Basics for speeding up a slow computer

[Benner]

Got my Nan's laptop here (windows XP OS - bout 3 years old) which is running unbelievably slow both on start up and on running - anything!

Any key things I can do to speed it up?  Anything need clearing out?  Any way of spotting what is causing it?

[AHB]

Reinstalling windows after three years made my laptop fast as lightning again... 

[Mr. Whippy]

Yup.  Refreshing the .dll files helps by itself too.  But a reload makes a BIG difference.  Make sure you have all the correct drivers at hand to reload though.

[Benner]

What about stuff already on there?  I don't want to lose anything.

[Sazabi]

Backing up information is wise, anyway.  As for me, I keep my computer running smoothly by running CCleaner and using it to disable unneeded Startup programs and also deleting old programs and bloatware.

[Crouton]

I'd suggest the following:

1). Install and run Adaware.  It's a spyware removal app. (free)
2). Install and run Spybot Search and Destroy.  It's another spyware removal app. (free)
3). Install And scan with Avira Antivirus.
4). Look in the system tray and close down any unnecessary apps and prevent them from running at startup. (free)
5). Uninstall any junk applications from add/ remove programs in control panel.
6). (advanced) run msconfig from start, run and remove any unnecessary processes from running at bootup.
7) upgrade the system ram.

Usually a system will start behaving after step 3.

[AHB]

Download "Microsoft Security Essentials" for free... Excellent program.. 

http://www.microsoft.com/security_essentials/

[John]

What about stuff already on there?  I don't want to lose anything.

I's most likely what's on the is slowing it down i.e to many programs running,close what you don't need running..msconfig in the start up bar and look at start up   and you may want to delete all history and run a disc clean up too it will run much faster   that said the reinstall would be best but save all you need to disc first  

[jzmtl]

Back up and reformat, sorry there's just no way around it. You can dance around with all the adware cleaner, disk optimizer, but the fact is windows simply bogged down itself after a few years and the only way to fix is to start fresh.

I did it to my 7 year old desktop and wow what a difference. If everybody knew how to do it, computer manufacturers would sell a lot less new computer I bet.

[Benner]

Ok, so IF I went for a reformat, how would one go about that?  I have 2 discs, one an Operating system recovery disc and one for drivers and utilities.  Is it just a case of running the recovery and going from there?

[jzmtl]

First obviously back up all your stuff.  Then go in your BIOS setting and change the boot drive order and set CD drive before hard disk. Next insert the OS recovery disk and restart computer, it should now boot from CD and have instructions on how to proceed, choose the option to reformat and partition hard drive. At least that's how mine went.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

I'd suggest the following:

1). Install and run Adaware.  It's a spyware removal app. (free)
2). Install and run Spybot Search and Destroy.  It's another spyware removal app. (free)
3). Install And scan with Avira Antivirus.
4). Look in the system tray and close down any unnecessary apps and prevent them from running at startup. (free)
5). Uninstall any junk applications from add/ remove programs in control panel.
6). (advanced) run msconfig from start, run and remove any unnecessary processes from running at bootup.
7) upgrade the system ram.

Usually a system will start behaving after step 3.

I agree with most of the recommendations...I deal with slow computers nearly every day at work. I've pretty much abandoned the first two because Malware seems to be much more prevalent and they seem largely ineffective now. Malwarebytes is free for download - LINK

I also like the free version of Avast! Antivirus - LINK - it dealt with a particularly obnoxious worm hiding in the recycle bin of removable drives (including my camera memory cards). Norton Corporate edition AV never found it and even Malwarebytes could only deal with it after the computer was infected.

[NutSAK]

I used to use Adaware and Spybot for years.  You're really better off using CCleaner and MBAM (Malwarebyte's Anti-Malware) for cleanup scans.

I also recommend Avast!  Norton is complete crap.

Also, don't bother with Windows defrag.  Use MyDefrag.

Best bet is to reinstall though, if you can pull it off.

[Benner]

Right, going for reinstall.

Wish me luck...

[frugalscotty]

I agree with much of what has been said in this thread, of course everyone has their own spin on what is best.

Myself, I would start with CCleaner, then Malwarebytes and uninstall junk apps that run in the background

Finally run your choice of defrag (mine is Defraggler, by the same vendor as CCleaner).

If those steps help any then a RAM memory upgrade never hurts.

If none of that helps then a wipe/re-install of Windows is probably in order.

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Right, going for reinstall.

Wish me luck...

 

Maybe you can ask Mike to stop by and perform some Techno-sorcery

[Mr. Whippy]

WAIT!!!

Spork, you forgot to tell him about LARD!

He hasn't any lard for the reinstall!

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

Oh yeah...strip down and liberally apply lard before you boot-up...

[Benner]

I think I have killed it 

[Benner]

Oh no wait we are moving again!  Phew!

[Spork, Lord of Lime Jello!]

More lard!

[cerbera147]

I agree with much of what has been said in this thread, of course everyone has their own spin on what is best.

Myself, I would start with CCleaner, then Malwarebytes and uninstall junk apps that run in the background

Finally run your choice of defrag (mine is Defraggler, by the same vendor as CCleaner).

If those steps help any then a RAM memory upgrade never hurts.

If none of that helps then a wipe/re-install of Windows is probably in order.

+1 

I have a work laptop so am limited to how much I can 'mess about' with it  But I have used CCleaner and it works treat; you'd be surprised how much crap you gather up from the web.

http://www.piriform.com/

Also use an Auslogics Defragger which is miles better than Windows. They also have other stuff; some free, some not.

http://www.auslogics.com/en/software/

[jzmtl]

I think I have killed it 

If you can get it started, you can't screw it up. Unless you physically damaged the HD it doesn't matter what's on it anymore, it's the CD that's driving the whole thing.

[Benner]

Well I reinstalled windows......  and it's still sad assed slow. 

[NutSAK]

Well I reinstalled windows......  and it's still sad assed slow. 

Well the answer is simple then.  Time for new hardware! 

[John]

Well I reinstalled windows......  and it's still sad assed slow.  

Well the answer is simple then.  Time for new hardware!  

Would a wipedrive then reinstall have worked better?

[josekym]

What model is that laptop?  The specs would determine what version of Windows is suitable on it.

Or maybe you can try Ubuntu Linux?

[NutSAK]

Well I reinstalled windows......  and it's still sad assed slow.  

Well the answer is simple then.  Time for new hardware!  

Would a wipedrive then reinstall have worked better?

I assumed he formatted before reinstalling...  Ben, did you completely wipe (format) the drive before reinstalling Windows?

[Benner]

Well it seems not.  I must have repaired rather than re-installed  so the problem remains.

Will try again tonight.

[John]

Well it seems not.  I must have repaired rather than re-installed  so the problem remains.

Will try again tonight.

When companies sell on second hand computers they usually use a wipedrive of some sort like this one http://www.whitecanyon.com/wipedrive-erase-hard-drive.php it apparently permanently
wipes over the files so they don't exist unlike deleting files which remain  I've never used one so I can't tell you how effective they're but by all accounts they work.  you can also get a wipe and save version so it wipes the HD but save your OS and programs,I don't think you'll have to resort to this extreme but it's an option,good luck