Solutions for a slow computer

[Lily]

Apart from tossing it out that is. ;D I find that getting rid of all the cookies and temporary files works wonders. Also, do a search for any software you remove to make sure ALL the files are gone. You'd be amazed at how many may still be lingering...and slowing things down.

www.computerhope.com/issues/ch000179.htm

[Richard]

www.piriform.com/CCLEANER

This works pretty well.

[Lily]

I've been using this one. It's on sale for $29.95, which isn't too bad. I tried to get a free one, but couldn't find any. Most do the scan for free and then hit you up for cash to fix the errors found. ;D

www.softpedia.com/get/Security/Secure-cleaning/Fixio-PC-Cleaner-2010.shtml

[pariah]

Slow computer you say?

Well. Might I suggest that you flush your MS operating system down the crapper and take a look at Linux?

It has all of the bells and whistles that you need in a computer OS without all of the bloat that comes with your M$ operating system.

It can be done in a few very simple steps:

1. Back-up your important files (pic's, mp3's,documents, your favorite recipe for borscht...what ever)
2. download and burn a linux ISO of your choice (ubuntu is very user friendly)
3. install linux
4. install all of the programs you need.
5. no more slow computer.

I can give you a detailed instruction manual if you decide that you want to do this. Yu can even dual-boot ubuntu on the same computer with M$.

[Lily]

I may very well go the Linux route, Pariah. I'm so fed up with all the "This program is not responding" messages from Microsoft, (well hey, as if I didn't know that) followed by the inevitable system crash.

[dalski]

Hey there, just thought I would give some general information here when it comes to slow computers.

The very first thing you want to do is scan your computer for malware, adware, and spyware using programs that you can find for free online such as Malwarebytes Anti Malware and Super Anti Spyware. These programs will find many things that antivirus programs like Norton and Mcaffee will not fine.

You want to run the scans in Safe mode or Safe mode with Networking. To get into safe mode, turn off your computer, turn it back on and immediately start hitting F8 over and over until the option for Safe Mode comes up. This allows any malicious processes to stop running so you can allow them to be found by the scanner. It is very important to run scans in Safe Mode.

Next thing you want to do is to edit your startup. Go to start and go to Run. Run will be in all programs > accessories if you have Vista or Windows 7. In the box type in msconfig. This will bring up the list of programs that start up every time you start the computer (watch out for HP services, printer services or other peripheral's services(like Ipods and such) and take everything else off like Yahoo! Messenger and other programs you don't want starting up. This will decrease the time it takes for your computer to start up, especially if you don't have a lot of RAM or memory to work with.

Next, Adjust performance settings (right click Computer > Properties > Advanced > performance options, adjust for best performance if necessary)

You can also Analyze the disk with a defrag tool. CCLeaner's website has a defragler and will run it quicker than windows defrag. There is another tool called Auslogics that is really good.

Your Internet browser can also cause a lot of issues with freezing and going slow, so it's good to reset it to default settings. Tools >Internet Options > Advanced > Reset

Always make sure your anti virus program is up to date, and you should be good to go after this. Hope this helps, I work in computer repair so if you have any other questions, feel free to message me about it.

[Lily]

This is just great, Dalski. Thank you.

[pariah]

dalski -- great post. It should help a lot of people to keep their M$ computers running nice a smooth for a while. Unfortunately though I can't help myself. I have a real nasty need to swat the hornets nest from time to time:

Why do you think all of that work is needed? Bloatware?

Shouldn't I, as a consumer, be allowed to buy a product like the latest and greatest M$ operating system and expect it to work efficiently without having to tweak it and such? I bought a bike once and yes, i had to put air in the tires once in a while but I didn't have to adjust my seat, handle bars and pedals after every ride.

[dalski]

pariah -- I definitely have to agree with your previous post saying that Linux is a better operating system than Windows first off, so if Linux is a choice, go with it.

I bought an Asus computer recently with a 1TB hard drive (1000GB) and 6GB of RAM and it has been working perfectly, but mostly because I do routine maintenance on it. How your computer functions is directly related to what you do on it. If you are the type of person that clicks on any random link or email attachment, downloads any and all toolbars available, and downloads unknown files in excess, you are going to quickly realize that you all of a sudden have a virus on the computer. If you are safe browser and only click on something you are 100 percent sure of, you probably will never have a virus in your lifetime. I also have a computer that is Windows XP that was made in the early 2000's and it works perfectly.

When you buy a Windows computer, you shouldn't have to tweak anything out of the box, but you better know how to get yourself out of a bind if you download the wrong thing or click the wrong attachment

[Richard]

Iobit Advanced System Care...Free download: download.cnet.com/Advanced-SystemCare-Free/3000-2086_4-10407614.html?tag=contentMain;contentBody;3d

I use this and it seems to work fine, along with everything else I have.

[Lily]

I found that regular defragmenting made a difference to speed and performance.

[dervish]

Solutions for a slow computer -- pitch it out hte window FAST! ;D I'm getting a bit jawndiced about the digital age..