Our pc has slowed to a crawl. Whether it's on start up, running [anything, IE8, Word, excel, spell checker etc] Close down takes forever.
We're also getting the occasional freeze, where nothing happens even after an hour. Virus checks etc are all good. Any ideas where to start? Its Vista, home basic. Thanks
As a first check run Process Explorer and see what's eating up the system. Then report that.
Well, first thing I'd try is booting into SAFE MODE with NETWORKING. See if it is still slow there. If it isn't, then 'assume' something you normally start is the culprit.
In that case, click on start and search for MSCONFIG.EXE. Run it at look at the STARTUP TAB. See something you do not expect or know there, un-check it. Re-boot and see if it is OK. Otherwise, consider doing a CLEAN BOOT :
To perform a clean boot on a computer that is running Windows Vista, follow the VISTA steps from this MS KB article.
Hopefully after this it will be fast. Now start turning on just the services and check, then a few STARTUP items at a time. Eventually you should be able to narrow down and even identify the problem area or determine you have none.
Irv
Kiacat - What is the OS you are using?
1. If it is Vista OR XP, firstly IE-8 is not really works well with the OS itself. Friendly tip, uninstall it as it is too unstable. IE7 is comparatively better.
2. As whs suggested try to boot the computer in safe mode. This can be done by following the steps --> Shut down the computer --> Start it and simultaneously keep tapping the F8 key on the keyboard till it shows you a black screen with white lettering. The title will be Advanced Boot Options for : (The name of the OS - XP or Vista). Use the down arrow key on the keyboard to goto safe mode. Once highlighted hit Enter. You should see windows is loading files with a list of files scrolling on the screen with a message " Please wait". Enter your password - if any and sign on to the desktop. You will see all the four corners with "Safe Mode" with a blank background. This diagnostic mode will load only basic drivers required for normal function of the computer. If you need internet access in this mode instead of choosing safe mode on the advanced boot options choose - Safe mode with networking. In safe mode with itself you will not have internet access but will safe mode with networking you will have internet access. Pref safe mode is better cause if you need to access internet it will be a better thing to do. Check the performance in safe mode if computer works fine in safe mode 2 possibilities here.
a) VIRUS. - Run a scan for virus using malwarebytes. This can be found from www.malwarebytes.org this will not interfere with any existing Anti-Virus you have on the computer but (Please do not treat this application as a complete antivirus solution.) There are 2 options you would get - Perform quick scan and Perform full scan. Choose - Perform quick scan (time taken approx 15mins). Only if you see Objects infected with a high number do a full scan for viruses.
b) Run a test on the hard drive - From BIOS - called SMART test (let me know if you need help with this.). Your HDD may be bad.
c) OS is corrupt you would need to recover or reinstall the OS from recovery or OS install disk.
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