What is wrong with this damn machine?

Question

My computer has always been inadequate. Whenever I run Yahoo Messenger, it slows down. No matter what I run, it slows down. Nearly every day, my wireless internet goes down, and I have to re-boot my network adapter. If this doesn't work, I need to re-boot my PC.

Why is it like this? It drives me crazy.

Oh, and right now, Firefox has gone completely dead, so I'm having to use IE for the first time ever. I'm not in the mood to re-boot for the 3rd time today, so I'm just getting on with it.

Help???

Defragmenting doesn't help, because it practically stops the PC altogether, and takes 6 hours, before crashing itself halfway through.

Answer 1

Try going to Start>Run type 'msconfig'. Go to the services tab and click the 'Hide all Microsoft Services' examine this menu for blank spots and services for unknown programs. Move to your start up tab and do the same here checking for things like 'WhenUSave'. Uncheck the items click okay reboot. You'll get a message about selective startup click the 'Don't show me this again check box and click close. Last thing go to download.com and search 'hijackthis' this is an industry standard tool that obliterates spyware and viruses at the root level. See included documentation with program to perform the clean up. This may help too. Start>right click 'My Computer'>left click properties>Advanced>click settings button under performance>adanced tab>Click change under virtual memory>click Custom size radio button>in Initial size type'1024' in minimum and 1268 in maximum. This will give windows more Virtual RAM and greatly improve performance.

Answer 2

You need to see how much Ram you have. Does your PC works fine without Internet. You can format your drive. Make sure to backup your data before and then format your hard drive. open your PC and see if it is dusty from inside. It can also cause the PC to run slow. and How much Hard drive you have. try upgrading hard-drive and Ram. and also look at the accessories and start up folder if you have any programs in that. delete the programs.

It can be virus so check what processes you are running in task manager. here is the good website that tells you the processes detail whether it is harmful or not. that is www.processlibrary.com.



Hope this helps

Answer 3

I was having a similar problem, though not as severe as yours. My DSL kept bouncing out every time I went to a new screen and I had a white light (seriously) showing up on the bottom right of my screen like a blip for a second. I finally called my DSL provider and they said someone else had tapped into my IP address and they were accessing my computer. Hey. I did not like that ONE BIT.



I have since been given a new IP address. Norton Security never picked up on this. Just an FYI, sweetie pie.

Answer 4

What are the specs? RAM, processor speed, operating system? What security are you running.



With no other info, I'd say you have an infection, a corrupt system, or way too little RAM.



Ok, after your specs post, if you're running xp or 2000 you have WAY too little ram. 128Mb is the absolute minimum to run xp, and that means NOTHING ELSE. You need to get to at least 512Mb to be ok. (Also not a lot of hd space it seems; check how much is free on the system drive.)

Answer 5

Perform virus and spyware scans. If clean, uninstall some programs that you dont use but are starting when the computer starts (or you can choose your startup items in msconfig). Make the investment in the computer, if your still under warranty call tech support and tell them that you want to upgrade the memory. Its worth it.

Answer 6

If you can add more RAM memory - the more the merrier because it helps the computer to "think"



Also, if your computer is using Virtual Memory, this slows the computer down A LOT! Turn it off.



If these things don't work, think about getting a new one with a faster processor.

Answer 7

You should add at least some 128 MB RAM. Mine's experiencing almost the same problems and was told I need more RAM. Try that, it's relatively cheap and effective.

Answer 8

Sounds like you may need to upgrade your memory, or you have used up far too much space on your Hard Drive.



You may want to check to see how much space you have left on your drive, and maybe buy an extra (compatible) memory stick to install.

Answer 9

its the same with msn/aol messenger its just because its a big program so it takes up a lot of cpu usage and stuff so yeah but i dont know how to exolain ur network going dead

Answer 10

well you are running out of disc space as you have to much crap on your computer and dont get rid of the unessecerry stuff.Just through out all you dont want and then run a registry cleaner and that should get it going a lot better

Answer 11

check for adware / spyware / malware running in the backround you can use Adaware from http://www.lavasoft.com



then make sure the router is secured so your neighbors aren't hogging your bandwidth / resources

Answer 12

It might be that your computer down't have enough RAM. You can buy sticks of ram at any comp. supply store. That might be something to look into.

Answer 13

What do you have? A 486slc with 64MB memory on a 6GB hard drive?

Answer 14

How much memory do you have?

Ran spyware scans?

take stuff out of startup?

Answer 15

Sounds familiar...



Usually I just hit it until it starts working again...

Answer 16

it sounds like a virus, I had that same problem