slow computer

[dollyclare]

Lately my computer has slowed down a lot,the web(dial-up not broadband" )takes forever and sometimes when I try click on a link to another site I get error on page.Is it possible to just ask in any computer shop for someone to take a look at it or do I have to have bought it there.How much would this cost and is there anything else I can do.I read somewhere that too much added software slows things down.Also the links that now say error on page were perfectly accessible to me a few months back.Any advice please.

 

[paddyc]

Go to www.lavasoft.com and download a free piece of software called Ad-Aware, install and run this and remove everything it finds - spyware, dataminers etc ... this may help.

Also run a disk defragment on your computer to see if that speeds up accessing files locally on your computer - should be under accessories and system tools

 

[Crunchie]

And have a look at this link, there's some really useful info in it.

http://www.askaboutmoney.com//showthread.php?t=3591

 

[SolarSpectre]

You might also want to check out the this guide, Keep XP fast and stable!, http://www.neowin.net/forum/index.php?showtopic=298546 on the always useful Neowin.net website.

 

[dollyclare]

Thanks PaddyC,Crunchie and Solarspectre.I took yere advice and my pc is faster now.Dollyclare