Slow computer problems

[oenophile]

My computer has recently become slow loading web pages. I have checked to see if there were files that needed to be defragmented that may be slowing down my computer but found that there were not enough fragmented files to slow things down.

I remember my brother who is a computer programmer said that he had problems with "worms" slowing his computer down. He said that there was a website that you could go to and check to see if your system was infected and remove it. I would call him but he is away on vacation. Does anyone what website he is referring to or have any other suggestions?

[HAPe4me]

oen-

On the thread below this one is posted a note that there is a free online virus check at:

http://www.trendmicro.com

I ran it on mine, didn't find anything, but it is there. Takes awhile, but might be worth trying.

Also, you might clean out your internet Temp files, and perhaps get adaware's latest version and run it (its free) to check for spyware.

~HAP

[WordWolf]

Ok, the usual questions...

Do you have a firewall?

Do you have an antivirus program you keep updated?

Do you have the latest editions of

Ad-Aware SE and Spybot:Search and Destroy?

By a firewall,

I mean at least a software program designed for that,

not the thing that comes with Windows or SP2.

(Although the SP2 thing is better than the other one.)

The online virus scan you saw is good, but it's better to have

programs that prevent a virus from getting there or staying

there.

Furthermore, AdAware and Spybot handle spyware and malware,

which can ALSO slow things down.

There are free versions of each of those (Spybot's shareware,

and accepts donations), and thus you can have a well-defended

computer without paying for the defenses.

Also,

if you use Mozilla, Netscape, Opera or Firefox rather than

Internet Explorer,

you'll find fewer script-exploits can sneak in while you surf.

=====

I knew someone who thought their computer was adequately

defended. (It had almost no defenses.)

By the time they put in serious time to clean it out

(and asked me), they had over four THOUSAND viruses to clean

out of the machine,

plus what the spyware cleaners found.

Afterwards, the machine ran a lot faster and they said it was

like having a new computer.

[Abigail]

Robin, it's a Michigan thing. We have the same problem with our computer. We have done the virus checks, adware, spyware, etc. Still runs slow. I have found that I can reinstall Windows 98 and that helps for a time, but as I follow Window's update recommendations, the problem gets worse and worse. At least that seems to be the trend for me.

[Steve!]

Definitely run Ad-Aware and Spybot Search & Destroy. You'll see a difference right away.

And it wouldn't hurt to defrag your hard drive.

[pawtucket]

quote:

---

Robin, it's a Michigan thing.

---

I've heard lots of reasons for slow computers, but this is the best one yet.

[Shellon]

No dang?

Wow, does that explain alot of stuff!

[Abigail]

"I've heard lots of reasons for slow computers, but this is the best one yet."

You thought I was kidding, Paw, didn't ya. But see, Shell, she understands. It couldn't possibly be that the computer is such a dinosaur that even the PC Doctor says we'd be better off replacing it than upgrading or repairing it. It is simply a Michigan thing. Come visit sometime and we'll show ya. :D-->

[Shellon]

:D--> LOL

[igotout]

It's not a Michigan thing its a Windows 98 thing. Save it to show your great grandkids but get XP and the new computer to go along with it.

Speaking of Syybot....be sure to update it and upgrade it or it might miss lots of spyware. Same with Ad Aware.

Same principle as keeping your Antivirus software up to date.