My computer's running s-s-slow-er than usual
By beingwell
@beingwell (3625)
Thailand
August 10, 2011 8:54pm CST
I'm running Vista on my PC so I'm quite used to having slow-running programs. Today however, it's much slower than usual so I decided to uninstall a lot of programs and perform a systems cleanup. I hope that those works. Right now, I'm rebooting my PC and as if Microsoft knows that I've uninstalled some files, here it goes asking me to update my system with 11 programs! It's not that I can say no to an update, right?
Anyway, I'm waiting for the update to finish and hopefully my Pc would run its normal pace. I'd be happier if it goes a but faster too.hihihi
How about you? Are you happy with the speed of your PC?
4 people like this
20 responses
@sais06 (1284)
• Philippines
11 Aug 11
Yeah I'm contented and happy with the speed of my computer but plan to do some more upgrades to increase further it's performance as I want to utilize the maximum performance of my computer.
I always clean the registry of my PC and run a system maintenance. I usually do not go for automatic updates but prefer to update them manually so that it will be easier for me to manage it's settings and preferences. I would also suggest that you try to defrag your computer at least once every month.![](/Content/images/emotes/happy.gif)
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1 person likes this
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
Hi 6! My husband's been nagging me to increase my PC's memory as well. Perhaps it is time to follow his advise,hehehe.. I still have an extra slot for a memory update. I'll go to the computer shop this weekend..with him!hihihi
Thanks for responding my dear.
@cerebellum (3863)
• United States
11 Aug 11
I have tried to defrag my computer and it says it isn't time yet. I can only do it 2 or 3 times a year. Is that because I don't use it that much or am I doing something wrong?
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@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
11 Aug 11
Hi Beingwell, it is pity to hear your computer is running slow. After you do the cleans-up, have you clean away the items in your garbage bin? I ever forgotten to delete away those items and it still remains slow. Hope after the Microsoft update, your computer able to run fast. Have you check the internet connection? Hope everything is fine soon, so you can go online like usual...So, waiting to see you active in here, Beingwell...![](/Content/images/emotes/cheering.gif)
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1 person likes this
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@myfb2009 (8296)
• Malaysia
11 Aug 11
Seems like, some of the days i am having this same problem like you. But, i usually begin my posting activity right from Mylot. I goes under all the discussion sections especially "friends started and recent". From there, i started to give comment to those discussions which i have ideas, one by one until my online time is out...![](/Content/images/emotes/cheering.gif)
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@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
Hi there my friend! My internet connection is quite fast. I'm using my phone right now and I've no problem with it. It's rrally my PC that's got issues, hihihi.. Well yes, I'd love to always check out what's happening in MyLot. Recently though, I noticed only a few interesring discussions were being sent to ny mail. Hmm...
But when the Mylot digest comes, there are a lot of giod topics that have passed me. I wonder why that is.... Does that happen to you myfb?
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@zalilame (880)
• Malaysia
11 Aug 11
My laptop is still running on windows xp and it has been around since the year 2007. But I am happy with the speed. I do not need to wait long. The storage was nearing the limit though so I am thinking of getting myself an external hard drives. The one I had was not returned by my friend.
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
Hi there! Oh yeah, you need to buy an external hard drive to free up space for your computer. I always transfer my personal files to my hard drive every month. My PC's running slow on its own and it doesn't need a lot of files eating up its memory space.hehehe.. Moreso, I have lots of pictures that are really bulky. It's best to just store them in an ecternal drive.heheheh
hey, ehy don't you just ask your friend to for hard drive back. How much is a hard drive in your place?
1 person likes this
@sais06 (1284)
• Philippines
11 Aug 11
My PC is also still running on XP.
It's not that I don't want to upgrade to Vista or 7 but I'm already happy and contented with its performance so I think upgrade isn't necessary at the moment.
Mine is also since 2007. I have added additional hard drive before but again its reaching its limit so I guess I have to purchase another one with higher storage capacity. As with beingwell's question, hard drives in my place usually costs around 2k to 3k pesos depending on capacity and brand.
