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My PC is running too slow. In some cases it freezes.

Troubleshooting Slow PC and Frozen Screen: Scan for Spyware/Virus

Slow computers and intermittent freezing can be the result of a virus or spyware infection. Each one of these uses up valuable resources and if you don’t get rid of them, they can cause your computer to freeze or run slowly. If you have an anti-spyware/anti-virus application, check for updates and then scan your computer with a full scan. If you don’t have an anti-spyware/anti-virus application, try this one- Anti-VirusPLUS.

Troubleshooting Slow PC and Frozen Screen: Cleaning up the PC

Complete each one of the following tasks to clean up the computer and free up some valuable resources. Once you do, your computer should stop freezing up if a lack of computer resources is the problem.

• Delete unused applications and programs using the “Add/Remove” utility tool.
• Delete duplicate applications of the same program.
• If you have too many programs beginning at startup, it can cause your computer to freeze up. Disable some of the applications from starting up at boot up. For example, you don’t need QuickTime to start up when you boot up and so on. Windows Defender, which is built into Windows Vista, has a Startup Manager that you can use to manage your startup programs. Otherwise, go to Start > Run and type in msconfig. The Startup tab allows you to select or deselect programs for automatic startup. Choose carefully as you don’t want to disable necessary programs such as spyware protection.
• Delete unwanted files, photos, pictures, images, music files, videos, etc.
• Delete unwanted emails.
• Clear the temporary internet cache using the “Tools” feature on your web browser.
• Use a registry cleaner such as RegCure to scan your registry for errors.
• Defrag the computer by taking these steps: Click Start→ Click All Programs→ Click Accessories→ Click System Tools→ Click Disk Cleanup or some variation of this set of directions.

Troubleshooting Slow PC and Frozen Screen: Use System Restore

If none of the above strategies have worked to restore your computer back to normal, use the “System Restore” utility to turn time back and set your computer to an earlier date before this problem started to happen. To do so:

Click Start→ Click All Programs→ Click Accessories→ Click System Tools→ Click System Restore. Click “Restore my computer to an earlier time” and select a date that you think will be good. It should be an earlier date before the problems started to happen. Now, follow the prompts as they occur. Your computer should reboot and run smoothly now.

My computer is full of unwanted junk (caused by myself and everybody else that uses it) and I’m worried because it is ready to crash. What is the best cleaning method for cleaning it up and getting my computer back to how it should run?

It doesn’t take long, especially when sharing a computer, for a computer to become bogged down with junk. After all, if each user is downloading free games, screensavers, animated cursors, and other gizmos from the Internet, your computer’s hard drive can quickly fill up. What’s worse is that some of these programs may be malicious or may have had a secret payload, further contributing to the system’s instability.

Run Antivirus and Antispyware Tools First

Since it sounds like several users have downloaded programs, let’s start with a good malware scan and cleansing. As you are likely aware, these programs often arrive as hitchhikers on legitimate downloads. If you have multiple computer viruses or spyware programs hanging out on your system, your computer will act up and crash frequently. Use a reputable antivirus program with spyware detection features and run a complete (not quick) system scan. If you need a recommendation, read our Antivirus Reviews page.

Remove Unnecessary Programs

Once your system comes up clean of viruses and spyware, it’s time to remove the junk. Use Add and Remove Programs (Windows XP) or Programs and Features (Windows Vista) to uninstall any games, toolbars, screensavers, and other software that you no longer want on your system. If the programs do not appear in these removal tools, look to see if an uninstall program is included in the application’s main folder. If not, you may need a third party uninstaller to remove it.

Remove Temporary Files

The Disk Cleanup tool (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup) is an excellent built-in tool for clearing out the other junk including temporary Internet files, Recycle Bin files, dump files, and more. Running Disk Cleanup periodically is a good way to ensure that your computer’s hard disk doesn’t get so full that other programs can’t function.

Run the Disk Defragmenter

Next, use the Disk Defragmenter tool (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Defragmenter) to defrag the hard drive. This will realign all of the data on your disk so that Windows doesn’t have to work as hard to find what it needs. For example, when you first save a file to the disk, Windows places it in a specific location where it fits nicely. But, as you use the file and it becomes larger, it no longer fits. Therefore, Windows splits it up, putting pieces here and there and then patching the pieces back together as needed. By defragging the hard drive, all files are pieced back together and placed in locations where they fit in one piece. Once defragged, file access improves dramatically.

These steps are good, basic computer maintenance steps that you can take right now to clean your PC. If you want even more cleaning power, invest in a registry cleaner, such as RegCure, and let the software take care of cleaning out the Windows registry. A good registry cleaning can work wonders on a computer on the brink of crashing. Combined with antivirus/antimalware cleaning, removing unwanted programs, cleaning out temporary files, and defragging the hard drive, your computer should be in excellent shape once again.

How can I keep my computer from locking up when I’m online and get it to run faster? I can’t seem to fix the errors in the computer. How do I fix the errors without the computer shutting down or freezing up?

Before tackling how to fix and optimize your slow computer, let’s take a look at the most common causes for PC sluggishness and computer lock ups: malware, registry corruption, and lack of resources. Any of these three, or a combination of them, could be to blame.

Download tool - Fixes Registry problems that lead to Slow PC !

Speed Killers: Malware

Malware, a broad category that includes computer viruses, spyware, worms, hacker attacks, and other pesky threats, is notorious for causing slow online connections, computer crashes, and extremely poor computer performance. In fact, it’s not uncommon for an infected computer to have dozens of infections further compounding the problem.

