computer running so slow!

[CherryBomb24]

ok, my boyfriend gave me his computer before he went over seas.

I'm having some issues with it and unsure what to do to fix it.
To start off, its a vista.
It runs GREAT for my pc game = World of Warcraft.
But when i'm not in the game, it runs so slow...Internet explorer crashes, yahoo messenger crashes, even lit keeps crashing. I know its not the sites, just giving examples of what i'm doing when it goes down.
It doesnt shut off completely, but the browsers just completely stop functioning. I wouldnt mind if it were only occational, but it happens almost every time i have a browser open for more than 5 minutes.

When i got the pc, i turned it on and BAM! a million pop ups, i think i got carpol tunnel from deleting all the porn he had on this thing. lol even day to day i find little videos that he had hidden in the cracks lol
After i got rid of all the porn i could find - i've run virus scans, defragged, spyware scans and only found 12 virus's. but its still running slow as all hell and i'm not sure wht else i can do to solve it.
I dont want to take it in to get it fixed, but i'm thinking i may have to.


Any suggestions i can try from home that are innexpensive and great for non-computer-savvy people?

 

[silverwhisper]

cherrybomb, first things first:

1. what antivirus software is on that PC? i'm a fan of AVG, a free application. i'm sure others have their free favorites as well.

2. what anti-spyware software is on it? for free applications, folks usually suggest lavasoft.

it's the spyware that you gotta be careful about--i see that you've already run virus scans on it.

make sure that the applications are updated with the latest files and run 'em.

and honestly, i'd consider using a web browser other than IE--although i hear the newest version is actually much safer for use than its predecessors.

3. how much free space is left on the hard drive? if it's < 10%, that probably explains it right there.

ed

 

[CherryBomb24]

anti-virus that he had on here is norton.
The spyware scanner is on it.
i update then whenever i see the update come up and even in between those times, i check to see if theres an update.
I'm not sure how to get another web browser besides IE. I hear firefox is awesome but i dont know how to get it, and get rid of IE.
203gb free out of 325gb.

 

[silverwhisper]

hm...i'm not crazy about norton or the fee, and IIRC, i've seen a few reports on anti-virus software where norton's performance is not as good as some of the free alternatives. if the PC is yours (rather than being on loan from the bf), i'd consider ending that subscription (after downloading those applications).

getting firefox is as easy as googling "firefox download", opening the first link, and getting to this page.

you probably will want to import all the bookmarks from IE's favorites if you do this, so that you have all the links you're accustomed to having. :>

the hard drive space is fantastic--that clearly isn't the issue here. i'm thinking it's definitely either a virus or spyware that's messing things up.

suggestion: if you download and install anything, download them all first. turn off your internet connection, then install all of them. they will want to get online. don't let them until the install is otherwise done, because your PC will be unprotected.

are there issues with the computer when you aren't online?

ed

 

[CherryBomb24]

its always online when its turned on.
I never thought i'd have to disable the connection for any of this stuff.

 

[silverwhisper]

there's a few other possible issues that should be explored (e.g., making sure your router is not using the default, factory-installed password)--but i'm honestly not technically savvy enough to help walk you through them. happily, a number of other folks here are. :>

ed

 

[tonethebone]

Backup any important files on CD or a flash drive. Then do a system restore. There's a hidden partition on the hard drive that contains the operating system. You can restore the PC to it's original factory condition. Everything will be whipped out and you can start fresh.

 

[SweetErika]

I agree with Ed:
-get rid of Norton (or at least disable it) since it's a resource hog and get AVG Free. If Norton's renewal comes up when your bf is gone, ask if he minds if you don't renew it (though I think you can renew it at any time after it lapses, and as long as you have another good program, you'll be fine).

- Get and run Adaware Free (the green button on the right side of the page) and Spybot S&D

- If Windows Firewall/Security is the only firewall you have, make sure it's running and has the proper settings

- Get Firefox, and use that instead of IE

- Can you live without Yahoo IM running all the time, or could you deal with a slimmer program that will still let you talk to your friends? If so, either only turn it on when you need it (disable the 'run when Windows starts' feature in the options/preferences/settings) or get a program like Pidgin to use instead of Yahoo (though you can still use yahoo if you need it for some reason, like video & voice chat).

