Windows Vista (SLOW) Help !!! Please :)

[tinaandliz]

I have Mcafee anti virus, spybot, spyguard, and ccleaner, everythin i can have for my comp to be ok hopefully... its wen i switch it on , it takes ages to let me do anything, access start menu, internet, files folders, like at least 20 mins... Can sum1 please recommend me in the right direction ? It's a Dell inspiron 6400 and had it a year ? wat should i do its really gettin on my nerves.. :(

[missspeedy23]

Go to start - computer - then look for the C drive - it should say for example 40% free then 33.8 free of 83.8 GB

[ACtheTROLL]

you wanted speed - come on lass - chop chop ;)

lol

[tinaandliz]

35.9 gb free of 136 gb C: - 6.24gb free of 9.99gb D: ... Hope thi helps? What now?

[ACtheTROLL]

wonder if the 2Gb is ram?

it's not bad though - first look - everything sounds fair

download ccleaner
http://www.ccleaner.com/download

run the default settings (if you have lots of passwords untick cookies)

then do a defrag

[tinaandliz]

OK i have Ccleaner.. Running it now.. wat do u mean run the defualt settings? and passwords for wat? :( - i shall defrag :)

[tinaandliz]

Ok i have run ccleaner as i do every three to four days.. as well as my other programs..

[ACtheTROLL]

oops - just seen ccleaner in your list

everything sounds OK

possibly running ccleaner too often - monthly or even longer should be ok - same for fefrag (and don't forget to check for errors)

possibly your scanners - could be corrupt driver
or even something trying to run that is actually ininstalled

finally some network errors can take 30 min to fail ...
any old shares or connections?

my personal fave is http://www.mlin.net/StartupCPL.shtml
if you decide to give it a go - BE CAREFUL
and remember you can re-enable in safe mode!!

it's very time consuming - but only disable 1 at-a-time
and don't delete anything till certain

this is a recent install - not much added yet
http://i33.tinypic.com/34pcdqq.jpg
so it should give you some idea of what it should look like

your only other optionis to use the restore disks and reinstall to factory default

you'll need to back everything up first

[tinaandliz]

Should i have got re-install disks with this laptop bought brand new str8 from dell?

[ACtheTROLL]

dell are bad for supplying disks

couple of options
1 - is there an option (in the dell utilities menu) to make the disks?

2 - there should be the option (maybe ctrl+f11 just f11 or f8 to resrore the machine to factory)

3 - ring dell stamp your feet tell 'em to get the disks into the next post

[Hammer Head]

Can't really help except to say that I too run a Dell Inspiron 6400 but don't experience the problems that you do. Sometimes websites are a bit sluggish loading but I think that's to do with the Protected Mode on IE7.

Backup all your documents and do a complete restore. Make sure that you format your C:/ drive before you load a new copy of windows.

Good luck.

[tinaandliz]

How do i format my c:? there is an f8 option to restore my pc back to factory settings.. so its just back up i need and format my c: which im unsure of wat is meant by this.. :( - I do appreciate everyones help on this matter i owe u all a very big drink !!! Tina x

[Hammer Head]

Your PC/Laptop should have come with a system restore disk. Once you have backed up everything you want to save then put this disk in the drive, reboot and follow the instructions. The formatting of your hard drive is done as part of the restore process.

[tinaandliz]

I didn't get any disk's with the laptop, can't i just restore the laptop from my f8 menu?

[ACtheTROLL]

yes

f8 is the new way of doing it

you don't need to reformat because the image is a copy of the hard disk - not the files
1 step destruction - there is no recovery - so be certain you've got everything

[tinaandliz]

Oh fab, do i do it wen i'm restarting, cos wen i try to press f8 it doesnt do anything ?

[tinaandliz]

Ok here i finally go !! :( i'll let u all know how i go

[tinaandliz]

Well it worked !!!! Thank- you all for ur gr8 gr8 help.. now all i need is my Xp system to be re installed .. and where to get the discs?

[ACtheTROLL]

should that be gr8 f8 advice ;)

the xp files could easily be on the HDD
(do a search for a folder called i386
windows\options\cabs

or look for an option in the start menu to create a system disc

[tinaandliz]

What exactly is HDD? ActheTroll (yes f8 option is fab) PROVIDING u back up ur work :) So on xp there's a folder i'm lookin for called i386? - shall get back to you on that note..

[ACtheTROLL]

hdd is hard disk drive

can't guarantee the i386 folder
xp came with lots of different restore options from
nothing at all
full set of CDs
a prog which made the CDs (which you had to provide)
and some auto recovery CDs
it's difficult to say which you'll have