what would be making my computer run slow,i dont know much about them could i fix it on my own?

Answer 1

You should have an anti-spyware solution on your computer. I recommend that you go to http://www.download.com and get AD-AWARE and SpyBot Search & Destory. Install, run, update and scan your computer with both programs.

These are cleanup tools. Ad-aware cleans files, and SpyBot cleans the registry.

If you have Windows XP, you should have at least 512MB of RAM. If you need more, look up your computer at http://www.coastmemory.com - see what your computer came with and how much more it will take. They guarantee that it will work for you.

Good luck and Happy Computing!

Answer 2

There are several primary areas that could be causing your computer to run slow. The most likely reason is that Corruption within your registry keys, registry classes, and registry settings,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.

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 3

There are a lot of possibilities...

look down beside your clock, are there a lot of icons? Each one of them is taking 'power' away from your computer. Some of them are probably necessary, but some probably aren't. click on each one and see if it's a program that you recognize and use frequently. (sending me an email, I could help with this)

Have you checked your computer for hard drive errors or defragmented it? It's good housekeeping and very easy...

Start/programs/accessories/system tools/defragment

(I'd recommend doing this before bedtime, because it might take hours to complete)

Some other things like swap space, removing unwanted programs, unneeded 'services' running... all take power away.

Let's try the easy part first... look up your programs on the taskbar (beside the clock) and then look to defragment... we can take it from there.

Mike

Answer 4

fix it yourself? Probably not, since you said you're not too experienced in this area. It doesn't mean you need to take it to the service right away though. Ask a friend or somebody who could take a look and possibly help.

You ask what can cause your pc to slow down. It may be outdated for the things you run on it, it may have some hardware failure, or it's infested with computer virus, trojan, spyware...

Definately have somebody look at it, and if necessary, take it to the store/service.

Answer 5

these guys above did a good job , but the following is the complete steps for how to speed up ur PC , follow that step by step , u'll feel like u have a new computer ...

follow that ::--

1.CLEAN YOUR TEMPORARY FILES AND OBSOLETE REGISTRY ENTRIES REGULARLY. how ?? --->
Download CCleaner www.ccleaner.com and run it’s Cleaner section, once daily, before shutting down your computer. It removes all the trash files that are created while surfing through the net. Use its Issues section once a while to delete all the unused registry keys. Another good cleaner, Disk Cleaner,
can be used along with CCleaner for even better results.

2.REMOVE ALL THE UNWANTED AUTO-START ENTRIES. MOST IMPORTANT PART
If you have a lot of Auto Start entries, then you should remove them. To do so, go to Start > Run. Type 'msconfig' in the box and then click 'Startup' tab. Uncheck anything that is unnecessary. Of course, you can revert that in future. Just go back to MSConfig and check anything back that you removed from the start-up list. However, you should not remove any of the security related startups (read next point), like the real-time shields of your anti-virus / anti-spyware, firewall etc.

3.KEEP YOUR COMPUTER SAFE AND GET RID OF VIRUSES AND ALL OTHER FORMS OF MALWARE.
Any Windows computer connected to the Internet MUST have an anti-virus, a firewall and and one or two anti-spyware.
They MUST be regularly kept updated with the latest detection databases. The real-time monitoring of the anti-virus and any one of the anti-spyware should always remain active .
I give u some free and good anti-virus, anti-spyware and firewall, you can get them get them all:
> Anti-virus: AVG
> Anti-spyware: Spyware Terminator , a-squared Free
> Firewall:Comodo Personal Firewall


N.B. Never keep two anti-virus or firewall on a single system. If you are already using a good anti-virus or firewall, then you need not download the corresponding one. You can, however, use as many anti-spywares as you want, provided you use the real-time protection shield of only one of these.

4.ALWAYS MINIMISE THE USAGE OF RAM.(Only for those with 256MB or less RAM)For this purpose, you may keep a virtual memory booster as an auto-start entry. It frees the clogged RAM. I use RAM Booster, which is very effective. Here is the link to download it:
http://www.download.com/rambooster/3000-...
To configure it, please follow these steps:
* Click on Edit > Options and tick the follow options:
(a) Set auto optimisation on
(b) Show CPU usage
(c) Start minimised
(d) Launch automatically at start up
Also, change the ‘Auto Optimisation Level’ and 'MB of RAM to free at auto level' as per your requirement.

5.DON'T JAM YOUR MOTHER DRIVE (C:).
Keep at least 35% of your C: free. Transfer all the music, image and video files to other drives.

6.DEFRAGMENT THE HARD DRIVES PERIODICALLY.
Defragment the hard drives (especially C:) once every month. To defrag, go to Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Defragment. It takes a lot of time (50 minutes or over) so don’t become impatient. It’s for your computer’s good.

7.You may get the free Google Web Accelerator to boost up your Internet speed http://webaccelerator.google.com/

8.ALWAYS KEEP YOUR RECYCLE BIN EMPTY.

-.USE MINIMUM POSSIBLE SHORTCUTS ON YOUR DESKTOP.

9.IF YOU HAVE GENUINE WINDOWS, KEEP IT UPDATED EVERY MONTH. IT HELPS A LOT BY FIXING MANY VULNERABLE SECURITY ISSUES

10.HEAVY GAMES CAN PUT A LOT OF PRESSURE ON VIRTUAL MEMORY. SO, STAY AWAY FROM THEM IF YOU HAVE 512MB OR LESS RAM.

11.SET YOUR WALLPAPER TO BLANK.
You will hate this suggestion, but believe me; blank wallpaper helps a faster startup.

Note :- when u run antispyware or antivirus run it in safe mode
how --->To do so, go to Start > Run Type 'msconfig' in the box choose diagnostic from the general tabe and retart ur computer run the antispyware and do not forget to do all over
again but choose normal instead of diagnostc

Answer 6

ok at first, if you computer just simply run slow, you may try this

1- go to start,run, type msconfig and press enter
2- a smal window will appear, you click on the startup, and click disable all.
restart your computer

now your computer will be faster,

for enchances, try not run 2program at the same time. if you play game, just play game, do not listen song while play game, do not go online why installing files,

unless you have latest cpu, example p4 3gz duo core above+ 1gb or higher ram.

beside this they are many way can solve. try this first. if cant, email me your detail i will guide you step by step.

my email [e-mail]

Answer 7

Open Task Manager and click on the Performance tab. Look at available physical memory. If it is small chances are that your PC is accessing virtual memory (which is slow). In this case, you need to increase RAM (additional memory module).

Answer 8

Yes.

Answer 9

YOU PROBALY HAVE TOO MANY THINGS SAVED ON YOU COMPUTER, AND NEED TO SOME DELETING OF FILES AND THEN DEFRAGMENT YOUR COMPUTER.