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@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
What's the capacity, 6. Here, my Toshiba drive of 320 GB cost me about P1500. I thought it was a good deal. Perhaps now, this one costs a lot cheaper.
Anyway, how come you have a lot of files with you?hihihi... Just asking..
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@cableman67 (872)
• United States
13 Aug 11
If it is running slower than it normally does then you probably just need to tune it up. There is a great program called "Tune Up Utilities" that I use and I find it to be very helpful. Of course there are plenty of others that are good too, I was just giving you one example.
If you have installed more software programs that use up your computer's resources then you might want to consider adding some RAM memory which will always speed up your computer. I don't know how much you have at the moment but if it is 2 gig or less the another gig or two would greatly improve your computers speed and performance.
Another thing is that you could have several programs running in the background using your computer's resources slowing it down. The program I listed above has an option in it that allows you to see all the programs that start when you boot your computer and describes the importance and function of each program and allows you to set whether or not it starts when the computer boots up or not.
You can clean up unwanted programs and old data to give you more space on your hard drive and give it a tune up and this fixes the problem most of the time. If you ever have need of virus removal software or free advice on cleaning up and tuning up your computer the you might want to try the forums at http://www.techspot.com/vb/
They are free to join and use and give really good advice on computer issues. They also have a 6 step virus/spyware malware removal tool that is always good to run to make sure your system is problem free. You can find that post at: http://www.techspot.com/vb/topic58138.html
Anyway I hope that I have helped you in some small way and good luck with your computer.
1 person likes this
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
17 Aug 11
Wow! This is a very elaborate answer. Thanks very much! I appreciate it. :)
@RamRes (1723)
• Argentina
11 Aug 11
Right now my notebook runs fast enough even when it has Windows 7 and a lot of programs altogether. Of course it has some moments where I would like a bit more of speed, but it's still manageable.
I would suggest that you may improve first by disabling the Windows updates, as they add nothing important really and just install even more things. Look also for free hard disk space, you should have plenty of it for Windows to run smoothly (say, 4-8 GB for example). Uninstalling programs often doesn't has any effect, but keep running programs to a minimum helps to free memory and speeds up something.
Was the slow down just a single day? Or permanent? Maybe it happens to be running some update or an automatic process just that day.
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@earningmember (914)
• Canada
18 Aug 11
By the way @RamRes, you set update setting at "download and let me chosse which update to install or something"
Also beingwell, windows 7 still perform monthly updates but the speed is very fast compare to windows vista and that's for sure!
@RamRes (1723)
• Argentina
18 Aug 11
Beingwell:
Good decision, Windows 7 is much better than Vista in every aspect. That together with a clean system may make a good difference. Just remember of not upgrading Vista to 7, but perform a clean install of 7, so you get a fresh system.
Earningmember:
No, i'm not using that option. I'm at "Never search for updates", so it doesn't even look to ask me to download something. Those updates are never needed and don't add anything, so I save my bandwidth and disk space by not putting them.
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
18 Aug 11
Hi Ramres. My Pc does this sometimes. Like today, it's done it again. That's why I'm finally deciding to quit Vista and switch to Windows7. I don't have a lot of programs running, too. And as for the updates, I think I need the patches since I'm using the Vista. Well, just till now. Later, I'm with a Windows7 yeah!
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• United States
11 Aug 11
I am happy with the speed of my PC now. I have a new computer and unfortunately I didn't install my virus protection right way which I should have. It wasn't even a month before my computer started crashing and freezing. Now that I have the virus protection its faster than ever. So now I am happy.
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
Oh yeah, that should be one of your to-do's with a new Pc. I guess you got a bit wxcited with your new toy,hihihi..that's why you forget to install your anti-virus. :) wrll, now that it's running perfectly, I'm happy for you!
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
Hahah!
