Wear and tear?

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Guest

I've had my computer (Pakard-Bell)for just over six months now, and it's
already showing signs of complete uselessness. It started off fine, and then
has gradually got worse and worse, getting slower and not opening things
properly. I "use" Windows xp Home Edition.

I do not consider myself a mug at computers, and have coped reasonably well
up to this point, fixing the DVD player when that packed up, being deligent
with updates, performing regular defrags, etc.. but I have noticed that my
computer has deteriorated, and no, I haven't added any new hardware or
installed games. In fact the only things I use are the progams and hardware
that came with the computer, bar Norton Internet Security and Norton
Anitvirus software (which I have been using and updating, so I don't have a
virus), and a Phillips CD burner which the store of purchase (PC World) put
in for me, at a price, and now doesn't work.

It has got to the stage where I can't even open the defragmentation program
(and many, many others), the thing is dead slow (it has taken me just under
an hour to get to this point) and even things such as running two Word
documents at the same time have become impossible.

The problems I have outlined are not unique. The same things happened to my
previous computer, and a number of my coleagues have told me of their
machines playing similar tricks.

A simple way of saying all the above is that my PC is so slow that I can't
use it, and unless there is severe hardware corrosion, and I'm talking
severe, it's down to the software: Windows xp Home Edition.

So I suppose my questions are these: What can I do? Is this nonsense going
continue with my next PC, or will it stop? Are all computers designed to get
gradually worse until they are unuasble, so that you buy a new one? Do I have
a virus that Norton doesn't know about? If so how can I be rid of it? Do
"updates" actually do anything? Does this happen to Macs so short-lived?

I'm sorry this is such a rant, but as I've said, it has taken me an hour to
open this page!

I'm hoping someone out there can help!
 
I've had my computer (Pakard-Bell)for just over six months now, and it's
already showing signs of complete uselessness. It started off fine, and then
has gradually got worse and worse, getting slower and not opening things
properly. I "use" Windows xp Home Edition.
Click to expand...

Have you performed scans for spyware? Your virus scanner won't catch
this junk.

Three programs I recommend:

AdAware
www.lavasoftusa.com

Spybot Search & Destroy
www.safer-networking.org

Spyware Blaster
http://www.javacoolsoftware.com/spywareblaster.html


The first two are scanners/cleaners. Spyware Blaster is a prevention
tool. All of these have freeware versions that work just fine.

That may not be your problem, but severe spyware infestations have
been known to wreak havoc on system performance. If you haven't done
any of this before, I'd be willing to bet you have spyware on your
machine.

Good luck, and let us know how it goes.

Jeff
 
| I've had my computer (Pakard-Bell)for just over six months now, and it's
| already showing signs of complete uselessness. It started off fine, and
then
| has gradually got worse and worse, getting slower and not opening things
| properly. I "use" Windows xp Home Edition.
|

An excellent resource provided courtesy of most capable MVP Jupiter Jones.

http://www3.telus.net/dandemar/slowcom.htm

(some covered by the other responses some not)

--
D

I'm not an MVP a VIP nor do I have ESP.
I was just trying to help.
Please use your own best judgment before implementing any suggestions or
advice herein.
No warranty is expressed or implied.
Your mileage may vary.
See store for details. :)

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