Windows 7: Waay too many problems since I started using Windows 7

The first issue is that you bought an eMachines system, which was already mentioned. The second was, I assume, that you left the default Windows install on there. OEM systems always run like crap out of the box. That's why, for many of us, the very first thing we do is to wipe the system clean and reinstall Windows 7 ourselves. The end result is a much faster, more efficient system.

+1 for that, Deacon. Follow that advice, wipe it using the previous instructions from Gregrocker.

Exactly what I did with my HP Dv7 almost 18 months ago, runs faster and does not have any manufacturer's krap between me and Windows7, which incidentally is the best iteration of Windows yet - and I have used them all since 3.1.

IE9 is much better for me as 64 bit, but I have 7/64 bit. Can't remember if you have Windows 7 32 bit or 64 bit, but check that and see. If you have 32 bit Win 7, make sure you have IE9 32 bit. If your Windows 7 is 64 bit, I would use IE 9 64 bit.

Thanks all, I don't know how to do the individual quote thing so here it is all lumped into one.

No as to reg. cleaners,scares me. I do use the cleaning part of CCleaner.
I do have My System Specs listed, & it says I'm 64bit.
I don't even know how to use tabs.
I don't do games.
I do try to watch for the extra's when downloading any programs.
Don't believe I've made any changes to Windows 7 itself, but possibly to IE for supposedly safer surfing.
I do think I'll try the IE re-set to begin with & see how that goes.

I'm a retired senior citizen on a small fixed income & can't afford to spend much more on my PC. It already looks like I should buy an external drive or ? to do imaging which I've never done before.
Also, it's that time of year for yardwork & I have lots to do so may not get back here right away, & I'm not a night person so am usually shut down by 5pm. ( it's now 11:22am my time)

Will post seperately about Event Viewer if I feel the need.

If you're not going to get to Clean Reinstall - Factory OEM Windows 7 any time soon then I'd at least Clean Up Factory Bloatware as you go along to see if it gets better performance.

If not then gradually familiarize yourself with these Troubleshooting Steps for Windows 7 which will demystify a lot about your computer so you know your way around better and have more confidence in how to address problems.

Plus we are always here to help for something big or small.

If IE9 is slow to open web pages, then it could be WOT ... This 'add-on' is intended to inspect a web page for malicious code.

Your ISP could be another reason for slowness. Test your Bandwidth http://reviews.cnet.com/internet-speed-test/

I went through greg's suggestions & did the msconfig, I did the IE reset, I did the speed test but still too many things that I just don't understand. That's my own fault, need to go back to kindergarten to learn about computing.

I do think things got a bit speedier but then went back to re-enable things in msconfig 'cuz i also read that the best thing to do is uninstall the offenders so will have to work on that.

I'm for sure going to re-install WOT, I went to BING to search for something earlier but was afraid to click on results without WOT's guidence.

Thank you.

Why did you re-enable startups you had turned off in msconfig? Did you have problems? You say it got speedier. You can indeed uninstall programs listed there that you don't want, but you should still leave them disabled so they don't leave any remnants running at the time of uninstall.

Instead of bemoaning how little you know in every post, why not spend the energy asking a few questions so you learn more?

What does the WM represent in your first post?

Windows Mail

Just a couple of remarks regarding earlier points:

1. You absolutely should have an external disk (at least 500GB). A PC without an external disk is pretty useless. The day you get into trouble (and that day will come) you will have no good way to get yourself out of the tight spot unless you have images. And image often - I make an image 3 times per week so that I don't lose a lot when I have to reset the system.

Here is the best free imaging program I know: Imaging with free Macrium

2. As far as the startups go, you can disable ALL of them except for your AV program and those that you may have started yourself - e.g. sidebar (gadgets).

3. In Start > All Programs > Accessories > System Tools there is an IE (no add-ons). Run that for a test and see whether that is slow too. If yes, there is probably a wrong setting in your AV program.