Slow laptop made slower by Speedup Tool!!!

Hi

I am not in a position to get a new PC or laptop at the moment, and both are getting very slow at certain times of the day.

I do all the usual stuff, delete cookies and cache etc. But only tiny differences made. Yesterday I priced using an IT expert to do a full re-install of OS. (It was a nightmare on my previous machine, so no plans to do it myself again).

Then my free AVG popped up a PC Tune Up paid tool that was on offer. When i clicked it also gave the option of premium internet security, so i paid my £46 for both, in the hope one or both would speed up my laptop. (for use on 10 devices,, so i planned to use on my desktop PC too).

But once installed, my laptop is rendered pretty much useless. It honestly sometime takes over TWO MINUTES just to change from one tab in my my browser to another!!

And it keeps giving me pop-ups of more upgrades to buy.


(The good news is two different tools tell me I have no spyware or viruses! Good).


So "No problem", I thought, I'll just disable AVG when the laptop is on Go Slow. Nooooooo! It won't let me disable it via Windows Task Manager!!

I thought all antivirus and security tools were supposed to let you disable them temporarily, in case they conflicted with other tools?!

I was about to call for a refund, but I thought I'd ask on here first:

1. Is there another way I can temporarily disable this "AVG internet security" and "PC Tune Up"?

2. If not, is there another tool I can use that WILL let me disable it when I need to?

3. Or preferably, is there a tool I can choose to switch on ONLY when I need it, and not have it on all the time?

Thank you

torchwood said:

Hi RealGem,

Pemium AVs have a built in "protector" thats why Task manager failed.
BUT it should have its own dashboard where you can change most settings, ie dissable AV for x hours etc, and turn off any component.

If its allways slows down at the same time, then i suspect certain programs are trying to update, my guess - windows update have a look to see if thats its scheduled time.
(remove any programs you no longer use)

Note for when your about to clean install
run Belarc it will pull all your licence keys for programs and your OS

Roy

Thank you Roy, I will try and look for ways to do it in the AVG dashboard.


Yes, I already tried turning stuff off, uninstalling stuff and changing update times.



Thanks for the Belarc advice too

LMiller7 said:

Security software usually provide a documented procedure for disabling protection. This is the only supported way. Malware would very much like to disable security software so it must take active steps to protect itself. You can't just kill the process in Task Manager. If other software could disable protection then malware could do it as well, and it would take full advantage. Sophisticated malware, and these days most of it is, could even fake results in Task Manager and other utilities to show the security software was running when it wasn't. And compared to others things that malware does it wouldn't be very difficult.

For these reasons security software goes to considerable lengths to ensure that security is only disabled by the explicit action of the user using the provided methods and not by other software.

Premium protection won't improve performance. But the other things running to provide it may impair performance.

I have a very low opinion of PC tuneup software. Most of it is borderline useless and often causes more problems than it solves

Thanks LMiller7,

I might just get a refund for the PC Tune Up. They have a 30 day refund policy so I will see how I go on the next few days.

Megahertz07 said:

You didn't gave us your laptop specs. But there are two things that speed up a computer.
- If you have 4G (or less) of memory the ideal is Win 7 32 bits. Win 7 64 will only run better if you have more than 4G.
- Add more memory. 4G for 32 bits and 6 or 8G for 64 bits.
- Install a SSD. It's 6 times faster than a HDD. Boots in 20 to 30 seconds. You can use a small SSD (120G - US$30) for Windows and programs and replace the CD/DVD drive with a HDD caddy for data. You will have the speed of a SSD and the size of a HDD at low cost.

Thanks Megahertz07,

I saw similar advice on another thread, possibly from yourself. I am considering SSDs for my laptop and desktop. But the DVD drive on my laptop is the only DVD/CD drive I have in the house. I don't have a TV, or I would do that. Currently saving up though. Good to know for future reference that I can do this.

And from what you said it looks like I can add more RAM.

Laptop Specs:
Acer Aspire 5742
Intel Core i3 CPU M370 @ 2.40GHz 2.40GHz
4.00GB RAM
64-bit OS

Megahertz07 said:

Expand and run this portable. Free Download HWiNFO Sofware | Installer & Portable for Windows, DOS
Close the summary and, on the left side you will see memory. Expand and click on one dim. On the right side you will find the specs.

Thanks Megahertz07,
ok there's loads of data in RAM Specs.

What am I looking for please?

Will posting pics (it will take several) be a bad idea due to personal info?

thanks