Hello

My computer has been running really slow lately and I'm not certain why. I ran an anti virus and spyware scan but found nothing. It also sounds like something in the PC is getting louder and louder. I ran a defrag, but none of the files are fragmented.

Any idea??

Thanks in advance

Umm what anti virus are you currently using?

The thing getting louder could be many things, but its probably your fan.

Next time hit ctrl alt delete, then go to programs, and under CPU usage look at see which one is taking the most, it will probably say something like 98-99, and end the process...

I am not a computer expert, but I do know a few things. Others may provide better answers.

I agree about the fan thing. If it is, you don't want it going out on you, or you will fry your PC.

You also might want to try a Disk Cleanup. You may just have too much temporary internet files in your PC.

Another thing that you might try, is to click on Start, click on Run, type in msconfig and click on Startup. You might find some things that are always running in the background that you can easily find anyway without them running all the time. Uncheck the ones that you think you don't need.

You may find some helpful information concerning startup, here: Startups (http://www.pacs-portal.co.uk/startup_index.htm)

Read about what Really Slows Windows Down.
(http://www.thepcspy.com/articles/other/what_really_slows_windows_down/5)
Go to start -> run type in msconfig and check what is running in the background at startup . Uncheck stuff you know and do not want to start at start up and click OK and restart your computer.
Run a clean up tool (http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2007/03/clean-up-tools-to-prevent-people-from.html)to get rid of temp files and junk and free up space

Run a registry cleaner like TweakNow RegCleaner Standard (http://www.tweaknow.com/RegCleaner.html)

Read Windows XP Super Tweaks and stop un-necessary xp services. (http://securitynewsfromthenet.blogspot.com/2007/04/windows-xp-super-tweaks.html)

hello

my computer has been running really slow lately and i'm not certain why. i ran an anti virus and spyware scan but found nothing. it also sounds like something in the PC is getting louder and louder. i ran a defrag, but none of the files are fragmented.

any idea???

thanks in advance
Ok, I shut down everything at start up that I wasn't using. I checked the system resources. The resources where free. The CPU is at a stead 3 percent. Plus I got rid of those temp files with disk clean up. Still no good... It hasn't changed.

Any idea??

Thanks
Dave

Slow is a very nebulous term...

What OS and if relevant, what service pack are you running?
What type of CPU?
How much RAM?
How big is the disk drive and how much space is free?
When did you install the operating system? (or when did you buy the PC)
What is running slow? A program, the way a window opens... etc...
The more information the better.

One thing to consider about the noise... if your PC is older have you ever opened up the case and cleaned it out? Dust will make it's way into the heat sink and make it very hard for the fan to do its job. On some systems this will cause the fan to run faster/louder. Don't use compressed air, use a vacuum with a plastic wand to clean it out.