Are there some general things I can do to speed up a computer other than install anti-virus software?

Question

Computer is especially slow in Microsoft Word. There is a several seconds delay when entering characters. I regualarly delete files and cookies in Internet Exlorer. What else can I do? My computer is very slow. I already have anti-virus.

Answer 1

If you have done nothing special to MS Word, delete the NORMAL.DOT and restart Word. May speed it up quite a bit.

Answer 2

Installing anti-virus software can help if in fact you do have virus'. But, if one of the problems with computer going slow is low disk space, this (of course) would make your speed worse. The main thing you would do in this case is to start erasing stuff on your computer (using add/remove programs). If having more disk space doesn't solve your problem, you might have some spy-ware or other malware programs that are ruining your computer. If this is your problem, I suggest downloading and/or buying some anti-spy-ware software. If all else fails, you could always bring your computer in to Circuit City or Best Buy and ask their teams (fire dog for Circuit City, or Geek Squad for Best Buy) for help. Although I've heard that they just tell people they need a better computer lol. Good luck.

Answer 3

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.fix-slow-computer.info ,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.

Hope that can help you.

Answer 4

A clean computer is key to a faster computer. Run the 3 scans below.


Run a virus scan weekly.

Update and run your Anti-Virus program. Don't have one? You can run a free online scan from CA.
http://www3.ca.com/securityadvisor/virusinfo/scan.aspx



Run Spybot and Adaware weekly.


Download, update and run Spybot---http://www.safer-networking.org/... . Don't forget to use the Immunize feature.

Download, update and run Adaware---http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaw...

Now to prevent spyware from being installed in the first place....

Download SpywareBlaster---http://majorgeeks.com/download2859.html
SpywareBlaster doesn't scan and clean for spyware - it prevents it from ever being installed.

It's main features include:
- Prevent the installation of ActiveX-based spyware, adware, browser hijackers, dialers, and other potentially unwanted pests.
- Block spyware/tracking cookies in Internet Explorer and Mozilla/Firefox.
- Restrict the actions of potentially dangerous sites in Internet Explorer.






Now lets clean up your registry.




Run RegScrubXP weekly. Run Cleanup every time you log off.


Download RegScrubXP--http://www.majorgeeks.com/download.php?d...

Safely cleans junk out of the Windows 2000/XP system registry. All changes made to the registry are fully restorable to it's original condition. You can make an exclusion list of registry entries that RegScrubXP will not display as problems. You can sift through a list of file extensions, company names, run upon startup programs, Internet Explorer history, and uninstall programs to delete what you think is junk.



Download CleanUp---http://www.stevengould.org/software/clea...

Free disk space, make your computer run better/faster and protect your privacy - all in one easy solution. All for free!





Now lets clean up your disk.



Run a Disk Cleanup 2 times a month. Run Disk Defrag. monthly.


Do a Disk Cleanup and Disk Defrag. You can find both of them by following the path below.
Start>all programs>accessories>system tools>Disk Cleanup. Let it do its thing. You can check every box that has something to delete.
Now follow the same path and do a Disk Defrag. Again just let it do its thing.




Now lets tweak your connection.


If your speed is good I would not mess with it by trying to tweak it. If you do tweak once it is done you should not have to do it every again.


There are many programs out there to do this. I will give you 2 of them.
The first one is TCP Optimizer.

Description: The TCP Optimizer is a free, easy Windows program that provides an intuitive interface for tuning and optimizing your Internet connection. There is no installation required, just download and run.

http://www.speedguide.net/downloads.php....

You can get support for the best way to set it up right from their forum http://forums.speedguide.net/

The second one is Cablenut.

Windows XP tested and approved

CableNut is a tool for optimizing your Internet Connection. We have provided a way to tweak any option you may want to in the adjuster. You can load "CableNut Custom Setting" files that are included with the program to tweak your Internet connection.

http://www.cablenut.com/

Again support is available right from their forum.http://www.broadbandnuts.com/index.php?p...




All programs are FREE!




After applying the suggestions above you will have a clean and faster computer. Enjoy.

Answer 5

you do not give your os ---which it hard to help as all systems have their own problems!! ----but, what i can tell you is disconnect from the Internet [ to protect yourself ] turn off your anti virus,firewall and any program that start up ,on start up. now run Microsoft word if you are still having the problem - the problem is in the program and not in computer [reinstall program] - if the problem stop go to task manger and turn off start up programs [ uncheck all programs] ---your computer will turn back on what it needs to run ,and it should be easy to figure out which one is you're anti virus and firewall [ Like- ZL--- zonealarm ----avgg for avg 7.5 all the rest will start on icon but will not take up CPU time

Answer 6

Another thing to do is add some RAM. That will help speed up the processing speed for programs

Answer 7

you should use Avira Anti virus Its reliable With this you should use malwarebytes & superantispware the two are reliable & wont conflict with one yet another you should use a loose firewall like Comodo different antiviruses like avast,avg,kaspersky,eset nod are reliable yet i take advantage of avira.... this mixture is extremely reliable So use any of those antiviruses + superantispyware + malwarebytes + comodo firewall. have self belief me no virus will infect ur computing device if u replace them oftentimes