Calling all Computer Geeks!;)

I got my laptop last August, it didn't take long before it started slowing down, I was only using it for schoolwork, occasional web browsing, and playing the Sims. It hasn't been used in a few months due to a broken adaptor, and I just picked up a new adaptor today, currently it is plugged in and charging up! I admit I never got any sort of antivirus after whatever was on it ran out after a month, not sure if that contributed to the slowness, no obvious signs of a virus. I picked up AVG for it, so my question is are there any ways I can "clean up" my laptop to make it faster again? When I finally put the antivirus on there again will that help speed it up?

I just feel as though it shouldn't have gotten slow so quickly, and while the slowness is annoying I don't want to pay the crazy price of getting it all fixed up and "cleaned" professionally, I'd rather just deal with it. Lol

With all the garbage (spyware/malware/etc) that's out there now, it's hard to say what it could be without looking at it. If most of what you use it for is web-based, it's likely got some stuff on it. AVG is a pretty good free anti-malware/anti-virus. I would also consider downloading Malwarebytes and run it every few months as well.

True. I'm pretty good at not going to any strange websites or clicking any weird links, but you never know. I actually went out and bought the AVG, though everyone says I'm silly for doing so because I can just get it free. I'm too suspicious to go looking for the free link, though. I'll look for Malwarebytes, thank you!

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Delete unused (large) files, uninstall unused programs, defrag your hard drive assuming you don't have a solid state drive. Disable unused programs from running when your PC boots. Like was mentioned, install and run malwarebytes regardless of what AVG finds.

What are your system specs and operating system? If nothing seems to help and buying a new laptop is out of the question, swapping your traditional hard drive for a solid state drive is by far the best thing you can do to speed things up.

In the middle of uninstalling unused stuff right now. What does it mean to defrag my hard drive and what does that do?

I honestly have no idea about the specs and stuff, I just know that it's an incredibly average laptop.

You can think of degragmenting a hard drive as getting your data "organized" on your hard drive. It doesn't affect your files or data in any way. Just makes it easier for your computer to find the files you request it to, meaning faster access times, etc.

If you're running Windows 7/8/10, just type in "defrag" in the start menu and follow the directions.

Follow this for Windows 7/8/10: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...ting-hard-disk

if you're running Windows XP, follow this: https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/kb/305781


if defragmenting and uninstalling cruft doesn't help, there are still some more methods to try.

Will do that once I've uninstalled crap and installed AVG and will report back if it's running any smoother or not! Thank you!

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Originally Posted by Spikeanoid

Delete unused (large) files, uninstall unused programs, defrag your hard drive assuming you don't have a solid state drive. Disable unused programs from running when your PC boots. Like was mentioned, install and run malwarebytes regardless of what AVG finds.

What are your system specs and operating system? If nothing seems to help and buying a new laptop is out of the question, swapping your traditional hard drive for a solid state drive is by far the best thing you can do to speed things up.

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Going on what he said, you are also going to want to clear out any caches/temporary files. You can use CCleaner (Free Program) to safely and quickly clean out the temporary files and cache.

All Above is good, in leu of a new SSD (which is truly the best and easiest way to improve performance) consider upgrading the RAM - crucial.com sells very good memory (i've found it to be more reliable than OWC) and the site has a very easy to use wizard for finding the exact kind that your computer takes.

I used CCleaner on a laptop years ago, I will install it on this one!

I'll look into an SSD and ram, thanks guys!

Today I'm going to do all that.

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Before you buy anything, open up the start menu -> right click on "computer" in the right-hand panel and click "properties". A window should pop up and one of the listed items will be "Installed memory (RAM)" and tell us what that says. Unless your computer is SERIOUSLY lacking in memory (like, you have a total of 1GB) I don't think investing in RAM will be worth your while. In my experience, it provides the least benefit, if any at all, for casual users. RAM doesn't necessarily speed up a system, it just gives your system more places to put your currently running programs for faster access.

If you do decide to upgrade your RAM, you'll need to open up your laptop and see how your RAM is configured. Computers generally have 2 RAM slots, and if your computer maker is smart, they'll fill both slots (e.g. if you have a total of 4GB of ram, you'll have 2x 2GB sticks installed). installing two sticks of the same size increases RAM speed.

I stand by what I said - installing an SSD will give you the best performance. You can get a seriously fast 250GB drive for under $70 now.

It says 4 gigs, 3.89 is usable.

If I'm going to do something I'll probably go ahead and do what you suggest, install a SSD. 70 bucks isn't bad at all. Could you possible point me to where I could buy one?

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Originally Posted by Fraido

It says 4 gigs, 3.89 is usable.

