:( i know i could buy more memory but it used to be pretty speedy, it's like it has given up on me, my applications are being slow and startup/shutdown speed takes the micky . Anyone got any suggestions? xxx thankyou

Remove all the crap that starts up on boot, (start / run / msconfig select startup and untick most of it! Run spybot and Adaware to get rid of all the spyware, download the trial version of System Mechanic and let it clean the registry and other things, make sure the hard drive is not full, defrag the drive every now and again.
And buy more memory :)

What spec is your PC just out of interest? More memory definitely helps. You'll get a noticable difference going from 256Mb to 512Mb on XP and a less noticable difference going from 512 to 1Gb.

If the speed decrease was fairly immediate (rather than it slowing down over a period of weeks/months), then it could signal the impending failure of your hard disk drive - make sure you back up any important files onto CD's or similar.

ahh it was gradual but now i've only really noticed the effects! :) i have antispyware and stuff already running which confuses me even more because i know that there isnt anything going on there shouldn't be. :) ill buy more memory aswell! thankyou! xxxxxxx

do you have norton on your pc by any chance?

Hi jade_x

Give CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com/) ago

If it used to be quick but is now slower then you wont really need any more memory unless it's only got 256Mb in. I reacon you have got that much crap installed that runs on startup that it's slowing everything down. Have you got many little icons at the bottom right near the clock?? Also what virus and spyware software are you using?

haha im running on diagnostic startup so only my basic devices are loading at start...i check my programs list regularly to make sure i haven't got tonnes of rubbish installed. I'm using Zone Alarm Pro security suite :) xxxxxxx

Ctrl Alt del and select performance on normal boot up. Whats the processor usage at??

I'm a bit of a computer numpty but I find Crapcleaner works for me. It does what it says on the tin and fixes issues as well.:)

If you haven't formatted for a while try formatting and then reinstalling windows, most people advise formatting at least once a year to keep your PC running fast.

Everything is pretty easy and straightforward - just back up any applicable work/ files and you'll be fine.

:) thankyou
im thinking about letting a guy at work sort it all out for me
thanks alot for your help! xx

I hope he ain't charging you.

Remove all the crap that starts up on boot, (start / run / msconfig select startup and untick most of it!

Without meaning to sound too harsh, that is quite possibly the worst piece of technical advice I've ever heard!

Unless you know what you're doing, don't mess around with the startup processes.

If you haven't formatted for a while try formatting and then reinstalling windows, most people advise formatting at least once a year to keep your PC running fast.



Cowards way out! Where there's a will there's a way, and troubleshooting is the fun bit!

Start with the basics. Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs. Then remove any programs you don't use, along with any toolbars etc.

Reboot.

Go start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. Then clear all the temporary files and recycle bin files etc.

If you have virus protection, update it and then run it.

Reboot.

Download Ad-aware and Spybot S & D. Open them both and update them (just in case), then run them (I'd wait for them to complete before trying to use your PC!).

Go Go start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. Analyse your C: drive and if it recommends you to do so, defrag it.

Reboot.

If your PC is still running slowly, go to Start > Run > type "eventvwr" and click Ok. Check the 3 sub-directories for any errors, if there are errors that appear to occur regularly, post the message in here.

Shut the PC down, take the lid off and try to clear any dust without putting your fingers in (I'd try to avoid this unless you know what you're doing), as when dust collates around your heat sink and fan, the heat of the processor will rise and your PC will function much slower.

How much RAM has your PC got? Might be worth purchasing some more if you only have 256MB or less.

Without getting someone in who knows what they're doing (and charges for it), the only option left really is to rebuild.

Gaz

Without meaning to sound too harsh, that is quite possibly the worst piece of technical advice I've ever heard!

Unless you know what you're doing, don't mess around with the startup processes.

All you do is untick things, you can always tick them again!

All you do is untick things, you can always tick them again!

But without knowing what you're doing, you'd forget what was ticked and what wasn't.. If everything was unticked you'd have more things than a slow computer to worry about :)

But without knowing what you're doing, you'd forget what was ticked and what wasn't.. If everything was unticked you'd have more things than a slow computer to worry about
Nothing in that startup list is required for windows to work. And you can't loose track of whats on or not as it has a tick next to it if it's loaded!

eek. nahh he int charging :) which is a bit good
said he'll chuck us some more memory in aswell xxxxx

Cowards way out! Where there's a will there's a way, and troubleshooting is the fun bit!

Start with the basics. Go to Control Panel > Add/Remove Programs. Then remove any programs you don't use, along with any toolbars etc.

Reboot.

Go start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup. Then clear all the temporary files and recycle bin files etc.

If you have virus protection, update it and then run it.

Reboot.

Download Ad-aware and Spybot S & D. Open them both and update them (just in case), then run them (I'd wait for them to complete before trying to use your PC!).

Go Go start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter. Analyse your C: drive and if it recommends you to do so, defrag it.

Reboot.

If your PC is still running slowly, go to Start > Run > type "eventvwr" and click Ok. Check the 3 sub-directories for any errors, if there are errors that appear to occur regularly, post the message in here.

Shut the PC down, take the lid off and try to clear any dust without putting your fingers in (I'd try to avoid this unless you know what you're doing), as when dust collates around your heat sink and fan, the heat of the processor will rise and your PC will function much slower.

How much RAM has your PC got? Might be worth purchasing some more if you only have 256MB or less.

Without getting someone in who knows what they're doing (and charges for it), the only option left really is to rebuild.

Gaz


all spot on advice, if after all that the pc still wont work properly get down to the real computer shop on eccy road -it'll cost you, but they do a very tidy job.