| Computer slowness can be caused by a variety | | | | spyware. Everybody should have antivirus |
| of issues, which can be categorized in 2 | | | | software installed, updated and running at |
| categories: hardware or software.Computer | | | | all times. There are many antivirus software |
| hardware are the physical parts of the | | | | packages, the best one on my opinion is Nod32 |
| computer system, for example motherboard, | | | | from ESET. Regardless of antivirus software |
| CPU, RAM, etc. Computer software are all the | | | | that you use, you should always keep it |
| programs and applications that are installed | | | | updated, and regularly scan your system for |
| on your PC. Software includes the operating | | | | viruses. Most antivirus software don't check |
| system like Microsoft Windows XP or Vista and | | | | for spyware, so if your computer is infected |
| all of the applications such as Microsoft | | | | by spyware, you should download a specialized |
| Office, Photoshop, etc. Viruses, spyware and | | | | spyware removal software. There are 2 |
| malware are software as well. | | | | programs that I use myself all the time, |
| | | | Spybot and Adaware they are absolutely free |
| Things to check: | | | | to use. Once you download and install these |
| | | | programs, make sure to run the updates and |
| * Startup programs | | | | scan your entire computer. |
| | | | |
| * Virus and spyware scan | | | | Make sure your hard drive is not out of |
| | | | space. If it is, it�s a good idea to |
| * Hard Drive out of space | | | | get an upgrade, or delete some programs and |
| | | | files. Delete all of the temp files, |
| * Fragmented hard drive | | | | temporary internet files and cookies, you |
| | | | could do it manually or use another free |
| * Bad sector or corrupted files | | | | program called �ccleaner�. |
| | | | |
| * Overheating due to dust | | | | When files are stored on your computer�s |
| | | | hard drive they are not always stored in the |
| Most common reason for computer slowness is | | | | most efficient way and can become fragmented. |
| unnecessary applications running in the | | | | Fragmented files take a lot longer for your |
| background. When new programs & applications | | | | system to open or save. To start the |
| are installed many times they will be | | | | defragmentation utility click on Start then |
| configured to start automatically when your | | | | programs -> accessories -> system tools -> |
| computer starts. These applications are not | | | | disc defragmenter. Defragment all of the |
| always needed, and will take up a portion of | | | | drives listed. The defragmentation process |
| your computer's memory (RAM) which in turn | | | | can take anywhere from about 5 minutes to a |
| will slow your computer down. To check what | | | | couple of hours, and sometimes needs to be |
| applications start automatically, clicks on | | | | repeated. I recommend defragmenting the |
| the start button, then click on run, then | | | | computer hard drive about once a month. |
| type 'msconfig' and click on OK. Once the | | | | |
| Systems Configuration Utility is open, click | | | | Another cause of computer slowness could be a |
| on the Startup tab. On the startup tab you | | | | corrupted system file or a bad sector on the |
| can select the programs that you want to | | | | hard drive. Bad sectors can corrupt systems |
| start. Unselecting any of the programs in | | | | files which can slow down your PC or even |
| the startup tab will not remove them from | | | | keep it from running. To check and correct |
| your computer; it will merely keep them from | | | | bad sectors run the scan disk (chkdsk) |
| starting automatically every time you turn | | | | utility. |
| your PC on. I recommend unselecting all the | | | | |
| applications that you don't need. If you see | | | | Make sure the computer is not overheating or |
| software that you don't recognize it could be | | | | running very warm. Most computer allow air |
| indication of virus of spyware. | | | | to flow through the computer, this is great |
| | | | for cooling but also causes a lot of dust to |
| If your computer is running slow and you're | | | | accumulate inside of computer case. Dust |
| getting a lot of pop-up windows, even when | | | | will cause poor air circulation and might |
| you're not using the computer, your computer | | | | overheat your PC. Open up the case of the PC |
| is most likely infected with a virus and/or | | | | and blow all dust out using compressed air. |