What steps should I take to my computer operate at a faster pace?

Question

For the past few days my computer has been under attack by a vicious trojan virus, which was making my computer incredibly slow and pop ups were showing up every second. I finally got it fixed the night before but it still is slow and is being a complete pain. Now whenever I log into my account all types of programs pop up slowing the start up and freezing it for minutes at a time. I am person that likes every thing to run smoothly without there being any problem. So what should I do to make my computer more reliable, run smoothly and quicker. And please don't say buy another computer. I am not rich so I can't just up and buy a PC anytime I get ready to.

Answer 1

SmitFraudFix
http://siri.geekstogo.com/SmitfraudFix.php
How to use SmitFraudFix
http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/How-to-use-SmitFraudFix-t109268.html

*SmitFraudFix is a tool that S!Ri created to remove rogue anti-spyware applications that utilize Trojans to issue fake
taskbar security alerts or that change your background in order to scare you into purchasing the full commercial version of their software..

These infections are difficult to remove and are usually bundled with so much other malware,
that traditional antispyware or antivirus programs have difficult completely cleaning these infections.
Due to this a specialized tool was created in order to help a user clean their system of these infections.

I do not recommend using the tool without guidance from a qualified malware removal specialist!

HijackThis 1.99.1
http://www.majorgeeks.com/download3155.html
HijackThis Tutorial - How to use HijackThis to remove Browser Hijackers & Spyware
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/tutorials/tutorial42.html
HijackReader 1.03 Beta - This is a must to run the program on your own!
http://www.majorgeeks.com/HijackReader_d5385.html

To help speed up your computer after it is cleaned see the below suggestions:

First Disable unnecessary programs from starting when you start windows

Start>Run>type in MSCONFIG>Startup tab - uncheck any program you don't want to run when you start Windows
For more info see the links below

Streamline your startups
http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm
http://www.answersthatwork.com/Tasklist_pages/tasklist.htm
http://www.windowsstartup.com/wso/index.php
http://www.3feetunder.com/krick/startup/list.html
http://www.greatis.com/appdata/
http://www.castlecops.com/StartupList.html

Then disable unnecessary services
http://www.blackviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm


Then read these

Basic computer maintenance everyone should do
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=106650

Understanding, Cleaning And Preventing Spyware
http://forums.majorgeeks.com/showthread.php?t=25834

Slow Computer? Check here first; it may not be malware
http://www.castlecops.com/t175258-Slow_Computer_Check_here_first_it_may_not_be_malware.html

Slow Computer Checklist
http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/forums/topic44694.html


Last but not least read these for some great tips!

How to Speed Up Windows Boot Time
http://www.pchell.com/support/how_to_speed_up_windows_boot_time.shtml
http://www.extremetech.com/article2/0,1558,1786122,00.asp
http://www.pcguide.com/opt/opt/bootSpeed-c.html
http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=235571

Answer 2

If your virus/spyware free, there are a couple things you can do get your computer working faster. 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.

Firstly, 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. That key needs your PC's resources and free space. So, if you clean your registry, you make more resources available for speed. Do a registry scan if you got more than 20 errors you should clean it. Check out the link below
http://www.delete-computer-history.com/what-is-the-best-registry-cleaner.html

2. Clear your Windows cache files, this is 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.Here is how:

1. Quit Internet Explorer, Firefox, or any other web browser
2. Click Start, click "Control Panel", and then double-click "Internet Options".
3. On the General tab, click "Delete Files" under Temporary Internet Files.
4. In the Delete Files dialog box, click to select the "Delete all offline content" check box , and then click OK.
5. Click OK.

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. Here is how:

1. Open your Start menu.
2. Click Run
3. In the command screen type "msconfig.exe"
4. In the "system configuration utility",click either "service" or "startup" tab
5. Uncheck all programs that your are no longer using.
6. Click "OK"

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.

Answer 3

as u say it's trojan, so only one way is there for u i.e. format ur system, co'z its not a simpl task to get rid of trojan do it as soon as possible otherwise it 'll cause some serious problems.

after the new installation install some new antivirus, and try to keep less programs in ur system try. so that ur u can run ur system faster.
to make it more faster if u r using windows xp then change the appearance setting i.e

system properties>>advanced>>performance settings>>visual effects>>
then select best performance



and
system properties>>advanced>>performance settings>>advanced>>virtual memmory
and click change
then click custom size set it between 512-1024
then click <> then <>

After doing this process restart ur system u'll fill that it's working faster then it was .

Answer 4

You could reformat you computer. What this means is put it back to a state of when you originally got the computer. Do you have the original restore CD? If so, that's your savior. You can simply backup any files that you would like to keep and use the restore CD. This will install all the software that came with the computer and nothing else; eliminating all software installed thereafter, including that trojan virus.

Answer 5

First, I suggest you run your antivirus software in Safe Mode:
WindowsXP Safe Mode
http://pcsupport.about.com/od/fixtheproblem/ss/safemodexp.htm

Press F8 Before the Windows XP Splash Screen
Starting your computer in Windows XP Safe Mode can help you diagnose and solve many serious problems, especially when starting normally is not possible.
To begin entering Windows XP Safe Mode, turn your PC on or restart it.
Just before the Windows XP splash screen shown above appears, press the F8 key to enter the Windows Advanced Options Menu.
The source link is an excellent one. Fully describes the procedure with screen shots.
*************************
Note: When you exit Safe Mode, your desktop icons will probably be out of order. Just drag them back into place.
************************
When you are finished - check your PC for the following:
1. Set wallpaper and screensavers to blank or none — they run continuously in the background and use memory.
-----right-click on the desktop, select Properties
-----click the screensaver tab, on the left where it says "screensaver," select none.
-----click the desktop tab, for background, select none
2. Review your start menu – remove anything you don’t need on a daily basis — load games, etc. on an as-needed basis.
-----click Start, Settings, Taskbar and Start Menu
-----click the Start Menu tab
-----select a program you do not want to load at Startup, then click remove.
-----Caution -- do not touch anything you are not sure of or you will mess up your computer royally.
3. From Internet Explorer, click Tools, Internet Options: delete cookies, delete files (offline), and clear history. (You can also set days to store history to 0.)
----- These actions will clear your computer’s cache. (For a description of cache, go to http://help.yahoo.com/l/ph/yahoo/mail/access/access-27210.html )
4. Run Disk Cleanup, Scandisk, Defrag at least every two weeks (the more frequently they are run, the less time they take).
-----These can be found in Start, Programs, Accessories, System Tools.
5. Periodically, click Start, Programs, Run — then type ipconfig renew
(that’s ipconfig space renew).
6. Optional: Speed vs Goodies — in the Control Panel, System, Advanced, Performance, Settings — you can have visual effects or let Windows select the best options. I am using “Best Performance.” Your choice.
These things should increase speed and free up memory as much as possible.

Answer 6

Slow PC.

Your computer has lots of programs that start when you start your PC.
All are using RAM and CPU even if your not using that program.
Most of these do not need to run at start-up.

Yahoo messenger, Nero, Quicktime, Realplayer, Power DVD, etc


Read the page on my PC help site on using Msconfig.
http://www.phpbbserver.com/stevie19605/viewtopic.php?t=30&mforum=stevie19605

And
A PC needs 3 types of protection. Anti Virus, Anti Spyware, Firewall.
There is a guide on my PC help site on; What you need, Why you need it, Where to get it.
All are free.

http://www.phpbbserver.com/stevie19605/viewtopic.php?t=40&mforum=stevie19605

Answer 7

clear all unnecessary files and defrag disk. Good luck.