how do i fix a computer that has slowed down to a crawl?

Answer 1

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://fix-slow-computer.info
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 2

Hi

If your computer is spyware free, I'll break down a couple things you can do get your computer working the way it was originally. If you using your computer 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 60% more resources and speed
if you follow the tips.
Hope this helps
http://www.delete-computer-history.com/how-to-speed-up-my-computer.html

Answer 3

There are several things you can do to maintain a healthy computer.

1. Defragment the hard drive (Start>All Programs>Accessories>System Tools>Disk Defragmenter
2. Run Ad-Aware PE(www.lavasoft.com) to remove spyware.
3. Run an anti-virus scanner (with the definitions up to date) to remove any viruses.
4. Clean out your recycle bin and temporary internet files. You can easily do this by Right clicking on "Local Disk C:" and choosing "Properties" from the menu to run "disk cleanup".
5. Uninstall (not delete!) any unused programs or at least remove them from startup. You can use a utility like msconfig (Start>Run>msconfig) or a simpler utility like startup.exe from http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml

Answer 4

You could have a couple of problems. First, you may be running it's memory capacity too full. Check your cache and see if you can eliminate any unneccesary programs. Second, you probably have incurred a virus. Free downloads are plentiful and your first step would be to check out the microsoft website if you have a PC to get any updates. I did all this and still had a problem, so I had some programs for spyware and virus protection professionaly installed for about $75 and it fixed the problem.

Answer 5

Resolving this problem may take you hours--be prepared for that. (Or, to spend at least $300 for a professional to do the job.)

First, find and delete all temporary files. (Ideally, you want 50% or more of your hard-drive space to be available for use; or "free.") Run your disk cleaner--but it will not delete all temporary files.

Clean out your file junk--old files no longer used; uninstall programs no longer used; delete desktop shortcuts that you no longer use; empty the recycle bin.

Defragment your hard drive(s).

If this speeds you up and if you have current, good anti-virus and spyware protection programs running, you may be finished. Congratulations! If not ....

If you do not have anti-virus and spyware protection programs, get them. (AVG Free, Ad-Aware Personal, and Spybot are reasonable choices and free.)

Make sure your protection programs are updated (current).

Then, disconnect from the Internet (pull the ethernet plug; disable the wireless radio). Complete your cleanup with no Internet activity.

Run full-system scans, virus and spyware, and in each, repair/delete/quarantine infections.

Restart your computer. If it is still slow, and if you have plenty of space available on your hard drive, you may have a particularly difficult to clean virus or spyware infection. Turn off your system restore, boot your computer into "SAFE" mode, and re-run virus and spyware full-system scans. Restart--if it is OK, re-enable (turn on) system restore and restart again.

Re-connect to the Internet -- but before you go any further:

a. Get a firewall (ZoneAlarm makes a free one for personal use).

b. Check your settings on your anti-virus program--make sure that it updates automatically and runs a full-system scan automatically and on a schedule (I do it daily).

c. Make a note: update and run your spyware protection at least weekly; also weekly, check your reports or logs for your anti-virus program, to be sure that updates and scans are being done automatically; and monthly, clean out file-junk (and defrag your hard drive).

Answer 6

i might take Norton 360 off the computer. The determination would no longer be helping the placement yet Norton is probable hurting it the main. The Symantec sequence is nutorious for source hogging classes that do an "ok" job.

Answer 7

there is a few steps involved to fix it.

1. get an adware remover or spyware remover.
2. get an antivirus software
3. scan with adware or spyware and you will see the results.
4. scan with antivirus software and see results at the end.

I hope this will answer your question and your problem. Any other problems please feel free to ask us any computer needs.

Answer 8

run anti-virus and anti-spyware programs
(good free ones:
avg anti-virus
ad-aware
spyware terminator

use ccleaner and advanced windows care v2 to boost perfomance

all free, download @ www.download.com or their own sites

delete unneaded files and programs

Answer 9

on command line , type msconfig. then see start up , now unselect items that you dont use. this will speed thing up!

Answer 10

Just load this and let it run.

http://www.iobit.com/