Solved PC suddenly slow, lagging, stops responding

[jaimo]

Bobbye,

Thanks so much for all the help! My PC is running a lot smoother. No more lagging or lock-ups.

I did remove Bandwidth Monitor. I only downloaded it because I recently gave my neighbor, who is in the same house, my wireless shared key so he can access the internet. (I'm pretty sure he is fairly computer illiterate, so I wasn't too worried about him getting into anything.) Last month my data usage was the highest it has been. I was trying to see if my neighbor was abusing the bandwidth.

BTW, I have an old Linksys wireless-B router. I would like to upgrade to a newer router with a "guest" feature. Any suggestions? Cost is a factor. I don't know if there is a router with the capability of actually limiting the guests data usage, but that feature would be a plus.

 

[Bobbye]

You're welcome! Those utilities describe themselves like something the system should really have- but in the long run, the trade off is lopsided because you don't get enough out of them to make it worth the resource they use> (Been there, done that!)

You probably don't realize this, but if you read the EULA for your ISP, you will likely find you are breaking the contract with them. You pay for your internet use- sharing access with the neighbor is giving him/her a free account.

You might want to do some checking WEP Shared Key Authentication
==============================Tips to help stay safe:
Tips for added security and safer browsing: (Links are in Bold Blue)

1. Browser Security
   [o] Safe Settings (Please ignore the suggestion to use the Registry Editor in this section "Creating a Custom Security Zone")
   [o] ZonedOut. This manages the Zones in Internet Explorer. (For IE7 and IE8, Windows 2000 thru Vista. No Windows 7)
   [o] Replace the Host Files
   [o] Google Toolbar Pop Up Blocker
   [o]Web of Trust (WOT) Site Advisor. Traffic-light rating symbols show which rate the site for Trustworthiness, Vendor Reliability, Privacy, Child Safety.
   
2. Have layered Security:
   [o]Antivirus :(only one):Both of the following programs are free and known to be good:
   [o]Avira-AntiVir-Personal-Free-Antivirus
   [o]Avast-Free Antivirus
   [o]Firewall (only one): Use bi-directional firewall. Both of the following programs are free and known to be good:
   [o]Comodo
   [o]Zone Alarm
   
3. Antimalware: I recommend all of the following:
   [o]Spywareblaster: SpywareBlaster protects against bad ActiveX.
   [o]Spybot Search & Destroy
   
4. Updates: Stay current:
   [o] the Microsoft Download Sitefrequently. All updates marked Critical and the current SP updates.
   [o]Adobe Reader Install current, uninstall old.
   [o]Java Updates Install current, uninstall old.
   
5. Tracking Cookies
   Reset Cookie:
   [o]For Internet Explorer: Internet Options (through Tools or Control Panel) Privacy tab> Advanced button> check 'override automatic Cookie handling'> check 'accept first party Cookies'> check 'Block third party Cookies'> check 'allow per session Cookies'> Apply> OK.
   [o]For Firefox: Tools> Options> Privacy> Cookies> check ‘accept Cookies from Sites’> Uncheck 'accept third party Cookies'> Set Keep until 'they expire'. This will allow you to keep Cookies for registered sites and prevent or remove others. (Note: for Firefox v3.5, after Privacy click on 'use custom settings for History.')
   I suggest using the following two add-on for Firefox. They will prevent the Tracking Cookies that come from ads and banners and other sources:
   AdBlock Plus
   Easy List
   [o]For Chrome: Tools> Options> Under The Hood> Privacy Section> CHECK 'Restrict how third party Cookies can be used'> Close.
   
6. Do regular Maintenance
   Clean the temporary internet files often:
   [o] Temporary File Cleaner
   [o] ATF Cleaner by Atribune
7. Restore Points:
   [o]See System Restore Guide
8. Safe Email Handling
   [o] Don't open email from anyone you don't know.
   [o] Don't open Attachments in the email. Safe to your desktop and scan for viruses using a right click
   [o] Don't leave your personal email address on the internet. Have a separate email account at one of the free web-based emails like Yahoo.

Please let me know if you find any bad link.

I can't help with the router> hardware isn't my thing but here is one of the TechSpot hardware forums:
https://www.techspot.com/vb/menu14.html> Hardware
https://www.techspot.com/vb/menu12.html> Storage & Networking