Hector Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 A slow-running computer can be really annoying. The first place to start to fix this is to make sure you don't have spyware running on your computer. I recommend running Windows Defender (free from Microsoft ), and optionally I like to run Ad-Aware Personal (free from LavaSoft). You should install these products and run them regularly to keep your computer free from Spyware. Then if it still runs slow, you should consider whether you have enough memory (RAM). A lot of computers have been sold with 256MB (or less) of memory and that is not enough for Windows XP. I just upgraded my RAM from 256MB to 768MB and the performance increase is amazing. It was the best $60 I ever spent. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Lunar Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 In addition to Ad Aware I use Spybot Seach and Destroy. And don't forget to use a good anti-virus program. (I personally am not a huge fan of Norton, I HATE dealing with that program on other peoples computers - I like Avast, myself). I just installed one of my parents' computer and would you believe I found a whole bunch of viruses... sigh. And yes, RAM. The computer speed god. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sky92x Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 AVG is the best antivirus I've ever ran across. I have zero experience with Avast, but I know its popular and has a good reputation. Norton and Mcaffee are horrid, and do more harm than good MHO. (Speaking from vast experience.) Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
BustopherJones Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 Hector and Lunar are both right. Also, if you have AOL, you have free software from them. Run them ALL! I have found that each will pick up spyware that the others do not detect, so I update and run all of them weekly (along with my anti-virus software). Sidebar: It is not enough to just have the software; you must update them just as you would your anti-virus software. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
smileyzookie Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 I second AVG! Free and awesome. I really loved Spysweeper too, but it isnt free where Spybot search and destroy is. Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Betsy Posted August 5, 2006 Report Share Posted August 5, 2006 I'll third AVG. Gotta love free, great products! I also use Zone Alarm for a free firewall, and it comes with spyware detector, too. Or at least the free trial of Zone Alarm Pro does, I'm not sure which. I love Kim Komando's download recommendations! http://www.komando.com/ Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenlion Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Hector, Thank you I just ran it on my office computer and there were 60 data trackers and one hijack attempt. No wonder it was so slow. Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you! Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Woodenlion Posted August 7, 2006 Report Share Posted August 7, 2006 Hector, Thank you I just ran it on my office computer and there were 60 data trackers and one hijack attempt. No wonder it was so slow. Thank you, Thank you, and Thank you! Toni Quote Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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