computer so slow

[PattiChati]

I have windows 7 and have run spybot, ccleaner and they all come out clear of virusus. I have no add ons, except PDF viewer What could be going on. Sometimes when trying to bring up an email it says "loading" and will never come up.
Other times it will show about 10 emails and then several seconds later the rest will pop up.
It just doesn't seem real clean. Any SIMPLE ideas that a novice could do to improve this?

 

[ArtG818]

Reinstall windows

 

[PattiChati]

I think I said something "simple". I wouldn't have a clue how to do that and would be scared I would really do something to screw it up worse.

 

[ArtG818]

I think I said something "simple". I wouldn't have a clue how to do that and would be scared I would really do something to screw it up worse.

Do you have a real anitvirus program? If not download Avast its free and reliable.

 

[PattiChati]

I use AVG and have for years with no problems

 

[EzioAuditore]

First, Ccleaner isn't an anti-malware program. Its just a junk file cleaner.

Coming to your problem now,
1. Check Start-up programs. Remove any unnecessary ones. (Type 'msconfig' in start menu search, w/o the quotes.)
2. Use any Antivirus to scan your pc. After that use Malwarebytes Anti-Malware and do full scan.
3. Report the results here.

 

[PattiChati]

There was no malware found - everything was clean.
In my startup folder the following were checked: Quicktime, realplayer, software mgr, adobe systems - adobe gamma loader, install shield

 

[PattiChati]

I think I said something "simple". I wouldn't have a clue how to do that and would be scared I would really do something to screw it up worse.

Do you have a real anitvirus program? If not download Avast its free and reliable.

I use AVG

 

[EzioAuditore]

It'd be nice if you can give MBAM a try too.

 

[PattiChati]

You mean run MBAM? That is that Malwarebytes anti malware? I did run it and it said 0 problems. I wanted to cut and paste it to you but it wouldn't let me paste!!

 

[richc46]

Download and run process explorer, what is using your memory

No Problem there

Test memory
Download a copy of Memtest86 and burn the ISO to a CD. Let it run for about 6 passes.

 

[PattiChati]

after process explorer, how do I tell what is using my memory - firefox is the biggest of course, but a bunch of little ones. After this I will download memtest 86. What is this one for and why run it 6 times

 

[richc46]

Process explorer tell you what is running and how much ram is left for use
If you have enough ram left, you should take the memory test
It will test the ram and the slots to ensure that they are working properly

You need to run the test 6 to 10 times, to obtain the greatest accuracy
You are testing for defective ram
Once the ram is known to be good, you should test each slot, with a known good stick.

BTW
Overheating can also, be a cause of slowdown

 

[gregrocker]

There was no malware found - everything was clean.
In my startup folder the following were checked: Quicktime, realplayer, software mgr, adobe systems - adobe gamma loader, install shield

You can uncheck all of those. I only allow AV and gadgets in msconfig>startup. http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/1401-startup-programs-change.html All others are freeloaders on your RAM and CPU and can spy on you..

Hopefully as you learn here you will become more amenable to a clean reinstall, which can give you a computer that is much better than new considering all the bloatware on today's consumer PC's.

In the meanwhile here are some tips for cleaning up a factory bloatware install which may help you now:
http://www.sevenforums.com/installa...p-all-four-primary-partitions.html#post952573

Study the Event Viewer>Custom view>Admin to google repeat errors text and ID# to learn how others have solved them. Check also the Performance log on Advanced Tools page acccessed by clicking your WEI score link at Computer>Properties. Look for cued issues at top of Tools page, Generate A System Health Report.

Type "solutions" into Start Search box to see if any have been sent for problems reported or not. Always report problems as Win7 is interactive like that.

 

[PattiChati]

how do you do a clean reinstall. Do you lose everything and have to start over? This windows 7 is only less than a year old

 

[richc46]

I will get the "how to"
Yes you have to reinstall, but its the BEST way. Agreed to by all.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?filter[2]=General Tips
All you have to reisntall are programs. You will need the DVDs or download again.

 

[PattiChati]

under services in msconfig - which ones should be running and which ones shoud be stopped.
I don't want to start over. After an ex-friend of mine put windows 7 on, cleaned Vista completely off. I had a hell of a time getting things back up and running and it was a pain.
What is the purpose of running memtest 6 times, is that going to help anything? I just think there is one thing on here that is slowing everything down. I have conduit engine; elf 1 toolbar; elf 1.3 toolbar; avg toolbar and yahoo toolbar under my addons

 

[1Bowtie]

When you come in here with a problem asking for help, people take the time to give suggestions that have worked for others. If you don't want to follow their instructions your really wasteing their time. You've been given proven advice, a clean install clears out all the old problems and it's not that hard to reload your programs. Two hours and your back with a new computer.

 

[PattiChati]

Didn't you read that I attempted to do it once. It is extremely complicated to a novice computer person like me.
You have to backup data and I don't know how to do that.
I was looking for any other ideas before having to resort to install.
If you don't want to waste your time, then don't answer

 

[PattiChati]

slow computer

I will get the "how to"
Yes you have to reinstall, but its the BEST way. Agreed to by all.
http://www.sevenforums.com/tutorials/31402-clean-install-upgrade-windows-7-version.html?filter[2]=General Tips
All you have to reisntall are programs. You will need the DVDs or download again.

Richc46 - the link you sent was for an upgrade of windows 7. Is there one for reinstall windows. You said just install programs, but you have to reinstall data also, right?