PC slowing down to a crawl...

See number 6 in OP post. CCleaner should be fine.

windude99 said:

Trying a clean install sounds like a good idea. Do you use any system optimizers or registry cleaners?

Yes, yes I do but as stated before, not on a weekly or even monthly basis, at least not the registry, we use it most to clean the temp files and internet files.

Downloading UBCD right now will advise more later

EDIT... not many positive things to say about this Ultimate Boot CD, not very explicit so if you don't know what you want to run and/or are a PC guru, you will be scare to even browse it. The few apps I was able to run memtest, hdd chkdsk, it did not find any problems.

That PartitionMagic application looks like a real nice thing to use... if only they would tell you/warn you that you must update the virus definitions before you burn the CD. That and the fact that for some ungodly reason I was not able to make the mouse and keyboard work, waste about an 1 trying to make it work.

Again, do not misconstrue... I am eternally happy for all the help you guys have provided, I am just upset and disappointed because none of it worked for me

All in all, disappointment to say the least... more so because the pc still takes forever to boot and also still is having all the hissy fits it was having before

I know CCEnhancer can cause more harm if you use that, so if you do, uninstall it. Also, try not using ccleaner and use disk cleanup to clean up junk files (if you reinstall Windows). You don't have to do that if you really like it. At least don't use the registry cleaner. I do not advise those and only use it to clean out certain applications and folders. Don't clean out the system caches (prefetch etc.)

I said it was optional and still is, but I can take a closer look at the programs you have installed on your computer that may point out some possible conflicts.

Did you follow this tutorial: Troubleshoot Application Conflicts by Performing a Clean Startup ?
If so, was the computer faster during the clean startup?

Is the computer having problems in safe mode? Do you have conflicting antivirus programs?

I too recommend against any cleaner program, even Ccleaner. The benefit is not worth the time to fix 1 mistake, even though it is usually safe. I do use Ccleaner at times to slim down the bloat, but I make sure to be very carefull to only remove things I know are good to go. I go through and look at each and every selected item
Any optimizing program should immediately be uninstalled.

All important windows updates installed? All programs updated to the latest most stable version? Which Antivirus did you say you were using?

I'll let you get through these questions I have before I post more.

Hey mate,

A screenshot is a good way to get it, or the snipping tool.

I have windows 8, so bare with me. I believe you can also right-click the toolbar and go to task manager; from there, find 'startup':
1. If you HAVE disabled anything, try enabling it again. I found that my computer actually slowed down when I disabled something that, when enabled, sped things up
2. If you HAVEN'T disabled anything, find any program on that list that you do not feel needs to startup with the computer, and disable it. I would keep my antivirus going, and perhaps any office things, but up to your discretion.

I too run Avast! fully updated. Do that tutorial I recommended, which may be very very helpful for you in possibly locating the problem

The reason I asked how your computer functioned in safe mode was to see if it was any faster. You mentioned something about programs, so I may need clarification.
Concerning your computer, what is functioning slowly? Is it the computer itself, boot and startup times, specific programs, or a combination of the three?

Very good idea, run Avast! full scan, as you suggested. A recent test found Avast! Free performed at about 3 of 5 stars in catching malware (but still one of the best). If you are extra worried about it (since Avast doesn't catch everything), try malwarebytes free, which compliments an antivirus program with an extra scan of its own (up to you, but these scans can take a very long time).

If you use Ccleaner, I would recommend against removing temporary files, as these are used to ... speed things up. If you want to remove them, do it only in a great while.

Ccleaner shouldn't be used as a regular cleaner, but as a deep cleaner every once in a great while. Your computer in itself will take care of the rest.

catalogue said:

DustSailor said:

I too recommend against any cleaner program, even Ccleaner.

What is bad about CCleaner? And are you talking about all its functions or only certain ones? I've used its main cleaning function for maybe 7 years on 4 computers and never had any problem. Same for its registry cleanup function though I do it less often since hearing people say it could cause problems.

Hey mate,
Everyone has different opinions. I take the approach that if it isn't broke, don't fix. It is a great program that I too use, but you still need to use it carefully. It has the power to break your computer, but it rarely does. It HAS broke computers in the past. It is not fool-proof. If you do not know how to use it carefully, don't use it. See my other quotes:

DustSailor said:

I too recommend against any cleaner program, even Ccleaner. The benefit is not worth the time to fix 1 mistake, even though it is usually safe. I do use Ccleaner at times to slim down the bloat, but I make sure to be very carefull to only remove things I know are good to go. I go through and look at each and every selected item

DustSailor said:

If you use Ccleaner, I would recommend against removing temporary files, as these are used to ... speed things up. If you want to remove them, do it only in a great while.

Ccleaner shouldn't be used as a regular cleaner, but as a deep cleaner every once in a great while. Your computer in itself will take care of the rest.