Non-Geek has slow computer - Fix??

[Bill N]

I use a ton of free programs over the years to keep my ancient laptop running at top speed. I try to go through all these steps about once a week give or take. I do use the CCleaner more often by itself to clear off internet junk.

First off do a Windows update.
Then do a Create A Restore Point

I would also back up all your docs and pics etc., and clean off any of those you don't need AFTER making the backups.

Just do one thing at a time, then restart your computer and if all is well, move on to the next item. I would keep making restore points between tweaks. If anything goes wrong, you can restore and then start over.

I haven't listed the programs (bottom of this note) in the preferred order, but basically between creating restore points, I would do things in this order:

Update windows
Backup docs and pics, then remove those you don't need or use right now
Remove programs you don't use
Defrag
Check malware
Check virus
CCleaner
Defrag
Clean Registry
Defrag Registry
Find Junk Files
Defrag


CCleaner
https://www.ccleaner.com/ccleaner

Aulogics Disk Defrag
https://www.auslogics.com/en/software/

Find Junk Files
http://www.majorgeeks.com/files/details/find_junk_files.html

Housecall free virus scan
https://www.trendmicro.com/en_us/forHome/products/housecall.html

Malwarebytes
https://www.malwarebytes.com/

Eusing Free Registry Cleaner
http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_cleaner/registry_cleaner.htm

Eusing Free Registry Defrag
http://www.eusing.com/free_registry_defrag/registry_defrag.htm

I've had very good luck and my laptop is over 10 years old and still cranking out.  ;D

Special thanks to you Miss Mermaid for the extra effort you took to post all that information.  I have copied it for future use.

Bill

 

[DearMissMermaid]

You are quite welcome.

I recently did the whole batch of maintenance above and my laptop is zipping along again.  ;D

 

[Daffy]

Nobody seems willing to acknowledge that some websites are just slow.  There are so many variables that it's impossible to even begin to guess.  You,have to start with the speed of the slowest link in the route between your computer and their web servers.  (You'd have to know how to do a traceroute to find out) Then on to what software is running their site.  The speed of their internal processor, disks, memory, then the actual language and technology they created their site in.  Since you're talking about news sites it's logical that they have plenty of live content.  Videos for instance.  Do the vids start by themselves?  If they do you've probably found the culprit right there.

Is it only when you're on the web? The problem is not the computer it's your internet connection or your web cache and/or cookies.  Clear cache and delete cookies once in a while.  (Or use CCcleaner because that's one of the things it does).  Or even better set it to delete them on exit.

Once in a while the problem is virtual memory.  I've found that letting Windows manage it automatically is sometimes the worst choice.

Analyze the fragmentation of your disk unless it's a SSD.  The tool will tell you if it needs to be defragged.  (If it a SSD make sure Trim is enabled or at least that defrag is disabled).  Normally these are automatic but sometimes they get disabled by someone with good intentions but bad information.

My experience is that only once in a while is the problem caused by a virus.  And when it is it's very obvious.

Part of my volunteer job is keeping ancient computers and servers running well.  I think I've learned a trick or two.

How long does it take for the computer to boot from power off to password?

The most useful information provided free of charge.

IMO the use of all the "free" cleaners/antivirus/malware scanners only further slow down an ailing machine. and windows updates... nope turned off, puters are behind a firewall and a vpn. The only bad stuff that should get to them is something I asked for...

2 @ win 10, 2 @ win 7, and 1 linux machine running most of the time 24/7. Yes they all have jobs..

 

[Hfx_Cdn]

    I had a similar problem, including CBC, CTV and several Canadian newspaper websites, then on the weekend I had a Windows update, and low and behold all was normal again.  That is aside from all the political bickering on the net

Ed