Try This If Your Computer Is Too Slow
A Common Problem
I’d say that this is one of the most common of the PC issues that we PC techs receive calls on, on a regular basis. To one degree or another, everyone, at some time, suddenly realizes that their computer is not running, on the same level, as it used to. Until someone else uses their computer and complains about the slow speed, many people don’t even realize that their computers are actually slowing down. For others, it happens very quickly so that there is a sudden and unmistakable loss of usability. Regardless of your own situation, the following guidelines may help you to diagnose the reasons for the slowdown.
Spyware or Adware
My initial thoughts, when a person informs me that their computer is starting to run slow, is that it may be harboring a nasty adware or spyware program. Typically, a computer infected with this type of malware will display other symptoms as well. Some obvious symptoms exhibited by malware include sudden closing of your browser, system crashes, changing of the homepage and pop-up ads that weren’t there before. Regardless of whether you are experiencing any of these symptoms or not, it’s always a good idea to have your PC scanned with a decent antivirus or antispyware program. It doesn’t matter which program you use, just be sure that your program is highly reputable.
Fragmented Drive
A fragmented hard drive is also another reason for slowdowns. Because it happens over a long period of time, disk fragmentation may not even be apparent to you at all. Fragmentation may be the problem if the PC is not exhibiting any other symptom but slow down. Although it won’t defragment large files and a few other files like Paging File or Master File Table, Windows does have a built-in defragmentation program. Diskeeper is a good program if you want a third party defrag program to keep your PC in top performance. Third party programs one-up’ the built in Windows utility because they have the advanced features that allow you to defrag the entire drive.
Excessive Start Up Applications
Lastly, another reason many PC’s start to drop performance over time is that too many applications are operating in the background. This takes place over time for the reason that software builders assume that you want to run their function every time you’re at your computer. Consequently for your “convenience” they helpfully add their application to the startup group. That’s very well except by the time you’ve added 30 or 40 new programs to your computer, you’ve got 30 or 40 programs starting up by design every time you turn on your computer. With all these programs hogging precious resources from your system, there isn’t a great deal left to do the things that you want to do. Here’s the fix for that:
Click on Start’ > Run’. In the dialog box type “msconfig” (without the quotes). Click enter. This will launch the Windows Configuration Utility. Now look at the far right side. You will notice a tab and it is labled “Startup.” Click this tab. Each program that is automatically started will be listed here and it will have a checkmark to its side. Most people are surprised by the number of auto-starting programs that are listed. Every one of these applications can safely be disabled. All one must do is uncheck the box next to the app. Do not fret! By doing this, you are not disabling or removing the program. You are merely preventing the program from opening at the start up, when you turn on your computer. Every one of the programs are still promptly available from the start menu or from your desktop shortcuts. A word of warning, though. Some of these programs, such as your antivirus/antispyware applications, you definitely do want to start automatically on start-up. Just leave the check in the box for any of these programs. When you’re finished, click ‘Apply’ and ‘OK’. You will see a memo informing you that your computer needs to be restarted for the corrections to take effect. Once your PC has been restarted, you will be presented with a dialog telling you that you have used the System Configuration Utility. Just plant a check in the box that says “Do not display this message on startup” and press OK. You will not see that dialog another time (until next time you use the msconfig utility).
