Slow computer
 

One of the more common problems, I suspect. I'm thinking things are running in the background that don't need to be but who am I to know?

Dell laptop, Windows 7, using Firefox. Have McAfee Total Protection.

Suggestions, anyone?

You are.

How long has the 'slowness' been apparent? Have you installed any new programs recently? Mcafee and Norton are notorious for clogging up system resources.

Hit CTRL+SHIFT+ESC at the same time, that will bring up the "Task Manager".

Have a peek through the list(s) and see if anything looks sketchy. I do not advise stopping any of the services unless you are 100% sure that you dont need it to function. Google the process, decide, and see if it helps your system.

OR, maybe a good ole defrag is due.

Thank you! Have noticed the slowness for maybe a month or 2. No new programs I can think of or remember.

I will try your suggestion, thank you!

Oh dear - 515 Registry Errors! Speedupmypc fixed 15 of them but I must purchase the full program to fix the rest.

Anyone recommend a good, free program to clean Registry Errors?

Glary Utilities http://www.glarysoft.com/

free and I've used it for years - it will ask if you want to buy pro version but just click no.

It has a one click clean up button so very easy to use.

Thank you! I tried Piriform CCleaner but don't understand how to use it.

Just leave the settings as they are don't change anything and you should be fine.

I haven't used CCleaner for over a year, Glary is so much simpler with the 1-click..

here's a how to video for CCleaner-
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=s5DwgCgAVGg

Glary did the trick! I deleted the other programs. Thank you! :Bow:

Sparky,
Just curious... did it help?
Is your computer running better now?

It is, Lara. Still gets hung up on certain websites, but better overall. Not dramatic, but noticeably faster.

That's good to hear. Thanks.
Mine is a bit slower than usual lately too. I think I need to do some clearing out.

I've really slowed down in 7 - 10 days.
I have Charter anti-virus stuff and it never gets updated, checked, anything.
Major problem is that I have no idea what you are talking about 90% of the time. :o

Is the Charter stuff the only antivirus program you are using?

I see they have an online scanner on the main page, have you tried it?
http://www.charter.net/security

Could you already be infected? Scan for viruses now:
look in the center of the page for a gray box with the below wording.

[ Run Charter Online Scanner now:
Choose language:

Accept the license terms and then click the Run Check button below. You may first see a Java popup, which you should allow.

I have read and accepted the license terms]

This link takes you to the accept or reject question , then you can run it.
http://download.sp.f-secure.com/ols/...button=clicked


After that if nothing is found, then a hard drive defrag might help speed things up.
http://windows.microsoft.com/en-US/w...your-hard-disk

Thank you, Jo*Mar, thank you!!
The Charter stuff is all I have. Before the Charter anti-virus I used AVG and hated it -- it would never leave me alone - wanted updated every day and in the 4 years I used it, it a virus or anything was never found.

A Charter TV/phone/computer repairman removed AVG and installed the Charter. He said I didn't need anything else so it h ..............
I'll print your suggestions and try it this afternoon.
Thanks again,

Thank you SO MUCH for your detailed directions on how to fix possible computer problems through Charter Internet. Like Wren, I also have AVG which does l-o-n-g virus searches daily on my computer, but never finds anything! I *hope* that my computer speeds up a bit (lot) through this . Otherwise, it's going to have to go into a professional to work with.

I am hoping with all of my might that I can fix this darn computer myself, with your great tips ~ thank you!