Lesson learned indeed! Good for you. When my PC was attacked by a malware because of being too lazy to install an anti-virus, I said to myself never again!hahaha!! Now, I always make sure that I'm protected.![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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• United States
11 Aug 11
Yes this is true! Haa haa I was so excited when I got my new PC. So and since I get free virus protection with my internet service. I would cringe at the face of having to call customer service and have them walk me through it so I put it off. Now I realize that it doesn't even take a month before virus will attach itself to a pc. Lesson learned for me.
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@thanks1961 (7035)
• India
11 Aug 11
Hi
I am using w-7 at home and vista in office. Both are working fine. Few things to be noted that your computer speed (Processor, RAM) etc will decide the overall speed of the computer. As you said, the unwanted or non usable programs if any, can be uninstalled which also help to speed increase.
Also, check the speed of your internet service provider. Again, if you are already opened various other software like word, excel, PPT, different internet browser, also may case low performance of the PC. However, you can download a free program called ‘CCleaner’ and install it. Which will help you to clear major back up files and temp files from your computer. Also, clean the temp files regularly.
Thank-s
@earningmember (914)
• Canada
11 Aug 11
Of course, you have choice to say no or yes to updates but I would recommend using updates. I would highly recommend getting and external hsrd drive (USB) to store your important files!
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@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
18 Aug 11
Good idea. I live a very simple life, earning member. I don't want to complicate things. I welcome the updates since I need them for my OS, which has a lot of flaws. Anyway, I'm moving on and switching to a Windows7; that's neat!hahaha!
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@rog0322 (2829)
• Cagayan De Oro, Philippines
11 Aug 11
Hi being,
I understand you are running Win Vista OS. It received some down votes from users due to its demanding attitude to computers. Needless to say, I didn't bother installing it on my PC. I don't know your system environments but I'm sure it could do better with Win XP or Windows 7.
I recommend using Windows XP or the newer Windows 7. Some say Win 7 is the way of saying "I'm Sorry for Vista, here's the best alternative."
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
I know. Vista sucks but it's the bundles OS with my PC when I bought it rog. Anyway, I'll be replacing this soon, when I really can't take it anymore!hahaha!!
Thanks for your comments!
@tenrajj (911)
• Bhutan
11 Aug 11
Well my pc was also slower before but after I re installed my OS it is working good. Before I use to have lots of software installed and also lots of start up programs which would have made my computer slower. But now i installed only required software and also I did not keep any start up program of my own. I also do disk clean up and defragmentation in every two weeks. I have also updated microsoft security essential which protects my system from any dangerous codes and software.
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
That's great ten! Actually, I also have what's the minimum software requirement installed in my PC too. I don't even have games here since I know it'll slow down my PC. Soon, I will upgrade the memory of my computer to improve its speed, even if just slightly.
@tenrajj (911)
• Bhutan
14 Aug 11
Yea, while playing games.. the other concurrent processes runs very slowly. Better don't install any games which requires very high system throughput and needs higher cpu usage. But for me, I can't live without playing games. So I have installed many games but my Pc is running normal.
Upgrading the memory will really help the computer run faster. Hope you mean to say RAM( Random access memory). With higher Ram system performance will be better.
@ravisivan (14079)
• India
11 Aug 11
beingwell: the speed of computer may increase after your cleaning temporary data. You can also delete history from the browsers u are using. That will also help improve speed of browsing.![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
Thanks rav! Actually, after cleaning up this morning, it seem to improve a little. Yes, I clear my history, cookies and cache often because I always want to have a faster running PC. For now, that's the fastest it can go. We'll see again tomorrow. When I shut down my PC tonight, Microsoft installed several updates again. Oh boy!![](/Content/images/emotes/doh.gif)
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@ravisivan (14079)
• India
11 Aug 11
yes. it happened here also microsoft installed so many updates today and after that the computer was slow. I had a restart and it helped. ![](/Content/images/emotes/thumbup.gif)
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@minomarimat (372)
• Philippines
11 Aug 11
Well, yeah. So far I'm happy with the running speed of my laptop pc. It's running on Windows 7 Ultimate, and so far there're no bugs that have affected its speed. I use TuneUp Utilities to maintain the performance of my OS.
