Question: I have a problem with my PC, it is real slow. Most of the time i can't get any where with it.? My Compaq PC hasn,t worked right scense i bought it. Now it's slow.Can someone help me.                  Thank You

Answer: You seem to have way too much running on your system at once. Here are some pointers:\n\n- Shut System Restore off -\nIf you have a virus or adware on your system sometimes it gets put into system restore. This will need shut off till you go through my instructions. No since removing it then system restore putting it back in.\nRight click My Computer->Click Properties Click the System Restore Tab then Check Turn off System Restore. Click Ok. This will take a bit but give it time.\n\n- Remove stuff from your startup -\nGoto Start -> Run, type in msconfig then ok. Click the startup tab. Here you will see many things starting up on your system. Many of them icons down by your time are located in this program. The only things that need to be enabled here are anti-virus programs and any system security. Any printer, graphics, messengers, download programs (bearshare and others) do not need to be here. Uncheck everything you do not need, click ok, and you will be asked to reboot. You can here. This does not remove the software from your system, but makes it so you have to start it yourself.  No since having ICQ or what ever startup when you turn your computer on.  Note if you dont know what the thing is or what program it is linked to you can either google it or leave it alone.\n\n- Run spyware/adware remover -\nDownload and install Adaware. On install do the update and full system scan. Once done remove all Critical Objects.\n\nDownload and install Spybot Search and Destroy. Run this and do a complete update on everything. Do a system scan and remove everything found.\n\n- Update windows from http://windowsupdate.microsoft... be sure to download all High Priority.\n\n- Update your virus scanner and do a virus scan.\n\n- Go into Internet Explorer click Tools->Internet Options\nOnce here click settings. Delete cookies, delete files, Lower the disk space to 10 or so. This is the space allowed for internet files to be cached on your system. Nobody needs 10% of their storage allocated to it. Click Ok\n\n- Remove uneeded programs\nClick Control Panel->Add Remove Programs. Here you can remove what you dont need.\n\n- Defrag your system\nClick Start->All Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Disk Defragmenter. Once here tell it to defrag and it will take some time.\n\n\nYou can, if you like, turn system restore back on by folling the directions above and unchecking that box. I myself never have it on and as a systems administrator of 1400 systems and servers we never have it on at our place of business. because it caches virusus and adware quite a bit.
This question from the Yahoo Q&A forum is categorized in the topic: Science & Mathematics