Computer Question

[DemocratSinceBirth]

I know there are always computer savy people around...

My computer is freezing up a lot and taking longer and longer to go from sleep to running mode...Does that mean my hard drive is dieing?


How much should I pay for a new tower?


I don't do much with my computer but write letters, use the e-mail function, and surf the net... I do have a high speed connection that I pay big bucks for... How powerful a computer do I need... I am not going to replace my monitor...

[BlueJazz]

1. Well...Number one...sounds like you have spyware running on it.

download adaware (free)

http://lavasoft.com/products/ad_aware_free.php

But first do this:
Go to start,run
Type in the box: msconfig
hit OK
Choose "Startup"
choose "disable all"
apply, OK
restart computer...when Box pops-up ..uncheck little box.

This is just basic stuff....but do these things first.

[BlueJazz]

2. Let us know if that helps ...also What program will not shut down?

Some programs don't "Get along" with each other...Kodak "Easy Share" being one of them.
Also get rid of ALL Temp files...will show you how..later

[DemocratSinceBirth]

4. That's Been Suggested

I think my hard drive is dieing...

When I leave it (and it goes to sleep) it is taking longer to go into run mode...

[NJmaverick]

3. Have you scanned your computer for spyware/malware?

That's usually the first thing one looks for

[DemocratSinceBirth]

5. Yes

This morning...

[NJmaverick]

6. What did you use to scan your system?

[DemocratSinceBirth]

7. McAfee

~

[NJmaverick]

8. Here try this one

the free version is very powerful and may find things McAfee might have missed

http://www.majorgeeks.com/Malwarebytes_Anti-Malware_d5756.html

[mainegreen]

9. Well, I doubt you need a new computer.

First, uninstall all programs you do not use.

Then defrag the hard drive.
(Start->All Programs->Accessories->System Tools->Disk Defragmentor)

Check what is in startup. Remove things you do not need
(Start->All Programs->Startup)

Also, if you're feeling adventurous, check out services in the control panel to see what is set to start automatically on startup. If you see something that really does need to be started (like World Wide Web Publishing Services), set the startup type to manual.

[TreasonousBastard]

10. It's probably not your hard drive because...

terminal hard drives make a lot of noise or shred files, or both. Could be an aging cable, processor, or something else, but most likely just Windoze acting up.

After years of use, the Registry gets all clogged up with useless entries, bits of deleted programs stay around to wreak havoc, and Windows, in its infinite wisdom, tries to fix all this but eventually just gives up. And there's spyware and stuff, but it's really not as common as just plain Windows flakiness.

If you have XP, use "System Restore" to take the machine back to the last time it worked well. Everyone forgets about this little gem in XP that has saved my life several times. Click the Start button, then Help, and you'll see it somewhere in the Help screen.

If you're still using 98, reinstalling the operating system might be necessary.

New computers are cheap. You can get a new one for around 400 bucks if you look hard enough, and don't need to pay over 600. Anything you buy nowadays will work better than what you have for net surfing and stuff. Check the Sunday ads for what Best Buy, Staples, and everyone else is selling. Even Wal-Mart has perfectly good E-machines cheap. Don't worry about what people are saying about Vista-- it works fine for most people.