Why is My Windows XP Computer Running So Slow?

Before We Begin – Your Computer Memory and Processing In A Nutshell

There are three things that are the primary factor in the speed of your computer.

1) RAM / Random Access Memory / Short-Term Memory – This is memory that is used when your programs are open or running in the background.
2) CPU – This is the Processing Speed of your computer. It affects how fast your programs work.
3) Hard-Drive / Disk-Drive / Long-Term Memory – This is where your files are stored and is also used for Short-Term Memory.

What Causes Your Computer to Run Slow?

Malware (Viruses, Trojans, Ad-Bars, etc)

As you are browsing the internet, downloading files, opening emails and install programs, you sometimes gain unwanted computer passengers. Most of these programs are fairly harmless, but they can greatly slow down your computer. And some are not so harmless! Malware can use up your Short-Term Memory.

Too Many Start-Up Programs

A lot of computer software programs want to start-up with your computer when you turn it on. Even legitimate companies like Microsoft, Google and Adobe want their software to start-up with your computer and run in the background. These programs are awful memory hogs and many are not necessary. Too many open programs can use up your Short-Term Memory.

Too Many Programs Running at the Same Time or a Big Program

This one is fairly straightforward – you have too many programs open. For example, you might have itunes, Microsoft Word, Chrome browser all open at the same time. Or you have a program that is using a lot of resources, like Adobe Photoshop. With most machines this is okay. Some of the older machines with less memory, this is not okay. Too many open programs can use up your Short-Term and Long-Term Memory.

Lack of Hard Disk Memory and Junk

Over time we keep downloading new files and loading up more programs, eventually the hard-drive will fill up. This greatly slows down your computer, because you computer also uses hard-drive memory in addition to short-term memory / RAM. Also over time Junk (Cookies, Temp Files, etc) load up on your machine and slow things down.

Too Large of an Operating System

Your computer comes with an Operating System that is compatible with its resources. It is almost always a bad idea to upgrade to another Windows Version. You are far better off, just purchasing a new computer if you want a more current operating system.

Okay…so now how do you fix it?

 

How Do I Speed It Up?

Malware (Viruses, Trojans, Ad-Bars, etc)

There are a lot of programs to deal with Malware. I will suggest the following two programs.

Download and install these two programs:
1) Malwarebytes – http://www.malwarebytes.org/mwb-download/confirm/
For Windows XP (no longer supported), you can download and install this program.
2) Comodo https://www.comodo.com/home/internet-security/antivirus.php

Once you install and use them, it is probably a good idea to not have the Malwarebytes run with the Computer Startup. Just use it from time to time. However, it would be a good idea to keep the Comodo set up to start with your computer. It is probably the only program you want to have use up your valuable start-up and backgrond running resources.

Too Many Start-Up Programs

A good way to see what is starting up with your computer is to run MSCONFIG from the Run Command line. Once this is open you can see the “Startup” programs and shut off any that you know are not needed.

Too Many Programs Running at the Same Time or a Big Program

The good news! You can control this, just open and close programs as needed. This also includes different tabs in a browser program. Also, you can consider putting more RAM into your computer.

Also, you can go into the Add and Remove Programs from the Control Panel and remove any programs you know you do not want.

Lack of Hard Disk Memory and Junk

There are a lot of programs to deal with computer “junk”. I will suggest the following programs.

Download and install this program:
CCleaner http://www.piriform.com/ccleaner

Once you install and use them, it is probably a good idea to not have the CCleaner run with the Computer Startup. Just use it from time to time.

Go into your C disk drive and delete any files you do not need if your computer hard-drive does not have at least 5 GB free space.

Also, you can run a Disk Defrag-mentation on your hard-drive.

Too Large of an Operating System

Try to go backwards to the older Operating System if you can.

Did you machine get faster or is there something I missed? Leave a comment and let me know.