novice needs help computer is running slow

[skydog]

looking for mentor(s) having problems with my computer. i know i am probably going to regret saying this but, i have an Emachine with XP and it seems to be getting slower and slower. where do i sart.

 

[DonNagual]

Have you already run the disk cleaner and defrag? I do these once a week.

Right click on your "c" drive then "properties".

Run the disk cleaner. Then click on "tools" and run a defrag on your system.

Do you have good anti-virus / spyware software on your system? Up to date?

 

[hewybo]

antis

Start by running some good anti-spyware (Windows Defender - free at M$, AdAwareSE-free at www.lavasoft.com) and a good anti-virus. If you don't have an AV, AVG is pretty good- free at www.grisoft.com.

See if there's any improvement after that. If not, post back with more detailed info.

Welcome to Tech Spot! :wave: :angel:

 

[Peddant]

Hi skydog,all the mentors have gone to bed at the moment,so you`ll have to make do with the caretaker.
This link covers most of the bases relating to computers slowing down -
http://ask-leo.com/why_is_my_machine_slowing_down.html

This is the antispyware link referred to in the above link.
http://ask-leo.com/spyware_how_do_i_remove_and_avoid_spyware.html

You could also try this to remove junk - http://www.majorgeeks.com/download4191.html

In summary :
1.Too many legitimate programs running(usually starting up with Windows)
2.Too many ILL-egitimate programs running(Spyware)
3.Fragmentation of the disk.
4.And something else.

 

[skydog]

still slow but walking instead of standing still

DonNagual, hewybo, Peddant
Thanks for the advice. I ran defrag this past weekend. Webroot came with the computer package when i bought it. I clicked on the Webroot update link last night and upgraded and it does seem to be a little quicker but not as fast as I think it can.
In the Army we refer to training as (Crawl, Walk, Run) Yesterday it was wiggling around like a new born bearly moving. Now, I think my computer is at a walk. At least now i see what I am typing where yesterday, I typed and waited for the text to magically apear a minute later.
not sure if it is operating as quickly as it could/should. how do i know if it is operationg at optimal potential?
Yea, ok, i admit it, I am a llittle impatient. I want instant gratification.
thanks,
SkyDog

 

[kirock]

Skydog,
Did you do the spybot scans yet? No PC should be that slow! Do have have the XP CD? You might just want to format and reinstall your OS if it's that bad. But try Spybot (freeware) google search for it. Very good. Also Ad-ware SE is freeware, google that too. Install both of these and scan your comp asap.

 

[Peddant]

Here is the CORRECT link for my first post - http://ask-leo.com/why_is_my_machine_slowing_down.html

This also - http://ask-leo.com/how_can_i_make_my_computer_run_faster.html

 

[skydog]

Thank you all

I know it has taken me a while to get back but with my pending Deployment, I have not been home much. Your sugestions have been very helpfull. I have learned a lot and am becoming a more responsible PC owner/operator.
:grinthumb