Computer Advice?

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David Stifle

David Stifle

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I hope this question is okay to post here, it not, please delete. My computer is slow and is constantly freezing, I know this is usually caused by registry errors. I've seen a lot of free, quick fix programs I could download, bit I'm leary of doing so. What do you guys do to fix this common problem? Thanks!
 
" CCleaner" is free and will clean out temp files and reg entries no longer being used. We use it all the time.
But it's not an AV program, and freezing up is sometimes a good indicator of a virus. So if you suspect a virus try Malwarebytes, it's free too.
 
+1 on CCleaner and malware bytes. :thumbup: There's also Avast and Avira for viruses.

Other things to check are fragmentation (Check under system tools)
Also check for errors and bad sectors on your hard drive
 
Yes. How old is the computer? What is the size of the HD as well as the CPU speed. Also, what kind of internet connection are you using?

Perhaps your system is simply too old and not able to process the massive data dumps necessary for today's internet usage.

Before you download any new cleaner/antispyware programs, first check to see how much storage is left on your HD. Then run Disk Defragmenter on your HD (just run a "search" for this). Just doing this can speed up your system if you have an older system, run Windows and havenot run Defragmenter often.
 
Nothing beats a clean installation of your OS. Back up your data, and start fresh. If you bought your computer (rather than building it), you probably have a restore disc (or discs), or it from the manufacturer. If you have a newer Windows system (I think they started doing it with XP), you should actually have a hidden partition on your hard drive that contains an image of your HDD as it came from the factory. It's accessible by a key combination (varies by brand) when booting up.
 
I see you saw the visitors message Ileft. For some reasion I didn't have "rights" to post in this thread. Just curious if you saw any improvement.
 
Great advice and replies. Just like to add that if you don't already have an Anti-Virus running, you may want to consider downloading Microsoft Essentials. If you have a registered copy of Windows, the download is free. It's a darn good program and the definitions are updated daily. I run MS Essentials with Malwarebytes (full version) and CCleaner; no probs and it quickly puts the smack-down on potential threats.
 
CCleaner, Superantispyware, Malwarebytes, WISECare365, and a couple different defraggers (Defraggler and UltraDefraggler is what I use) once or twice a week keeps me running like greased lightning. I also run PeerBlock when I feel the need (starting to run is non stop in the background now a days). Also, StopZilla is wroth buying, it is a VERY good catcher.

Pay close attention to what gets downloaded and where. READ EVERYTHING when downloading. Do not create shortcuts if you dont need to. Watch out for places like CNet, they attach a lot of crap to your downloads. Just generally cut down on the number of process that you have to run. I'm running Windows 7 Ultimate with 40 processes ( not on the internet or anyhting, just idle) and I can get it down further with more time.

Planterz said:
Back up your data, and start fresh.
Click to expand...

Just to be clear, save your important data ONLY. Go through and only take out what you need (personal mic., job information, tax stuff...ext). If you have some sort of bug, you dont want to save it and transfer it along with your saved data to your newly cleaned system.

Typically if you spend a day doing as everyone in this thread as suggested, you should ahve a pretty clean system in the end and you wont have to reload your OS. The cleaners/anti virus programs listed are very good as what they do, but if oyu still ahve a problem after that then you might want to think about a fresh start.
 
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Clean install. I do mine at least once a year even if there are no performance issues.
 
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Here's another :thumbup: for a clean install.

I just went from XP to a clean install of Win 8 pro on this box, and it solved some of my performance issues.

My last clean install of XP was about two years ago.
 
Preventative maintenance... adjust all your firewall settings to medium high, GET Add Blocker, move your internet download default from your main drive to a separate HD ( or if you have only one HD, partition your main drive), TURN OFF automatic updates!!!!!!!
 
I had a similar problem that my anti-virus, anti-spyware, cleaners, etc. could not locate.

I finally discovered a program I installed over a year ago was causing my computer slow-downs and lock-ups. The name of the program was Secunia PSI which I noticed had not been doing its scheduled checks. I deleted that program and my computer now runs like a champ.

It's possible that some program on your computer got corrupted and is wreaking havoc with your system. Might want to check for any superfluous or non-working programs and delete them.
 
A gamer friend of mine was about to throw his rig in the trash until I had him go through task manager and take out unwanted processes. You shouldn't need to have 80 or 100 processes running on your computer. When your sitting idle, your computer shouldn't have to be working 50%. Go through your running processes and GOOGLE THE ALL. Just eliminating a few processes will greatly increase your speeds.
 
Any easy-to-use resource for determining what's running on your machine, alongside what Lt.Col.Vortex mentions, is processlibrary.com. I'm not a full-on geek, but this resource has been helpful for me.
 
The real answer: Get a Mac.

Norton offers a service which is not cheap -- I think it costs about $50 -- in which a real, live technician actually remotely logs into your computer and spends about one to two hours cleaning up and optimizing everything. It begins with a live telephone call in which you are interviewed about your PC, then led through the necessary local adjustments to permit them to access the PC remotely. It concludes with another live phone call in which the tech reports his findings and results and guides you in closing the remote login facility. I've had this done on several windoz-based PCs and the results have always been well-worth the cost.
 
Gollnick said:
The real answer: Get a Mac.

Norton offers a service which is not cheap -- I think it costs about $50 -- in which a real, live technician actually remotely logs into your computer and spends about one to two hours cleaning up and optimizing everything. It begins with a live telephone call in which you are interviewed about your PC, then led through the necessary local adjustments to permit them to access the PC remotely. It concludes with another live phone call in which the tech reports his findings and results and guides you in closing the remote login facility. I've had this done on several windoz-based PCs and the results have always been well-worth the cost.
Click to expand...

This is true and for most people it is the way to go. Most people do not have the know-how to clean up their PC (or MAC) without causing permanent damage, so letting a tech in could be the way for you.

But if you are anywhere half knowledge in computers (if you do more then just browse the internet) I STRONGLY urge you NOT to turn the keys to your PC or MAC over to a tech. Doing so is the absolute worst nightmare of any half knowledge PC or MAC owner. Aside for my light paranoia speaking here...what prevents that tech from 'accessing' any of your personal data?? His word??? Not to mention that he will most likely turn on ALL auto updates and install a crap ton of stuff you dont even necessarily need. Then a year or two from now you'll be right back in the situation your in now. When I loaded my Windows 7 Ultimate, I had around 35 gig for just the operating system. Now after painstaking cleaning I'm down to 28 gig. And 99% of the stuff I took off had nothing to do with an operating system.

Gollnick, how is Norton?? I personally have never used it but I know at least 2 IT guys who have stopped using it because (all the links listed above) provide just a good protection, and its all free. I do know however that STOPzilla works better (in some ways) than Norton. A boss of mine was a huge Norton fan until it refused to find a big that dang near destroyed on of our business computers. After buying STOPzilla and running it for the first time, it caught the little bugger and saved a rig.
 
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