why is my computer so slow now? i need help making it fast again!

[paceo]

hi guys, over the past few months, when i turn my computer on it takes bloody ages to load up before i can click on the internet icon to start it up! i have tried to defrag the computer, delete all internet files etc.... and it still takes ages to load, anyone got any tips on what i can do? theres not many programs on it as such either like games etc.........

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[Rich_bloor]

get a antivirus/spyware program to scan your computer, if you have a virus or spyware on your computer, it will slow it down no end.

[Mr.T]

Well for starters stop watching 3 porn movies at the same time

[Dangerous Malcolm..]

Try a registry cleaner. Microsoft used to do their own free one but don't think they do it anymore.

[paceo]

Originally Posted by Rich_bloor

get a antivirus/spyware program to scan your computer, if you have a virus or spyware on your computer, it will slow it down no end.

ive got the avg virus scanner, but what is a good spyware one to get?

[Dangerous Malcolm..]

Spybot's good, and malwarebytes malware remover is bloody good too!

[BM08]

What spec is your pc mate and what windows?

[paceo]

Originally Posted by BM08

What spec is your pc mate and what windows?

2.8 ghz
pentium 4
512 ram
120gb storage space

windows xp home edition

[BM08]

Originally Posted by paceo

2.8 ghz
pentium 4
512 ram
120gb storage space

windows xp home edition

Very low spec then.

Im not saying this is the reason your pc is slow as im very sure you will come back with "well it never used to be" BUT" you could make your ram up to 2GB for a starters.

Other things that you can do without spending anything is make sure you dont have too many programmes running on startup, do this by clicking start bar, go to run, and type in "msconfig" click the start up tab at the top and this is everything that your pc loads when windows boots up, now ideally you should only have things ticked that you actually want to use when you switch the pc on, anything else untick it, or if you dont know what something is google it, and it will tell you

Other than that as above, virus scans, spybot search and destroy scan, or reinstall windows that will certainly fix it(but alot more long winded obviously).

Either way you could really do with increasing your ram, 512mb is pathetic to be honest.

[Glenn.]

Mine was like this the other month but its spot on now.

[BM08]

Originally Posted by Glenny Boy

Mine was like this the other month but its spot on now.

was you one of the guys we sorted? ive replied to so many "help my pc is slow" threads

[TurboShed]

512mb RAM on that spec PC with XP is too little. It's a nice cheap fix though so go buy some more RAM of the correct type.

[BM08]

Originally Posted by TurboShed

512mb RAM on that spec PC with XP is too little. It's a nice cheap fix though so go buy some more RAM of the correct type.

Thats what i said, but obviously if the guy has owned the pc a while and only now that hes saying its slow then im guessing there was a time where it ran ok, but yeah sticking at least another 1 gig will make it way faster, coupled with what ive already said

[paceo]

Originally Posted by BM08

Thats what i said, but obviously if the guy has owned the pc a while and only now that hes saying its slow then im guessing there was a time where it ran ok, but yeah sticking at least another 1 gig will make it way faster, coupled with what ive already said

it was really fast on startup, ive had it years now, 1 minute to fuly load, now it takes about 4 minutes before i can open the internet up!

[paceo]

Originally Posted by Mal.

Spybot's good, and malwarebytes malware remover is bloody good too!

just downloaded spybot, and it found 217 infections, i clicked on clear threats and it says i have to purchase this online

anyone got any links for a free spyware remover?

[Dangerous Malcolm..]

AFAIK Spybot's still free, they just ask for donations!

[BM08]

Download it from here http://www.filehippo.com/download_sp...earch_destroy/

where i get all my stuff

[Red16]

It would also be worth downloading and running CCleaner

[paceo]

Originally Posted by BM08

Download it from here http://www.filehippo.com/download_sp...earch_destroy/

where i get all my stuff

thanks mate and its defiantly free spyware removal and wont charge? off to watch football now so will do it later!

[BM08]

Originally Posted by paceo

thanks mate and its defiantly free spyware removal and wont charge? off to watch football now so will do it later!

Shouldnt do, ive never paid to use spybot, nor has it asked me

[24vcossiemat]

Originally Posted by paceo

hi guys, over the past few months, when i turn my computer on it takes bloody ages to load up before i can click on the internet icon to start it up!

i have tried to defrag the computer, delete all internet files etc.... and it still takes ages to load, anyone got any tips on what i can do? theres not many programs on it as such either like games etc.........

Hi mate, go to www.ccleaner.com and download the free registry cleaner, it worked for mine. temp internet files and stuff are still stored in ya puters memory even if they have been deleted through windows control panel

[paceo]

hi guys, used the cc cleaner and spyware remover and still slow as hell to load up from start! like 4 minutes before i can click the internet to use. and to load up stuff takes a while.

seems strange as it was very fast not long ago!

[Fast Guy]

It might be worth checking the cpu cooling fan is working. I had one on my pc die a few years back and it drops the cpu speed to a default setting to stop it overheating and melting.

If it's any consolation, you pc sounds infinately faster than my mums. I dread going to look at hers.

