my packard bell computer is running slow how can i fix it

HARRY CALLAGHAN, February 2009

If you cant get the program for pruning start up, click start-then run-then type msconfig, this will bring up the configuration utility, on general select "selective startup" then click the start up tab at the top , then scroll down and deselect the basic programs , do not deselect ctfmon this is for windows, only deselect the programs that you yourself have installed , do not deselect any of your antivirus software, and a point to remember is that the icons in the bottom right side of task bar are running and will slow down the pc . things like quick time, adobe reader, msn messenger always select themselves in msconfig when you use them (which is a pain) dont worry most antiviruses will not let you shut them down and if your not sure just repeat and reselct them. you can also do the same for PREFETCH as above click start then on run then type in PREFETCH in the window that opens select all the files and just delete them , its amazing how deleting them improves your pc's performanc.

Martin, May 2009

You do not mention the Op Sys or how much memory you have - some say that more memory will speed things up but there are things you can easily do before adding memory.

Get (download) Microsoft's Windows Defender (free) if you don't already have it.

Use the Software Explorer feature to prune rubbish from the Start Up Programs list - best to leave in any security stuff .

Use the same programme to examine Currently Running Programs and permanently delete any that look like malware.

Get Spybot Search & Destroy (free) and scan your machine for spyware.

Get Piriform's CCleaner and use its Registry utility to tidy up your machine's registry.

Defragment the disk(s)

Do regular Housekeeping to keep the machine well oiled.

Then if it's still running too slowly consider more memory.

Peccavi, February 2009