My backup computer is running slow

[FranklinX 37]

My computer is about 5 years old. It has been used in 7 months until last week. It is running very slow. I ran a virus scan and removed 4 objects. I also scanned the computer with Ad-Ware, and it removed 80 objects. With all of the objects removed the computer is still running slow. What is the problem?

 

Thanks.

[Broken Messiah 20]

You could try to clean the dust out of it, though you'd have to be careful/

[madanchi 18]

spec plx

 

could be loads of things, but mainly how much hdd space you got left, clear any crap thats ont he computer and limit any useless start-up programs (dxdiag - start-up tab)

[BenBurge24 0]

I can only guess that this machine is a windows box.

 

Removing viruses and malware can help increase speed, but chances are that they have messed up some core windows files. In the tech shop I work in we use secure file checker after cleaning a system. This help make sure everything is where it should be and is completely there. Try running a CHKDSK to clean up the HDD a little as well.

 

I also agree with cleaning out the dust. Old computers collect quite a bit of the stuff and the cpu must run at a slower rate if air flow is lacking.

 

As stated in the topic title, if it is a backup machine then I would disconnect it from web access. Just cause you ran a virus scan and a malware scan doesn't mean you got everything (But you probably already know this :alright: ) and many times the enemy "calls" for reinforcements.

 

One last radical step would be to check for a virus or malware running through you home network. This does take quite a bit of time, make sure if you decide to go hunting that you disconnect all computers from the network then run the scan. Remember as well that, removable media can house an infection.

 

Catch you later,

 

Ben

[Knuckles 1]

Any computer is capable of running slow. My desktop with a Quad Core, 6GB RAM, and a 750GB HDD had its slowdown in the past. It could be your files on the HDD are fragmented, thus a Smart Defrag task (or just use the Windows Disk Defragmenter tool) could be necessary to solve your issue at least somewhat. Hidden background programs are usually responsible for a slow computer, try closing the unnecessary with task manager and uninstalling all the software you'll never use. Install SpyBot S&D and update the spyware profiles via its update tool, immunize your database, and run its scanner. Start-up programs, registry issues, internal dust resting on your hardware, malware of all forms, and a plethora of other problems unexplained can and will lead to a performance hit. Try the several ideas given in this post as well as the other posts in this thread. If you cannot optimize your computer from its current Windows installation, your last resort should be a reformat alongside backing up your HDD contents. Reformatting is a quick way to fix a hosed-up computer in terms of the operating system. As already suggested, internal dust leads to performance deterioration.

[CrimsonInferno 35]

Had this happen.

 

Viruses reproduce and attach themselves to important vital parts of your PC. When running the scan, the scanner will not remove those objects because they are attached to something important, like BIOs or something.

 

Your PC is most likely, doomed. When I had something like this, took two days for it to fully happen. Zip all your stuff up and upload it to a site, 'cause you might lose your PC....

 

*has had experience with far too many viruses*

[BenBurge24 0]

Had this happen.

 

Viruses reproduce and attach themselves to important vital parts of your PC. When running the scan, the scanner will not remove those objects because they are attached to something important, like BIOs or something.

 

Your PC is most likely, doomed. When I had something like this, took two days for it to fully happen. Zip all your stuff up and upload it to a site, 'cause you might lose your PC....

 

*has had experience with far too many viruses*

 

When this occurs, you can also perform a repair install. This reinstalls all core windows files without touching your data. Also, BIOs is ROM. This means it cannot be infected with viruses (again you probably already knew that :alright: )

 

Also, maybe use a restore point to go back to a time when it was faster.

 

Oh, one more idea. If at all possible, you could pull your drive (be careful about static electricity when transporting computer parts) and scan it using a separate computer (there is a chance of spreading any infections but there are programs like Steady State you can use temporarily to stop major changes to your HDD.

[CrimsonInferno 35]

You can repair (Which I've done) but you lose all your files, especially if a virus is in them. I used BIOs as an example of important-e-ness...although I didn't know they couldn't infect that. Well, they do infect Windows open files, such as screen code files and others. They reproduce and stick to everything. I just was attacked with one (last PC *sigh*) and it was called Avaelon. It was a strong one! If I hadn't have had two drives, Linux and Windows, I would have lost everything. But since I dual booted, I simply logged onto Linux and then opened my drive and put everything on my eBook. Greatest save of my life lol

 

My point was to just save everything though, and do a system repair before its too late.

[BenBurge24 0]

You can repair (Which I've done) but you lose all your files, especially if a virus is in them. I used BIOs as an example of important-e-ness...although I didn't know they couldn't infect that. Well, they do infect Windows open files, such as screen code files and others. They reproduce and stick to everything. I just was attacked with one (last PC *sigh*) and it was called Avaelon. It was a strong one! If I hadn't have had two drives, Linux and Windows, I would have lost everything. But since I dual booted, I simply logged onto Linux and then opened my drive and put everything on my eBook. Greatest save of my life lol

 

My point was to just save everything though, and do a system repair before its too late.

 

Haha, yes saving is always good. I agree with you on that.

 

I don't mean to impose but I simply wish to clarify.

 

A system repair does not effect data (sorta like restore point) It simple mimics a clean installation and deletes things in the Windows Folder and re-installs them again. However, a system restore does (usually) give the HDD a clean slate.

 

Please forgive me if I come off in a bad way. I wish no such thing, other than to clarify. :sweatdrop:

[madanchi 18]

lets slow things down a bit, his computer is running slow, thast most likely down to old age

 

has there been any unusual issues, like blue screens, random crashes/ freezes, restarts etc? btw scan any externals, and when i asked for you spec, the vitals i need to know are - ram, cpu, gpu and hdd space

[FranklinX 37]

Sometimes the programs do freeze for a few seconds, but I think that is because of the slowness.

[Kiriashi 117]

I had an old PC for seven years that ran quite fast; I doubt age is the problem.

[Ecowolfsteen 14]

This compy i'm using right now is about...Hmmmmm....5 years old? Not sure, but it works fine. Sure, it has a few problems here and there and sometimes programs run slowly but that's quite normal. Yeh, the specs might need to be posted, and you might need to CAREFULLY clean out all the dust. OR! Maybe your case is too small it's blocking air from coming out. That happened to Madanchi, and he's getting a new case....Anyway, post your specs and maybe clean it or check if the case is too small. Tried to help as best as I could....Heh.

[CrimsonInferno 35]

Old computers won't effect your speed. Just until this year I had almost 10 year old PC that ran smoothly, just looked ugly.

 

A system repair does not effect data (sorta like restore point) It simple mimics a clean installation and deletes things in the Windows Folder and re-installs them again. However, a system restore does (usually) give the HDD a clean slate.

Oh, we had to call for support because repairs weren't working. The person said that our virus was a one in a kind virus, we mentioned that this happened for any kind...eh, maybe it was just Windows Vista for us...

[madanchi 18]

old computers wont affect speed i agree, but compared to modern day spec it will seem slow and things do age, technology does deteriorate and the componants might not be that great- manufacturer wise and spec wise - hnce why i asked for the rig spec