How can I make my computer faster..?

Question

I have a computer, That I'm not using, because it goes super slow. I'm talking 13 minutes to load one page.
Well I want to make it go faster, so that me and my sister don't have to share this computer.
but I don't know what I need for it.
Help?

Answer 1

Speed up computer:

1) Disable programs that can be disabled to improve computer performance using msconfig.
First: Uninstall any programs listed in "step 1"
http://www.techsupportforum.com/security-center/hijackthis-log-help/15968-updated-important-read-before-posting-log.html

Install MSconfig Update for Windows XP (KB906569)
http://www.microsoft.com/downloads/details.aspx?FamilyID=9689F6E9-ADED-44B8-BBBB-BEAE1B4A4BC9&displaylang=en

Run PCPitstop "full tests" and "running programs" in the results it will designate programs that can be disabled to improve computer performance. Run MSconfig and uncheck any program "that can be disabled to improve computer performance"
http://www.pcpitstop.com/

How to use MSCONFIG
http://www.netsquirrel.com/msconfig/

Using MSCONFIG to reduce background programs at startup
http://alri.org/step2/usingmsconfig.htm

TASK LIST PROGRAMS A-Z
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
http://www.castlecops.com/StartupList.html
http://www.pcreview.co.uk/startup/

2) Eliminate malware on your computer
------------------------------...
Update your antivirus and run a full scan

If you do not have virus protection install:
AVG Antivirus 7.5 Free Edition
http://free.grisoft.com/freeweb.php/doc/avg-anti-virus-free/lng/us/tpl/v5
http://www.download.com/AVG-Anti-Virus-Free-Edition/3000-2239_4-10669237.html?tag=lst-0-1
or
Free antivirus - avast! 4 Home Edition
http://www.avast.com/eng/avast_4_home.html
or
AOL Active Virus Shield
http://www.activevirusshield.com/antivirus/freeav/index.adp
------------------------------...
Install Windows Defender (full time spyware protection)
Perform a full scan.
http://www.microsoft.com/athome/security/spyware/software/default.mspx
------------------------------...
Install the following five programs and run weekly or at least monthly. You need all five. They are not a substitute for full time spyware and virus protection.

Ad-Aware SE Personal (update + full scan)
http://www.lavasoftusa.com/products/ad-aware_se_personal.php

Spybot Search & Destroy (update + immunize + scan)
Do not enable Tea Timer and SDHelper
After installation: update + scan + immunize
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/mirrors/index.html

SpywareBlaster: Update then open and click “enable all protection”.
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html

SUPERAntiSpyware free version: (update + scan)
http://www.superantispyware.com/

CCleaner: Do not install toolbar option
Removes tracking cookies, unneeded files, history
In options.
Set to run when computer starts.
Place cookies you want to keep in save list
http://www.ccleaner.com/
------------------------------...
Additional run this time and as needed.

Microsoft OneCare Live, run “full service scan”
Updates windows, virus and spyware scan, disk cleanup, disk fragmentation (if needed), backs up registry and then cleans registry, and checks for open firewall ports
http://onecare.live.com/site/en-us/default.htm

Malicious Software Removal Tool (run “full scan”)
http://www.microsoft.com/security/malwareremove/default.mspx
-----------------------------
Online Free Scanners:
Run Trend Micro, Kaspersky, and Panda Scan now.
Run a different one each month.

Trend Micro: HouseCall Free Scan (removes what it finds)
http://housecall.trendmicro.com/
BitDefender Online Scanner
http://www.bitdefender.com/scan8/ie.html
Kaspersky Labs Online Scanner
http://www.kaspersky.com/virusscanner
McAfee
http://us.mcafee.com/root/mfs/default.asp?affid=294
Panda ActiveScan Free Online Scanner
http://www.pandasoftware.com/products/activescan?
Symantic Online Scanner
http://security.symantec.com/sscv6/ssc_eula.asp?langid=ie&venid=sym&plfid=23&pkj=ALUFRHYTINMHDKDCWLL&vc_scanstate=2
------------------------------...

