[neversummersnow]

To all-

I know there is a tech forum, but I figure most of you monkies use your pc similiar to me so I thought I might ask here.

What software do you all run to keep your computer running smoothly? Right now I can't even watch video without it running extremly choppy. I've run lots of spyware programs but nothings seems to help. It seems like all my RAM is being consumed as soon as my comp boots up. MY HD is just about full too so I purchased an external one. (2 gig remaining)

I've run degrag and whatnot but I still can't figure out what's wrong.

Can somebody help?

 

[TN]

you might be due for some FDISK action. I wiped out my HD & started from scratch (again ). BUt it only lasted for a little while. I think I am gonna get a Mac.

 

[ÆX]

jeff, what is your pc? give me stats.
how big is your external HD?

 

[neversummersnow]

Dell Inspiron 5100 Laptop PC
Pentium 4 2.something Ghz
512 DDR RAM
30 GB internal HD
150 GB external HD
Windows XP professional
23 GB of music
Wireless NIC

 

[henrymiller]

I would try and run your spyware programs in safemode on your pc. That may pick up some stuff you missed.

 

[syadasti]

Lavasoft Adware SE:

http://www.download.com/3000-2144-10045910.html

Spybot S&D:

http://www.download.com/Spybot-Search-Destroy/3000-8022-10289035.html?tag=lst-0-2

Run each program – be sure to use the online update portion of each program to get the latest definitions. Do not install the tea timer portion of spybot unless you are more knowledgable about computers, but it is a good tool to prevent spyware problems.

 

[ÆX]

service pac II is out. it has a fire wall in it.

i would take eveything off you 30 G except windows.
it will run fastest.

 

[Ciaran]

How long has it been since your last rebuild? You might think about just reblasting your PC. Put all your music and other non O.S. and program files on the external drive (as someone mentioned) then wipe the drive completely and reinstall the O.S. Get your service pack on there, your drivers, your AV software, and then install the rest of your programs. Disable any unneeded services, and start up programs (including from the reg), set your virtual mem to at least 1024 megs, and your PC will rock.

And stop going to those porn sites and getting infected with spyware.

 

[ÆX]

. Disable any unneeded services, and start up programs (including from the reg), set your virtual mem to at least 1024 megs, and your PC will rock.

And stop going to those porn sites and getting infected with spyware.

MSconfig or other reg? what needs to be showing under processes when you ctrl-alt-del?

yeah, jeff, torrent you porn or ifilm.com

 

[neversummersnow]

Help me with this disable unneeded services as Alex asked...

 

[Wingnut]

you might be due for some FDISK action. I wiped out my HD & started from scratch (again ). BUt it only lasted for a little while. I think I am gonna get a Mac.

Hey TN! I was/is still in the same boat. I've reformatted a dozen times, at least 6 just in this year, and Windows still gives me greif. I have 0(zero) games on it, run all the spy/ad aware stuff, have loaded minimal programs and the ones I do have on it don't run!!

My new iMAC is in the mail..

 

[ÆX]

Help me with this disable unneeded services as Alex asked...

here

cool program

 

[johnbryanpeters]

service pac II is out. it has a fire wall in it...

What's your point?

XT SP2 has firewall functionality. So did SP1. So does unpatched XP.

You have full control of which interfaces have firewall protection.

J

 

[binary visions]

In my experience, you can usually fix what's wrong with the computer if you get a knowledgable person to sit down with it for a few hours, clean up the registry, get rid of unnecessary programs, etc.

Also in my experience, it's never worth it.

Ciaran has the right idea - what you need to do is format your main drive after backing up all of your documents/music/email/bookmarks/etc., then reinstall Windows. After re-installing, the FIRST thing you should do is to get the internet up and running, and jump onto Windows Update, and get all the patches. Then start re-installing software, starting with your anti-virus software (you DO have AV software, right? If you don't, get some). Make sure you have some spyware software, too.

This whole process will take less time than figuring out what went wrong, and will be far more effective. Avoiding installing unnessary programs is the number one thing you can do to keep your computer running fast.