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