What slows down computers?

Peter B

What actually slows down computers? I mean if you have a good firewall and never install new programs what slows your computer down? As your hardware ages does is work at a slower rate?

This question might seem lame but I've seen computers just get slower over time even though they contain no spyware / malware and no different programs then when they were new.

Nerin

ive been looking for good,free software to sort out my speed issues.
ive good virus scan and firewall,admittedly alot of programs though.
also cleaned up the start up apps, also your background image may affect speed,i simplified mine and got a bit more speed.
i probably have registry issues and the like.

subway

the main one is programs that update themselves.
itunes adding new features and more background processes.
ant virus program having more viruses to check for.
windows updates adding new features.

pcs fill up with files over time,
indeixing services can get bogged down by these.

programs that were once efficient become blaoted,
nero springs to mind, 3 yeards ago it was great, now it comes with a million things you dont need, these al get addded in via updates.

Feelgood

Well theres lots of things really, say everytime you install a piece of software, depending on the software it may run various 'services' or processes on your computer.

For instance if have a look at Task Manager on a Windows box you will see loads of processes running on your computer. Each process takes up a chunk of RAM memory on the PC. Obviously the more software installed over time, takes up more memory. The idea would be to minimize the processes running, like when you use itunes, it runs a service waiting for you to plug in you ipod. This services runs constantly even though you might only plug in your ipod once every 3 months. So you dont really need it running. You have modify startup processes on your pc by running 'msconfig' from the start menu but ensure you understand what processes you are stopping before editing anything.

The other thing is hard drive space. Obviously the more objects that are written to the hard disk the longer it takes to retrieve them from the disk and this slows down performance. Files also get fragmented across a hard disk which effects performance.

Incorrect registry settings, the list goes on!!!. To be honest I was so sick of windows that I switched to Linux as my desktop and I don't run into half the same issues as windows users do...plus all the software is free!!!.

white_falcon

the one main thing that people would usually notice is caused by something that can be resolved by disk clean up and disk defrag.

if you continue to use your PC for say 5 years and dont install new programs on it or connect to the internet and dont run defrag or disk cleanup it can cause problems. when u delete a file or move a file or copy it, it is moved to another part of your hard drive. its a good idea to think of your hard drive as a CD (which is sort of is)

when you install a program all the files are placed on one place on that CD. however, over time, those files can become fragmented and go to other parts of that CD. so your hard drive has to spin more and read different sections of that CD to actually start that program. thats why disk defrag can really help speed up your PC if you do it regularly

hope that makes sense..

Overheal

Even with the builtin disk defragmenter, you will notice you cant re-structure/improve the disk performance on the System Sectors (ie. the sectors currently in use by the OS).

In order to defragment the system area, you need to perform a defragmentation from DOS. the easiest way I've found to do this is install PerfectDisk (http://www.perfectdisk.com) Sign up for a 30 day trial and off you are. Run an 'Offline Defragmentation' and your PC will reboot and perform a defrag in DOS before continuing on to load Windows again.

Also keep your machine physically clean: Every other month open up the case, and use Canned Air or an 'Air Duster' to blow all that crap outta there. Dust buildup has dozens of nasty repurcussions for your machine over an extended period of time.

Another issue: The registry. I dont meddle with it myself because it makes me afraid to. Also, every reg-cleaning app ive come across is a filthy "Buy me Now so I can actually do anything" gimmick crap. P!sses me off.
Basically when a program installs it has to leave a key in your systems registry: this is how your OS knows what programs you have and how and where to load them from. As programs come and go though its often the case that Registry Artefacts get left behind; and your OS has to spend time re-checking these artefacts during every boot - which is a bitch.

Also, dont look up porn - cos even with good antivirus and firewalls its not a 100% guarantee and it only takes one virus to really get under the PCs skin. Think of it like a condom: its great, but the more you do it the higher your chances are and whoops, now you have chlymidia. Damn.

Thats the major points.

RoyalMarine

Overheal wrote: »

Also, dont look up porn - cos even with good antivirus and firewalls its not a 100% guarantee and it only takes one virus to really get under the PCs skin. Think of it like a condom: its great, but the more you do it the higher your chances are and whoops, now you have chlymidia. Damn.

Thats the major points.

hahaha best analogy yet! +1

a m8 of mine had dual boot. 1 for everything normal.
the other dedicated entirely to porn...

not a bad idea have you.

ActorSeeksJob

Not cleaning temp files, left over registry entries, running two firewalls/two anti-viruses/two real-time anti-spyware protection will all slow a PC a lot.

Not defragging it as well will contribute.

joseph brand

If you can, try a fresh install of windows.

Friend of mine did this. Told me that all programs use Dll files and can clog the PC.

Also, he cleared his PC as there was a technician coming to his house and he had some, shall we say, videos of women with no clothes on, doing the nasty. :P