How can I "speed up" the operation of my computer?

[braq]

Hello!
Recently, my computer has been loading and shutting down VERY slowly ... tree sap in the middle of winter is flowing faster than my laptop is running. I have deleted both the history and the cookies, to no avail. Financially (on pension, handicapped, and raising 2 toddlers), I can not afford to take the computer into the shop, this has to be a fix I can perform here!
I have kept up with the Norton updates, and will be up-loading the newest Norton within the next couple of weeks.
Any assistance you can provide would be vastly appreciated!

[RBS]

1. Delete crap like Norton, McAfee and similar. They just use most of your PC resources and it slows down.
2. Download this software and scan you PC for virusus, adware etc:
http://fileforum.betanews.com/download/Malwarebytes-AntiMalware/1186760019/1
After you install it, start the program and do update.
3. Click all these tree buttons together: Ctrl+Alt+Del. Then PERFORMANCE tab, check whats the CPU usage. If its more than 40% and you have nothing running, click PROCESSES. Click CPU column and see which application is using your CPU power most. Then post them here, we will check.

[stugster]

I have kept up with the Norton updates, and will be up-loading the newest Norton within the next couple of weeks.


There's your problem ;)

[cjd]

Norton is a dog - I've taken to using Microsoft's new free security centre stuff now.

But more generally all PC slow down over time as their registries glue up with more and more rubbish - you'll find that a complete format and re-install of XP (or whatever) will make it work like new. (Probably better actually because even new PCs come pre-loaded with crap).

[Raw Rob]

1. Delete crap like Norton, McAfee and similar. They just use most of your PC resources and it slows down.

Agreed. But make sure you install an alternative anti-virus - AVG works well and there is a free version for home use: http://free.avg.com/

Rob

[RBS]

Yes, using AVG myself, fast, doesnt slow down PC, updates automatically.

[webcreationuk]

Norton is a no-no, try using Nod32, Avira or Avg for online protection.
Take a shot with TuneUpUtilities, defragment your harddisk, see what programs run on startup and get rid of the ones that slow down your PC.

Last, but not least, do a scan with HJT, maybe some bugs are having a party in your PC. :)

[tbomedia]

Get rid of Norton pronto. Also look at other software, and consider a web browser like Google Chrome - runs much faster.

[the king]

All very well to recommend ditching Norton but presumably this, together with updates has already been purchased?

It was my understanding that after a few years of products running like a dog, Symantec had significantly speeded-up whilst also reducing processor consumption.

I run an old version of SystemWorks Pro on an Athlon 750Mhz and don't have a speed/resouce problem. I also run ZoneAlarm Security Suite (and zap all the Javascript crap that delivers ads etc.) - whenever I use the PCs at the public library it feels like I've been popping Prozac! Not only is the no-ad experience far less manic, it also uses less bandwith.

My twopennyworth is to find out what services / proceses are running (Task Manager should show enough) and locate the culprit(s); for me its usually Javascript that causes problems - attemting to deliver stuff I don't want anyway!

If anyone is up for A-V, Firewall and superb anti-spyware then I'd recommend checking-out ZoneAlarm Security Suite or Extreme Security (Zone Alarm (http://www.zonealarm.com/security/en-gb/home.htm?lid=en-gb#)) - they also offer a highly-rated FREE firewall for those not wanting to pay.

[Steve202]

Like others have said, get rid of Norton asap and invest in AVG.

Edit: If your having difficulty removing Norton, download and run the Norton Removal tool.

[stugster]

All very well to recommend ditching Norton but presumably this, together with updates has already been purchased?


So what you're saying is that as a result of Norton now having your money, you should stick with that inferior product instead of fixing the (probable) problem that is causing you so much annoyance?

[webcreationuk]

Oh, I forgot to mention this important aspect : open the case and clean the dust, this could be a major issue also. :)

[andrew.sanders]

Probabaly the best free anti virus is Avast, the best paid one is Kaspersky.
If you want to speed up the PC, ditch your current anti virus and try one of these.
Also make sure you have maxed out the RAM (if not install some more) and you regularly defragment the hard drive (defraggler is freely available). Might be worth running CCleaner as well to remove malware and spyware.

[Jim2k]

We wrote a couple of Blog posts on speeding a laptop/pc up. Check them out. Some bits have been covered here already but there are some more to try.

http://www.orbits-ltd.co.uk/category/orbits-opinion/page/2/

And has been said, ditch Norton for Microsoft Security Essentials etc.

[RemoteTechs]

As you use your computer it is almost inevitable that over time it will begin to slow down. Just as you service a car to make sure it is safe to drive, your computer also requires maintenance to ensure it is working at its peak.
When you purchase a new computer it doesn't have much software or many documents on it.
It has no spyware or viruses from surfing the net and checking e-mail. The computer is perfectly clean and running at its best.
After using the computer for a while you install new programs, games and create documents. Some of those programs and games are set to load when Windows boots up and take up valuable memory and system time by running in the background.
This "everyday use" will cause your computer to start to slow down, unless you perform regular maintenance.

You will need to run the following:

Full hard disk scan, clean up and defragmentation
Full temporary files clean up
Full internet cache clean up
Registry optimizer service and registry cleaner
Boot record defrag to ensure a faster boot up
Program clean up for old and useless bloat ware and software

Consider the using a less resource hungry Anti Virus software such as AVG, MS Security Essentials.

I hope this helps :)

[Swiftkidd]

Some specs would go along way. Ram, Storage space & Operating System ?.

The Ram will be what's slowing the Laptop. If it's older then old and has very small amount of Ram then there's little hope. Inless of course you whack more Ram in. There's a few things you can do like others have said but will be of little difference if its a 10year old laptop with 512MB Ram (Mums Got 1) :eek:

Black Viper.com is an Ideal site for tweaking the start up programes along side a cracked version of TuneUp Utilities (my preferred version is 2010) Black viper is done manually where as tuneup utilities can access files in the registry that change the waiting times of start up & shut down, Tweak Browser connection, Clear up registry errors, Defrag drives etc etc.

If you come across startup.exe's ur unware off re searching them on Bleeping Computers & Google search will tell you what they are..

Next Id swap out your Anti-virus regardless of wheather you paid for liscense or not Norton sucks, I was under Norton for 3years cause my pc came pre-loaded like many others and suffered with virus's which Norton referred me to a "Self Help" page Ive used several different versions 360, Symantec anything from Norton is crap, I use Avira (2009) In my view best Anti virus: Clean UI, Simple 2 use, High detection rate & doesn't over sell it self. Note: Version 2010 is Bolloxs so disable "Product Updates" if it ask's. Almost like it's sold the rights to Norton its unbelievably bad.

A couple of other things that makes a difference, Uninstall crap if your a Novice user and use freeware unistall toolbars and any other crap that came bundled with it. Prefably format the Laptop & strip it of any freeware, trailware pre-budled crap an start from scartch (Only recommend if you've got a built in recovery/restore programe)

That's all I can think of for now..

Source: Me using a 5year old XP 1GB Ram Packard Bell perfect for Surfing, Browsing, Picture Editing & downloading ;)

[Asherr]

Hi, you can upgrade you RAM for better performance because of less RAM capacity computers can't run really well because of RAM consumption by other application or you can either repair your OS to get Good speed.

[yao847zi]

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[james.caple]

Must be awfully confusing, everyone has an idea of what you should do and there's so many of them. If you did them all your pc would probably transmogrify into a banana.

My two cents? Reinstall Windows, buy more RAM, and install kaspersky.