my friend's computer is running SUPER slow

joeandatoe · 11-15-2005, 10:35 AM

hey guys,
my friend's computer has been running really really slow and i remember comming here with a problem and you fixed it. its running so slow he cant even connect to this site so thats why im writting the thread for him.

any help would be apprechaited!

thank you

joe

oldmn · 11-15-2005, 10:42 AM

I would read through this Highjackthis thread and follow the instructions.

**Resolution** · 11-15-2005, 10:43 AM

Is he running XP? Tell him to try and boot into "Safe Mode with Networking" (reboot while tapping F8 repeatedly). He should be able to access the Internet through Safe Mode with less programs/spyware/viruses running on his system.

Whether that works or not, tell him to download HijackThis (or you can download it for him). Unzip the file, run the program (but do not fix anything), and save the log file. Copy and paste that log file (along with a description of your problem) into a new thread in the HijackThis Log Help Forum. The analysts there will comb through the log file to check for any infections and they will provide you steps to help clean your system, and hopefully get it running properly again.

**JamesO** · 11-15-2005, 10:58 AM

I was going to suggest Safe mode with Networking as well as a place to start.

My usual take on this is check the basics first. I run into so many machines that do not have enough RAM it just plain drives me nuts!

1. I will not run a XP machine without at least 512 MB of RAM. How much RAM is in the machine currently?
2. Ctrl, Alt, Del, how many processes are running? Any more than 45-50 will really slow even the fastest machine down.
3. What service pack does this machine currently have? SP1 or SP2?
4. Did/Does the machine have a firewall and antivirus programs installed? If not I would load up Zone Alarm free and AVG Free for starters.
5. Have you tried Firefox rather than IE?
6. Does this machine have a lot of pop ups? If so, it is probably hit with a bunch of Malware. Go into IE and reset all the security settings to default, maybe even increase the security for the short term?
7. Does this machine have multiple user profiles? If so, log everyone else off and see how the machine performs.
8. Start with AdAwareSE and Spybot S&D version 1.3 and see if this cleans up and ID's any trashware. Then you may be off to Hi Jack This as well?

JamesO

11-15-2005, 10:35 AM	#1 (permalink)
joeandatoe Registered User Join Date: Jun 2005 Posts: 18 OS: win xp	my friend's computer is running SUPER slow hey guys, my friend's computer has been running really really slow and i remember comming here with a problem and you fixed it. its running so slow he cant even connect to this site so thats why im writting the thread for him. any help would be apprechaited! thank you joe

11-15-2005, 10:42 AM	#2 (permalink)
oldmn Registered User Join Date: Oct 2005 Location: Gig Harbor Wa Posts: 2,137 OS: XP Pro SP3 X 3 My System	I would read through this Highjackthis thread and follow the instructions. __________________ AVG \| MEMTEST86 \| Zone Alarm \| XXCLONE \| Adaware \| Beyond Compare \| Everest If TSF has helped you, Tell us about it! or Donate to help keep the site up! Sorry no PM's for problems.[/center]

11-15-2005, 10:43 AM	#3 (permalink)
Resolution TSF Enthusiast Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Louisiana Posts: 1,091 OS: FreeBSD/Win98/2000/XP	Is he running XP? Tell him to try and boot into "Safe Mode with Networking" (reboot while tapping F8 repeatedly). He should be able to access the Internet through Safe Mode with less programs/spyware/viruses running on his system. Whether that works or not, tell him to download HijackThis (or you can download it for him). Unzip the file, run the program (but do not fix anything), and save the log file. Copy and paste that log file (along with a description of your problem) into a new thread in the HijackThis Log Help Forum. The analysts there will comb through the log file to check for any infections and they will provide you steps to help clean your system, and hopefully get it running properly again.

11-15-2005, 10:58 AM	#4 (permalink)
JamesO Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Fairfax, VA USA Posts: 2,289 OS: 98SE, W2k Pro, XP Pro	I was going to suggest Safe mode with Networking as well as a place to start. My usual take on this is check the basics first. I run into so many machines that do not have enough RAM it just plain drives me nuts! 1. I will not run a XP machine without at least 512 MB of RAM. How much RAM is in the machine currently? 2. Ctrl, Alt, Del, how many processes are running? Any more than 45-50 will really slow even the fastest machine down. 3. What service pack does this machine currently have? SP1 or SP2? 4. Did/Does the machine have a firewall and antivirus programs installed? If not I would load up Zone Alarm free and AVG Free for starters. 5. Have you tried Firefox rather than IE? 6. Does this machine have a lot of pop ups? If so, it is probably hit with a bunch of Malware. Go into IE and reset all the security settings to default, maybe even increase the security for the short term? 7. Does this machine have multiple user profiles? If so, log everyone else off and see how the machine performs. 8. Start with AdAwareSE and Spybot S&D version 1.3 and see if this cleans up and ID's any trashware. Then you may be off to Hi Jack This as well? JamesO