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
18 Aug 11
Great! What anti-virus do you use? I'm switching to Windows 7 today and I'm planning to buy a new anti-virus too. Let's see if I still have the budget for it though.hahahaha! There are loads of free stuff on the internet anyway..![](/Content/images/emotes/niceday.gif)
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@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
11 Aug 11
I'm using Windows 7 and it's still running smoothly :D Most of the time, I would just run a scheduled disk clean-up and defrag and everything will be back on it's original order :D Try downloading CCleaner. For me it's one of the best disk cleaning tool since it looks for files until the registry entries :) I do use quite a lot of external hard drives since I DL quite a lot of stuffs. 500GB of external hard drive's not enough for me :P Good luck on your updates. Hope that your PC will run faster ;)
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
Thanks keihi! It did run a bit faster. And take note, the operative word there is "bit" hahah! At least it wasn't as slow as when I started it up this morning. Windows 7 is good. I've tried that as well. Hmm, I know U really gotta chanfe my OS! This discussion is really making my consider!hahahah
@keihimekawa (2009)
• Philippines
12 Aug 11
Personally I think you should :D Vista really runs slow on my laptop before so I tried upgrading it to Windows 7 and it works perfectly. For me, Windows 7 is like Vista's XP :P Some myLotters might disagree but this' just my opinion :P
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
I'm thinking of uninstalling my Vista and installing Windows 7, really. We'll see....![](/Content/images/emotes/evilgrin.gif)
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@Hatley (163776)
• Garden Grove, California
11 Aug 11
hi beingwell just a word of warning if you have your virus protection running all the time it really slows down your computer no matter what windows you are using . I have mine set to do a thorough check just once a week and at a time when I am at lunch so I will not being using it and getting upset over its slow running.
I have a modern windows xp professional which I love and cable jack rabbit express internet super fast so slowness is not bothering me
with my virus protection not doing a scan all day long ev ry day.
Of course if theres any virus popping up it grabs it then planks it in jail or deletes it asking you which you prefer.so check your virus protection.![](/Content/images/emotes/lol.gif)
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@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
Thanks for the advise Hatley. I'll check that out! I set everything to automatic since I don't know much about troubleshooting PCs, software or whatnots.
Ow..my updates are now done. I'll see if my Pc is working fine now.
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@carbajosa (146)
• Philippines
11 Aug 11
My computer is running very smoothly right when I bought it 6 years ago..
and now its really not that good anymore. The motherboard, Video Card and the Processors all been replaced... and my cpu heats even faster than before so I have to limit myself from using the computer.
only 15 mins of using = Blazing hot CPU already.
@lindaharding627 (1442)
• United States
11 Aug 11
There is a program that really helps with computer speed and finding errors. It is free and hubby and I have been using it awhile now. It is called 360 Amigo. To find it, just go to http://www.download.com and type 360 Amigo in the search box when you install it, you can either choose 15 days of the pro version for free or the totally free version. This program makes a lot of difference on computers and I have had others thank me for letting them know about it. I found it by accident. It does quite a few things that will speed up your computer and make it safer.
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
Really? I haven't heard of this thanks! Won't this slow down my PC more linda? How big is this program?
@beingwell (3625)
• Thailand
11 Aug 11
Hi jricky! We also watch movies and US shows online. You need to clean your system or de-frag every month. Also, check with your IT shop whether you need to increase your memory. What OS are you using?
@goggles213 (735)
• Philippines
11 Aug 11
I'm very happy with my computer's speed. There are some tricks that I do to keep it that way, first is the security. I use Avira and Malwarebytes combo, both are really strong protection and very low on eating your resources, you're protected with no latency! I perform a full scan twice a month to avoid malwares as they slow down your computer and then I disk check all my drives at least once a month. I use Auslogic defrag for fast defragmentation, I literally defrag it every end of my computer use the Defrag and optimize at least once a month. My computer now is low on disk space but it still works like a charm. I will get a new Hard Drive by the end of the month for my files.
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