Hey guys,

The last couple of days my computer has been slower than a turtle. The problem occurs when I connect to the internet and try to view web pages. It takes minutes on end to view a page or for a page to download. When I get fed up and close the page it always says unresponsive webpage or something, cancel or end program. Even when I choose end program it takes minutes for it to actually close, frusterating like heck!!

I do run a lot of programs but I have before and not seen this slow a response time, ialso try to just run one at a time and the same thing happens. I did the disk defragmenter and it says my performance is up 5%, but its still very slow, I have not noticed any difference. Any suggestions??

Thanks in advance.

Now it sounds like you need to do some maintenance.

Here's my usual C&P for cases like this:


When was the last time you did some serious maintenance on your system ?

System maintenance includes:
Defrag
FULL patching
Virus scanning
Spyware scanning
removal of rubish files

Defrag is an inbuilt function in XP.
Open My Computer > Right click C: > Tools Tab and its there.

To make sure everything is running fine run both anti virus and anti spyware apps in normal AND safe modes. (make sure that they are updated first ! ;)) (AVG (http://free.grisoft.com/doc/1) is good and free AV)
(A couple of good removal tools are Spybot (http://www.safer-networking.org/) and Adaware (http://www.lavasoftusa.com/software/adaware/))

ALso an on line virus and spyware scanner is Trend Housecall (http://housecall.trendmicro.com/)

Just a note: actively running two AV's on one machine can cause problems.
So if you are thinking about it make sure your current one is disabled first.
Same thing applies to online scanners as well.

Removal of junk files is easy with CCleaner (http://www.ccleaner.com) a free app that does exactly what

If all this fails then a repair install may be in order:

Here's (http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/helpandsupport/learnmore/tips/doug92.mspx) the official Micro$oft way of doing it,
and Here's (http://www.geekstogo.com/forum/index.php?showtopic=138) one with screen shots.

Basically this installs windows over the top of your current setup.
So you don't loose any information you already have.

This lot should resolve your issue.

If you want to send me the list of programs that load on boot I'll happily advise which can be turned off.

Do a print screen from CCleaner > Tools > start up and e-mail it over.
[email protected]

Allheart had a siilar issue here: https://www.askmehelpdesk.com/computers-beginners/why-start-up-so-slow-205972.html

Thanks Curlyben for the information and the link. I'll definitely try these out, although it does sound soooo complicated to run all of this, never was one for computers or... well... work:)

Thanks a bunch.

Ben's list is a great checklist. I'd START with the virus scan because the symptoms you describe are consistent with a virus/trojan program that is using your internet connection to send spam.

Hey guys,

The last couple of days my computer has been slower than a turtle. The problem occurs when I connect to the internet and try to view web pages. It takes minutes on end to view a page or for a page to download. When I get fed up and close the page it always says unresponsive webpage or something, cancel or end program. Even when I choose end program it takes minutes for it to actually close, frusterating like heck!!!.

I do run alot of programs but i have before and not seen this slow a response time, ialso try to just run one at a time and the same thing happens. I did the disk defragmenter and it says my performance is up 5%, but its still very slow, I have not noticed any difference. Any suggestions????

Thanks in advance.
You may also ned to disable some addons that will also help speed it up, go to tools, manage add ons, and select the toolbars or addons u want disabled and disable them, you can always reenable them later.

That will help speed things up

The spyware will definitely slow you down on the net guaranteed. You have to constantly eliminate them to keep system fast. Also the defrag is sometimes necessary. Also, if you have the Norton Tools and have a Norton Protected Trash can for deleted items that has to be cleared out of trash also. When mine gets to 1,500 entries the net runs slow. The second I clean it up of trash my speed goes back to normal.

Thanks for all the suggestions.

I've run a number of things such as disk cleanup/defrag whatever its called, the CCleaner that was recommended and nothing seems to be working, slow as ever. Lately when connecting to the internet a black window pops up with a flashing cursor, although you cannot type anything, then it goes away. If I can remember correctly it reads at the top something like "C: spyware" not exactly that but it definitely has the c-drive and theword spyware so I'm assuming it is some virus?

I'm at my wits end and I don't really understand computer talk very well so I'm thinking of taking it in, 20 bucks for a tune up but God only knows what they charge if they have to something major to it. I really don't think I even have virus protection to be honest, I have spyware terminator but it really does not do much (scans the computer once a day) it did find some tracking cookie but that's been there for months and months and months, same report everyday. Anyone familiar with what I've described?

Thanks in advance guys.

Ben's post above has links for AVG, Ad-Aware, and Spybot. All three are free. Download and run all three of them and see if it helps (they catch different things).

BHI,

It is critical that you run these tools when you have restarted your computer in SAFE MODE. The reason is that most viruses have hidden helper programs that detect when the virus has been disabled or removed, and reinstall it. If you run any of these programs when you are booted normally, the hidden helper program just reinstalls the virus and you accomplish nothing. When you reboot into safe mode, the virus AND the hidden helper program are not loaded and not running when you run the anti-virus tools.

You need to be online the first time you run each of the anti-virus tools so they can download the latest updates (latest virus definition files). If you have already updated each of those programs, then restart your computer in SAFE MODE and run them again.

Jc

I'd like to add that being in the IT community for 10 years I've seen my share of anyvirus/spyware programs out there. As far as online scanners and AV software in general, may I recommend that you give Eset's NOD32 AntiVirus a try. When it scans, it scans in a sandbox so if there IS a virus, simply scanning it won't allow the virus to launch and cause issues. I've also found that it detects and fixes viruses undetected by CA, Panda and Norton/Symantec. It's Spyware capabilities are just as awesome. Antivirus Software - Eliminate viruses with ESET NOD32 Antivirus and ESET Smart Security (http://www.eset.com)

I also really like Spybot S&D for spyware removal, but that's already been mentioned.

Thanks for all the responses guys. I brought it in, paid $40 and it works very nicely now. I'm sure the guy followed what you all said, I just couldn't deal with it to be honest:)

Thanks a bunch.

Thanks for all the responses guys. I brought it in, paid $40 and it works very nicely now. I'm sure the guy followed what you all said, I just couldn't deal with it to be honest:)

Sounds like it was $40 well spent, then. :)

Vasily