Not only do each of these programs take up system resources like memory, some of them use your Internet connection to send massive e-mail campaigns on behalf of the hacker who sent the malware to your computer. Conficker is a current example of malware that turns your computer into a robot that follows commands sent from afar.

Speed Killers: Registry Corruption

Windows stores information about user preferences, the computer’s hardware, installed software, and other systematic details in a massive database known as the Windows registry. Windows relies on this registry in order to function properly. Instructions in the registry tell the operating system what to do with a given element. However, if these instructions are incomplete or missing, Windows gets confused and the system comes to a crawl. Computer errors and system freezes are often due to a problem with a corrupt or bloated registry.

Speed Killers: Lack of Resources

Computers need RAM, sufficient hard disk space, and processor power to perform at basic levels. The more programs that are running at once, the greater the demand is for system resources. When resources reach critical levels, the computer eventually freezes.

Repairing and Speeding up Slow Computers

Okay, so now you have three potential causes for your computer’s terrible performance. Because computer viruses and spyware are running rampant, let’s start there. Do you have reputable (from well known and respected developers) antivirus and antispyware tools installed on your computer?  If so, update the software with the latest updates and run a full system scan. If not, invest in a good product.

All of the products listed on Filetonic’s antivirus review page are from respected antimalware developers. A few are even free.

While you’re at it, use Windows Update to update your operating system. This will ensure that you have the latest security patches, further protecting your computer from invasions.

Once you’re confident that any virus issues are solved, reboot your computer and see if the speed and lockup issues have been solved. If so, great! If not, consider using a registry cleaner to clear out the junk in the registry. We recommend RegCure.

Before you buy, download the free scan tool to see if your computer is a good candidate for cleaning. The scanner will show you how many invalid or corrupt registry entries are on your computer. From there, you can make a decision whether or not you need to invest in this product.

Now, let’s look at your system resources. Cleaning virus infections should help with this. However, your computer may have programs loading that you don’t need or your hard disk could be nearly full. Both of these issues can cause PC slowdowns and crashes.

Remove programs from automatic startup (Start >Run > msconfig > Startup Items) and free up some disk space by running the Disk Cleanup tool (Start > Programs > Accessories > System Tools > Disk Cleanup).

Finally, since your computer shuts down frequently, consider performing these steps in Safe Mode. Hopefully Safe Mode will buy you enough time to repair your system.

Computers are easy breeding grounds for bacteria and expert collectors of lint and crumbs. Follow these tips to clean signs of regular use from your monitor, mouse, and keyboard.

Cleaning Monitors

The casing of monitors can be wiped down with a washcloth or wipe moistened with disinfectant. Always place the cleaning product on the washcloth or wipe, never spray it directly on the monitor itself. For older glass monitors, the screen can be wiped with a window cleaner. Newer screens with LCD or plasma displays cannot have window cleaner used on them.

To clean an LCD or plasma display monitor, mix equal parts of isopropyl alcohol (commonly known as rubbing alcohol) and distilled water. Ethyl alcohols and tap water will not work because it contains components that will leave build up on the screen, or damage the delicate structure. Use only a cotton cloth made for dusting, or a dryer sheet. A regular washcloth or other abrasive material should not be used.

Cleaning a Computer Mouse

There are two types of computer mice out there: the track ball and infrared. Mice with a ball on top to manipulate should be cleaned like an infrared.

To clean a track ball mouse, unplug it from the computer, and turn it over. Turn the disk holding the ball in place to loosen it and remove both the disk and ball. Place these in a lint free location, such as a plastic bag. Next, with tweezers or a tooth pick, clean off the fuzz and lint buildup on the rollers inside. Be careful to not hit any components, and turn the mouse over to make sure all of the removed lint falls out. Now, replace the ball inside, and close the disk by turning it clockwise. The outside of the mouse may be wiped down with a soft cloth and a small amount of disinfectant.

Infrared mice, and mice with a roller ball on top should not be disassembled for cleaning. Instead, place a small amount of disinfectant or the isopropyl alcohol and distilled water solution on a soft cloth and remove any build up or residue on the outside of the plastic.

Cleaning a Keyboard

There are two components to keyboards, the top of the keys and the space underneath them. The top of the keys can be cleaned with a soft cloth and isopropyl alcohol and distilled water solution, or each key individually scrubbed with a cotton swab.

Crumbs, paper debris, dust, and dirt love to collect under the keys. I have even seen a paper clip make its way into that little space! One way to remove crumbs and debris is to simply turn the keyboard over and shake it gently for the dust to fall out. There are also small vacuums out on the market to suck up the debris in between the keys. For tougher jobs, you can remove the keyboard keys, and this will be necessary to clean any liquid spills.

Cleaning the Computer Case

Another collection area for dust is the computer case. Too often, we hide these plastic cubes of processing power in a cabinet or under the desk. The problem with this is the poor ventilation and location makes dust and dirt stick around.

With the computer completely unplugged, you can remove the plastic case and carefully clean any dust with a soft cloth. The electrical components are very fragile and when in doubt, leave them alone. The main areas to focus on are in the back by the fan, and in the bottom of the case. The outside of the case and any buttons can be wiped with a soft cloth with a gentle cleaning solution applied to the cloth, such as a disinfectant or the isopropyl alcohol and distilled water solution.

Keeping the computer clean will help prevent germs and viruses from spreading, as many computers have multiple users. Even a personal computer should be kept clean because bacteria can still breed on the surfaces, and hands are the most notorious carrier of germs to face and mouth. Another important aspect of keeping the computer clean is performance. Sticky keys make it tough to type, and a mouse with lots of lint on the rollers will not move as smoothly. It is very important to keep the computer’s fan free from dust and debris, as it prevents the system from overheating.