Computer Going Slow? Here are some things that might help

[xXsyreXx 0]

I don't know if this is the right section to post this in. If not please move to right section.

 

This is basically software that might help your computer speed up. I will give a description on each one that I am really familiar with. The main category will be in bold and the sub-categories will be in italics

 

Maybe you arent running a firewall?

If you have been using the Internet for any length of time, and especially if you work at a larger company and browse the Web while you are at work, you have probably heard the term firewall used.

If you have a fast Internet connection into your home, either a Dsl or cable modem, you may have found yourself hearing about firewalls for your home network as well. It turns out that a small home network has many of the same security issues that a large corporate network does. You can use a firewall to protect your home network and family from offensive Web sites and potential hackers.

Basically, a firewall is a barrier to keep destructive forces away from your computer. In fact, that's why its called a firewall.

Some firewalls that you can use for free are windows firewall and zone alarm.

 

What does anti-virus software do?

Although details may vary between packages, anti-virus software scans files or your computer's memory for certain patterns that may indicate an infection. The patterns it looks for are based on the signatures, or definitions, of known viruses. Virus authors are continually releasing new and updated viruses, so it is important that you have the latest definitions installed on your computer.

 

Once you have installed an anti-virus package, you should scan your entire computer periodically.

 

 

1.Automatic scans - Depending what software you choose, you may be able to configure it to automatically scan specific files or directories and prompt you at set intervals to perform complete scans.

 

2.Manual scans - It is also a good idea to manually scan files you receive from an outside source before opening them. This includes

 

*Saving and scanning email attachments or web downloads rather than selecting the option to open them directly from the source

 

*Scanning floppy disks, CDs, or DVDs for viruses before opening any of the files.

 

What happens if the software finds a virus?

Each package has its own method of response when it locates a virus, and the response may differ according to whether the software locates the virus during an automatic or a manual scan. Sometimes the software will produce a dialog box alerting you that it has found a virus and asking whether you want it to "clean" the file (to remove the virus). In other cases, the software may attempt to remove the virus without asking you first. When you select an anti-virus package, familiarize yourself with its features so you know what to expect.

 

Which anti-virus software should I use?

There are many vendors who produce anti-virus software, and deciding which one to choose can be confusing. All anti-virus software performs the same function, so your decision may be driven by recommendations, particular features, availability, or price. See the references section for a link to a list of some anti-virus vendors.

 

Installing any anti-virus software, regardless of which package you choose, increases your level of protection. Be careful, though, of email messages claiming to include anti-virus software. Some recent viruses arrive as an email supposedly from your ISP's technical support department, containing an attachment that claims to be anti-virus software. However, the attachment itself is in fact a virus, so you could become infected by opening it.

Some Anti-virus software that are free are; avg and avast.

 

What is spyware?

Spyware is a type software that performs certain tasks on your computer without your consent. This may include giving you advertising or collecting personal information about you.

How do I prevent Spyware?

Step 1:

Adjust internet explorer security settings. You can adjust your Internet Explorer web browser's security settings to determine how much or how little information you are willing to accept from a Web site. I would recommend that you set the security settings for the Internet Zone to medium or higher.

Step 2:

Use a firewall. While most spyware come or originate from web sites, some spyware can actually be placed on your computer by hackers. Installing a firewall or using the firewall that's built into Windows XP provides a good defense against these hackers.

Step 3: Download from websites you only trust. The best defense against spyware not to download it in the first place. Here are a few helpful tips that can protect you from downloading software you don't want:

 

1.Only download programs from web sites you trust. If you're not sure whether to trust a program you are considering downloading, ask a friend or search google to see if there has been reports of that download containing spyware.

 

2.

Never click the agree or ok button to close a window. Instead, click the red x in the corner of the window or press the alt+f4 buttons on your keyboard to close the window.

3.

Be wary of free music and movie file-sharing programs, and be sure you clearly understand all of the software packaged with those programs.

Step 4: Download and install an Anti-spyware software. Some Anti-spyware programs that I would recommend you use are; Spybot: Search and Destroy (Which is currently installed on my computer) and Ewido.

 

*Please be aware that Ewido is just a free trial.

 

Notice from mayank:

The major content of this post is copied. I've put that in quotes.

I've mentioned the links of the various websites from where the content was copied.

http://www.verizon.com/about/our-company/state-government-affairs

https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-005

http://www.findpk.com/cybercity/Trojan.html

http://www.tipsandtreats.com/anti-spyware-tips.asp

 

Warning issued!

Edited December 16, 2005 by mayank (see edit history)

[theplok 0]

Another type you should be aware of is adware. Adware is a lot like spyware, except that adware is usually harmless. It usually installs a program on your computer that generates more ads on your computer. For scanning for adware on your computer, I recommend downloading Ad-Aware SE. With this program combined with Spybot - Search and Destroy, you should clean your system of most spyware and adware.

[chriswsk 0]

They are useful.

 

To speed up your computer, you may also remove some un-used registries. There are many registires cleaners in the web for download.

