computer is very slow and freezes

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No.

There's not even a program that you can buy, since no one has been able
to devise software that can look for every possible problem with a computer.

However, if you're willing to do a little homework to provide us with
more information we might be able to help. We'll certainly try, if
you'll only give us something to work with. This web site shows you how
to ask a question so that it stands the best chance of getting the
answer you need:
 
somethingsmall said:
is there a FREE progam that not only scans for free but fixes the problems
Click to expand...

Here is my list of things to speed up a sluggish Windows XP machine.
1. Start->Settings->ControlPanel->Add-Remove Programs. Remove as much
as you can.
2. Start->Settings->ControlPanel->Taskbar and Start Menu. Select
"classic start menu". It's faster than the XP eyecandy start menu
3.Start->Settings->ControlPanel->System->Advanced. Under Performance
Settings, Visual Effects select "Adjust for best Performance".
4. In My_Computer or Explorer right click on the hard disk icon. Select
Properties, then "Tools". Select "Error Checking" and "check now".
Uncheck "Automatically fix errors" and "Scan for and attempt recovery of
bad sectors." Wait a while and you should get a "no errors found"
message. If errors ARE found, rerun with the "Automatically Fix errors"
checkbox checked. If the error fixer whines that XP won't allow to fix
anything, try booting into DOS and running chkdsk from the DOS comaand
line.
Error check MUST pass cleanly. Errors mean that XP no longer knows
what areas of the disk are in use and which are free. Which means that
new files may get written over old files, a very bad badness. All your
personal files, all Window's files, everything, is subject to instant
destruction without warning.
Never defrag a disk with errors. You can loose the entire disk.
5. In My_Computer or Explorer right click on the hard disk icon. Select
General. Select "Disk Cleanup". This will zap backup and temp files.
Look at "Free Space". The computer will be sluggish unless it has a
reasonable amount free space, say 10% of capacity.
6. Download and run SpyBot Search and Destroy. This will zap a lot of
spyware.
7. Download and run AdAware Personal Edition. This is a second spyware
zapper. Hopefully it will kill whatever survived Spybot. I always run
both programs.
8. Run your anti virus. If you don't have anti virus, find the "FPROT"
antivirus site and download the free one. It works about as well as
anything out there.

This ought to keep you busy for a while

David Starr
 
Here is my list of things to speed up a sluggish Windows XP machine.
1. Start->Settings->ControlPanel->Add-Remove Programs. Remove as much
as you can.
Click to expand...


Removing unused programs is fine. It will save some disk space, but it
will *not* speed up the computer.
 
I do agree but only in a minor way. Cos if program does add to the Startup
Items and Services, and execute as one of the processes, won't it be using up
the computer resources i.e. slow the computer down a little too?

it is always advisable to clear up your disk as much as you can and defrag
them for better performance too anyways...

Cheers,
Cruise Yong
 
Cruise said:
I do agree but only in a minor way. Cos if program does add to the Startup
Items and Services, and execute as one of the processes, won't it be using up
the computer resources i.e. slow the computer down a little too?

it is always advisable to clear up your disk as much as you can and defrag
them for better performance too anyways...

Cheers,
Cruise Yong
Click to expand...
That's the way I see it too. Removing a program package with Add/Remove
programs is SUPPOSED to remove all registry keys, disc files and
folders, destop icons, start menu icons, dlls, startup programs and
everything else. Mostly this works. It is always worth running the
uninstall on the hope that it will remove drivers, startup programs and
other invisible bits of "harmless" code hidden in the deeper nooks and
crannies of Windows.
Another reason to remove unused/unwanted programs.
Virii/Spyware/Malware have to hide somewhere on the hard drive.
Sometimes they sneak into, or disguise themselves as, ordinary program
files. If you clear out the underbrush of unneeded files maybe you will
get lucky and kill a virus. Or make it easier to see a suspicious file
that harbors one. It will certainly speed up your malware scans.
I am of mixed minds on defrag. Disc corruption or hardware/software
failure during defrag can trash the entire disk, leaving your machine
unbootable. Windows is pretty good about keeping the disc orderly and
avoiding file fragmentation. Of the various machines I have defragged,
hoping for more speed, only one showed much of a speedup. So although
defrag is always an option, it's pretty far down on my list of things to
do. ALWAYS be sure to get a clean chkdsk run before defragging.

David Starr
 
Hello,

1. RUN Checkdisk by going to My Computer > Right click local drive C >
Properties >Tool > Error Checking > Check Now > Tick auto fix file errors and
recover bad sectors > and Reboot the PC (takes 60 minutes or more)

2. RUN Disk Cean Up to clear all temporary internet files

3. RUN Disk Defragmentation

4. Increase your RAM to 512 MB or 1 GB or more.

5. If all these does not work consider buying a new Dell Optiplex PC with
Intel Duo Core processor and Window Vista Professional OS. if your PC is old
enough to be replaced. Dell Optiplex PC are specially desiugned for top
performance in the network or stand alone environment. This is good
experience with Dell PCs at the workl place over the years.

I hope my suggestions helps

Low
 
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