System slowdown

[hoserb2000]

Hay all

The number one tech question I get asked is somthing along the lines of "DUDE my system was so fast, and now it so not, why???"

I was just wondering if anybody has some basic guidelines of determining whats up with the good 'ol box.

thanks a lot, i bow to your pure smartness!

<font color=blue>Let's see, 500 posts a day, each day, for 30 days, and I will have more posts than Crashman!</font color=blue>

 

[Crashman]

defrag the hard drive and uninstall any unused programs, especially those that come up at BOOT. Run Ad-Aware to remove spyware, and it should be back up to speed.

If you think it might have a virus, <A HREF="http://houscall.trendmicro.com" target="_new">http://houscall.trendmicro.com</A> has a free scan.

<font color=blue>Watts mean squat if you don't have quality!</font color=blue>

 

[holycrapbatman]

I have people bring their computers in to me at work all the time lately for this exact problem. The biggest culprit seem to be spyware/adware installed on systems. If after a regular cleaning and defrag the slowness is still present, download a utility to remove spyware. I like to use spysweeper as after the first install you are able to get one free definition update to scan your system. Other than that, programs like Adaware are being distributed on p2p networks that are cracked to allow unlimited updates. I have also found that one scanner alone dows not always find everything. running different combinations for spyware sweepers seems to be the only way to garanty a clean system.

Good luck, and happy spyhunting.

 

[endyen]

Number 1 culprit is the start menu. Go to start > run > msconfig click start menu and uncheck all the BS. Speed back.

 

[hoserb2000]

doh! adware! [smacks self] thanks guys.

<font color=blue>Let's see, 500 posts a day, each day, for 30 days, and I will have more posts than Crashman!</font color=blue>

 

[Stain]

Other than that, programs like Adaware are being distributed on p2p networks that are cracked to allow unlimited updates.

<A HREF="http://download.com.com/3000-2144-10045910.html" target="_new">Ad-aware is free.</A> There is no need to "crack" for unlimited updates etc.

There are professional versions but they don't add useful features for the average home user.

 

[NurseMSIC]

The 'Content.IE5' folder in Temporary Internet Files is often a BIG culprit of lack of hard drive space, which in turn can reduce speed. Manually delete all you are allowed from the folders. BTW, it's hidden, even after ticking all options etc in Win XP.

C:\Documents and Settings\******\Local Settings\Temporary Internet Files\Content.IE5

Type that in (****** being your username) and delete the lot. Then defrag.

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=18108" target="_new">My <font color=orange>Editing</font color=orange> & <font color=green>Gaming</font color=green> Machine</A>

 

[Stain]

Isn't that the same thing as:
in Internet Explorer->Tools->Internet Options->General/Temporary Internet Files/Delete Files ?

Much easier the conventional way.

 

[NurseMSIC]

No, and that's the point. M$ doesn't ALLOW you to delete the Content.IE5 folder. Try it yourself.

<A HREF="http://www.fuckmicrosoft.com/content/ms-hidden-files.shtml" target="_new">This website</A> (apologies for bad language) is useful.

<A HREF="http://www.anandtech.com/mysystemrig.html?id=18108" target="_new">My <font color=orange>Editing</font color=orange> & <font color=green>Gaming</font color=green> Machine</A>