After that you have to reinstall just the programs you need!
There is no magic! You have to do it and Good Luck!

Answer 9

One thing that I would recommend is that you don't have unnecessary programs starting when you start your computer.
Go to this site http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm for loads of info regarding startup programs

Answer 10

you can just go to add or remove programs and remove whtever you don't need. Or look for a program to help you do this, just search for it. Look for one that lets searches for barely used stuff but also lets you decide if you want to delete or not. REMEMBER THIS TOO: DO NOT DELETE ANY WINDOWS COMPONENTS EVEN IF YOU DON'T USE THEM, IT CAN LEAD TO CORRUPTION.