Slow computer

[Explorer-8]

From the time I press the "on" switch to the time it takes for all the icons to show on the desktop, then for Internet Explorer to show the home page equals 7 minutes. I have done an anti-virus check, etc. and there are no problems in that way. My computer is 9 years old, but I had a faster processor fitted on it, so it shouldn't really be so slow. What can be causing it? What are the possible solutions?

[tommy-h]

If you have a diagnostic prog.try running it and then get rid of excess clutter on your disk by following instructions.be careful though if you have virgin security it may need resetting afterwards.This can be done using the same programme.

[galeck1947]

Download and run Glary Utilities one click maintenence and see if this finds anything. Open the modules and open the Startup Manager and check what programs are starting on start up and disable the ones which are not needed on startup. Download and run Auslogics Disk Defrag to defrag your hard drive. Both of these programs are free.

[ChuckFickens]

If it's 9 years old and all you've had done is fit a faster processor then the chances are you have nowhere near enough RAM for the computer to be running properly and no amount of running programs is going to fix a physical issue.

How much RAM do you have? if it is less than 1GB (1024MB) then you should consider upgrading the RAM.

[Old_Geezer]

7 minutes eh. I think I'd be considering a reinstallation at that stage.
You say you've done a virus check, how about a malware/adware check ?
Does it take as long booting into safe mode ?
Get a hard disk check app to see if it is taking ages to get data from a failing drive.

[samak]

For what it's worth, I agree with the Fickenchucker.

[Explorer-8]

On the front of my computer, it says "256 MB DDR" and "80 GB hard drive" and "128 MB video memory".

[bookbinder]

Try a disk cleanup and/or a disk defragment. You never know, they're quite easy to do and they might help a bit.

[Old_Geezer]

Disk is disk not memory. You store your files there. Video memory is exclusive for your graphics.

Your label says you have 256 M which for today's bloatware operating systems is probably a major cause of your problem. See if you have the option to increase that. Try http://www.crucial.com/UK/ for a scan system app, which my help.

[redman41]

Increased my RAM yesterday from 512Mb to 2Gb and it has made a huge difference to the responsiveness of my PC. You are probably suffering from the same problem as I was.

[scotman]

Explorer

I agree with OG. Your computer is about the same age as mine. I assume you are running XP Operating System of some type.
My PC also started with 256MB and it was OK at first but as programs got bigger and image files became more common it began to run out of steam. It is now at 1GB and is OK again.
Your motherboard will have a maximum amount of memory than it can cope with. Fit all of it if you can afford to. It will help significantly.

[bobal]

There are many things that could be the cause! Try a few of these simple steps. Delete any old or unused programmes. Download microsoft security essentials and run a virus scan. Clean your machine of all dust and dirt, especially the cooling fans at the back. Run a good system defrag but don't use the in-built as it is too slow so download a free trial of diskeeper from diskeeper.com(the most advanced defragger). You could also put some more RAM in, if none of the above works

[Bill-R-TechSpec]

You need to optimize your PC as follows:

0. Ensure the Hard Disc Drive is not damaged or faulty.
Solution - Run CheckDisk:
a. Start> Computer >select C Drive>Right Click C Drive>select
"Properties">"Tools" > click "Check Now"> Select both boxes
and click "Start".
b. This can take a long time, so let it complete (may take all
night or longer. Be patient.)

1. Ensure your PC has as much memory (RAM) as possible.
Solution -- Find out how much RAM your PC has:
a. Go to Yahoo.com and input your PC's name and model # followed
by "memory" and see what's listed. This tells you what kind of memory
you need and how many "Sticks" your PC will accept.
b. Get the maximum amount of memory your computer can hold and
install it.

2. Ensure the PC is protected.
Solution - Update existing Anti-Malware software.
a. Open the Anti-Virus program;
b. Ensure it is up to date.
c. Open the Anti-Spyware program;
e. Ensure it is up to date.
d. If no Anti-Virus or Anti-Spyware, get good programs.
remove any existing AV before installing another one.

3. Remove Malware from your PC
Solution - Run the Antivrus and then the Antispyware scans (can take a while if
never done. Be patient):
a. Scan the whole system with the Anti-Virus;
b. Scan the whole system with the Anti-Spyware;

4. Next, ensure the Registry is clean.
Solution: Get and run a good registry cleaner.
a. If none, get CCleaner here: http://download.cnet.com/ccleaner/
b. Run the Registry cleaner till it finds and corrects all errors.

5. Now defragment the drive.
Solution - Get a go

[Bill-R-TechSpec]

(Here's the rest of the procedure:)

5. Now defragment the drive.
Solution - Get a good third party program that will defrag your drive and keep
it defragmented.

Fragmentation is basically broken-up pieces of files and free space randomly
scattered all over your disk. The disk has to work a lot harder to save files in
pieces and then to find them again and this really slows your computer down.
It also wears out your disk, as the more the disk is used, the faster it wears out.

Basic defrag finds all the pieces of a file and puts them together, saving time.

Windows has a built-in defrag tool in the accessories area under "All Programs",
but it is very slow and you cannot use the PC while it is running (some users
complain that it did not completely defrag their disks despite running all night).

a. Here is a Top 10 Reviews side-by-side comparison of the best defrag programs:

http://disk-defragmen...ew.toptenreviews.com/

b. Select a program and install it. The better defrag programs are automatic.
The gold medal winner in the above review defragments while you use the PC
and it will also prevent fragmentation.

You can get a free trial for the gold medal winner via the review or at the site listed below.

c, Defragment your disk drives. The best defrag programs are very fast. You will be
able to see the progress and with the gold medalist, you can use the PC while it is
defragmenting with no problems.

Once this all is done, your PC will be in the best shape possible.

Good luck and re-post any questions you may have (I'll answer then as best as I can).
<

[MrIncredible]

Is it just slow on starting up?
If so have a look at your start up programms it might be clogged up with unnecessary programms auto running
Click Start → Run
In the Open box type msconfig and then click on OK or press Enter
Select the Startup tab and a window will be shown, just unclick the one's you dont need.

[Explorer-8]

Thanks. I've printed these messages so that I can follow the instructions suggested.

[scotman]

Do a full backup before defragmenting anything.