If I'm going to do something I'll probably go ahead and do what you suggest, install a SSD. 70 bucks isn't bad at all. Could you possible point me to where I could buy one?

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http://www.newegg.com/Internal-SSDs/...-636?Tid=11693

Be advised though, if you install an SSD you need to either clone your current hard drive or reinstall the operating system, drivers, and programs.

Edit: I see you are in canada, you might have better luck with Amazon or NCIX for an SSD.

Run malwarebytes in safe mode with networking
After that runs its course, run the disk cleanup for windows ( https://support.microsoft.com/en-us/...-in-windows-10 )

Finally, defragment your computer.

That said, run Avast and AVG simultaneously as your antivirus software. Should keep you really protected.

Finally, get firefox, get the noscript addon and adblocker plus. With noscript you will have issues browsing the web, if you use a little sense you can safely allow certain things and the web should run fine. Never allow doubleclick or googleanalytics, though.

Thanks! Will look into everything! 😊

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When i used a pc, i found that to keepit running at peak , i needed to defrag at least every other month, clean out all cookies weekly unless it is set to clean cookies each time its turned on, and run an anti-virus software monthly. The best way i can discribe defrag is when programs and files are put on a hard drive every time you delete a partial program or file it leaves an empty space, When you add a new program or file it automaticly fills the spaces so the program is in fragments, so the computer searches for the fragments to run the program and this slows the computer down, using defrag finds all your programs and files and puts them back in order so the computer runs faster. I run an apple with auto defrag, and told it to empty cookies every time its turned on. <<My computer runs slow cause its 15 years old. I love pcs for gaming, but macs for everything else. Also look into your internet provider, it has been in the news lately that some providers are slowing down their speeds at peak use times to get people to buy the speed upgrade. verizon, and att has been under investigation for doing this. I also agree that installing a solid state drive is the way to go, i'm looking forward to a new mac next year with all solid state drives, i think thats the way to go.

I'll take what you are doing into consideration! One day I want to create my own desktop setup, I would get into more PC gaming if I had one, but it's too expensive for me right now and I would have no idea where to begin! Would be super cool...

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I have built 4 computers. 2 for myself and 2 for friends.

In the case of me building mine, I purchase in pieces. The most recent one started with the case, motherboard, ssd, cheap ram, psu, cpu, and finally the graphics card. I intend to put another ssd and a storage drive in it, expensive ram, etc. Oh, yeah, I also got a 3 120mm fan liquid cooler for the cpu and the peripherals. Took about 6 months to build so I could run it.

You have plenty of ram. Don't buy more.

As for SSDs:

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-750-E...ds=samsung+ssd

https://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-OCZ-T...4&keywords=ssd

Anything made by Samsung will be fast. Kingston, Toshiba, Crucial, and SanDisk all generally make good SSDs, to name a few brands. Once you have an SSD, defraging is no longer a requirement. In fact all it will do is put unnecessary wear on your drive.

You don't need to clean out cookies. Those are rarely the source of a slow computer... all that will do is erase your saved passwords and such. Also, it's a good idea NOT to run two antivirus software programs at the same time! They can conflict with each other, eating CPU cycles and fighting each other. If you insist on using AVG, stick with it and use only it. Malwarebytes is technically anti-malware, not anit-virus and doesn't run in the background like AVG will, so it's safe to use Malwarebytes in addition to antivirus software.

Have run the two side by side for years, never had a conflict. However one or the other has picked up something the other missed.

Malwarebytes is a nice pc cleansing program, for single use to check the system over.

OP, I'll refer you to this post by Kaspersky, the makers of Malwarebytes.....

https://blog.kaspersky.com/multiple-...bad-idea/2670/

Running two programs is a waste of resources. If your program is missing things, it's a poor antivirus and should be dropped. If you insist on running two programs, only let one run and monitor your system in the background, otherwise you'll be back to square one with cruft taking over your system.

As for transferring your data to a new SSD, I forgot you'll need either an external hard drive or an external enclosure for your new SSD in order to temporarily transfer files or clone your data. If it were me, I'd copy my necessary files and start from scratch, reinstalling Windows just to be sure.

Temporary enclosure: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-...op-magazine-20

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Originally Posted by Oxylepy

I have built 4 computers. 2 for myself and 2 for friends.

In the case of me building mine, I purchase in pieces. The most recent one started with the case, motherboard, ssd, cheap ram, psu, cpu, and finally the graphics card. I intend to put another ssd and a storage drive in it, expensive ram, etc. Oh, yeah, I also got a 3 120mm fan liquid cooler for the cpu and the peripherals. Took about 6 months to build so I could run it.

