Why is my computer running slow?

Ok so I dont know much about computers. And I was just wondering my computer is fast and all of a sudden it gets to the point where it wont even open a page? Anybody know why? Please help I would really appreciate it.

Answer #1

If the CPU is old and you are trying to run more advanced programs, or programs that are graphics intensive, then that will always slow down your computer. The only solution then is an updated computer. Don’t try to update the motherboard, and various cards. That would be more expensive than a new one.

Barring this being an old computer… You either have 1.)way too many programs starting up at launch, or 2.) too many programs set to automatically check for updates, or you have 3.) spyware (or a virus) that is chewing up your cycles and bandwidth.

NOTE: I have Windows XP so some of these may have to be modified for Vista 1.) Click START button, click RUN, type ‘msconfig’ and click OK. Click ‘Startup’ tab everything with a check mark is set to automatic start on launch. You will have to research what you want to start on launch, just know that if you unchecked something, you can always come back here and re-check it. Also know that unchecking does NOT remove anything, it just doesn’t automatically launch. NOTE: never uncheck your defenses - anti-virus, firewall, etc.

2.) Turn off the auto check feature for most programs (if you can) except for defenses. Actually many of the auto checks may be turned off in step 1 above. Note that every time a new program is added to your computer, it thinks that it is the most important one there is and it will set itself to go out and find updates - if you allow it. And sometimes even if you don’t. I have a two-way firewall that can be set to stop all checks for updates ( except for it’s own! Of course!!)

3.) Make sure your defenses are up to date. Run a complete sweep with all your defenses. If you do not have anti-spyware programs, get a couple. These all have free versions as well as more robust paid versions. Go to http://download.cnet.com/windows/ and get two or three of the following: SpywareBlaster ; Ad-Aware ; Spybot : Search and Destroy All of the three are free - also this site is a VERY trusted site IMHO. If you do not have anti-virus (and why not?) You can get a good free one called AVG Anti-virus. (The free version is pretty good, but I do not believe it will run in the background like a paid-for anti-virus will.) NOTE that you do not want to have multiple anti-viruses running on your computer because they will conflict with each other. You can, however, have several anti-spyware programs that you run one at a time.

If these steps don’t work, you may have to reinstall your operating system - but this is an extreme step as it will reformat your hard drive and wipe out EVERYTHING ON THE DRIVE. So you will have to make back-up copies before taking this drastic step. And if you do, check all your backups for spyware and viruses so you do not reinfect your computer. This is typically what a shop does if it can’t get results from step 3.) above.

Good Luck!!

Answer #2

Delete your temporary internet files. Also all other temporary files, if you don’t know how to do this then search “CCleaner” on Google, then install the program and run a quick scan with it.

Also I recommend you download Firefox, it is a much faster browser than Internet Explorer.

Answer #3

Here are some tips to speed up your computers performance:

  1. Download and install Smart Defrag and select the “Deep Optimize” option. This process may take a while but it’s worth it. If you have never defragged before, this will speed up your computer dramatically. (Found at iobit.com)

  2. Download and install Advanced System Care Pro. This fixes errors on your computer and it removes registery files that have no use. It also deletes temporary files which also gives you some more hard drive space. (Found at iobit.com)

  3. Download and install Mozilla Firefox. Trust me, do it.

If you do all of these steps, your computer will be almost at it’s best performace possible.

Answer #4

theres nothing wrong with internet explorer, you might need to defragment the hard dive its good to do that every month or two weeks. Check your freespace and delete or download some files and pics. run a good antiviris too.

Answer #5

If your using Internet Explorer,that may be the problem,or your running to many programs. If you don’t already have Mozilla Firefox,I recommend downloading that,safer and much better browser.

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