My PC has been running quite slowly recently, and has crashed a couple of times...

So I have just installed a fresh (legitimate ) copy of Norton Internet Security, deleted all cookies, temp files, old programs, P2P file sharing programmes, all old files etc.

I have even organised all my files so they are all neat and tidy, and my desktop now has nothing other than a recycle bin.

However, its still running pretty sluggish. I have a 3.2GHz P4, 1GB RAM, 256MB graphics etc, so it really shouldn't be running this slowly.

So, can anyone recommend any "clean up" tools that will be of benefit? In particular, I uninstalled the Yahoo tool bar, but can't get it to disappear from the programmes list

Any other advice greatly appreciated!

Before you start cleaning, you need to stop those programs that auto instal themselves into your start-up that you dont wont running all the time ie MSN messenger.

My PC has been running quite slowly recently' date=' and has crashed a couple of times...

So I have just installed a fresh (legitimate ) copy of Norton Internet Security, deleted all cookies, temp files, old programs, P2P file sharing programmes, all old files etc.

I have even organised all my files so they are all neat and tidy, and my desktop now has nothing other than a recycle bin.

However, its still running pretty sluggish. I have a 3.2GHz P4, 1GB RAM, 256MB graphics etc, so it really shouldn't be running this slowly.

So, can anyone recommend any "clean up" tools that will be of benefit? In particular, I uninstalled the Yahoo tool bar, but can't get it to disappear from the programmes list

Any other advice greatly appreciated![/quote']

what size is the hard drive & how much space do you have on it?

Also what size (& location) is your Virtual memory file?

Pete

do a disc defrag

Maybe a bit drastic, but if you backup all your personal files (which you already have being a good man ), know of a decent way of speeding things up. My favourite "Spring cleaning tool" is a

format c: /u

Seriously though, if your PC is bogged down, a fresh start is relatively easy and is certain to remove any junk lyeing around

Don't fancy the fresh start option tbh. My pics and stuff aren't backed up, and can't be arsed to it either.

I have a 250GB Hard drive, so not exactly lacking in space...

And the startup folder is empty - even though there are millions of processes that run from startup :thumbdwn:

Anyone know of an app that will clean up the registry and such like? :confused:

Seriously though, if your PC is bogged down, a fresh start is relatively easy and is certain to remove any junk lyeing around

I'm with this idea. Especially with Windows. A lot of stuff is one-way - it goes on, it doesn't come off.

OK, so how do I go about a doing a fresh start then...?

(You cannot give too much detail! )

I have to say I agree with the other lads, do a complete reinstall. But before that, get a usb hard drive from Staples, etc, for around

I'm not going to be purchasing an external HD, but all the software I want to keep is on CD. Just a case of burning all my photos etc. Shouldn't be a problem.

Infact, i have a spare 20GB HD kicking about I could slot in for back up purposes :rubchin:

If you're running windows XP, try the MSconfig tool. (Click START, RUN then enter MSCONFIG and click OK.) This allows you to select what is run when the PC starts up and might help speed things up a little. Just be careful though as there's plenty of opportunity for things to go wrong!

Please tell me you don't have a single partion of 250gb?

Back up to two media's, especially if your using glossy media aka cd's and dvd's.

Maplin do a little usb to ide convertor, very handy, although only for lappy drives IIRC.

So backup backup backup and check the backups.

If you have all the software you want on media, then go for a disc in. I used to this once a month for a variety of reasons, now I do once every 6 to 12.

Oh backup.

Don't reply on windows, do a physical check of your FS, if you spot some apps not showing in control panel?add/remove pgms then find out how to can them if you want them canned etc.

Check for services you do not need or have added.

Disable your lan / network, see if it speeds up

oh define sluggish

It depends where you got it from, components used etc, my custom build although technically 400Mhz dow on my works ibm machine kicks it's **** on almost every test...

250 in one partion...love your defragmenter.

I think there is a 5GB "system recovery" partition, but other than that...

How do you create a partition?

Partition Magic has always been the best way for me to manage my partitions. Creates them without losing any data (although you'll have your backup anyway, just in case, so that's OK!!)

In your shoes, I'd create a data partition for your documents, photos etc (all the stuff you want to keep). Then run Windows setup and get it to wipe your main C: partition and install itself on there. Result: sweaky clean copy of XP, and your data ready and available on the D: partition (or whatever letter you want to assign) when XP finishes installing itself.

I do this every 9-12 months, depending on system performance. Also helps me cut down on the number of programs I actually have installed AND use. When you start with a clean XP install, you'll soon realise which apps you actually need

Good luck

Steve

p.s. Oh, and has anyone mentioned that decent, working backups are essential?

Tom, if you want to meet up one afternoon to do it together, I'm happy to help

system mechanic from www.iolo.com do a 30 day trial.

