Laptop running slow

[fliptheswitch]

I recently lent my lappy to a friend. I got it back a couple of days ago, and it's just not really been the same.
It's running really slowly, and not just when I'm on the internet. I was looking through my pictures earlier, and it was really slow, just clicking through them.
He's put loads of software on here, which I don't really know how to get rid of and there's tons and tons of music files now on here, as well as films and the software to download them.
Could this be the reason it's running slow?

Oh, and I've had to restart the damn thing three times, as the page just freezes and I can't close it down or do anything.

Thanks.

[AlBags]

^ That was the reason I told her to turn off System Restore, full AV scan and reboot, turn SR on again :)

[fliptheswitch]

I think I've got rid of all the programmes now. Well, everything I didn't recognise anyway. I've deleted all the music/film folders and, now all the downloads have been stopped, it does seem to be ok... fingers crossed.
I've got antivirus software on here and will run malwarebytes in a sec.

[AlBags]

Nice job : )

[AlBags]

When you have finished up, do a defrag on what's left!

Al.

[fliptheswitch]

Sorry, what's a 'defrag'? Thanks for all your help.

[vivandorron]

Defrag is an abbreviation for Defragmentation which I understand is a process whereby all files are put in their appropriate sections on one's computer.
It's not difficult if one knows how.:-)

Click the Start button (Very bottom left of your screen) then click Programmes, followed by Accessories, then System Tools , and finally Disk Fragmenter to continue with the operation.

Hope my instruction are helpful....I can't think that you will do any harm if you hit the wrong button. It's worth a go because it will help to speed up your computer.

Ron.

Ron.

[fliptheswitch]

Thanks Ron Ron. I will do that now.
Thankyou for the instructions, as I wouldn't have had a clue!

Much appreciated :-)

[AlBags]

Well done Ron .. in my absence :)

[MarkRae]

> It's worth a go because it will help to speed up your computer.

It almost certainly will make no perceptible difference whatsoever unless, by some miracle, the hard drive being defragmented is formatted with FAT32. Fragmentation is built into NTFS - it's how it works...

[keyplus90]

And yes, don't forget to lend him again once you have done all this. lol.

I believe it is time to decided between laptop or friend. And with all this he does not sound much of a friend anyway. I personally would use others borrowed things more carefully than mine. But then I am a really nice person.

[fliptheswitch]

Keyplus, Yes I agree. He won't be borrowing it again, that's for sure. He's shown his true colours with regards to our "friendship" over this. I had a bit of a fallout with him yesterday, and after I'd told him I didn't want to see him again for a little while (he's been hanging around quite alot recently) he then sent me a text saying "is it still ok to borrow the laptop later"? Arghhhh! I have difficulties just telling people to sod off.
I only lent him the laptop for one night... and it took me nearly a whole week to get it back. He even had the cheek to say he was looking at doing an online open uni course... using MY laptop!!

[AlBags]

Tell hime to get his own .. and you like to keep yours clean and tiptop, as you rely on it.
Also tell him you don't want to get in trouble for file-sharing.
That should shut him up.

x : ) Al.

[fliptheswitch]

What exactly is "file-sharing"?

And yep, I'm happy now I don't have to pick weed out of the keys!!

[AlBags]

lol

OK. File sharing is making available for download by other parties (using a variety of softwares) copyright material, and downloading copyright material ones-self. This usually consists of movies and CD audio tracks and albums.
Unfortunately, the concerned parties will always go after the ISP account holder, and this may only change if (for instance) it is clear that their wireless connection was used without their knowledge. You would be fined .. and it would be a large amount .. maybe thousands :(
It really depends on the type of material and the amount made available.
Generally, people who use file-sharing software share what they download with other parties too.