[paceo]

Originally Posted by Fast Guy

It might be worth checking the cpu cooling fan is working. I had one on my pc die a few years back and it drops the cpu speed to a default setting to stop it overheating and melting.

If it's any consolation, you pc sounds infinately faster than my mums. I dread going to look at hers.

but its from startup when the computer is dead cold!

[1098]

You could do with a reformat to start a fresh slate.

[paceo]

Originally Posted by 1098

You could do with a reformat to start a fresh slate.

cool, is that where i put the reboot disks in i got with the computer? its really pissing me off now!

[RichieST]

Yeah re-install windows on it mate. You will be forever messing about with it trying to get it to work!

Bang the recovery disc in, restart the machine, press a button when it says do you want to boot from cd. Then go through it all, select load windows onto c drive, it will then give you the option to format first, give it the full format, not the quick one

I do it to my machines once a year or so to keep them running tip top!

[RichieST]

Oh and make sure you save any pictures etc you want to keep first!!!

When its all up and running again, if you are on xp SP1 go to the windows update website to download SP2, after you have done that it will automatically download SP3 for you. These updates can take ages though, I advise you leave your computer switched on for a couple of hours or so to let it do what its got to do!

[RichieST]

Let me know if you need any more help with it mate and I'll write you down more detailed step by step instructions via PM

[PeterD]

If you cant be arsed with a re install right away, scan for bad (disk) sectors and file system errors.

right click on the hard disk icon in explorer, properties, tools.

do the bad sectors first then file system errors and you should see a decent change.

again tho a re install will cure all.

[1971dommo]

hi m8,did u sort the pc?i use freeware from iobit.com.advanced cleaner,it also shows u wat programs start up wen pc is turned on,u dont need most of them.works4me anyway

[S1]

Try clearing out temp folders, Look in C:\Temp & C:\Windows\Temp. Clear out everything you find in there apart from Temporary Internet Files folder. Run a Microsoft Update and install all the updates or deselect them so its not checking each time on startup. Make sure anything set to automatically update is updated. Clear out temp internet files.

If its spyware related we use Malwarebytes & SuperantiSpyware, both available from www.download.com.

[BRIGSPORT]

I take it 256mb ram is not good then?

My spec according to what it says at the top of the c cleaner screen is;
intel pentium 4 2.53 ghz,
256 mb ram,
16mb ati rage 128 ultra.

It is a dell.

Is this shit spec?

[BM08]

Originally Posted by BRIGSPORT

I take it 256mb ram is not good then?

My spec according to what it says at the top of the c cleaner screen is;
intel pentium 4 2.53 ghz,
256 mb ram,
16mb ati rage 128 ultra.

It is a dell.

Is this shit spec?

In a word yes.

You can upgrade the ram easily and get a big speed boost

[BRIGSPORT]

Can it be done by me, or should i get an expert to do it? Whats involved?
I done a quick search and 2x 1gb of ram is around £20. Does this sound right?
Can i go for 3 gb of ram, or maybe more?

[PeterD]

Originally Posted by BRIGSPORT

Can it be done by me, or should i get an expert to do it? Whats involved?
I done a quick search and 2x 1gb of ram is around £20. Does this sound right?
Can i go for 3 gb of ram, or maybe more?

Memory is easy enough, just open the case and slot the RAM in. Make sure your getting compatible memory though (ie if your pc uses ddr then buy ddr memory)

If you put 2 gigs into it it should fly once your done, unless your a gamer or running fairly heavy apps (or vista) its unlikely you'll need 3 gigs.

£20 seems reasonable for 2 gigs btw


just a though for the OP (paceo) are you running any shiteware like limewire or torrents? stop them from starting on boot because they eat memory and bandwidth, makes your pc feel like its running on mogodon.

[Hockney]

Depends on the memory limitations of the motherboard. No point buying 3gb of RAM when it only supports up to 2gb. I'd safely say buying 1gb RAM will give you a massive performance gain.

You can easily install the RAM yourself but make sure before touching the RAM module that you ground yourself off an unpainted metal bit inside your computer or use an anti static wrist strap. Any decent company should send you a cheapo paper antistatic wrist strap along with your RAM. Also do not leave the memory lying on your carpet prior to fitting, just leave it in the anti static bag until such time your going to actually fit it in your PC.

[BM08]

Originally Posted by BRIGSPORT

Can it be done by me, or should i get an expert to do it? Whats involved?
I done a quick search and 2x 1gb of ram is around £20. Does this sound right?
Can i go for 3 gb of ram, or maybe more?

You need to find out what type of ram your pc uses first, but you can do this without opening the case.
Use the scanner tool on this site http://www.crucial.com/uk/?cpe=pd_go...FZMU4wod5HwDKw

It will tell you exactly what ram you have, and also what the max amount you can have(as some pc's vary).

When you have got it, just a case of opening the pc and you will see the ram stick, you will know what it looks like because you will have the new ones in your hand. Might need to press down a button to release the ram, just check before you go pulling things around, then just push the new ones in using the same amount of pressure on each end, but make sure its seated properly otherwise it wont work.

[BRIGSPORT]

I can have a maximum 1024 gb on my system. How do i get more?

[Hockney]

By purchasing a new motherboard