 

In fact, your computer will get slow when you install software to it because installing software may bring some dll files to your computer and your computer may need to load the dll files to memory.

 

I don't know if this is the right section to post this in. If not please move to right section.

 

This is basically software that might help your computer speed up. I will give a description on each one that I am really familiar with. The main category will be in bold and the sub-categories will be in italics

 

Maybe you arent running a firewall?

Some firewalls that you can use for free are windows firewall and zone alarm.

Some Anti-virus software that are free are; avg and avast.

 

What is spyware?

How do I prevent Spyware?

Step 1:

 

Step 2:

 

Step 3: Download from websites you only trust. The best defense against spyware not to download it in the first place. Here are a few helpful tips that can protect you from downloading software you don't want:

 

1.Only download programs from web sites you trust. If you're not sure whether to trust a program you are considering downloading, ask a friend or search google to see if there has been reports of that download containing spyware.

 

2.

 

3.

 

Step 4:  Download and install an Anti-spyware software. Some Anti-spyware programs that I would recommend you use are; Spybot: Search and Destroy (Which is currently installed on my computer) and Ewido.

 

*Please be aware that Ewido is just a free trial.

 

Notice from mayank:

The major content of this post is copied. I've put that in quotes.

I've mentioned the links of the various websites from where the content was copied.

http://www.verizon.com/about/our-company/state-government-affairs

https://www.us-cert.gov/ncas/tips/ST04-005

http://forums.xisto.com/no_longer_exists/

http://www.tipsandtreats.com/anti-spyware-tips.asp

 

Warning issued!

213306[/snapback]

[zaqy 0]

i have a suggestion .. try to disable microsoft process at start up ( if You Use XP or Microsoft OS) by editing in msconfig.If you know about registry try to edit HKLM or HKCU Microsoft + Windows + Curent Version + Run (Runservices)sometimes computer become slower because you use Anti Virus Software.if you have a time try to search 'kill process' at google it will show you about runing process manager (in windows). and run command prompt by type Start + Run + cmd then type netstat -a you will see about current connection in your pc.

[thebluekirby 0]

Hehe, this should go under Computers

....that's a long article o__o. When my computer goes slow, I restart it or delete files and it makes my comp go faster XD But i should try this out, restarting hasn't helped lately @_@

[LeAnn Rimes My Angel 0]

The one thing to add to your computer, hardware speeking, is more RAM. RAM is the biggest boost for hardware speed there is. Keep in mind that your hard drive, or HDD, is the bottleneck of your computer. In other words, your HDD is the slowest thing in your computer that there is. Even the slowest RAM in the world is faster than the fastest HDD on the market today.Consider these operating systems. Next to is is how much RAM your should have:Windows 95: 32 to 64MB (if you go any higher, it should handle it just fine)Windows 98: 128MB (But keep it less than 1GB [1000MB]. I think there is a limit, then it will actually start to slow your computer down, surprisingly.)Windows 2000: 256MB (This is a good number, but feel free to add more.)Windows XP: 512MB at the very minimum (The sky is the limit for it. If you can afford more, put it in because XP is a hog! I suggest at least 1GB for better performance, and make sure it is DDR RAM.)

[bucksta 0]

RAM DA FUDGE out of your computer make it fast as HELLLL

[gsmupdate 0]

NO IT ISNT

[hulunes 0]

well,useful info for a computer user.i always notice those problem when using my pc at times.of couse,like what Dark God said,the most performance is RAM,i do agree to assign reasonable memory resources for a os.

[itek4u 0]

The major culprit for computer slowdowns that I run into constantly are malware like trojans, adware, etc. If you can keep those under control you can keep your system running optimally. Another culprit is when you install software they like to put the quick start in RAM which is usually unnecessary. Keeping your start up folder clean will partially help solve this.

[DeM0nFiRe 0]

Heh, I got so much spyware on my computer once that I was getting to places in GTA even before the LOD graphics woere coming up. That was great fun ^^

[nstay 0]

Windows 95: 32 to 64MB (if you go any higher, it should handle it just fine)Windows 98: 128MB (But keep it less than 1GB [1000MB]. I think there is a limit, then it will actually start to slow your computer down, surprisingly.)
Windows 2000: 256MB (This is a good number, but feel free to add more.)
Windows XP: 512MB at the very minimum (The sky is the limit for it. If you can afford more, put it in because XP is a hog! I suggest at least 1GB for better performance, and make sure it is DDR RAM.)

what about windows 92 or lower?

Another type you should be aware of is adware. Adware is a lot like spyware, except that adware is usually harmless. It usually installs a program on your computer that generates more ads on your computer. For scanning for adware on your computer, I recommend downloading Ad-Aware SE. With this program combined with Spybot - Search and Destroy, you should clean your system of most spyware and adware.

but we need to pay for the adwares/spywares to be detroyed.what about malware, whats that.

you could also run the disk defragment on your computer right?by the way, does cookies slow computers down too?