My Computer is running Slow and progammes take ages to load!
Posted on 06. Apr, 2010 by admin in Home Computing
Many of my clients complain of a slow computer or laptop. There can be several reasons for this:
1. Too many programmes starting up. This means that with so many programmes starting up your system memory is being used up. How to solve it is check your Startup programmes by clicking the Start/Startup folder and remove the programmes you don’t want to start when booting the computer/laptop.
Another more slightly complex way is to type into Run (Xp) or Start search (Vista) bar – type msconfig and press the enter/retun button. A popup will appear asking to continue, click continue. Next a window with tabs |General|Boot|Service|Startup|Tools| will show on the screen, you can then click the tab called startup and untick any system programmes you don’t wish to start.
2. The second issue is there may be Malware, Adware, Tracking or Trojan scripts/programmes running. I have seen this occur even with an antivirus progamme running. I tend to download micosoft security essentials Microsoft Security Essentials it is free and so long as you have xp SP2 or vista you can download it and run it. This often picks up small tracking cookies, malware and removes them. But I always advise to run with an antivirus programme.
3. The other common issue is that there is simply not enough memory. Now rather than pay someone to tell you what you need and how much it will cost, I advise all my clients to go to Crucial Memory .
On this site You can simply press a button “Scan My System” and it will scan your computer or laptop.The Crucial website will then retun to the client how much memory and what type of memory is on their system, how much maximum memory they can have in their system and then lists the memory and cost. The memory can then be bought direct fom Crucial, who are both affordable and have an excellent service. It is then a case of fitting the memory, expect to pay between £10 – £20 for this service. For example we will do it for £10 locally (3 mile radius) and £20 up to 18 miles radius (I charge higher to pay for high priced petrol thus limit unecessary travelling that will damage our habitat). But if you are taking your laptop or computer to a computer shop or me - don’t expect to pay more than £15 as it only takes 15 – 20 minutes to fit the memory. If you are quoted £25 – £35 for fitting memory at a shop or by an individual – then shop around.
There are other reasons for a slow computer but these are the first options to eliminate. You could always buy a new computer and with the many deals that are available, keep an eye for a price that’s right.
