What's wrong with my computer???

[lfoxworth]

I'm about to toss my computer out the window.  It's running so slow.  I don't get on FC much because of my slow computer.  I don't think it's a virus.  I got this cd that detects it and it said it was clean.  What else can it be?   

[wiersmak]

Could be a couple of things.  When was the last time you did a disk-clean up or a defrag?  Not doing that regularly on a PC will definately cause it to run slow.  If you have the current version of Windows, go to control panel, run find and fix problems under Systems and Security.

[jaymz462]

Yeah, try a defrag.  If that doesn't help you probably need a full on reformat.

[dreamyxo]

Yes do a clean up and get rid of any programs you don't use.  Did you download any large files lately?  Run another anti spyware sometimes one doesn't pick up and get rid of a virus but another might.  Superantispyware and Malewarebytes are good free ones.

[ksamthgin]

usually when a computer runs slow, it it because it has an abundance of unrelated cookies in the regestry, the best way to fix this is to kill them, spybot and adware are 2 free programs that get rid of unwanted cookies.

[sonicmetal9]

clean out your fan, sure helped me

[Consultsone]

Restart your computer if it is always on.
Clean your cache in your internet browser.
Use malware to check your system ... you could have nasty behind the scene installs that aren't detected by anti-virus software.
Clean off unused icons on your desktop.
Clear out some of your start up programs.
Defrag your hard that's a must!
Hope this helps there are a lot of other things but this is a start.

[Shaky_J]

You could also try using the "run" program and then type in "msconfig" and then go to the "startup" tab and un-checking all programs you don't need on start-up.  Most programs will start on their own when you need them, like realplayer, quicktime, and most others. 

Also you might increase your "Virtual Memory" size which can be found by right clicking on MyComputer or just Computer (depending on your system) and then going through the tabs until you find it.  If you aren't running an OS with 64-bit processing then make the Minimum 2000 and the highest 4000.  That's is how much of your Hard Drive will be allocated for Virtual Memory.

Just make sure you have that much space on it or it will slow your computer down even more.

Last but not least.  Before doing any of the above go into your control panel and use the add/remove programs option or the uninstall programs (depending on your OS) and uninstall all the stupid trash programs you don't need or will never use.

That is all...  P.S. Go into Power Options and turn off the option to turn off the Hard Drive by selecting NEVER, that's like turning off your brain.

[tigerscene]

clean you computer and take out old files and all that can of good stuff can help it out all so

[ktheodos]

it probably just has too much stuff on it-I had a similar issue with mine-it was making some funky noises and I finally went through and deleted a bunch of files

[rkjones100]

I second SuperAntiSpyware.  It's done wonders for my computers.

[Graeth]

Like running something from a CD? Those never update and are useless.

Uninstall all the bloatware if you haven't done so already (I'm assuming that this computer wasn't made personally.
DL and run malwarebytes and/or adaware.
Shut down all extraneous systems and applications (windows firewall, defender, etc.)