I use it all the time on machines. can your e-mail take a 3 mb attachment.

can amil it if you pm yoiur e-mail address.

Lee

Don't fancy the fresh start option tbh. My pics and stuff aren't backed up' date=' and can't be arsed to it either.

I have a 250GB Hard drive, so not exactly lacking in space...

And the startup folder is empty - even though there are millions of processes that run from startup :thumbdwn:

Anyone know of an app that will clean up the registry and such like? :confused:[/quote']

Tom, there is a dead simple and largely free way to keep your PC running clean and hassle-free:

1. If running WinXP, install service pack 2 http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/sp2/default.mspx

2. If on broadband, switch the Windows Firewall on. If you have a modem-router, this should have a firewall already.

3. DITCH Internet Explorer 6, i.e. stop using and get a different browser. Lots of people swear by Firefox http://www.getfirefox.com/

4. Download AVG, which is free, regularly updates and virus detection is very good. http://free.grisoft.com

5. Download Spybot and Ad-Aware (search download.com). Update and scan.

I used to have plenty of support calls before I adopted the above methodology. Now I have none and am thankfully able to get on with more highbrow stuff.

Prevention is better than cure.

P.S. In my perhaps bigotted opinion all other tools are a waste of money and some cause more grief that they fix. Therefore get rid of that Norton piece of rubbish!

P.S. In my perhaps bigotted opinion all other tools are a waste of money and some cause more grief that they fix. Therefore get rid of that Norton piece of rubbish!

Couldn't agree more - I bought a new machine about 8 months ago and was disgusted with its performance from the word go. It actually ran slower than the 5 year old machine it was intended to replace.

After a few months of being driven nuts Norton started throwing up error messages every 30 seconds and closing my browser so I went on a mission to destroy the thing. Was removed (after reformatting and reloading windows) and replaced with AVG and Zonealarm and I've never looked back - runs so much faster and I know it's secure

Is Norton really that bad?

Surely it can be configured to just be less agressive...

I'm using Norton Utilities 2002 for defragging and the like too.

Also, I don't have a copy of XP - just the "recovery disk" that came with the machine.

Also, when creating a partition, does it appear as a new drive with a different letter?

Cheers for all your help so far! I have Ad-Awared and S&D'd too - was shocked at how many critical errors there were

Spent approx 3 hrs last night cleaning up No2 sons pc, he had Spybot Search & destroy, ( never updated it ) and nothing else. to save his machine. Despit being advised to put Sygate personal firewall, and AVG Anitvirus.

Updated spybot, ran it to clear over 60 bits of spyware.

Downladed Sygate, installed & very simple config.

Heard AVAST has a free Anti Virus, ( you can set auto update very easily ), so downloaded, and ran, Cleared 235 trojans YES THATS RIGHT 235! , the machine is a lot better.

Tried Norton Firewall, found it complicated and took up too much space in memory, went for Sygate as home edition is free.

Would recommend Defrag weekly as well, with a disk that size.

P.S Jusr seen you have ad aware & S&D, have heard that adaware sees S&D as spyware

I don't believe vendors are still getting away with providing restore disk and not product CDs. This practice started mid-'90s and was chastised so providers were obliged to do things properly. Seems things have changed.

Not sure what you want to mess about with partitons for? Leave that for now, it's not critical to get your PC running properly now.

Please give my plan a go!!! FIREFOX and SP2 are the most two critical bits you HAVE to do for a trouble-free PC.

Have you inspected the system startup in S&D? Click Tools, make sure "system startup" is checked here and you'll get a "system startup" option below the tools menu

Given your inexperience, it would be fair to say just switch everything off in the startup list bar say anything that looks familair, e.g, "Grisoft"> anti-virus, or "msnmsgr" MSN Messenger. Thsi won't stop your Windows loading but you may find some stuff fails to load at startup. You can always selecticely add it in later. I've attached a screenshot.

Spyware? Viruses? Slow running PC? None of them here thank you very much

I love Linux

Spyware? Viruses? Slow running PC? None of them here thank you very much

I love Linux

No-one likes a show off...!

System Mechanic can be useful for a spring-clean, but the trial is a pain with constant reminders, installs a service that cripples your machine on startup, etc. My advice would be install it, run a clean, and then remove it again.

Can't subscribe to this "IE is evil" philosophy. If you are getting trojans and viruses, get a firewall and some AV software. If you're getting spyware, run a remover every now and then. I use Firefox almost exclusively at home and still get the odd spyware infection.

Had Norton on a Windows98 PC I was trying to clean up a few weeks ago. Seems a huge beast that acts as a big drain on system resources. Avast or AVG are free and much smaller and lighter.

I ran Norton and binned it as it hogged so many resources it was a joke. Trying to game with it activated was unbearable. I have the full McAfee security suite this a resource hog as well!!! Buy a router (ebuyer do them for