Slow PC

They do get slower as they get older and have more files on them. Would you consider an external hard drive? That would be good for the photos and music.

Do you do regular virus and spyware/ malware scans? Adware and malware can really slow up a computer.

Its difficult to say without knowing the spec. Hubby is a self employed pc repairer and i think he would suggest some extra memory, it might only be 512 now so he would replace that for a 2gig possibly and also a total re-install of XP (it should be re-installed from scratch, once every 6 months ideally). He would charge about £60 for all of that, all your data would be backed up too.

Obviously if the processor and hard disc were low/old and needed those replacing it would cost more. He would also recommend sticking with XP, Windows Vista is really sluggish I think.

You need to find a good, local pc repair shop, NOT PC World and get it checked out. They should be able to advise you on whats best to do.

Thanks. I'm pretty sure it has 2GB in the spec somewhere...or maybe it is 1GB - it would have been a good spec when Mr KJB bought it 5 years ago as he was in IT.

It's got a McAfeee firewall and security and virus check which is updated regularly and I'm assuming this stops adware etc.

An external hard drive is a good idea too. An XP re-install sounds scary.

Is there anywhere I can check the memory/speed of the PC so I can sound as if I know what I'm talking about if I contact a local repair shop?

(although part of me is tempted to upgrade to a laptop anyway and get wi-fied up so that I can use the internet and watch TV at the same time - laptops are dirt cheap these days, aren't they?)

You should be able to find out the specs, I think if you go to control panel, then system then general tab it should tell you (at least it does on mine)

Mcafee is crap and virus scans dont usually stop most adware, I would download adaware and spybot search and destroy and do those scans just to make sure you dont have anything nasty.

Laptops are fairly cheap now, you might still need some extra storage for photos etc though to stop eating up your memory

How much spare space is there on your hard drive? If its only a small amount, that can cause issues with pc speed. Apart from that, Zoes suggestions are similar to what I use.......My complete "protection"....as far as protection can go is ad-aware, spybot, AVG, Avast and malwarebytes.

There is discussion that having two anti virus programmes and two anti spyware programmes is not a good idea, although I have never had a problem. Indeed, its interesting to see that one programme will not pick up something whilst the other will.

I do also use AVG and malwarebytes lol

Thanks everyone. I'll check spec and space when I get home....and maybe download even more software (although hopefully this will speed things up rather than make things slower)

Are the suggestions given for ad-aware etc brand names to google for the downloads, or generic names where I'll get loads of options?

I'll get links for you

And defrag your hard drive too......that could help....

Adaware https://www.adaware.com/ download the free one

Spybot /Spybot-Search-Destroy-for-Windows-XP/****_4-10122137.html

malwarebytes https://www.malwarebytes.com/

AVG https://www.avg.com/free-antivirus-download

Was just going to suggest this.

Start -> all programs -> accessories -> system tools -> disk defragmenter (I think, it's def in system tools)

You can get your PC specs by Start -> run -> then type "dxdiag" and hit enter

I was going to send these links to the OP, saves me a job,

I think Hubby would suggest removing MacAfee too, he uses Kaspersky or AVG

All a reinstall means that all data will be backed up, and Xp re installed, then you would need to load internet/printer/scanner/anti-virus etc

My H loads the a/v on for the customer though and any other prgrammes if they can provide the discs.

Thanks everyone. You've given me loads of info which I'll have a play around with tonight.

?

One other thing to check is your registry. You may have some elements in there that are not wanted. Try downloading Uniblue which is a Microsoft Certificated company(beware of some on the web). It will scan your registry and will correct a certain amount of errors unless you buy the product(which isn't expensive)

I would guess that after 5 years, there could be quite a few registry issues on your PC.

Will do. I've never heard of a registry. Do I need to know what one is to check it as described?

Every programme that goes on your PC is entered in the registry....it is a biggish file that is in itself best left alone unless you know what you are doing. Uniblue (and others) checks through this file and finds any dead or old or conflicting elements. It will report how many issues it has found and ask you if you want it to make a back up copy of the registry before it runs its cleaning programme(which is advised)..

You don't need to do much apart from let it get on with it....

I dont' know if anyone is still around but....

It appears I have 1GB of memory with 50% available.

I loaded up the adaware and spybot downloads last night and it seems a bit quicker (it searched and destroyed 32 spybot things...is that a lot?)

I tried a defrag too but it wouldn't let me saying that there were "inconsistencies" in the files. It prompted me to run CHKDSK or SCANDISK. CHKDSK found some orphaned files and seemed to repair them but I got the same message when trying to defrag. I tried to run SCANDISK but it couldn't find it.

I think I need professional help with this....but I guess to get it working quickly again and then sorting out an external hard drive will save me sanity so will be worth it (and cheaper than getting a super whizzy laptop)

You can still upgrade to 2gb of ram, that will make it quicker.

Please dont go to PC World, they charge a small fortune..

I think the most spyware items Hubby has removed is around the 3k mark, so 32 isnt a lot...unless I'm getting confused! Which is quite possible.

Oh god I'd never go to PC World. I've heard so many problems with them. I'm lucky that I've got a traditional high street near to me with lots of independant shops on it, and I're sure one of them is a PC repair type place.

I've sent him your latest reply after telling him the story on the way to work this morning. he might suggest what you need to have done. We hear so many customers who go elsewhere first and get ripped off. I dont want it to happen to you!

Thanks MP. I still need to download the 3rd suggestion from yesterday and to check my registry that Peter suggested, and this will also help a bit, hopefully.

Your H isn't near Bristol is he?

No sorry, we are near Coventry.

I'll keep an eye on this post to see how you get on,

32 isnt many really, it will have been mostly tracking cookies, do try the others as well as they do all find different things.

I have had a lot of great help from geekstogo (its a forum) they are really helpful with computer stuff.

Also, with Spybot and Ad-aware, do download the updates as the programmes files are usually quite out of date....

I find that anti virus software is a nightmare for slowing pcs down. I would steer clear of McAfee and AVg and go for NOd32 or Sophos - these sit in the background, quietly doing their job, not making a song and dance about it and NOT making your computer so slow you wish you were using a quill and ink

L
xx