Why do computers get slower over time?

Question

My hard drive isn't full full full, I add to and delete from it on a regular basis, I defrag and run disc cleanup. It just seems my machine doesn't keep up the way it used to.

Am I competing with more powerful machines, presumably bought since mine?

To give you some examples, it takes my computer about 10 minutes to go from OFF to ready for use, including starting Windows and putting everything on my desktop, configuring my printer, and all that startup stuff.

It takes about 1 minute to load a webpage I have never visited before. Presumably the cookies help me find it faster after that.

I can't play some video games, and these are not massive role player games, just simple online games (java, flash, or shockwave) or downloads that I got from RealArcade. It seems if I stay within the smaller files, under 50MB I do okay. But it stalls during graphic intensive parts like a battle or loading screen to screen.

I don't run a lot at once, either.

Thanks so much for all this information. I do have spybot S and D and was unaware that you need to RUN it, I thought it filtered that stuff out in the background, simple ignorance on my part. I ran it and it helped a lot.

I was impressed to hear all the clarification of things that I never understood before, like cleaning up the registry.

My brother (a computer guy who never has time to help me, hence asking yall) was helped by your answers as well because even though he didn't read them, I knew what to ASK him. He diagnosed my hard drive as failing and is now helping me reformat windows, take off unnecessary programs from the beginning that I never use, and set up my startup menus so that it won't have so much on the taskbar.

So anyway, I appreciate all this a LOT, it helps me take better care of my machine.

RE: the competing with other computers, I don't know if that sounded stupid. I did wonder if I was trying to get in on websites that others were getting to faster.

Answer 1

There is a number of things that makes your pc slow over time. Unfortunately its a fact that your pc *will* slow down - your registry the heart of windows - will grow over time, as you install programms it gets bigger, a lot of programs dont have good uninstallers and will leave orphan registry entries behin which will clog up the windows registry. Over time you may find programs have forced themselves into the startup routines (mostly stuff you dont really need in the startup routines) causing your pc to start up slower as its starting more programs or services before you can start using it.

However there are a number of things you can do.

An extreme solution is to back up your data onto a separate partition and reinstall a fresh copy of windows (not just run reinstall on top of exisitng windows) - a completely fresh copy so you will get a new streamlined thin registry that is guaranteed virus free - you will see a world of difference! (but you will need to reinstall all your apps)

Another, less extremem option, is to run 3rd party tools to clean your registry and remove orphan entries, make your virtual paging size bigger (and place on a separate partition to your system partition), get more memory - will make a world of difference.

Also look at your startup programs; on xp run msconfig from the start run in your start bar, disable the services/startup programs you dont want to start (just tick boxes), for other win os you can get third party tools to do the same.

For internet browsing make sure the browser isnt loading too many extension (for firefox) or toolbars (IE). Use programs like Spybot search and destroy (free tool) to disable unused Browser Helper Objects (in the advanced section). These things will speed up browsing.

Another common fault for slow pc's are malware/spyware and viruses. Download AVG or Avast (both free) or buy a decent anti virus software and run a full system scan, and run lavasoft adaware and spybot search and destroy (both free) to remove and block trojans/malware/spyware, and run a decent firewall (like zonealarm - free) to keep those pesky hackers out! (or stop trojans/viruses from spreading)

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

It's almost certain that you have spyware/malware - download adaware from lavasoft.com - update it and run a full scan.

You might have some viruses, but unless you notice anything strange happening then you should probably skip to the next step - otherwise get some anti-virus software (there are some free ones, but I don't know any off the top of my head).

Press CTRL+ALT+DEL (depending on what O/S you have) and see what is running - if you are using XP, switch to the 'processes' tab and make a list of everything that is running - search for each item, about half of them are probably malicious/unnecessary. Make sure to back your computer up and/or set a restore point before you mess with anything you aren't sure of.

A computer should be able to run as fast as it ever did - though you might want to make sure to keep your case cleaned out (use compressed air) and make sure all of the fans are working - heat will kill a computers performance really fast.

Answer 3

Well in almost all communities, your internet is literally plugged into some box on or near your street. When everyone plugged into that box try to max out their internet connections you may experience some slower internet. As for your computer, it does have something to do with it. Your web browser has to load, and your computer runs it. Viruses can also slow down your computer and take up a lot of your internet connection, making it appear slow

Answer 4

Sounds like malware or viruses. Try using Spybot S&D, Ad-Aware and programs like that to clean up the gunk.

Answer 5

http://www.debog.com specializes in slow computer restoration.
75% of computers are infected with Spyware/Malware that slows the system down; Sometimes to a complete halt!

Answer 6

what you can do is call your computer manufact. and tell them that your computer is going slow, and it's slower than when you first bought.
They should take you throught the steps of stopping programs from running when you dont need them to(which is slowing your PC down).

Answer 7

how about adding abit more RAM? as time goes by, u may have installed various software and hence it is normal that it slows down ;) that's my prob too :) get a nw RAM, im sure it helps :)

Answer 8

when you taake up emeory by downloading something it will slow down
or the stuff you downloaded has a virus?

Answer 9

Maybe you need to reformat.