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A lot of work! I'd probably need help to do that, for sure. Definitely something I want to do though, when I have the time, money, and space.

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Originally Posted by Spikeanoid

You have plenty of ram. Don't buy more.

As for SSDs:

https://www.amazon.com/Samsung-750-E...ds=samsung+ssd

https://www.amazon.com/Toshiba-OCZ-T...4&keywords=ssd

Anything made by Samsung will be fast. Kingston, Toshiba, Crucial, and SanDisk all generally make good SSDs, to name a few brands. Once you have an SSD, defraging is no longer a requirement. In fact all it will do is put unnecessary wear on your drive.

You don't need to clean out cookies. Those are rarely the source of a slow computer... all that will do is erase your saved passwords and such. Also, it's a good idea NOT to run two antivirus software programs at the same time! They can conflict with each other, eating CPU cycles and fighting each other. If you insist on using AVG, stick with it and use only it. Malwarebytes is technically anti-malware, not anit-virus and doesn't run in the background like AVG will, so it's safe to use Malwarebytes in addition to antivirus software.

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Figured as much about the RAM!

I'll keep that in mind about not running a second antivirus, I thought that would be a bad idea when I read to remove any preexisting antivirus before installing the AVG.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Spikeanoid

OP, I'll refer you to this post by Kaspersky, the makers of Malwarebytes.....

https://blog.kaspersky.com/multiple-...bad-idea/2670/

Running two programs is a waste of resources. If your program is missing things, it's a poor antivirus and should be dropped. If you insist on running two programs, only let one run and monitor your system in the background, otherwise you'll be back to square one with cruft taking over your system.

As for transferring your data to a new SSD, I forgot you'll need either an external hard drive or an external enclosure for your new SSD in order to temporarily transfer files or clone your data. If it were me, I'd copy my necessary files and start from scratch, reinstalling Windows just to be sure.

Temporary enclosure: https://www.amazon.com/StarTech-com-...op-magazine-20

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It's a lot of work to do this, as well! But I'll look into it regardless, it's something that I think I WILL do eventually, just might be awhile. Thank you very much for pointing me in the right direction and what-not, it is incredibly helpful!

I may be adept at using my computer, but I know next to nothing about how it works and stuff! 😋

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Originally Posted by Fraido

Figured as much about the RAM!

I'll keep that in mind about not running a second antivirus, I thought that would be a bad idea when I read to remove any preexisting antivirus before installing the AVG.

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Ignore what others have said about RAM, as they seem to be basing their opinion on limited anecdotal evidence, and not on any understanding of computer architecture. RAM is not only the most common bottleneck in a computer, but it can also be used in flexible ways that work around bottlenecks with other components i.e. frequently accessed files can be cached in RAM avoiding the need to go to disk which is hundreds of times slower. This is why RAM is referred to as primary storage, while hard drives and ssd's are secondary storage. RAM can also reduce CPU consumption by caching the results of compute heavy work, such as database queries which are now common in desktop environments as many applications include embedded databases.

Modern operating systems, and Windows especially, as well as web browsers the way they have evolved for the modern web, are also very RAM hungry, using a few GB's each at times, and I would advise a minimum of 8GB of RAM these days for casual users, and 16GB for power users.

For casual use, especially on a laptop, disk is actually less important as you're not crunching a lot of data. For the most part, you're just loading applications from disk into RAM. Once you have the applications already running, disk doesn't really matter much. If you don't have enough RAM though, your OS will try to create virtual memory on hard disk, which will not only make your applications slow as they have to page data in and out of RAM over to disk, but these operations will also use up a lot of disk operations, slowing down all other disk activity as well.

Replacing your hard disk with an SSD will also require either migrating your filesystem over as is, or reloading the OS from factory state requiring you to reinstall everything. Some laptop manufacturers also put some restrictions in their BIOS to restrict to models of components that only they sell. This is much more likely to happen with a disk drive than a RAM component.

Interesting, okay. I will take that into consideration!

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Are you still having issues with your laptop?

It's been running a lot better since I did a few of the things you guys mentioned, not perfect but good. I think I'll just stick with this for as long as I can, and in a few years work on a great desktop setup.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Fraido

It's been running a lot better since I did a few of the things you guys mentioned, not perfect but good. I think I'll just stick with this for as long as I can, and in a few years work on a great desktop setup.

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I can have your laptop running like new, send me a PM and I'll get you my phone number so I can ask some questions and walk you through some steps.

If SlitherninSisters is still around, she'll vouch for me when it comes to anything computer related lol. I've been building PC's since I was 13 and now I just more so do high end rigs.