| I see you've got yourself a computer and, apparently, | | | | so it makes sense. It temporarily stores the data into |
| you're wondering why your computer is running really | | | | RAM and allows quick access. When you have too |
| slow. There are many factors that come into play | | | | little RAM, your computer has to use the hard drive to |
| when a computer is running slow. This article will briefly | | | | access the data, and as such, runs really slow. How |
| look into the most common reasons a computer runs | | | | much RAM do you need? If you are running Windows |
| slow. Let's get started shall we? | | | | XP, you want at least 512MB to maintain a smooth |
| You've got a virus | | | | experience. If you're looking at Windows Vista, grab at |
| A common reason a computer runs really slow is you | | | | least 1GB. If you aren't sure how much you currently |
| have a virus or many viruses. The only way to deal | | | | have, right click the "my computer" icon and choose |
| with that is to run a virus scanner such as AVG Free, | | | | "properties." You should be able to see system |
| Norton, McAfee, Panda, etc. If you don't have any | | | | information. |
| anti-virus, definitely do a google search for AVG Free | | | | You have too many things running in the system tray |
| and install it asap. If these viruses are too pesky and | | | | This goes hand in hand with needing more RAM, but |
| you just can't get them out, it may be time to back up | | | | another common cause. Close out all the programs in |
| your data and reinstall Windows. | | | | there you don't need. I'd suggest stopping some of |
| You've got spyware/adware | | | | them from starting on boot up. To do so go to start |
| Probably the second most common reason a | | | | > run > type "msconfig" (no quotes) and a |
| computer runs really slow. Spyware and adware run | | | | window will pop up. Click the Startup tab and look |
| all sorts of different things on your computer to collect | | | | through the items, unchecking anything you don't need |
| your information, browsing habits, etc. If you have | | | | to start up. If you aren't sure what it is, leave it alone. |
| enough of them on your computer, it adds up to one | | | | But ask yourself, do I REALLY need this program to |
| really slow computer. Install and use A-Squared | | | | start every time I boot up? It will greatly help your |
| anti-adware to remove these. If you are feeling lazy, | | | | computer out. |
| fire up Internet Explorer and go to ewido.net and | | | | Those four reasons are by far the most common |
| perform their free online scan. Works like a charm. | | | | reasons a computer would run really slow. Run the |
| You need more memory | | | | virus scans, spware/adware scans and stop |
| This is by far the biggest one with Windows based | | | | unneeded things from loading. If that doesn't fix the |
| machines. Your computer is running really slow simply | | | | speed issue, check the amount of RAM you have, as |
| because it doesn't have enough memory to get the | | | | it is likely the culprit. You can likely add more RAM. If |
| job done. A computer likes to store the activities its | | | | you're unsure how to do this, there are many articles |
| currently working on inside of your memory (or RAM, | | | | out there about it, or you can contact your local PC |
| same thing). RAM is way faster than your hard drive, | | | | repair shop. |