- Make sure you're not running unnecessary programs in the background and the resource-hogging features of Vista are turned off. I can't really help you with this one since I got rid of Vista in favor of Linux, but articles like this and other people can, I'm sure.

- Have you already checked the IE settings to make sure you don't have a gazillion cookies, temporary internet files, history days, etc. saved up?

 

[phelon]

2 cents ::

first run a second antivirus scanner cause many modern viruses damage and hide themselves from the one that was loaded at the time they executed.

after that, it sounds like a browser issue.
to test this, go into accessories ->systemtools, and open internet explorer (no addons)

see if that is stable. if it runs ok without the addons.. then you have some kind of broken or bad browser helper..

at that point you can look up how to fix that or holler at us here and we can do more to help.
another thing to check is the toolbars, if you have more than 2 or so.. that really can slow down browsing at least it does on both my vista machines..

 

[jtf71961]

I would also get rid of Norton. My son who is a computer tech, says that Norton is a resourse hog. I download the free version of AVG , Ad-aware and I also use Super Anti-spyware and CCleaner. CCleaner totally wipes out all the cookies, the good and the bad, which isnt a problem, but your will just have to resign into sites that log your sign in like this one. You keep up your scans and it should keep it running great! You probably just have alot of stuff trying to run that you dont want.

 

[fgarvb1]

Here is the thing, resource hog or not if that computer came with Norton and has Vista, it probably has lots of ram.

I, like lot's of people are as afraid of Vista as a possum is an Axe handle!

Do yourself a favor and take it to some tech guy and have it fixed.

He might have to do a all the way back to "open box" restore or reload Vista to fix it... so back up the important stuff.

No doubt the registry is a mess and God only knows what else.

My wife has an Accer laptop with Vista on it but, mostly she plays card games.

Vista...makes you want to visit another country...And leave it at home!

 

[CherryBomb24]

what i think i'm gonna do, is borrow a thumb drive from my boss--put all my pictures and programs i want to keep...
And take it in.

Could it be possible to have vista removed and have XP put in?









I shoulda got a mac.
LOL

 

[jtf71961]

what i think i'm gonna do, is borrow a thumb drive from my boss--put all my pictures and programs i want to keep...
And take it in.

Could it be possible to have vista removed and have XP put in?









I shoulda got a mac.
LOL

Then you should reformat and start over from scratch. Acctually, Microsoft suggests that you should reformat once a year. I dont, but that is what they say. Your computer should then run like it was new! It cleans out all of the garbage that stays on your computer that you dont get off when you remove something.

 

[fgarvb1]

what i think i'm gonna do, is borrow a thumb drive from my boss--put all my pictures and programs i want to keep...
And take it in.

Could it be possible to have vista removed and have XP put in?


I shoulda got a mac.
LOL

***********************************************************
Possibly. Cost varies with legality.

I received a new computer last Friday at work with XP Pro on it.

3.16 Gig Hz processor.

That mother is FAST!

 

[SweetErika]

what i think i'm gonna do, is borrow a thumb drive from my boss--put all my pictures and programs i want to keep...
And take it in.

Could it be possible to have vista removed and have XP put in?

Do you have the money for that?

Have you already tried the stuff we suggested? If not, why not see if those things don't work before you pay to have (perhaps the very same) work done at a not-cheap hourly rate?

Have you looked into reformatting yourself? If not, I'd suggest doing so. Then you'll know what's involved, approximately how long it should take (and how much you should pay), and whether or not you'd be able to do it yourself, perhaps with some help from a savvy friend?

Vista likely isn't the problem if the computer runs fine when IE isn't running and/or ran well when it was new. Plus, if the computer was made to run Vista specifically, downgrading to XP will likely cause more problems than you have now (it did on my laptop).

I shoulda got a mac.
LOL

Or build your next computer and put a Linux distribution (most are 100% FREE, as are the programs) on it. With either WINE or a dual-boot with Windows, you can still play WoW, no problem. You don't have to worry about viruses and spyware with Linux, either.

That'd be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a Mac.

 

[Brit999]

what i think i'm gonna do, is borrow a thumb drive from my boss--put all my pictures and programs i want to keep...
And take it in.

