slow computer...desperately need help!

In order to assist better, please list your system spec's as I have done below...Also download a good spyware program and run it to get rid of the spyware stuff that will slow down the system....

List your computers model number, how much ram you have, etc....

Download sites for good spyware programs..

http://www.lavasoftusa.com/    Spyware program
http://www.safer-networking.org/en/index.html    Spyware program
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html    Spyware program

Dim 4400 ( 2002 )
2.6 Ghz
Bios A06
768 MB DDR 2100
Windows XP Home
SP-2
1703 FP LCD monitor
PC-Cillin Internet Security

ok,i'm not very good at computers,as i said earlier,but i had a friend come and help me look up some of my computer's specs;

Inspiron 1150

Windows XP Home

512MB

14"Monitor

2.4GHz Celeron

CD-RW/DVD Combo

If there are any other things i need to tell you please let me know...i didn't really understand most of the information you put down!!

Sounds like you have some programs running in the background. Look at the lower-right corner of the screen (next to the clock) for a row of icons. Hold the mouse pointer over each of them (don't click) to see what program they're associated with. You might want to get your friend back to remove some of them to free your PC to do the things you'd like to do. I'm guessing you have a good, up-to-date virus scanning program. You might also want to try Microsoft's new (free) antispyware program at www.microsoft.com. Works good here.

Finally:  Don't go to sites that offer something for nothing. Don't open e-mail when you don't recognize the sender. Don't unsubscribe to e-mails -it just tells the sender that the address is valid. And don't respond to pop-ups -minimize and ignore them.

Good luck...

And get your friend to download the spyware programs that I listed in the third post above and run them...I can almost bet that you have a lot of spyware on your system that slows it down.  

Message Edited by SR45 on 03-02-2005 03:57 PM

ok,i downloaded the spyware and it found 39 files which i deleted, and i've checked all the icons by the clock...which is also losing time for some reason, but my computer's still pretty slow! is there anything else i can do?

 

hi -- i had the exact same problem.  i have an inspiron 4150 and seamingly overnight slowed waaaay down.  i tried everything, but nothing helped, including my norton 2004, which slowed it down 5x more!!!  a few days ago, i went to wake-up my computer and it was in dos-land -- i lost everything!!!  in the last few days i've rebuilt my computer at it is at top-speed!!!  things i lost -- useless programs, files, everything except for my dell programs, windows, adobe, microsoft.  everything else kills your computer.  go to "performance and maintenance" (control panel) and free up space with the disc clean-up.  go to "internet options" (control panel) and delete all cookies and temp files (including offline)  go to "phone and modem options" (control panel) and update your modem driver -- make sure you're online!!!  different internet service providers (isp) actually have different speeds on a dial-up modem.  your connection should be clear, free of any noise and away from electrical devices (like speakers) and do not split a jack for your phone and modem connections.  you should use one jack for your connection.  but i hate to tell you what i think is your main problem ... the only reason i get out of bed is my yearning to play my dear solitaire.  i've got a system down where i would play a few games during page downloads.  i haven't opened it and my computer is extremely speedy -- you can even check it out with ctrl+alt+delete (task manager) and see exactly what is dragging you down.  you may have to leave the games for offline ... i think i'll sign out now so that i can play ...

click on the link "Essential spyware removal steps and other hijackthis help forums" below and follow all the instructions (Step 1-5) ,install microsofts anti spyware software from the link below and then repost post the hijackthis log(In the virus forum) after reading (Instructions a/b/c) after downloading/running all the programs mentioned there alongwith the Online anti-virus scans (instructions on how to run the online virus scans http://forums.thatcomputerguy.us/index.php?showtopic=5122 ).Update all the programs ie spybot http://www.safer-networking.org/en/howto/update.html ,AnD adaware
before logging into safe mode to run it .Then repost your hijackthis log so the experts can help you remove the remaining nasty spyware .

The clue to your slow system may be your battery. If your clock is losing time it may mean that your battery is dying. This would be unusual for a 1 year old computer but a weak battery sometimes causes other problems. Look in you manual to find out how to change your battery. This used to be a big problem in the 1980's and I haven't heard of anyone having battery problems in years. Maybe someone else on this forum can say if this could be your problem.

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