Computer is performing poorly, trying to figure out the problem.

[hangubermensch]

My computer has crashed twice within the last few hours and is performing poorly in general now. So I'm trying to figure out what is wrong with it.

My computer has:
- AMD 3.20 GHz processor
- 4.00 GB RAM
- 32-bit OS

Description of the problem:
- Runs slowly
- Has been crashing

I'm not very familiar with trouble shooting for my computer so I apologize for the post which asks for help, but only vaguely identifies the problem. Help/advice would be greatly appreciated!

 

[Berkey]

Welcome hangubermensch,

Do you get a crash report? If so what does it state?

Start up programs can slow things down as they take resources to operate them along with smooth functioning. Check this out for some info http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1401-startup-programs-change.html

As for other sluggish effects; too many processes being opened will bog your machine down drastically. Try and go through and see which processes you really need to be running and turn off the ones you don't (a lot can be running without you ever knowing check with Ctrl+Esc)

Also depending on your situation, you can always check out the ever helpful http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/11728-optimize-windows-7-a.html

Hope this gets you off to the right direction

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Yes mate go with bberkey - excellent suggestion and an extra if you haven't got it
CCleaner.

It will sort the crap temp files old cookies etc but if there any sites that you use a password for be sure to save the cookie for it or your will find you are signing in again each time you run CC.


To save the cookies just Analyse > Options > highlight the cookie you want to keep save the to right hand side of the lists > go back to the Brush > Run cleaner. Don't be tempted to use the Registry feature unless you ask first if you are not sure.

CCleaner - Download < download from piriform

 

[Berkey]

Yes mate go with bberkey - excellent suggestion and an extra if you haven't got it
CCleaner.

It will sort the crap temp files old cookies etc but if there any sites that you use a password for be sure to save the cookie for it or your will find you are signing in again each time you run CC.


To save the cookies just Analyse > Options > highlight the cookie you want to keep save the to right hand side of the lists > go back to the Brush > Run cleaner. Don't be tempted to use the Registry feature unless you ask first if you are not sure.

CCleaner - Download < download from piriform

Good call on the CCleaner. It will help a good deal. In addition be sure to scan your computer for malware with quality programs such as: Malwarebytes : Free anti-malware download and SUPERAntiSpyware | Remove Malware | Remove Spyware - AntiMalware, AntiSpyware, AntiAdware!

I think if you start with scanning for malware, decreasing system resource use and as ICit2lol said, using CCleaner, you should see improvement. Let us know how you make out

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Absolutely and another I find handy from time to time is ADWCleaner download for bleeping computer.


http://www.bleepingcomputer.com/download/adwcleaner/

Once Hangu has got that CC clean sorted maybe we could do the registry as I find that much safer than the other crap that some folks download.

Plus BB I am still interested in how the data is being transferred and if these are internals or an internal to external source.

 

[hangubermensch]

I've stopped some of the start up processes from running and ran Malwarebyes so far. I'm going to run CCleaner once I save the cookies I want to keep. Thanks for the suggestions so far. Will keep you guys updated.

 

[roboticarm]

Additionally, you may defragment your system to speed up hark disk access and decrease seek times. Use this Download Auslogics Disk Defrag Free - It's one of the topmost tools for defragmentation. Install it, launch it and choose "Defrag and optimize" option. Windows defragmenter is not very intelligent when it comes to optimization.

Hope this helps as well.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Additionally, you may defragment your system to speed up hark disk access and decrease seek times. Use this Download Auslogics Disk Defrag Free - It's one of the topmost tools for defragmentation. Install it, launch it and choose "Defrag and optimize" option. Windows defragmenter is not very intelligent when it comes to optimization.

Hope this helps as well.

Hum robot I am not a great lover of aftermarket defrags and if he has an SSD this is definitely not needed in fact deleterious to the device.

Personally I use the Windows defrag as 7 is a but more sensitive to how the system is lined up where XP was not so fussy.

I have used My Defrag on the testers then run the Windows one it makes the process a tad faster.

But the choice is the operator's

 

[roboticarm]

Additionally, you may defragment your system to speed up hark disk access and decrease seek times. Use this Download Auslogics Disk Defrag Free - It's one of the topmost tools for defragmentation. Install it, launch it and choose "Defrag and optimize" option. Windows defragmenter is not very intelligent when it comes to optimization.

Hope this helps as well.

Hum robot I am not a great lover of aftermarket defrags and if he has an SSD this is definitely not needed in fact deleterious to the device.

Personally I use the Windows defrag as 7 is a but more sensitive to how the system is lined up where XP was not so fussy.

I have used My Defrag on the testers then run the Windows one it makes the process a tad faster.

But the choice is the operator's

Completely agree ICit2LOL. I have used that tool and it has done quite good to me reducing startup times and fast application startups as well. Also, it reduces further fragmentation a bit because it consolidates the data.

 

[ICIT2LOL]

Additionally, you may defragment your system to speed up hark disk access and decrease seek times. Use this Download Auslogics Disk Defrag Free - It's one of the topmost tools for defragmentation. Install it, launch it and choose "Defrag and optimize" option. Windows defragmenter is not very intelligent when it comes to optimization.

Hope this helps as well.

Hum robot I am not a great lover of aftermarket defrags and if he has an SSD this is definitely not needed in fact deleterious to the device.

Personally I use the Windows defrag as 7 is a but more sensitive to how the system is lined up where XP was not so fussy.

I have used My Defrag on the testers then run the Windows one it makes the process a tad faster.

But the choice is the operator's

Completely agree ICit2LOL. I have used that tool and it has done quite good to me reducing startup times and fast application startups as well. Also, it reduces further fragmentation a bit because it consolidates the data.

No probs right now all my machines are SSD boot so don't have to do anymore LOL!!

Hum I have a a lot of family on my Mums side in Staffordshire - small world eh?

 

[roboticarm]

No probs right now all my machines are SSD boot so don't have to do anymore LOL!!

Hum I have a a lot of family on my Mums side in Staffordshire - small world eh?

Oh, cool! Our world is small indeed

 

[Faladu]

What are the specific details on the crashes, OP?