WHYYYYY...my comp is slow...what happened???!!!! HELP?

Question

my computer slows down everyday.....its the family comp so many people are using it...but i defrag and clean it frequently...but it still runs slowly


its a 40 GB hard drive with 16 GB free memory...
Dell Dimension Dim 4600
Intel (R)
Pentium (R) 4 CPU 2.66 GHz
512 MB ram

plz help i cant figure out why its slowing down

Answer 1

Do a THOROUGH virus and spyware scan first of your entire computer first. If it's still slow, press CTRL+ALT+DEL and look in the processes tab to see how many programs you have running in the program. Some common programs are memory hogs (Internet Explorer, Windows Media Player, WinAmp, ITunes), so if you're not using them, end their processes (make sure you know what you're doing; don't just end any process). Another is to look in your 'Startup' folder and make sure you don't have a lot of programs running on startup. Finally, if that all fails, add more memory.

On a side note, you have 16 GB free HD space, not memory. Memory refers to RAM (random access memory). gl

Answer 2

About the same specs I have with no problem. Run down the list below which was suggested to me by someone more knowledgeable than I:

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 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 on a daily basis. For anything else you can wait a minute until it loads.
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.
There is also a “Disable All” button.
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.)

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

Are you using Yahoo Toolbar? Run a full Norton Antispy.

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

click Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools – run Disk Cleanup

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.
A good web site to visit: http://www.theonlinefamily.net/organize/spring_clean_computer/index.html

Answer 3

Actually my setup is 2.0 with 512 mb ram and its running very smoothly...
You might need to get a better antivirus program

A good one is System Mechanic 7 (Comes with Kaspersky Firewall and Antivirus) System mechanic also does lots of cleanup on your computer to speed it up.

Some adware removing programs are windows defender, ad aware, and spybot search and destroy

A very light cleanup program is CCleaner from download.com, it will delete all history and clear temp folders etc... it will also fix registry errors, which will speed your comp up even more

The only thing i mentioned that costs money is System Mechanic 7 (60$), everything else has a freeware version
----
If nothing here works, you may want to check out of your computer is overheating (Might need to get a new fan) -- or if any hardware is malfunctioning or getting old.. a hard drive 120 gb is about 70$ these days

Answer 4

There are several primary areas that could be causing your computer to run slow. The most likely reason is that your registry has become corrupt,you have too many programs running behind the scenes and your system is essentially running in circles with its internal processing.
To determine if your system is in fact running slow because of problems in your registry and temp files and then speed up your computer, you will need to run a self diagnostic program called regsitry cleaner.This program is very very useful,it can fix regsitry errors,clean registry remnant,corrupt files and temp files in a few minutes.Then give you a bran-new and high-speed computer.There are collection and comparison of top rated registry cleaner:
http://www.speed-up-computer.info/index.php?t=speedup ,From there you can download and scan totall FREE.

Check out here:http://www.speed-up-computer.info/index.php?t=speedup

The second most common problem is that you have spyware/adware in your computer.Spyware/adware not only pop up ads,collect personal info,but also can hamper your computer's performance.It use system resources and slow your computer down. Detecting and removing the programs will improve system performance.

check out http://www.speed-up-computer.info/index.php?t=speedup to Learn more about spyware and how to help protect your computer and improve computer performance.

Hope that help you.

Answer 5

could ve various things just because u defragment it dont mean its naturally gonna be fast depends on the Internet connection also from adware or spyware or to many programs running in the background or startup programs or could be from a worm,trojan or virus...like mine im using a dell also and i have really nothing on mine and mine is running slow.. or your memory is low also

Answer 6

XP will crap on you if you do not clean it out -first go to your startup menu >go to run type in prefetch> when the page of text comes up select all >go to file and delete them believe me it will be ok

go to http://www.download.com and download a program called- - cleanup - - it is a free download it will delete all your hidden logs and Internet file logs that has built up in your pc you can not screw it up with this program.---also download a program call purgeIE , free download run them both


go ran again and type in -- msconfig --- when the dialog comes up hit the start tap > go to the delete all tab and click on it >OK_> restart your computer.... go back to msconfig start checking the boxes to see what you want running - by turning the program off does not stop the program from running - just stops them from start at startup....good luck

Answer 7

For when you start your comp & log in. Try this.

Go to start > then run > & type in " msconfig " into the search box.

Then click the Start Up tab & disable all the things you dont want to automatically start when you log in.

Like if you have picked to auto matically sign in for yahoo/aim/msn messenger it wont do that. Until you open it.

Answer 8

Perhaps you have a few too many background background applications? Or maybe perhaps you don't have enough ram to use some programs? Could be ones.

Answer 9

You have to add more ram, if you want your computer to go faster, give it the ability to do so, i think all of the answers so far are pretty good so why dont you try some of them. trust in this site and you will get what you want. if you dont want ram anymore, try gigabytes.

Answer 10

it probably has virus or spyware i suggest you download one of this free anti virus and antispyware ...or better yet get an internet security protection..it comes with all the protection for the pc and its better to also have a perofrmance maintance so look for that when your buying a internet security..