Could it be possible to have vista removed and have XP put in?

I shoulda got a mac.
LOL

It is possible to buy Windows XP and put it on the computer as though you have started from scratch but it would cost quite a bit of money for the software and to have someone do it for you.

There could be an easier way to restore the computer to its factory settings which would in fact give you a completely fresh virus free computer.

First you should have to take all of your important files and put them onto the flash drive. In my opinion I would not take that flash drive and put it in someone elses computer as anyone of the files may have a virus, and you could infect their computer with it. It would be better to wait and get your computer back to new, get AVG or something similar as described in the other posts, and then put the files back on your own computer.

The way to get a fresh install differs from computer to computer. If you could let me know the make of the computer I will give you detailed instructions on how to recover it from the hard drive. The process recover from a recovery sector normally takes 10-15 minutes.

If the computer came with a Vista recovery DVD instead, I can give full details how to do this as well.

Getting your computer up and running like this cost you nothing, you would have Vista on the machine, but we can make that look like windows XP if you want that....

 

[CherryBomb24]

He gave the vista to me with no disks.
So i dont have a recovery disk.
It was made for vista, so you're right erika, putting xp on it would probably cause more problems.

In order for me to reformat, wouldnt i need the disk?
A friend of mine is a programer, i'll have him take a look at it and see what he can help me with - he might even have the disks.

 

[pinky_love]

have you tried cc cleaner? it gets rid of all the rubbish in your puter

also try this page i use it to download programs when my puter is playing up.

http://cgi3.ebay.co.uk/ws/eBayISAPI.dll?ViewUserPage&userid=cuddly-hippo

 

[Brit999]

He gave the vista to me with no disks.
So i dont have a recovery disk.
It was made for vista, so you're right erika, putting xp on it would probably cause more problems.

In order for me to reformat, wouldnt i need the disk?
A friend of mine is a programer, i'll have him take a look at it and see what he can help me with - he might even have the disks.

If your friend is a PC engineer he should be able to work out in about 1 minute if he can reformat or restore without the need for discs.

If you need any more info don't hesitate to ask.

 

[tonethebone]

Like I said before......................

XP and Vista have a "system restore" feature built in. There is a hidden partition on the hard drive containing the operating system and will take your machine back to it's original setup. Like right out of the box.

I backed up all my porn files LOL and ran the program. Got me a brand new machine in just 10 or 15 minutes.

 

[DrRamulak]

throw it in the garbage. don't let go.

 

[CherryBomb24]

seriously dude, you wanna troll my thread?
be my guest.
But realize this - it only shows how incredicably pathetic you are.
You want to be a douchenozzel, go for it. I really dont care. What are your words going to do to me over a computer screen? not a damn thing.
So take your ignorance else where, again - no one wants you here.

 

[silverwhisper]

cherrybomb, there's a wonderful feature called ignore.

ed

 

[petersway]

quick fix

delete history...delete cookies...defrag disk problem solved

 

[jtf71961]

Do you have the money for that?

Have you already tried the stuff we suggested? If not, why not see if those things don't work before you pay to have (perhaps the very same) work done at a not-cheap hourly rate?

Have you looked into reformatting yourself? If not, I'd suggest doing so. Then you'll know what's involved, approximately how long it should take (and how much you should pay), and whether or not you'd be able to do it yourself, perhaps with some help from a savvy friend?

Vista likely isn't the problem if the computer runs fine when IE isn't running and/or ran well when it was new. Plus, if the computer was made to run Vista specifically, downgrading to XP will likely cause more problems than you have now (it did on my laptop).


Or build your next computer and put a Linux distribution (most are 100% FREE, as are the programs) on it. With either WINE or a dual-boot with Windows, you can still play WoW, no problem. You don't have to worry about viruses and spyware with Linux, either.

That'd be a hell of a lot cheaper than getting a Mac.

alot if the time you pay for when you have a computer fixed is just when the computer us running. Alot of times the tech is running 3 or 4 or more computers at the same time and charging the same rate to all of the people, so they make 3 to 4 or more times that rate. The going rate around here is $85 per hour to have your computer fixed, so if you can do it yourself, you are much better off.