Computer Maintenance?

MerpsMom

SGF, Supreme Grumble Framer
Founding Member
Joined
Jul 30, 1997
Posts
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Loc
Leawood, Kansas USA
I'm (the computer, too) running slowly recently. My solution is sleep and then caffeine but what about the computer? I've defragged, etc. and run AdAware (with no luck). Are there other easy tests to perform which may detect a problem? I've scanned, and studied Start Menu, but am still confused.

I downloaded a couple of spyware programs but had no luck: they said they found lots of awfuls on my computer but wanted money to rid me of them, and this after screaming "FREE" for three pages. My AdAware found two spies but wants a file name to kill 'em and I can't seem to enter the right name so they're still there.

(I'm babbling, aren't I?)
 
Hi MerpsMom!

Did you recently upgrade your antivirus program?

Often a/v programs will slow down computers, especially older ones. If the POS is the slow item, the a/v program can be configured to exclude certain types of files or folders to remedy this.

How much memory is in the machine, and does it have XP? (Right click on MY COMPUTER -> properties and it'll tell you the amount of Memory/Ram)

Mike
 
Mike, I have not recently upgraded my AV: it's been a couple of months. I am XP and have 512 RAM. Maybe I'm just imagining the speed reduction? But I do want to keep this thing in shape.

And to that end, I have not yet d/l'd SP2. Is it time?
 
SP2 is very important.

By any chance did you install "Spybot Search and Destroy", or any other spyware programs other than AD-ADAWARE? Some of these run in the background and can slow down the computer.

512 memory should be more than sufficient.

Mike
 
Since I seem to spending more time on the computer today than I should, I'll just blow the whole thing and try to do SP2. Didn't I read here on the G that we should wait awhile after it came out?

Yes I did download a couple of things but just as quickly used Add/Remove and dumped them. Doesn't that get rid of them in total or is there a way I can find out if they're still lurking.

BTW, you're sure a treasure to answer dumb questions from us (or at least from this one dumb-of-us.)


The one that really tickled me was the program that eliminated annoying pop-ups and then tried to sell you the thing with an annoying pop-up. I think someone else noted that as well.
 
One thing to check is that your hard drive isn't too full. You want to have a minimum of 15% free space on it or the computer will really bog down.
I like Norton Systemworks. It keeps the registry clean, has an effective antivirus program and a good defrag, as well as some other bells and whistles. Some people I know think it slows down the computer. I see a little slower boot, but don't really notice a performance issue.
I just recently "tuned up" a buddies laptop. Adaware found 715 "occurences". Had to run it a couple of times before everything was cleaned up. Then I ran spybot a couple of times...Seems to work better.
Good Luck
James
 
Here are a couple of not to expensive programs that will help keep your computer running sweetly.
I have used both for a few years now.
Window washer:
http://www.webroot.com/products/windowwasher/

Registry first aid:
http://www.rosecitysoftware.com/Reg1Aid/

A good program for adds and other pests is "Pest Patrol"
Also keep up to date with any XP updates, SP2 is fine now.
There are also a number of rarely used programs that can run in the background, and initiate on boot up. Check them out and set to run on demand as they can hog computing power.
Mick
 
Thanx to you all. If you never hear from me again, it'll be because these d/ls are really not idiot proof, like now WinUpdate won't let me pick/choose what I want to get. sigh Maybe I will wait longer.
 
I haven't done SP/2 either MM. I'm afraid to. I was waiting for the bugs to go away.
 
Its stable. do it
 
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