Computer running extremely slow.

[cookiecsr]

I have a Dell laptop that is running Windows 7. It has a Intel dual core I3 processor.
For some reason, it has started running extremely slowly. The problem seemed to happen overnight and it struggles, right from switch on, before Windows has loaded.
Once Windows is up and running, the CPU monitor shows it is at about 34% but the computer is slow to respond to everything. Sometimes it takes 4 minutes to open Outlook or Internet Explorer.
I have defragmented it and used a "Registry Cleanup" program. This made no difference at all.
Can anyone suggest what the problem is and how I can sort it?

Thanks

[wildwood]

Have you re-installed Windows recently? Maybe it is downloading/installing updates. This can take ages.

[old-wos-is-name]

Hi,
It has downloaded something that is running in the background, up to no good I would think. best bet is to use system restore, which will send it back to a previous time, such as a week ago or a month etc. you can usually select how far to go back, it will show a calender and restore points. I am not running windows 7, so don't know where system restore will be, it may be in accessories or in add remove programmes file. you could also look in "add or remove programmes" and see if there is anything there that looks strange, like some gambling site software etc. they come in on the back of something you have downloaded like toolbars or free system clean ups etc. If you have AVG or similar protection, run a scan in case there is a bug running loose in your system.

[isitjustme]

You might find it helpful to use Spybot. Run it as an administrator, and on a regular basis. I find it invaluable.

[AlBags]

Learn about HijackThis
http://www.bleepingco...ow-to-use-hijackthis/

I'll be back later for a look : )