Avast! in XP

All antivirus programs will cause a very slight slowing down of a computer. This should NEVER be noticable (though it is measurable). I think that you are wrongly attributing the kind of slowing down you describe to Avast. It sounds to me as if your computer needs a thorough clean up using tools which will show you what is causing the hold up and, especially, what is causing it to take so long in starting. If you were to ask me to do this (as a computer repair specialist), I would probably take the short route and not bother to investigate what is causing the problem (it may be a combination of a number of things and finding and curing each problem usually takes longer than it is worth). I would first ask you to back up ALL your data and to supply proper installation copies of all the software which you currently use, including your Windows installation disk. I would then check the hard disk for errors and reformat it, reinstall Windows and all your applications and finally restore such data as you actually needed from back-up (making sure, of course, that it was virus free). Depending on what applications you use and how much RAM you already have, I might recommend that you increase the RAM to the maximum the PC and Windows would support (probably 2Gb).

Most antivirus do this. one solution to this is remove avast from startup list of your operation system and when system starts then manually start it every time. or you can switch to one of those new cloud antivirus they small and light but you need internet connection for them or my favorite antivirus microsoft security essetial very quiet its the best. and its free if you have genuine windows. Skype uses a lot of memory it is made that way can't help that. shut it down when not using it.

I see two possibilities here: First, too many cookies in your PC. Clean it might help Second, your PC RAM too low. As we know, all anti virus will consume our PC RAM. If your RAM 500 M or less, it probably cause why your PC running slow. If this your actual case, upgrading will necessary.

I have never used Avast anti-virus so I really do not know much about it. I always use Norton and I have never had a problem with it. May be you could change it and see how your computer will react.

What are the parts inside your computer? Is it a desktop computer or laptop? Do you have atleast 1 GB of RAM? If then I would recommend you to upgrade to windows 7 since windows XP is old 2002. I would recommend atleast 2 GB RAM for windows 7, and a processor of atleast 1.50 GHz. Windows XP now a days is only stilled used in Asia, and I think they should upgrade :P No offense if you like XP better, or if you can't get anything better, I understand that.

First install any system managers.. I prefer Tune Up Utilities. Check your PC for any Registry Errors and repair them. later clear all dump memory using CCleaner. If the problem is still repeating then Defragment your main local disc where your OS is installed. I prefer to you : 1. Tune Up Utilities, 2. CCleaner 3. AVG Internet Security [ optional ] All the best.