Running slow.

[Cindy1]

My computer has been running slow lately. I'm not sure why or if it has anything to do with excel but just opening any application is like pulling teeth! Booting up is slow also. I have xp, an amd 1.1mhz, 40 gig hd, 768 for memory. I don't want to format my drive again.
Cindy

 

[FatFingerTony]

All of a sudden it's running slow, or has it always ran slow? You mention Excel, did you recently install Office or any other app and then notice the slowdown?

I guess do the basics...
Scandisk, defrag, run an anti-virus to make sure you're not infected, download and run Ad-Aware to scan and remove any hidden spyware.
Next, check your services to see if there is anything running that you don't need. Check out Black Viper's web site on XP services:

http://www.blkviper.com/WinXP/servicecfg.htm

 

[linney]

HOW TO: Set Performance Options (Q308417)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q308/4/17.asp

Computer Speed and Performance May Decrease (Q310419)

http://support.microsoft.com/support/kb/articles/q310/4/19.asp

Some freeware or free trial programs you can play with to see if they help.

http://www.sysinternals.com/ntw2k/freeware/pagedefrag.shtml

RegVac from

http://www.superwin.com

http://www.microsoft.com/hwdev/platform/performance/fastboot/default.asp

 

[buffbaddude]

try running system file checker. with windowsXP u have to click start then run type sfc /scannow.