is it impossible to get my computer to work again?

Question

its unbelievably slow not sure if its viruses or what but ive tried everything except reformating if i go and buy the windows xp is it worth it or could i still have problems after reformating my computer

i bought it with xp on.

Answer 1

Your computer may be running slow because of a number of reasons. If your computer is a newer computer with enough RAM ( http://www.google.com/search?client=opera&rls=en&q=define:ram&sourceid=opera&ie=utf-8&oe=utf-8) and a fast enough CPU (http://www.webopedia.com/TERM/C/CPU.html) your computer is probably running slowly because you have either a virus(es) or too many programs running. If you have an older computer it is probably running slow because it does not have enough RAM or a fast enough CPU.

Assuming you have Windows (XP), you can speed up your computer by doing these things in the order they come. Get a good Anti-Virus Software (not Norton) and then scan and delete Viruses. I have found CA AntiVirus to be a easy to use and good anti-virus software (http://home2.ca.com/DRHM/servlet/ControllerServlet?Action=DisplayProductDetailsPage&SiteID=caconsum&Locale=en_US&Env=BASE&productID=50698000). An excellent free Anti-Virus Software is AVG Anti-Virus Free (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1). Note, DO NOT GET NORTON. To say the least, it is a POS. After getting rid of virus your system has, delete any unnecessary programs you have. Then run Windows System Cleanup (Start
To speed up your system's Start Up go to run System Configuration Utility (Start
If you don't want to do any of the above either reinstall Windows or perform a System Restore to a time that you probably didn't have a virus. By the way, before doing any of the things I have mentioned, be sure you backup your system. I assume no responsibility for you screwing up your system by following what I have told you to do. Don't do anything unless you know what it is. If you have any questions please e-mail me at [e-mail]

Answer 2

1. u need to post the computer configuration for anyone to help you with.
2. if its a machine with atleast 64 + MB Ram, 40 GB Hard Disk and a 566 + Ghz processor, and I assume u r running Win 98 (since u dont have XP), then getting ur machine to run may not be a problem. In which case, if your data is already infected, you will have to verify the infection by running an anti-virus and getting rid of the infected files, before you move the data back.
3. You need to check that the hardware is fine, especially the cpu fan (there is a small fan on the processor to avoid overheating)
4.If there is a whirring creaky sound, you may be on the verge of losing your hard drive. In which case, stop work immediately and get a new hard drive. [This may result in a complete upgrade if your system is like the configuration I mentioned earlier].

Chow !

Answer 3

If your computer is more then four years old, Try to stay with it, unless you want to buy another computer.
Make sure you have more the 250 Mb of c: hard drive space free.
Add more ram if you can.
Try to find and delete any browser help programs, and worms.
Really clean your caches, temp and Temporary Internet folders.
Also clean your registry.
THEN think about reinstalling windows 98
In windows 98:
good free reg cleaner is at Abexo.com a free one is at:
http://www.download.com/Abexo-Free-Registry-Cleaner/3000-2094_4-10434887.html?tag=lst-0-6
Good free worm,virus removal;
http://www.pctools.com/free-antivirus/?ref=msn_antivirus

To delete Temporary Internet files cleanly in windows 98 and also works in other windows:
right click your temporary Internet, it's under c drive, windows. Select find (search)
in the find input *.*
Delete the FOLDERS that don't make since.
don't delete contents.
If you have more then 5,000 files don't delete all the folders at one time.
When you delete the folders the files will be deleted
After you are done you will have two things left.
index and contents.
Also feel free to delete everything under temp.
There may be a few you can't delete, don't worry about it.
Don't forget to empty the recycle bin.
If you are using some kind of outlook, don't forget to empty the deleted files and you may also should think about deleting your sent items.
This should be done before defrag.
I just did this on someone old laptop, there was 600 kb in files that was deleted.

Answer 4

If your pc was new and you bought it with Windows XP on it, it should have a recovery program with it. You should have made a recovery disk with that recovery program for such times at the very beginning (it will remind you about it itself). Using this sort of recovery programs are very easy and will return your pc to what it was at the first place. If you have this recovery disk, insert it in your CD ROM then change the boot setting of your pc by restarting and pressing F2.

If you don’t have the recovery disk but you have its original recovery program, try making the recovery disk as soon as possible, because it will save your Windows XP on that CD.

If you haven’t bought a new PC, you can try restoring your setting to a pervious date but I won’t think it will help you a lot! Try uninstalling programs which use your RAM in the operating systems startup like messengers, anti viruses.

If you really want to bye a new window, you can wait a while and buy a Visa version of Microsoft Windows. But you probably have to upgrade your RAM.

Answer 5

It might be you have too many things running at the same time and it also could be you're running too demanding applications from your computer.

It's also likely you might be infected with stuff like virus/trojans and/or sharing programs (P2P programs like limewire) starting when you log on.

Installing XP would be ok at first but not knowing what caused this slow down would only open the possibility of it happening again in the future.

Have the computer scanned using http://housecall.trendmicro.com first. Then if it doesn't help or partially help, get a adware scanning program like adaware or Seek and destroy. They're free.

That should help.

Answer 6

reformatting might be helpful and before you go out and purchase the program find a friend that already has it and see if it works on your computer.Your might not be compatible for Windows XP so that's why I state borrow a friends cd to make sure but reformating will definately make things better, also you could upgrade in ram to speed up things.

Answer 7

Do you still have the original cds that came with your comp? If you do, it will be worth the time and effort to reformat and reinstall everything from scratch. Keep in mind you'll need the necessary device drivers when reinstalling (these should have come with the PC).
Before you start go to a tech site like CNET.com and search for 'how-to articles on reformatting and re-installing.
I've done it several times and its always been worth the time and effort.

Answer 8

first check the memory to see if you have atleast 256mb of ram.on the start menu,right click on my compuer one time,scroll down to properties,left click one time.when the box opens look at the bottom,and you see something about the memory.step 2:on the star menu click "run" type this the exact way it is written:C:\Documents and Settings\Your User Name Goes Here\Local Settings\Temp Delete Every thing out of this folder(Its Safe)step3:on the start menu open "my Computer",Right Click on C:one time.sroll down to propreties,and right click one time.on the top tab right click on tools one time.go down,and click on the Analize buttom..when it finishes if you see alot of red,then click on the defragment button,and let the computer work.it may take awhile.(all of this is easier than doing a new system)when all of this is finish restart your computer. step4: go to Super Antispyware.com(Anti Malware).download the free version,and do a full scan.step5 go to the "Windows market place",and look for "Windows Defender"Download it,and do a full scan with this one also.step6.on the start menu .click run.type"MRT"and press the OK button.run a full scan with this built in tool.if none this doesnt help then you will need to do more.you can send me a message and i will guide you through.there are other things we can try.GoodLuck!

Answer 9

You need a computer geek to help you personally. That's my 2 cents, anyway. Your computer may not be able to run XP, so buying it might be a waste of money.

Answer 10

first delete your account and make it again