Why Is My Computer Running Slow

There are many different problems that may cause your computer to slow down, but you can sum it up into two categories: software or hardware. The computer hardware is the tangible parts, like the motherboard, RAM, or CPU. Computer software is all the installed applications or programs in your computer. Software includes programs such as Photoshop, Microsoft Word, or even games. If your computer is running slow, here is a list of things to check.

Hard drive running out of space
Startup programs
Internal dust causing overheating
Virus scan or spy ware scan
Corrupt files
Fragmented hard drive

You should make sure there is plenty of room left on your hard drive. If it is running low on space you can either get an upgrade or delete old files or unused programs. It would also be helpful to erase all your temporary files as well as cookies.

The most common occurrence for computer slow down is forgotten or unnecessary applications constantly running in the background. It is very likely that when you get a new program or application it automatically adjusts its settings to run every time you start your computer. Open up the task manager and see what applications you have running. If you find anything that sounds unfamiliar or that you would just prefer not to have running, you should go to the add or remove programs manager in the control panel and remove them.

An overheating computer can greatly slow down its processing. Your computer should be ventilated to allow air to flow through and keep it from over heating. This is helpful but also problematic since it brings dust into your computer which can greatly add up over time. You should occasionally open up the case of the PC and blow any dust out.

If pop-up windows are constantly bombarding your screen, even when you’re not using your computer, that can be a big factor in the lack of speed of your computer. Pop-ups are usually caused by spyware or a virus that has infected your computer. The solution to this problem is purchasing an anti virus program and have it running at all times.

Although it doesn’t matter which anti virus program you use, it is important to make sure it is always up to date. Regular scans of your system can be scheduled to be performed automatically, or you can initiate them manually.

A corrupt file can also seriously slow down your computer and can even keep it from working properly or booting up at all. The solution to this is running the scan disk utility.

Fragmented files are files or documents that may have not been stored in the most efficient way and will make it hard for your computer to open them. To take care of your fragmented files, click on Start, then programs, then go to accessories > system tools > disc defragmenter. Defragment all of the given drives. Defragmentation may take a while to complete, but the possible resulting increase in speed makes it very worth while.

Tags: slow computer, virus infection

This entry was posted on Saturday, March 14th, 2009 at 4:15 am and is filed under Advice. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.