computer running slow

[weedmaster]

over the last month my comp has got really slow, i have defraged,tried restore run several virus scans and checked for spy and adware but it's made no differance, should i try to completely clear my harddrive, if so how do i do it i'm not very good with comps and know very little, so if someone could help a computer dumbass i would be very grateful and would be willing to smoke an oz for them.

weedmaster Reviewed by weedmaster on 08-10-2007. computer running slow over the last month my comp has got really slow, i have defraged,tried restore run several virus scans and checked for spy and adware but it's made no differance, should i try to completely clear my harddrive, if so how do i do it i'm not very good with comps and know very little, so if someone could help a computer dumbass i would be very grateful and would be willing to smoke an oz for them. Rating: 5

[slipknotpsycho]

to reformat your pc, you're gonna need whatever OS you use on a disc....

other then that it's pretty straight forward, right click on your main harddrive from my computer and click 'format' after that's done, just pop in the OS disc and follow the usual directions...

what's your ram and processor speed? how many programs do you have running at start up? and lastly, what OS are you on?

[weedmaster]

thanks for your help slip, i have a intel celeron CPU 2.40ghz
2.39ghz,768mb of ram
harddrive 37.2gb free 7.64gb
i have 63 programs running at start up
i'm running windows xp profesional service pack 2, i take it that is what you mean by os like i said im a dumbass when it comes to computers lol.

[stinkyattic]

i have 63 programs running at start upl.

Doctor, I believe we have found a possible source of the problem!
Go into msconfig and clean that up- you don't need all of those. Strip out the OBVIOUS ones you don't use all the time, like DVD burner programs, adobe, etc- those you can open when you need them.
Leave your mouse driver though, lol!!!

[slipknotpsycho]

63 programs?!

dude that's your problem right there.....

go to start > run > type in msconfig then click on the startup tab, and deselect everything you can stand to lose (i.e. everything but your virus protection, if you're on xp none of those programs in the start up tab are essiental to the OS (and yes os is operating system, windows, linux etc)

[slipknotpsycho]

oh yeah if you're not sure what to take off, take some screen shots of the start up tab and i'll help you (prnt scr > paint > paste > save (as jpeg))

[home.grower]

CCleaner is an easy to use program that is free and can enable you to clean up programs that run at startup that can potentially slow your system..

google: ccleaner and download a copy today

Reinstalling might be your best bet.. you should split the drive into 3 partitions.. i would suggest one 10GB partitions C:\ for windows to shyt on... one 15GB partition D:\for windows programs to shyt on and a third partition with the remainding space E:\ to save data to.... This way, reinstalling windows on partition C:\ does not fk about with saved data on partition E:\ for example....

I have a 350 GB HDD with 10 35GB partitions... in my system I have 10GB for windows; 62GB for windows programs; another 10GB for windows programs I might just be testing that might contain viruses; and 2 30GB partitions for downloaded and saved material... It helps!

ZoneAlarm Security Suite controls system protection, virus and adware; while AdAware is what I use to control adware primarily... this simple set of principles keeps me running sweet!!

[snowblind]

ms config is your best bet, it should speed it up no end. all those programs are eating in to your cpu and ram power. after that is should be fine.

if you wanna run a complete format, which is advisable now and again, cus adding and removing programs, deleteing virus and stuff can alter the registy

boot up your computer and right asit turns on it should flag up a key to press to run the BIOS, go into this, then in on of the menus there will be a section that says boot, this should have your hdd selected as it will boot windows form the hdd. select this and change it to cd rom

then exit and save your changes

put ni the os disc and fire up your computer, usually they say press f8 to boot from disc, do this and it will load up from the disc and reformat windows.

peace
snowblind

[weedmaster]

thanks for all the advice peeps, i have now only 8 programs on my start up running but it hasn't made that much differance but it definately has speeded it up a little, going to try reinstalling windows and if that doesn't sort it out i will clean the hd then if that dont sort it i think i may just buy a new computer because this pc is 3 years old now and i suppose thats quite old for a pc, once again thanks for all your help:thumbsup:

[snowblind]

if you reinstall windows it will format the hdd anyway so just make sure that youhave everything important saved.

before you get a new one, you could probably add a few parts taht will increase its performance for a fraction of a cost.

forst i would say get some more ram, i dont know how many slots you have but if its 3 or 4 then you could but a 512 or 1gig ram card in. if you only have 2 then get a matched pair of either a gig or 2. if they are matched they work together perfectly and will definately improve performance.

if you dont have a seperate graphics card, it mite be advisable to put something in a nvidia 6600 or higher will see you right and can be picked up pretty cheaply at the moment.

finannly i would say put another hard drive in there. there easy to install. once you have put windows on just open her up and you will see there is another connector next too the one in already on a wide thin ribbon and a power supply from the psu.

this should free things up, best to use the smaller one for windows and programs and the other for all else

finnaly its worth givin you computer a clean on the inside. cheak that the fan vents are all clean and free of dust and then get rid of any other dust and ash in the machine

most of the parts can be got from ebay or Ebuyer - Cheap Computers, Laptops, Digital Cameras, TVs & more! which is an awesome site

and you should have a bangign machine for the fraction of the cost.

peace

snowblind.

ps hit me up if you need help working out what ram you have