Steps to speed up an older pc?

Question

What needs to be done to clean up and speed my pc? Also should I install free anti virus and anti spam software?

Answer 1

Start scanning for viruses and spyware

http://www.trendsecure.com/portal/en-US/free_security_tools/housecall_free_scan.php

Answer 2

Installing a antivirus and antispyware is a very good idea. I'll break down a couple things you can do get your computer working the way it was originally. If you using your laptop for normal stuff and not gaming. You got a good setup. You don't need more RAM you just need to perform a few maintenance task.

First, if you haven't cleaned your registry in a while. This is necessary. Your registry holds all the information regarding updates, installs, un-installs etc. Each one of those events has
a key. and that key need your PC's resources. So, if you should clean this up. Do a registry scan if you got more than 20 errors you should clean it.

2. Clear your Windows cache files, this your temporary file. It can grow up to a large volume and stop your computer from using RAM properly. In a sense slow it down by preventing it from using free space.

3. Manage your startups. Your excess CPU usage is due to too many programs running in the background. You can cut these to barebones by alter your msconfig.

Other great tip is increasing your virtual memory to simulate more RAM. This will give you a bit more resources for multiple program use or CPU heavy programs. Check the link to alter your virtual memory spec.

Hope this link helps. Shows you how to do everything step by step. You should get a least 30% more resources and speed
if you follow the tips.
http://www.delete-computer-history.com/how-to-speed-up-my-computer.html

Answer 3

Though free antivirus and spam software is not the best, it is certainly better than nothing. Go ahead and install it. You can get both here: http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1

The best way to speed up your old machine is probably to buy some ram (memory). However, if you do not want to spend money, go through your add/remove programs and get rid of every application that you do not use or anticipate using. Then delete your internet history and cookies in internet explorer, then run a defrag.

Answer 4

If you dont want to upgrade hardware,There are some softwares you can download to speed up your computer.
First,You should Fix Corruption and Errors within your registry.The registry is a main part of your computer's Operating System. With time, as you use Windows and install and uninstall programs, your registry will get congested and full of errors. So your computer could slow down. So, if you can clean it up this problem can be solved.Sometimes you can speed computer up by 300%. To clean up registry,You can download a software called regsitry cleaner---Clean registry,remnant,corrupt files and temp files,history,cookies,etc.. This site:
http://speed-up-pc.info/index.php?t=speedpc
lists top 5 registry cleaner,you can download and scan for free.
Second,Get rid of spyware/adware in your computer.spyware/adware hamper your computer's performance.It use system resources and slow your computer down.

So, to speed up your slow computer, use a registry cleaner software and clean your registry files first. It will make all the difference, and provide you with the immediate fix you need for your slow computer.Then,download a good anti-spyware to get rid of spyware/adware in your computer.

Answer 5

The best thing to speed up the computer is to add some RAM to it. Also you can do some general cleaning like, disk defragment, disk clean up, install some free antivirus and get free.grisoft.com and download avg free. Then install spybot search and destroy.

Answer 6

severe-speed cyber web has no longer something do with how on the instant or sluggish a pc is, bandwidth is bandwidth. you will in spite of the very shown fact that acquire an somewhat solid purchase quicker with a sluggish pc that has DSL or Cable, than in case you may desire to on a sluggish pc that has a dail-up connection. Downloading has no longer something to do with a pc's processor, nor it is volume of put in ram.

Answer 7

First, what kind of computer are we talking about? Processor speed, RAM, hdd?
What operating system? I presume its Windows...
What applications/ programs do you run?

Did you considered linux as a choice? No viruses (and no anti-virus programs to slow down your machine), no spyware, no unuseful programs running ... no more fragmented hard drive and its free.

Answer 8

If possible, reformat the hard drive and re-install the OS, try upgrading the memory, that'll help alot, also get a new hard drive with greater capacity

Answer 9

Add more memory, install good antovirus, spyware software, defrag hard drive.

www.avast.com
http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022_4-10122137.html