Help my computer is slow?

Question

My dell is running really show, is there anything I do to speed it up? I have a current verson of norton, so i dont think its a virus. This has been going on for awhile. I am semi- computer illiterate

Answer 1

1. Do spyware scans with Spybot Search & Destroy, Ad-Aware. Clean everything it brings up and reboot.
2. Defragment your Hard Drive, then see if that speeds things up.
There's Tons more you can do to speed up your computer like disabling systems services that you don't need or use, but given your level of PC knowledge I just do the above to stay on the safe side.

Answer 2

There are many ways you can speed up your computer.
1) If you have less than 256 MB of memory add more memory. This is the best way to fix memory defeciency.
2) Uninstall all unwanted programs specially the ones running at start up.
3) You can stop applications running at start up. The only programs needed at start up are virus scanner. To run selected programs, go to Start, then click on Run and type msconfig and click OK. Then click Start-up tab, then uncheck all the programs that doesn't need to be run at start up. Only program that I have checked are virus scanner, jusched, ctfmon.exe. Then click OK. Do not change anything in any other tabs.

Also use AVG free virus scanner instead of norton virus. Norton virus makes you system really slow. You can download AVG free virus scanner from www.download.com

Answer 3

Your hard drive has probably acquired too much junk files from surfing the web, if not then you do have a virus. Junk files are everywhere, virus are on pornos sites and some p2p file sharing sites. Here's what you do.
You need to have the following programs that will optimize your hard drive space:
Registry Cleaner
Window Cleaner
and a Spyware removal kit.
All these cost 30-50 bucks each. You can download these programs if you pay debit or credit card.
Good Luck.

Answer 4

Try this -

Start > Run type in "msconfig"

This will brings up a menu with several tabs. Click the one that says "Startup".

This will show all of the programs that start when your computer turns on. Uncheck everything except your anti-virus software. Sometimes this helps.

You will ahve to restart your computer, then once it restarts, a dialog box will appera notyifying you of your changes. CLcik the button that says something to the effect of "save my changes".

Also try:

Start > Accesories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. Run this program. It will compress and erase temp files and such.

When you are done with that, follow the same path as above but chose Disk Defragmenter, run this program too.

Answer 5

Try to use disk defragmenter on your hard drive. (use this solution if you have a 40 GB max partition, if you have more than 40 GB , FORMAT. Don't do a defrag on a 80 GB or more dard drive , you stress your hardisk for nothing)
Lose any programs you don't need (like anti virus who eat your ram. The only good anti virus, is you)
Reinstall OS (Windows).
Don't stress your PC wit spyware or such programs. The safe and rapid solution is to reinstall Windows when you have a virus or a spy.. Trust me.

Answer 6

According to your description,there are some regsitry errors in your PC to cause "Computer slow".You need to clean you PC.
Every time you install and uninstall software on your computer and surfing online you create junk in the registry.You need to scan and clean your PC with registry cleaner to make your pc fater.Good Regisry Cleaner will improve your PC and Internet performance dramatically.It even can speed up your PC by 300% or more!
There are some comparison and review of
TOP 5 registry cleaners.
http://www.registry-Cleaners.info

You can download and scan your PC for free.

Answer 7

Norton Anti Virus is such a system memory hogger! Lose it!!

Answer 8

try downloading freeware spyware checkers like ADAWARE, SPYBOT, or AVG.

You can get all of them from www.download.com (CNET)

Answer 9

If it's a PC you need to defrag it.