I need some computer (PC) help please!

[krunchyfrogg]

My computer is running REALLY slow, and it always sounds like there's a program running in the background (the harddrive is 'whirring', but i can't ever find it.

When i open FireFox, there's always script issues and FireFox freezes. When I reboot FF, it works again.

Please help!!

Also, what are the best free spyware/firewall/antivirus programs out there? I currently use Zone Alarm and Avast AntiVirus.

 

[nedjer]

My computer is running REALLY slow, and it always sounds like there's a program running in the background (the harddrive is 'whirring', but i can't ever find it.

When i open FireFox, there's always script issues and FireFox freezes. When I reboot FF, it works again.

Please help!!

Also, what are the best free spyware/firewall/antivirus programs out there? I currently use Zone Alarm and Avast AntiVirus.

Here I can be specific. Get a free copy of Piriform CCleaner, run it and then check out what's loading at startup with the same programme. Stop anything dodgy loading at startup and you'll be able to diagnose better

 

[Blackrat]

Well, Avast is pretty good, I use it myself too. Firefox issues sounds strange. Are you using the newest version?

As for CCleaner that nedjer suggests, it's a good suggestion. Though the wording "anything dodgy" might be a bit confusing. But if there are things that you are absolutely certain don't need to open on startup you can stop those and see if it helps speed the machine.

 

[drothgery]

If you can use Microsoft Security Essentials for anti-virus (meaning you're running Vista or Win7), and you're not already paying for something else, I pretty strongly recommend going that way. Free, somewhat less of a resource hog than most AV programs, and considering what AV software has to do to work right, I'd really prefer that no one other the OS vendor do it.

 

[darjr]

Microsoft Security Essentials works for Windows XP. You should run it.

 

[ssampier]

Simple stuff first:

(Windows XP)
What program is using up your juice? Hit Ctrl+Alt+Delete. Click Task Manager. Click Processes. Now click CPU twice. The program that uses most of your resources should be listed.

Firefox script issues are puzzling. First I would use the safe mode to disable all Add-ons.

 

[Felon]

What is the operating system?

How old is the computer (particularly the hard drive, and more particularly with that operating system)?

 

[Thanee]

Using too many Firefox AddOns can cause problems.

Using too many Anti-Virus solutions (simultaneously) can cause severe problems, too.

Commercial AV products (unless they are called "Norton" or "McAfee") are pretty much always better than the free ones (which doesn't mean the free ones are bad, far from it). If you are worried about the safety of your computer, this is a good place to invest in.

Bye
Thanee

 

[Andramelech]

This may seem to obvious, but you've defraged the hard drive right? Sometimes your pagefile gets fragmented across the disk.

Did you say when you don't use firefox, there's no problem. If the problem's obviously firefox, re install it.

Spybot search and destroy is the best anti spyware I've used. I use it then CC cleaner.

 

[Joker]

Ignore all these hacks. The problem is obviously that you are trying to use your computer. Pull out the plug and all annoying messages will disappear.

You're welcome.