I’m getting a little annoyed now, my computer is about 3 years old; bought brand new. But just recently its been running really really slow. It takes minutes just to start up and even longer to get going after I sign into my user account. It had its fair share of viruses, a couple of Trojans but nothing that serious and I’ve always managed to clear them without much hassle. I’ve been using Norton Home Security. My (C:) is 50GB and my (D:) is 25GB. But the thing is I only have about 20GB of multimedia on my computer! I don’t have anything else apart from programs like itunes, windows live messenger, vlc media player etc. So where has all my memory gone? I’ve never even used my (D:) and somehow 18GB has been used up. And I’ve only got 20GB of stuff on my (C:) and somehow 45GB has been used!!! Any ideas on what the problem is and what I could do? All I want is a PC that runs fairly quickly.
Answer:
Well… Thinking on the worse… Your computer is being used as a storage for illegal files, such as child pornography or terrorist training manuals, bomb making manuals… It is not that uncommon that badly secured computers became part of botnets, a large connection of computers that are later used for malicious purposes, such as ddosing websites, re-sending spam, sending threatning messages, or a file storage… What can help ( tested for XP only ) : 1. Disable programs from running on the startup, once in msconfig you shouldnt have more than 8 objects listed there… Keep only security programs, motherboard/graphic card, everything else s got to go. Step by step guide here : http://www.ecuhq.com/tricks-f6/disable-startup-programs-in-msconfig-t205.htm 2. Disable unneeded services from constantly running in your background, if you press Ctrl + Alt + Delete ( to open Task Manager ) you shouldnt have more than 35-40 processes… By disabling services you can decrease the number of processes for 50%… Step by step guide here : http://www.ecuhq.com/tricks-f6/disable-services-in-servicesmsc-t237.htm 3. Speed up Windows XP by optimizing RAM… I have been using this trick for years without anything bad happening, its safe : http://www.ecuhq.com/tricks-f6/speed-up-windows-xp-by-optimizing-ram-t337.htm 4. Delete temporary files and fix registry errors by using this small utility, called CCleaner… I made 1 month review on it, at : http://www.ecuhq.com/tested-programs-how-to-use-f32/ccleaner-1-month-test-t15.htm I use it all the time… It can delete several hundreds of useless files of your HD… Registry is one of the main things that slow down your computer, it will delete registry entries left behind by uninstalls… Also try this program : http://download.cnet.com/Glary-Utilities/3000-2094_4-10508531.html Read the review, 1000 people scored it as 4 ( out of 5 ). 5. Download this program to check the temperature of your system.. Slow responding is a defense mechanism of overheated machines… http://www.filehippo.com/download_speedfan/ 6. Defrag your drive : http://www.ecuhq.com/tricks-f6/how-to-defragment-your-hard-drive-t147.htm 7. Turn off visual effects : http://www.ecuhq.com/your-own-tutorials-guides-f38/how-to-turn-off-your-visual-effects-so-your-computer-will-run-smoother-t597.htm#1614 8. Uninstall all programs you didnt use ( programs you DID NOT run in last 2 months ) in last 2 months… That can be done from CCleaner ( suggested under number 4 ) or from : Start / Control Panel / Add or Remove Programs… 9. Check for viruses & spyware. Use : AntiVir Avira ( having best detection rate ), ClamWin ( being extensive on demand scanner ), Malwarebytes Anti-Malware ( known for its detection rate & ease of removal ), SUPERAntiSpyware ( because its good ). 10. Going back in time ( using System Restore ) might be a good idea, but viruses often make copies to it, once System Restore is used, viruses go along so you are in exactly the same situation as before. I d rather advise cleaning / scanning ( 9. point ) and destroying all system checkpoints ( will also destroy potential virus copies inside ) : 1. Click Start / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore 2. Look on the left and click on : “System Restore Settings” 3. Check a box, at : “Turn off System Restore on all drives” 4. Click Apply / Yes / Ok 5. Click Start / Accessories / System Tools / System Restore 6. Click Yes 7. Uncheck that box 8. Apply / Ok 11. Your computer hasnt been formatted in 3 years. People advise to format computer every 6 months. Perhaps its nothing malicious, but your computer is simply full of junk files and other shit that comes by. Also : over the time, computer registry becomes so full that it starts affecting startup time… Nor msconfig, or services.msc will help here. I d really suggest reformatting, its easy to do, takes 2 hours and you get a fresh, clean start. Hope it helped. Report Results. More computer information & tricks at : http://www.ecuhq.com
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