My PC's soooo sloooow

[HelenD123]

I can't take much more of this. It's taking nearly 10 minutes for my PC to get started and for the internet to open and it seems to be getting worse. I've had a message a couple of times recently saying it's running low on virtual memory but I've been doing/running practically nothing. Any ideas? I'm getting seriously cheesed off.

 

[yello]

Step 1 (assuming it's windows) is too clean up the hard disk and run a defrag - both available as options as I recall. Accessories? System? Sorry, I can't be specific - I don't run windows.

 

[peanut]

Helen we can help

First of all your PC is probably set to download lots of software updates every time that you go online.

At the same time your antivirus is probably trying to scan your PC and download updates and send info back to base.

There are lots of programs on your PC all trying to download stuff at the same time .

First of all go to Start, Control Panel, System, Automatic updates.Select 'turn off automatic updates' . Ok

Next if you have an anti virus turn of the autoscan function

let me know what version of windows you have and we'll work through some fixes to sort your PC out step by step.
You are welcome to use the PM messaging if you like

 

[HelenD123]

It's Windows XP. Accessories? There's a printer attached. I ran a defrag a while ago and it didn't seem to make a difference but I guess it's worth another try. Thanks.

 

[Crackle]

Download System Mechanic for a 30 day free trial and run the various tools. It cleans everything and optimizes everything without you needing to know all the technical gubbins. Used it on a few PC's now and it improved each of them.

 

[HelenD123]

Thanks Peanut. I've turned off the auto updates but I don't think I can turn off the anti virus autoscan because it was a version I got through work. A lot of the options are greyed out. I'll try a reboot and see what happens.

 

[HelenD123]

I'm back. It still doesn't seem any better. Guess I should try the System Mechanic then.

 

[peanut]

I wouldn't advise it.Its unlikely to diagnose your problem
There are other things you need to do first.

go to Start , and my computer right click on your C drive and tell me how much used and unused space you have on your drive

 

[HelenD123]

20 GB used, 51.7GB remaining

 

[HLaB]

I couldn't believe how slow my machine was getting, often when I typed it would freeze for a few minutes, it couldn't process any videos in movie maker and it would give me a low on virtual memory warning too. I think it was all the updates to Win XP. I can't remember the name of the site but somebody on here suggested it, it detects your memory (RAM) and suggests upgrades. I've put a gig in mine and its much better, ps I bought it from another site (7dayShop) at a third of the price.

 

[peanut]

good you have lots of space .
Would you download this tiny program onto your desktop and run it. It will give me a complete readout of your whole PC hardware and software.
I suggest that you copy paste it into a personal message to me so that everyone on here cannot see everything.
http://www.belarc.com/free_download.html

 

[marinyork]

20 GB used, 51.7GB remaining

Well it's not the HD being full. That's tons of space. Can't you uninstall the virus software? What does Control Panel/System say you have?

 

[HelenD123]

Thanks Peanut for your help last night. It's much better this morning.

 

[peanut]

thats great thanks for the feedback. Sorry I kept you up so late last night. I hadn't realised. I was so tired this morning
There's lots more you can do to speed things up .
Be wary of the sort of programs that promise to speed your PC up and perform other miracles . They don't
What they do is download all sorts of nasty files that alter resistry files and settings and claim they have found all sorts of problems which they can fix.... but first you have to pay £25.00 subscription per year etc etc .

good luck

 

[HelenD123]

No, I'm sorry for keeping you up so late. I've just sent you another list of stuff but have a look at it at your convenience. It is the weekend and it's lovely day here so I don't want you stuck at your PC all day!