basic advice

[colly]

My computer is running horribly slow. Pages take an age to load and do so in fits and starts. Even opening a word document takes an age. Starting the thing gives me enough time to go and make tea and have breakfast, even then it is still chugging away when I get back.
I've done stuff like virus checks, defrag.etc etc and it has made not one bit of difference.

I could do with a pointer as to what to do next.

Not too technical please

 

[fossyant]

Start Run

Type in MSCONFIG. - Look at startup and see what programmes are running when you start.

Uncheck any that don't need to run, like Quicktime, adobe updater etc. Mainly just leave any anti virus.

Save and you'll be asked to re-boot. On re-boot you'll get a message, just click "Don't tell me again" and click OK.

How much memory has it got ? And which Op system.

 

[peanut]

good advice fossy.
Also go to Start-Control panel- System-Automatic updates.select 'Turn off automatic updating'
If your PC is trying to download and install lots of service pack updates that can cause significant slowing .

Once you've sorted your pc you can turn them back on anytime.

 

[colly]

Thanks Fossy I will give that a try.

It is Windows XP and the memory is 114Gb with 88Gb free space.

And thanks Peanut I'll do that as well.

 

[colly]

Hmmm. Well I am told 'Windows cannot find 'msconfig'.

I have tried upper and lower case but still can't find it.

I am searching now for it.

 

[peanut]

thats ok it didn't get installed with windows.

You can download it free and install it. Its very useful.
http://www.windowsmaven.com/Download_MSCONFIG_Here.htm

by the way the figure you quoted for memory is actually your hard drive storage size.
If you open My Computer and click on 'System Information' it will tell you your memory capacity

 

[twowheelsgood]

If you genuinely haven't got any viruses, then it could be your hard disk is beginning to fail, in which case I would try and back it up asap. Can you hear the disk constantly working?

As far as software is concerned, open the task manager (cnl alt del or right click the clock) and go to "process" tab and then sort the columns by memory and then again by CPU use. Note any process names that are near the top and post them. (also check show processes for all users).

118Mb sounds low for an XP system...

 

[colly]

Thanks. I've unchecked the stuff suggested on msconfig and turned off the automatic updates and it certainly started very much faster.

I can't seem to open 'system information' though. I click it but that's where it stops.

I'll play around later seeing as how I have work to do.

Many thanks.

 

[accountantpete]

It's ever so slightly complicated but part of the Speedfan software will give you a detailed breakdown of the S.M.A.R.T. data if your hard disc is so enabled - this will tell you if the HDD is failing.

Can be downloaded from here

http://download.cnet.com/SpeedFan/3000-2094_4-10067444.html

 

[peanut]

If you use Firefox browser check to see that you have downloaded and installed the latest version 3.0.13. its been trying to download most of this week.
Just go to Help, check for updates

 

[bonj2]

reformat it. you've almost definitely got viruses/spyware.
You HAVE got the windows installation disks haven't you?!

 

[ian turner]

after the computer has booted up press ctrl alt del which should bring up the task manager. Click on the performance tab and then tell us what it says for physical memory-total and pf useage.
I wouldn't assume viruses/malware are the problem. The hard drive controller can switch from UDMA to PIO which can cause the disk drives access to be very slow. Right click My Computer, select Manage then look under device manager and look for ATA/ATAPI controller then look at its properties and make sure that the channels are either not in use or claim UDMA 2 or 5.

 

[swee'pea99]

after the computer has booted up press ctrl alt del which should bring up the task manager. Click on the performance tab and then tell us what it says for physical memory-total and pf useage.
I wouldn't assume viruses/malware are the problem. The hard drive controller can switch from UDMA to PIO which can cause the disk drives access to be very slow. Right click My Computer, select Manage then look under device manager and look for ATA/ATAPI controller then look at its properties and make sure that the channels are either not in use or claim UDMA 2 or 5.

"Not too technical please". Um...

One basic question: how old is your computer? I only ask because I finally gave up on my 8 year old 'old faithful', after struggling with the kinds of symptoms you describe for weeks/months - and by the sounds of things I'm more techy than you - and bought a replacement off ebay for £46, added £12 worth of RAM, and it *flies*. Wish I'd saved all the effort and done it months ago.

 

[SavageHoutkop]

latest is 3.5.2 isn't it?

 

[peanut]

latest is 3.5.2 isn't it?

no click on help -about Firefox and it will tell you what version you have installed