Suggestions for computer slowdown

[Mike G]

My computer is getting slower by the day.

I defrag regularly, clear the cache, run Adaware, and it is still slowing down. I also have updated with the XP service pack 2. Still no change afterwards.

I have deleted some large pic files, as well as some other crap, to no avail.
I'd like to avoid wiping my HD clean and starting over, but if I have to, so be it.

Any suggestions would be appreciated.

 

[lizardman_u]

sometimes if you have already defragged and cleaned out your temp internet files and cookies do a hard boot, simply unplug the tower while it is running. that sometimes helps, also you could be having a heat problem, open the case and blow it out with canned air, sometimes that will get your speed up. also how many applications are opening in your system tray (the one on the bottom right that has the clock-not tryin to be condescending just unsure of your computer knowledge) the more that are open the slower your Computer could potentially run, try closing some aplications and telling those applications not to start when you turn on your PC (things like MSN messenger, weather bug or other applications). Hope this helps you out

 

[zeus36]

Go to www.blackviper.com and check out how to turn off all the process stuff running in the background of XP. There are tons of things that are running that you don't need (unless you are on a home network)

You should get more of the free spyware programs ( Winpatrol, Spybot S&D, Spyware Blaster, Spy Guard) Be sure to update the definitions before you scan. Websites recommend multiple spyware programs.

Really sounds like Spyware since you are getting a progressive slowdown. Download a premade custom Hosts file and use one of the anti-spyware programs to lock it down. or use the host file from one of those spyware programs

Check out programs like Fix-It or System Mechanic (Shareware) to clean out the registry. They also have stuff to increase PC performace.

Get rid of any disk indexing service. Microsoft Office Fast-Find is a disk hog.


Also try Tweak UI (free from Microsoft) to speed up things by turning off effects, screen savers (new monitors don't need them) get rid of desktop background, etc. Lower your colors to 16 bit.

If you can live without it, get rid of advanced power management.

May want to try Sandra Si Soft. There is a tips section for each catagory of your PC.

Instead of wiping your drive, get one of the newer 10K RPM drives and clone your old drive to the faster drive. Use the old drive as an archive. May want to upgrade to the latest RAM (and fastest) while your in there.

Do a Google search on speeding up your PC and you'll see lots of tips.