3) Run "check disk" check both options and restart.
Run Disk Cleanup then Disk Defragment.
4 Ways to Speed Up Your Computer's Performance
http://www.microsoft.com/atwork/getstarted/speed.mspx

4) Update your drivers

5) Reduce resources needed for protection:
Replace Norton with NOD32, AVG, Avast, etc.
Use the Windows Firewall (very light on resources)

6) Add more ram

7) Faster video card

8) Faster Internet service

9) Faster computer / processor

10) Format drive and reinstall everything

Answer 2

First of all...deleting stuff such as photos, videos, games, etc. will NOT speed up the computer.

If the computer itself is slow, you can run a program to help you optimize your computer...there are plenty of free ones on Download.com. You could also try installing more memory or de-fragging it.

If the internet is the problem, you simply need faster internet. If you are using dial-up, you need DSL. If you have DSL, call your Internet Service Provider becasue there is absolutely no reason a page should take 13 min to load.

Go to speedtest.net to test your internet speed.

Answer 3

Using a registry cleaner can fix your computer and then make your computer faster,Why?the reason is that there may be some regsitry errors and remnant,corrupt files and temp files in your computer to cause "computer slow".
Everytime you install and uninstall software on your computer and surfing online you create junk in the computer registry.over time, the registry can grow to enormous proportions, especially if the various programs you've installed do not do a good job of deleting and/or updating it's Registry entries.You need to scan and clean your computer with registry cleaner to make it fast.Good Regisry Cleaner will improve your computer and Internet performance dramatically!It even can speed up your computer by 300% or more!
There are some comparison and review of TOP 5 registry cleaners.
http://computer-speed.info
You can download and scan your computer for free.

Answer 4

If your are using dial-up, see what speed it your modem. Get a 56kbs or get dsl. That would speed up your Internet connection. To speed up the computer processing power, you can buy more ram. depending on the brand and the model, you will be able to know which kind of ram you need. Also, but this is more expensive and tricky, you can buy a motherboard with greater megahertz and replace the current.

Answer 5

Are you on dial up or DSL? If you're on dial up, that's your problem! lol

Make sure you have at least 512mb of memory. These days the more you have the better.

Be sure to clean your temporary internet files daily.

Run the disk defrag. at least every other month.

DO NOT USE NORTON! Norton slowed my computer down immensely! I now use McAfee. Make sure to use a spy ware program as well.

Answer 6

How fast is your Internet? It could be that.
How often do you check for spyware and such? You should try this at least twice a week. You can download for free programs such as Adaware.
Do you have a lot of crap you don't use on your computer (such as games)? Get rid of them.
Go to control panel, performance and maintenance, and then have your computer rearrange things on your harddrive

Answer 7

There are several ways to speed up this old pc. Firstly you must determine what components your using sooo... goto www.pcpitstop.com run full tune up (only offers suggestions) but... also provides full detailed hardware listing :) Now we can tell if its hardware your lacking or setup.
sooo now u know what parts you have, now you need to know what os/software your using, right click my computer selecting properties. Thats going to tell you there what os it is.

If its windows xp, you can use some free tools, ill list below. Make sure you read about microsoft services and how much resources you can save if you properly trim down your OS. http://www.blackviper.com
get these free tools... adaware(lavasoft.com) spybot(safer-networking.org) HiJackThis(trend.com) winsockfix v1.2(majorgeeks.com)
install and run the adaware/spybot update
start-run-apps-accessories-sys... disk cleanup
reboot safe mode w/ networking (continually press f8 upon reboot)
Run adaware and spybot deleting anything they find.
Run Hijackthis (this shows all BHO's on ur browser~very important)
Run free online scan (trend.com bitdefender.com pandasoftware.com) remove any findings
Run winsockfix v1.2
Reboot, if problem still exists msg me for further details

Answer 8

If you have the money, buy a new PC. If not, then upgrade your RAM to 512 MB - 1 GB, and defragment you hard drive. Also, make sure to use hi-speed Internet, because dial-up is a rip-off.

Answer 9

You can't really make a computer go faster. You may need to get a new computer, or if it's new, get another Internet service.

Answer 10

Melissa - the possibilities are quite honestly endless.

Without knowing the spec of the PC - your skill level (for hardware upgrades) your budget (may be cheaper to buy a new PC) the applications loaded (many could be causing slow downs) what you want to use it for (so what speed is required) etc etc

it's impossible to advise!

Answer 11

Delete any software and programs that you dont use. Run a disk defragment and a disk cleanup. Upgrade your internet browser to the lastest one. If youve dont all of them and its still slow then i would suggest upgrading ur RAM with at least 512MB.