Slowing machine HELP

[sanditech01]

I have a Toshiba Satellite Laptop on my network. Recently it has slowed RIGHT down and whenever I try to do anything network related or internet related it slows down and hangs. It says I have plenty of free space on my hard drive and mostly word and powerpoint files are on the computer. No music or pictures that would consume space. It runs WinXP proffesional and has 256 ram and 20 Gig harddrive.

When I am using it normally it works without hitch, but as soon as i connect the network cable or try to browse the web it goes arye. I've run diagnostics on it (defrag, scan disk )and am ow about to try the anti virus. Any advice to rectify?

 

[micker377]

I would also run scans for spyware, it could be something "calling home" that is slowing down. Anti-virus won't find spyware - and vice-versa. You need both.

 

[rvnguy]

sanditech01,

You can also, try the web scan offered by Trend Micro, it now has AV & spyware scans; Fins it here:

Trend Micro Site:

http://housecall.trendmicro.com/

rvnguy
"I know everything..I just can't remember it all

 

[PRPhx]

I would suggest the following:

1) From the command prompt type: chkdsk c: /f /r and press the enter key. You will recieve a mesage about not being able to lock the drive... Do you want to check the volumn at the next restart? Press the Y key and reboot. Let the process run. It may take a while, so don't freak out if it doesn't complete right away. This will fix hd related problems and check free space. I've seen it work wonders.

2) Downlaod and install System Mechanic. It's FREE for 30 days. I HIGHLY recommend this program. It will find all those old, outdated files (.log, .bak, .tmp as well as other files). Also it will clean your system registry. There is an optimize tab. I recommend that you allow System Mechanic to empty the page file when you power down. This may help performance (as well as, some say, improve security).

3) Purchase and download a good system reg cleaner. Altho System Mechanic has a cleaner, it doesn't always find everything. I use 'Clean My PC -registry' . It's about $25 or so and works well.

4) Go into IE and empty the history file and delete cookies. This may improve performance.

5) Then defrag your HD.

6) Also you may want to do an ipconfig /release and ipconfig /renew if your IP address is assigned thru DHCP. I know it's not required, but refreshing it sometimes really helps.

7) Also check out

http://www.speedguide.net

and

http://www.askmarvin.ca

for internet performance help.

 

[sanditech01]

Thanks a million guys.. I will go and try your recommendations. Will let ya'll know what works.

ST