Please help me stop losing my mind

kraggy

Seriously on the edge...

My laptop, while admittedly old (Pentium 4) is breaking my heart.

When I got it off my brother in law, it wasnt too bad.

However, now, it takes about 7 to 10 minutes to start up. Then from the time that I click the Iexporer button/icon to the time I can click on the address bar and type in the address I want to to, it's another 5 mins. Often, I have 2 or 3 windows open and I try to, for example, click on the exit button of one of the windows, the laptop freezes for a few mins and the window say Windows Not Responding.

Basically it takes an age to get anything done. I've been wasting whole evenings.

Now, the question is, why is this happening? I downloaded a trial version of AVG in case it was a virus problem. There were only 4 infections which AVG got rid of. This was about 2 weeks ago. It's getting slower and slower so it's not a virus issue.


Then I thought it might be that there's too much data saved on the laptop. But the C drive isn't anywhere near full and even when I delete loads of stuff, it doesn't speed things up at all.

I don't think there are too many programs in start up either. Just skype, the wireless connection symbol and AVG.

So what could it be? I'm losing my mind.

Thanks for any help.

demakinz

maybe you have too many programs starting up when you boot your laptop.

you can click start
type msconfig click yes
then the 4th option "start up" you can turn off the programs that automaticly start up on boot up like itunes. turn off the ones you dont need.

this should help.

Also i would download malwarebytes-it free antimalware
and microsoft security essentials- free antivirus

update and scan.


Also you could upgrade the ram its cheap and should speed your laptop up.

im not expert but iv done these simple steps on many a friends computer which has worked every time.

L.Jenkins

Well adjusting a few programs in MSCONFIG might help, but the PC is running slow from the get go. So yes, software maybe an issue. It's possible that the PC could do with a RAM upgrade.

Just for kicks:

• Right click on 'My Computer' located on your desktop.
• Click on 'Properties' at the bottom of the menu that will appear.
• The properties you will see should give you relavent information, including RAM and Operating System.

When you get a chance, put a post in here stating what OS your PC runs, how old it is if possible and the RAM it has.

ArtyM

Hey
Wow, that sounds seriously frustruating. I agree that it is likely to be an issue with startup programs - I would even suspect that you may have another antivirus in addition to avg. The only times I have seen such poor load times and performance were in cases where multiple security programs were competing/conflicting.
Use the msconfig option to disable startups and also goto start>control panel>add/remove programs and start removing all unwanted and unneeded programs from the system.
Remove any instances of
McAffee, Norton(360/internet security), symantec, nod32/eset, avira, trend micro
Also remove(unless you need them)
Printers - lexmark, hp, cannon, zerox,

Good Luck

ScumLord

ArtyM wrote: »

The only times I have seen such poor load times and performance were in cases where multiple security programs were competing/conflicting.

I've seen that too, 3 different anti virus programs running at the same time will just choke a PC no matter how powerful it is.


I'd reinstall windows, an old PC like that could have so much wrong with it you'd never fix it.

myrscossie

Dont forget to defrag the hard drive after all that, this should help a good bit
if you have not done this before leave it on over night as takes forever.

1. Open My Computer.
2. Right-click the local disk volume that you want to defragment, and then click Properties.
3. On the Tools tab, click Defragment Now.
4. Click Defragment.

Malice

ScumLord wrote: »

I'd reinstall windows, an old PC like that could have so much wrong with it you'd never fix it.

This is probably your best bet. Just make sure to backup whatever you need off the hard drive before wiping it.

Jonny7

Old PCs, esp. ones with internet explorer and lax security get so bloated with crapware, junk and spyware.

The easiest route is to go to download.com and get this
http://download.cnet.com/Advanced-SystemCare-Free/3000-2086_4-10407614.html?tag=mncol;1

Its free, run everything on it, from the registry cleaner to the junk file deletion, etc

If theres no improvement, then the next step would be as another poster said - fresh reinstall of windows

ShooterSF

ScumLord wrote: »

I've seen that too, 3 different anti virus programs running at the same time will just choke a PC no matter how powerful it is.


I'd reinstall windows, an old PC like that could have so much wrong with it you'd never fix it.

+1000

If it was a hand me down and never had (Im gonna guess) xp reinstalled it would probably best just to back up whatever data you need and re-install.

Before you do though you need to check if you have your xp disc, product key (reflective sticker probably on bottom of the laptop) and the drivers disc (this can be worked around if needed). Alternatively your laptop might have a hidden recovery partition that would simplify the process.

If you consider going down this route post up the make and model (again somewhere on the bottom) and someone (or google) might tell you if it has a recovery partition.

When you wipe the PC you will lose everything so a usb key would be handy. You can copy your documents to it but not the programs; they will need to be reinstalled but as you have said there's probably not many and a fantastic website called ninite.com can get you started.

One other thing, do post up your ram here as mentioned above. As windows installs updates and Internet explorer (and others) gets upgraded you may find that what once was a fine spec to run your computer is just not up to the task anymore. Memory is pretty cheap and easy to install (A minute and a phillips screw driver)