Why is my computer so slow?

Question

I currently have Sky broadband and it takes me 45mins to download a 45 min tv show. I've been told that I should be able to download this in 10mins as I have 8meg broadband. What could be slowing down my connection? I share my connection (as you can also use it wirelessly) with my laptop and both are very slow. On my laptop it takes as long as 1hr to download an hour long podcast! My pc is connected through an ethernet cable and not wirelessly.
On my computer it also takes ages to play games (on Miniclip etc.) as the characters move very slowly. The graphics are of a lower quality than on my laptop.
I've asked around and been told I could have a virus on my computer and/ or spyware. I've downloaded SpyBot and ran it and destroyed anything its found. Is there any other free antivirus software you'd recommend?
Basically, do you have any ideas as to why my computer is so slow and is there any antivirus software you'd recommend?
Thanks a lot
Anj xx

Answer 1

ok run virus checks for one
i use avg (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1)
then number 2: lock your wireless, put password on it
connect to you box (modem) go to setting, wireless then protect,
if you have trouble call sky (i don't use sky)
+ check are you on unlimitted?
+ read fair usage (if you download alot, it will put you behind other people)
you must be away that 8meg is your TOP speed, call sky and see how far away there box is. (this affects you speed, the closer it is the fast)
-3 how old is your pc, it could be part to that
good luck

Answer 2

If your computer is new enough that it WAS fast when it was new but Now it is slow, then you are likely either infected with Malware or you have too many programs running at once. Do this:
Point your pointer at the taskbar and right click and select Task Manager (With WinXP, W2000,WinVista) On the performance tab, you will see the CPU usage. If it is at 100%all the time, you are being hacked, unless you are deliberatly running some CPU hogging software.
Bottom line: Fix your hacker problems permanently by dumping Windows and installing kubuntu at www.kubuntu.org

Answer 3

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 faste.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 4

1 http://www.trackzapper.com/ TZ connection Booster.
2. Cleanup your computer ccleaner from www.ccleaner.com
3. AdvWindowsCleanerV2 Per from http://www.iobit.com.
( Check memory optimisation )
4 My computer C: Properties disk cleanup .
tools more options . delete all old System Restore points.
5. Remove number of programs appearing in taskbar.
start/run/msconfig/startup programs
uncheck the programs not really needed. m at startup.
Restore Normal start up.

Answer 5

Fire walls may be blocking or slowing down the connection, and/or the 8 MB connection is not all yours and your just getting a bit or it !?

Answer 6

try erasing your history and your files on your web browser..or do a download speed test.. to test your connection upload and download