Computer problem

[Figuremod73]

The last few days the computer has been running really slow after about ten minutes. Then all of a sudden it just freezes. We just had a bad storm two nights ago here so I was wondering if that might have gotten it? I think it might be the memory.
Even now as I write this (this is the first place I went to when I turned the comp on) its beginning to do it.
Could it be a virus? Thats the only other thing I can think of.
Anyways thanks. its already getting annoying!

[Toy Talk]

I am sure between all of us here we can help you narrow the field down the a precise problem, but we need some additional details. Let's start with the first question because other possibilities rely on the answer to this question.

1) Was the computer behaving the same way prior to the big storm

[Figuremod73]

Nah, it was doing pretty good up till a few days ago. The computer was turned off when the storm hit.
Once when i went to turn the computer off it gave some kind of error with the memory. I'll try to get that again when I go to turn it off.

When the computer is first turned on it will run fine for about ten minutes but start to grow slower and slower. Its like the memory is slowly draining.
Hope that helps some. I know very little about comps other than installing and removing/installing simple hardware like memory and video cards.

[WannabeMego]

Sounds like your PageFile (Virtual Memory)...but I'll reserve additional comments until we get further information.

Is your system running out of space...?

[Figuremod73]

This is whats on it:

Used disc space: 9.56 GB
Free disc space: 64.9 GB
Intel Pentium 4 cpu: 3.20 GHZ
1.60 GHZ, 512 MB of ram

Currently virus program is buggy and outdated, ive been thinking about re-installing windows xe (or upgrading)

I really suspect its a virus. I hardly ever download on this computer. Could i have gotten some kind of virus just from visiting websites? I surf alot (nope, havent been anywhere naughty.)

[rche]

Is the cpu sluggish with any program, or just your web browser?
If it is just the browser, try clearing out your cache and deleting all cookies. It could be just a TON of spyware eating up your processor.

[Figuremod73]

Thats a good idea. I'll experiment a little bit in regular programs and not go on the internet when i reboot and see how it performs.

Usually the internet is my main reason for even turning it on.

[Mikey]

Do you have malwarebytes anti malware ?

It's free

If not, download it, run it ... and then see what happens

[Toy Talk]

The computer's slowness grows as the computer runs.
There were no problems prior to the storm
You get a random memory error (was that there before the storm)
Your antivirus software is out of data and buggy

I think that covers everything we know at this point. That being said lets keep the Q/A coming along.

1) What operating system are you running: i.e. Windows XP, Windows Vista, Windows 7.

2) Uninstall your outdated and no longer licensed antivirus software, then reboot your machine. Outdated antivirus software applications will often cause computers to run slow as it tries to continuously check for updates, patches, and scans.

3) Clearing your cache is excellent advice.

4) Although this next part is not your issue, it will help dramatically. Upgrade your RAM to 1GB (2x what you are currently running). My guess is you are running Windows Vista or Windows 7, both run smoothest on 1GB of RAM or more.

5) Installing and running Malwarebytes is another excellent suggestion.

After you do all of those things let me know how our patient is doing. My biggest concern is the obvious connection between the storm and poor performance; do not disregard that as the problem because without a doubt it was the catalyst. I can provide you with the "how to" for running checks on your physical hardware if that is where this ends up, but lets look for the easy stuff first.

[Fire Marshal Bill]

2) Uninstall your outdated and no longer licensed antivirus software, then reboot your machine. Outdated antivirus software applications will often cause computers to run slow as it tries to continuously check for updates, patches, and scans.

I can testify to this! I almost replaced my computer last year because i couldn't figure out what was wrong with it. It was running horribly slow. By chance, i got an email stating that there was a new version of my antivirus software available. I downloaded and installed the new version and it completely hosed my computer. So i deleted it and rebooted. My computer never ran better . It was like having a new machine. I did install antivirus software again, just a different brand .

[megoapesnut]

Are we at the part where annoying Apple fans like me chime in and say "Get a MAC'??

[Brad]

This is whats on it:

Used disc space: 9.56 GB
Free disc space: 64.9 GB
Intel Pentium 4 cpu: 3.20 GHZ
1.60 GHZ, 512 MB of ram

Currently virus program is buggy and outdated, ive been thinking about re-installing windows xe (or upgrading)

I really suspect its a virus. I hardly ever download on this computer. Could i have gotten some kind of virus just from visiting websites? I surf alot (nope, havent been anywhere naughty.)

I am no expert but I would certainly look into bumping up the RAM. 512MB is small. I would go to at least 2GB. I run 3GB on my computer and it helps it run much faster.

Also using selective start up helps too. It shuts off all the unneeded programs from running in the background.

[mazinz]

I would strongly recommend downloading and running memtest:

http://www.memtest.org/

It really sounds like one of your ram chips is going. Running this free program (which will load before windows start up) will tell you. If any sectors of the ram chip list errors that is a safe bet the chip went bad and needs to be replaced.

[Toy Talk]

I would strongly recommend downloading and running memtest:

http://www.memtest.org/

It really sounds like one of your ram chips is going. Running this free program (which will load before windows start up) will tell you. If any sectors of the ram chip list errors that is a safe bet the chip went bad and needs to be replaced.

Excellent suggestion. memtest is one of the hardware test I was referring to when I said try the other stuff first and then we could look at hardware.

[mazinz]

Excellent suggestion. memtest is one of the hardware test I was referring to when I said try the other stuff first and then we could look at hardware.

Yeah if it is the ram chip, failure to fix the problem can result in it destroying your hard drive (which happened to me). Memtest was a life saver. In my case once I ran it on the first chip the red error flag light up like Christmas